Friday, February 15, 2008
Today is Total Defence day and im here to post how i feel about Total Defence now!
We have been taught about Total defence day ever since we were in primary school, but i didn't even know what it means. However, now I feel that total defence day is a very important day as it is the day which marks the day when Singapore fallen to the Japanese and the start of our forefather's sufferings. Our forefathers suffered with food shortages and increasing prices. They also suffered the cruel ruling of the Japanese for years. Total Defence makes sure we do not forget those days and stay vigilant.
Total Defence day was one of the main reasons why the Singapore Government decided that we could not depend on the British to govern us and have to gain independence. Thus Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world. However, Many Singaporeans, like us teenagers, takes our safety for granted and are not 100% prepared for an attack from terrorists or other countries. If there were to be a World War III, amd Singapore is involved, the citizens of Singapore might be the most inexperienced towards bomb raids and water and food rationing in the world. So I feel that the sirens and massages on radio and television is extremely helpful to us as we will know what to do when there's a bomb raid. Our school also gave us a food rationing excercise to let us know how bad the quality of the food is if there's a shortage of food.
Total Defence day is also teaches us to be united as a nation and about the various 'defences' which is part of Singapore's total defence. The Military Defence of Singapore is our first line of defence and helps us deal with threats like terrorist bombings. The SAF is always ready to protect Singapore by training seriously, making the SAF strong. The Civil Defence deals with problems inland and makes sure Singapore's streets are safe, 24 hours. They also help to make sure that we are ready evacuation proceedures and familiarise us with basic first-aid. The Economic Defence helps us upgrade ourselves so that we are employable in the rapidly changing world. Social Defence makes us united as citizens and help out anyone in need reguardless of race and religion. Phycological Defence helps us to have trust and be loyal to our country and play our part.
With this Total Defence, we can stay stong as a country. That is why i feel that Total Defence day is an extremely important day!
Done By: Benedict Tan
Total Defence
Total defence to me is all about sacrifice. For instance, to remember about the past, how our elders defended Singapore and stuff, we actually ration food supplies in our school.
Many of the students in my school grimaced when they tasted the porridge that was given to us today in school. they complained that it was bland and tasted plain. But, they failed to realise that this was what our elders ate in the past. You don't hear them complaining about the taste of the porridge. (:
Today, when the SCDF sounded the alrm at approximately 12.05p.m, some of my friends thought that it was a fire drill. This goes to show that many people like us, the young generation, can't be bothered about this day. I admit that I ain't very interested in this day either, but at least, I know what the alarm sounds like and what was the purpose of sounding the alarm. Can you imagine what would happen if the alarm was sounded in a crisis? Many people would be clueless? many lives would be lost...( if we were attacked by another country, etc.)
I really hope that people would treat Total Defence Day more seriously, for in future, when a real crisis strikes, we would know what to do.
Now, for some information....
The five arrows in the logo represent the five aspects of Total Defence: Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological Defence. The arrows point in the same upward direction. This signifies concerted effort towards a common objective: safeguarding the progress and future of Singapore. The logo's outline is significant for two reasons: It is, firstly, the outline of a hand, symbolising action and representing unity and completeness. Total Defence is deficient if any of the five "fingers" is missing. Secondly, the logo is in the shape of a house, and symbolises Singapore as our homeland. With Total Defence, the security of our homeland is therefore safeguarded. The crescent and five stars, and the colours of red and white, are elements from the National Flag. They represent nationhood. Total Defence brings Singaporeans together as one people. Taken as a whole, the logo symbolises all Singaporeans doing what they can in Total Defence to ensure peace and security for the future.
TODAY IS TOTAL DEFENCE DAY! Today my school held a food rationing programme.
Everybody must pay $1 to exchange 4 some food.
The food kind of sucks, but it is very meaningful actually.
It lets us know bout the past more.
How food rationing was carried out and what they had to eat during war.
On Tuesday the ELDDS had put up an interesting play about total defence and after that the school had held some activity and all of it lets us know a lot about this special day.
This was a quite a fun week and also interesting and I get to know a lot more about total defence day.
I hope that our school will have more of this kind of activity so everyone can enjoy and also get to learn more about total defence day.
By, BELLINA.
Total Defence.
I watched a play done up by the ELDDS last tuesday. It was about Dr. Benjamin Henry Sheares in the time when the KK hospistal was taken over by the Japanese army.
Even though the Japanese had taken over Singapore and KK hospital was almost taken over, Dr. Benjamin still hang on and did not giving up on saving lifes. I really respect him as he placed others before him and did not complain about what was happening. He even risked his life for his patients!
He has inspired many. For example, doctors, nurses and bosses. He is a good role model for many of us. We often think of ourselves much higher than the rest. Sometimes, all we think about is 'Me, Myself & I' and nothing else. Those selfish thoughts. I personally think that Dr. Benjamin by how he serviced KK hospital teached us a lesson, to have faith in ourselves and not give up in times of difficulties. We should do out best in every thing , like as though this is the last chance we're getting to do it. Despite criticism from his peers, he was a strong advocator of voluntary sterilisation and family planning.
The
Benjamin Sheares is named after him, as is a student's residence hall, Sheares Hall, in the National University of Singapore. I think is worthy of having things named after him. He has contributed much to medicine. He was also the first medical practitioner in Singapore to use the lower segment method of performing Caesarean sections.
He is Singapore's second president, after Mr. Yusof. He maintained a humble life, despite his new position, returning to his home daily at Holt Road for lunch and dinner. This tells me that he is a great father, for he did not forsake his family for other business.
He is indeed a respectable man. His services for Singapore was great.
Done by: Janice.
Resources from:
1)
http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_650_2005-01-24.html2)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Henry_Sheares3)
