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Young people have high hopes for S’pore’s future

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For some, it was a chance to gaze into what is in store for us and our country

These young people have high hopes for the future of Singapore.

Jerlyn Cheong, a 16-year-old student who attended the SG50 Jubilee Big Walk 2015 with her family, said: "I hope Singapore will maintain, if not improve, its economic prosperity, as well as its social and racial harmony.

"I'm very proud to be a Singaporean.

"As I look at the Singapore skyline, I think it's quite a feat for a country which used to have nothing to now have all these buildings around."

Jerlyn is certainly not alone.

Fourteen-year-old studentSabrina Akbar said: "I'm proud Singapore has come so far."

She was at the walk for the first time with her nine-year-old sister Nadia Akbar, and her parents, Mr Mohd Akbar, 44, a cleaner, and Madam Poh Junaida, 39, an administrative assistant.

Said Sabrina: "I enjoy looking at all the landmarks and I don't have a favourite one in particular.

"But I want to tell my grandchildren stories about the country when I am old. I also hope we will remain peaceful and without chaos."

Polytechnic studentChua Wei Jun, 17, said the architecture of the Singapore skyline is "unique and exquisite".

He said: "I hope Singapore will develop and prosper to be a greater country."

Other young Big Walkers had different hopes.

PROGRESS

Full-time national servicemanMathias Ooi, 19, said: "The landscape in Singapore is always changing and it's a good thing because it shows Singapore is progressing."

"I hope Singapore will be cleaner and greener in the future. There are too many buildings around us now, which obstruct the natural view."Nur Hedaya, 13, a student, said: "I feel very inspired for the future when I look at all the landmarks around me.

"And I hope to visit the National Gallery soon because I saw pictures online and (the building) looks nice."

Hedaya's younger brother, Muhd Hilman, 10, added: "There's not much greenery in Singapore so I hope more gardens will be built to make the country a nicer place.

"Maybe more theme parks with roller coasters can be built, too."

It is not only Singaporeans who are relishing the future of the country, even as they strolled past iconic landmarks that offered glimpses of the past.

Administrative executive Wint Mar Lar Aunt, who is from Myanmar, said: "I've been working here for the past two years and I think that Singapore's skyline is very impressive.

"Before this, I had never seen the Old Hill Street Police Station," said Ms Wint, 27, who was at the walk with her friend, Ms Ma Zin Mar, 35, a quality service manager.

Said Ms Wint: "So a big thank you to the Jubilee Big Walk for showing me a part of Singapore I never knew existed."


I want to tell my grand­children stories about the country when I am old.

- Sabrina Akbar, 14

TNP Big Walk