Spirit of community and togetherness.. :S'pore

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Title : Spirit of community and togetherness is important: PM Lee Date : 22 July 2007 1844 hrs (SST)
URL : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...289726/1/.html

SINGAPORE : Singapore's economy may be performing strongly, but the country is more than just about growth figures, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

What is more important is the spirit of community among its people, he added.

On Sunday, the sound of the airhorn signified two new world records by students at Bishan Park: one is for having the world's longest chain of balloon hat wearers and the other, having the most number of people donning the gear.

And joining them in the celebrations was Prime Minister Lee, who said the event was meaningful, especially at a time when the economy is doing well.

Mr Lee said: "It's not just the growth and the GDP which is important to us, but also the spirit of community, of togetherness, of being one nation. And feeling that this is our home, and this is where our family is and our community is one big family. So this morning's activities big and small, balloons, sports, walk-a-jog, which got rained down, are all in that spirit."

To add to the family spirit, supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice dished out one million dollars worth of food vouchers to help the needy cope with the GST hike.

Ng Ser Miang, Chairman, NTUC Fairprice, said: "We are hoping that the needy families can make use of food voucher to buy food and whatever daily necessities needed by them."

The money will be handed out to grassroots advisors islandwide, who will decide how best to distribute the kitty. - CNA/ch