SINGAPORE : Four immigrant families received a warm welcome with
a durian party on Sunday morning - all part of efforts to make new
citizens feel welcome and help them integrate into the Singapore
way of life.
Durians and foreign talent - these prickly subjects were the focus
of attention at the party at Rivervale.
Four-hundred D-24 durians were specially catered for the families
from China, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia who now call Singapore
home.
Said Michael Palmer, MP for Pasir-Ris-Punggol GRC, "One of the best
ways of bringing in new citizens and new PRs into the community is
to not only send them a letter or have tea with them but actually
to bring them into the Singapore culture. And one of the great
pastimes is eating, and durians are an all-time favourite among
Singaporeans."
One couple from Andhra Pradesh, India, were one of many game enough
to try the king of fruits.
Receiving their citizenship last year, the couple said they were
happy here.
Said Reddy U Potturi, a physiotherapist, "My first experience in
Singapore was only a bit with language for the first few months.
After that I could adapt to Singapore English, and after that
everything went on very smooth."
His wife, Menna Potturi, said, "I keep watching Channel NewsAsia so
I can get news about Singapore and how people live over here so
that I could get used to this place."
A Bangladeshi couple, who run a computer business, intend to hire
four more workers soon, and they welcome the Prime Minister's call
for more foreign talent in Singapore.
Said entrepreneur Helal Uddin, "As long as there are many
foreigners there will be a lot of competition in the work place and
better talents in Singapore, and they will contribute to Singapore
and better futures."
This point was echoed by Foreign Minister George Yeo at a separate
charity event.
Said Mr Yeo, "In many parts of the economy we do need foreigners to
help plug in the gaps and the whole purpose is to benefit Singapore
and Singaporeans. If we don't provide a sufficient pool of workers
for investors, they will go somewhere else and this will affect our
economy."
With more parties like this lined up, the winner of the next
durian-opening competition could be among the new Singaporeans. -
CNA /ct
I stayed here for almost 22 years already, and my town council
never ever hold a party for me... 
