Have a heart, don't restrict concessions for senior citizens

ST Forum, The Straits Times, March 8, 2007


I refer to 'Raw deal for seniors on concession rates" ( ST March 5).
Many visitors to Singapore have asked me the same question - that in spite of economic achievements Singapore seems to be lacking in heartware.

How many senior citizens will travel during peak times - especially in crowded buses and trains?

And who wants to mill around in crowded cinemas on weekends?

We need to show that in spite of material achievements in education and economic progress, we share compassion and good values by being gracious to our senior citizens.

Some day, the present generation of youth will eventually become senior citizens. Do they then want to be treated in a similar manner, for example, in granting concessions only during certain times for transport and cinema tickets, et cetera?

We must be seen to be a gracious society embracing Asian values of filial piety, by being kind to senior citizens in as many ways as possible and by not just lip service.

Singapore is what it is today because of the contributions of senior citizens who have tightened their belts whenever it was demanded of them in the past.

Our youth will learn how to deal with senior citizens by the example of those in power today.

Ananda Perera

No comments:

Post a Comment