"My best wishes to all Hindus on the occasion of Deepavali [Diwali]. Ours must be a tolerant, permissive society.
To be the opposite, to be intolerant of the ways of life and habits of fellow citizens who have different cultural and religious practices, is to generate unnecessary frictions.
To prohibit instead of permit conduct and behaviour which a particular cultural or religious group considers unbecoming will generate tensions and resistance in other groups.
So it is that our children must grow up and learn that they can do what they like, preach and worship as they like, provided they do not insist that all other different cultural, religious and ethnic groups must do likewise.
This is our road to continued peace and fulfilment for all."
— Lee Kuan Yew's Deepavili Message (1966)
Additionally, below are some excerpts from LKY's famous 1965 speech, delivered just a month after the separation from Malaysia. These words captured his determination to forge Singapore into a model multiracial society.
Also, remember to watch this video where he outlines his "live and let live" philosophy in managing a multicultural society: https://youtu.be/BPI4a58Smv8
Borderless Asia
"My best wishes to all Hindus on the occasion of Deepavali [Diwali]. Ours must be a tolerant, permissive society.
To be the opposite, to be intolerant of the ways of life and habits of fellow citizens who have different cultural and religious practices, is to generate unnecessary frictions.
To prohibit instead of permit conduct and behaviour which a particular cultural or religious group considers unbecoming will generate tensions and resistance in other groups.
So it is that our children must grow up and learn that they can do what they like, preach and worship as they like, provided they do not insist that all other different cultural, religious and ethnic groups must do likewise.
This is our road to continued peace and fulfilment for all."
— Lee Kuan Yew's Deepavili Message (1966)
Additionally, below are some excerpts from LKY's famous 1965 speech, delivered just a month after the separation from Malaysia. These words captured his determination to forge Singapore into a model multiracial society.
Also, remember to watch this video where he outlines his "live and let live" philosophy in managing a multicultural society: https://youtu.be/BPI4a58Smv8
1 month ago | [YT] | 176