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The history of Singapore Botanic Gardens is now a walk in the park thanks to Assoc. Prof. Timothy Barnard’s (Department of History, NUS) latest book, Nature’s Colony: Empire, Nation and Environment in the Singapore Botanic Gardens (2016). Salient events from Singapore’s colonial era leading to her independence in the 20th century are masterfully woven into …
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How did discourses of the economy shape the coping strategies pursued by the government and firms during the Asian Financial Crisis? Beginning in Thailand in July 1997 with the devaluation of the Thai baht, the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) rapidly swept across Southeast Asia and Japan to trigger the devaluation of Asian currencies and slumping …
The Singapore Research Nexus will be hosting a book launch event for Professor Chua Beng Huat’s (Dept of Sociology, NUS) new book, “Liberalism Disavowed: Communitarianism and State Capitalism in Singapore”. It will be held on 14 August 2017 (Monday), 6.45 – 8.30pm at The POD, Level 16, National Library Board. ABSTRACT That the majority of …
Photo Credit: A/P Matthias Roth Why should we be concerned with PM 2.5? The Indonesian practice of using forest fires to clear farmland cheaply has led to an annual ‘haze season’ in Indonesia and its proximate neighbours. On 21 June 2013 Singapore experienced its strongest haze period yet, with a 3-hour Pollutant Standards Index …
What makes Toa Payoh Central a hip place to hang out at night? Toa Payoh Township, one of Singapore’s earliest state-planned housing estates, welcomed its first residents on 20 June, 1966. Within this satellite town sits its town centre – Toa Payoh Central, an unlikely hub of activity in this seemingly quiet neighbourhood. The atmosphere …
Is Singapore truly cultivating an environmentally conscious culture? Every 5 June, Singaporeans participate in Eco Action Day to commemorate the United Nations Environmental Programme World Environment Day. This campaign encourages Singaporeans to adopt more environmentally-friendly practices within their workplaces and homes. Yet, do all environmental programmes really cultivate a true spirit of eco-friendliness among individuals? …
What makes Singapore’s consumption culture a vital part of its national identity? From June to August every year, the shopping malls lining the streets of Singapore are covered with large signs promoting even larger discounts for the Great Singapore Sale. Apart from giving Singaporeans yet another reason to shop, the Great Singapore Sale serves as …
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“Off Centre” by Haresh Sharma is The Necessary Stage’s landmark play, which was first staged in September 1993 at The Drama Centre. It is one of Sharma’s most famous plays, best remembered for bringing mental illness and its patients’ plights to the attention of the media and the public.The play uses effective techniques of flashbacks …
The advent of new media has led to changes in structures of authority and religion is no exception. The source of authority for religious leaders has traditionally been their knowledge in mediating and interpreting religious doctrines. So how does the digitization of religious knowledge affect religious authorities, given that followers now have access to online …
How do Singapore’s Buddhist leaders maintain their influence in the digital age? Buddhists in Singapore celebrate Vesak Day which marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. While the practice of Buddhism and its rituals have traditionally taken place within homes, temples, and monasteries, many Buddhists today are increasingly turning to online sources for spiritual …