Singapore the Garden City with a proud heritage By Srimal Fernando I Daily Mirror

Daily Mirror MONDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2013 (Impulse Page 2 ) 01:16
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Singapore the Garden City with a proud heritage

By Srimal Fernando

Singapore is one of the perfect tourist destinations that touch once soul like no other country. This great nation lives truly up to the title “Singapura” meaning "Lion city". “Onward Singapore” or “Majulah Singapura” composed by Zubair Said in 1958 is the inspirational noteworthy national anthem of the beloved countrymen .The country with a proud heritage of a rich and living culture is the fastest growing wealth center in the world

 

. Through urban planning model Singapore has transformed from a city crowded with buildings to a clean eco- friendly City in a Garden. Unlike any other country in the world Singapore with 5.1 million people is an outstanding example of 63 islands. Singaporean independence campaigner Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore was the towering figure widely credited with molding the island nation into one of Asia’s wealthiest countries. The culture and the arts of Singapore passed through several stages during its history. The British and Japanese, occupation of Singapore saw a new era of political, cultural and religious landscape of Singapore until the country gained Independence on 9 August 1965 from Malaysia. Each of the colonial rulers who ruled Singapore left their imprint on the current inhabitants of the country.  Singaporeans were so practical  in their approach to the art of building  high rise towers .Country has theaters  and cinemas  and is a fashionable place . The city possesses an enormous cultural richness with uncountable attractions to see and offers an unmatched experience to the travelers.The Merlion a mythical creature with a head of a lion and a body of a fish   is used as the mascot .It is one of the highest-esteemed attractions in the country. The innovative multi storey SkyPark Marina Bay Sands features three 55-story hotel towers is the  greatest engineering achievements that unhesitatingly leap into the future. There is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Singapore. The  Sentosa Island  resorts ,Seloso beach ,Universal Studio , Underwater World ,Oceanarium, attract thousands  of visitors daily. The seven storied Pagoda Twins  located at Chinese  garden, Singapore Flyer , the world largest Jurong Bird park with nearly 5000 birds , Singapore National Museum, Little India and China Town are the other  exotic places- to experience the unforgettable  experience to enjoy the charm of the county.

The  Singapore Botanical Gardens  and Lake side areas also offers  tourist to enjoy the riverside beauty. Apart from that tourist can see, that Singapore is also gifted with some of the world famous educational institutions. The most well-known of all are the National University of Singapore  and the Nanyang  Technological University .These universities had played a pioneering  role in the development of the modern education system in the country. Changi Airport with several terminals is one of the world's leading and busiest Airports.  It  is a major stop over point for over 100international airlines . Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier and the  largest airline of Singapore that operates daily flights from the airport . Convenient Singapore Metro (SMRT) is a modern public transportation system network consisting of many lines with more than 100 stations provides various fast links between the Eastern   and Western parts of Singapore. Film Industry in Singapore  during the past decade , has seen the production of internationally recognized movies and the rise of actors, actresses and writers. Singapore Dreaming  by Woo Yen  Yen and Colin Goh, won the Montblanc New Screenwriters Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in 2006.The people of the Singapore are known for their love for theatre, films, music and dances. This over whelming diversity makes the cultural scene of the country very fascinating. This world famous vibrant country offers the explorer a myriad of opportunities in cultures, festivals and in foods.

 Source  Daily Mirror MONDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2013 (Impulse Page 2 ) 01:16
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