happy birthday, singapore!

Today, Singapore celebrates its 43rd year as an independent nation.

Our country may still be a child compared to other, much older countries in the world, but I learned today that Singaporeans share a surprisingly strong sense of nationality.

As our National Day falls on a Saturday this year, it's a long weekend for most people. But working for the papers as I do, I happened to be rostered for Saturday duty, so I had to go to work.

I took care not to wear red, as red and white are the national colours, and I didn't want to look like some uncool patriotic fashion idiot.

But on my way home on the bus later that afternoon, I was surprised to see the number of people proudly wearing those very colours. There were families with young children, middle-aged aunties and couples, and even grandparents who were either wearing a red top or a complete ensemble in red and white.

It was eye opening.

For the first time, I realised how strongly Singaporeans actually feel for their country.

These ordinary folk in red and white weren't on their way to attend the National Day parade. They were simply enjoying their day and doing what they usually do as families, as couples, and as individuals on a public holiday.

Today, however, they saluted the significance of the date by wearing colours that reflected their pride in their nation.

And that is a good thing.

So what if the fashionistas laugh? Maybe I'll wear my red sleep tee tonight.

But I can't help also thinking:

On one special day of the year each year, one nation in the world celebrates its own independence day. Tens of thousands of dollars are spent to produce and orchestrate parades, shows of military might, aerial displays and spectacular fireworks, and its citizens are united in their sense of pride in being a part of it all.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could, in the same spirit, open our hearts and minds to the bigger picture?

To be united in a global pride of being citizens of the world, and celebrate the beauty and bounty of the Earth in which we live. For there's nothing else like it -- not in this solar system, anyway.

And if each person and every government in the world felt only half the pride and ownership in our planet as they do in their own country, and spent but a fraction on protecting our environment as they do on nation building, then there would be a greater chance of mankind coming together as one in loving, respecting and saving our only home and all its inhabitants.