

Singapore—This
little
Island City never ceases to amuse me and
frustrate me on multiple counts during each visit.. When you think that you
have seen it all, there are new icons popped up where you never thought there
is enough space,on many occasions you notice they have quite easily reclaimed
Sea, MRT has expanded to new places and
some old landmarks go missing… amazingly, in spite of all the construction ,the
Green cover and open spaces seldom vanish….The frustration stems from the inevitable
but unjust comparison I tend to make with my beloved Mumbai….There are endless
geographical similarities and limitations to both cities but they are at
opposite ends of spectrum in terms of development , living comfort and
discipline …the roads and footpath here are crowded like in Mumbai but cars don’t honk and wait for signal ,
citizens use footpaths and walkways only and there is no Jay Walking .Even in
heavy rush hour Cars STOP to let Pedestrians go first even if they are not on
Zebra Crossing.


There is Rain almost daily and Thunderstorms quite routinely
but City life seldom de-rails or stops, it slows down a bit to get back to
normal soonest. Lesser we talk and compare about the cleanliness is better.
The MRT is mostly underground in congested area and bus
network beautifully complements the MRT covering entire city.I do have the soft
corner for our BEST and Sub-urban rail network for the near impossible task
they are doing but for the Political lack of will and foresight hampering any improvement..
What is even more frustrating is that Asians and mostly Indians
are leaving their Mark here also albeit in restricted way due to Fear Factor….
So you travel on Orchard Road to
appreciate the real Singapore and then you go to Serangoon Street and Little
India to see Asian Flavor…Its dis-organized , comparatively dirty, everyone is
Jaywalking whenever they have a chance, there is noise on the streets and in
shops alike which you will not find on a crowded Orchard Street also. Its
almost as if two different Singapore
exist in one city…
So Everytime I visit this professional city ,I wish/dream
that atleast in my lifetime I will see Mumbai emulating Singapore in
small way…Its difficult but not Impossible!!
I believe in the adage “Never Say “Never”….so I shall continue to be amused, amazed, frustrated and still hopeful in all my future visits as wel!
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