http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/08/20/sweta-agarwal-proud-to-be-indian-citizen-and-to-have-pr-status-in-singapore/
Sweta Agarwal proud to be Indian citizen and to have PR
status in Singapore
August 20, 2009 by admin
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From our Correspondent
The man, or rather, the lady at the center of the controversy, Ms
Swetal Agarwal has replied. (read article here)
In a letter to the Straits Times Forum on 20 August 2009, Ms Swetal
Agarwal wrote that she is happy being a PR though she does not get
equal benefits in housing and other aspects.
However, she was adamant that her child get the best education in
Singapore:
“But where our children are concerned, we just want them to have
the best education possible and I think we are not asking
much…….where schooling is concerned, ‘every child has the right to
get the best education possible’.”
Ms Swetal Agarwal did not explain why she did not choose to take up
Singapore citizenship after living here for 6 years.
“About living here for six years and not taking citizenship, I
think this is a very personal choice.”, she wrote.
Unfortunately, many Singapore citizens do not enjoy the luxury of
‘personal choice’ as Ms Swetal. They are stuck with the citizenship
with nowhere to go. On the other hand, Ms Swetal can always choose
to return to India where the cost of living is much lower.
Ms Swetal is not alone. There many Malaysian and Chinese PRs who
refuse to become Singapore new citizens in order to enjoy the “best
of both worlds”. They earn decent salaries in Singapore which when
converted to their native currencies, will enable them to retire
comfortably in their homelands. Therefore, many do not see their
future in Singapore.
Ms Swetal ended her letter by proclaiming her loyalty to India: “I
am proud to be a citizen of my country and have PR status in
Singapore.” Many Singaporeans would be envious of her position. How
nice it is to be a Singapore citizen and a Australian or Canadian
PR at the same time.
In the meanwhile, the furore over foreigners being “given a free
meal” continues unabated with one Singaporean calling on the
government to start new citizens on ‘quasi-national service’. (read
letter here)
Bryan Tan wrote of his suggestion: “Besides being seen to
contribute to society, they can also integrate into society faster
by interacting with people at various levels. By serving in
hospitals or charities, they will gain an instant insight into
cultural and religious aspects of the community of which they will
become part.”
While Singapore men spent two years of the best years of their
lives in the army, it seems a “good deal” for the new citizens to
do contribute to Singapore by serving in civilian institutions. The
question is: does the government have any political will or courage
to implement it?