05 April, 2009
Hey folks out there.
In the lastest plans by the URA, the authorities have decided to change the name of "telok blangah road" to "123 road". However, as a history student of singapore history, i strongly feel that the move will cause a great loss in significance of that particular area and a intergral part of many people's lives. As such, here is a
petition to oppose the move and hopefully if enough people support this "protest", the URA will change its decision and save a part of singapore's history from being wiped out. If you are feeling unsure, below are 10 reasons why "telok blangah road" should keep its name. If you are convinced that it should keep its name already. please copy this whole text and post it on your blog or send it to as many people as u can via email. Thank you for your support.
10 reasons why "Telok Blanga Road" should keep its name 1) Historical significance-With globalisation increasingly rampant, it is increasing harder to instill sense of belonging and nationalism in minds of younger generation.
-Keeping the road name will serve as a area of historical interest for the younger generation to explore.
2) Symbol of popular myth-Symbol of myth about palembang prince landing off telok blangah beach after throwing crown into sea to prevent ship from sinking in the 13th century.
-Road could be used to teach primary school kids about this myth and how it affect Singapore’s written history
3) Painting by Mr John Turnbull Thomson-In 1849, Mr John Turnbull Thomson did a painting titled “telloh blangah” when he portrayed his view of telok blanga area from pulau brani.
-This event which gave rise to the name telok blangah should be remembered by having the road name telok blangah remain and not changed.
4) Gutta percha trade in the past-The area around telok blangah can be remembered the area who flourished and prospered once upon a time under the charge of temmengong Abdul Raman when Raffles put him in charge of the village.
-Indeed, it is hard to find such a monopoly in today’s world and such a situation will be much remembered in people and communities who were part of that era of history
5) Rare road name with double meaning-Indeed, finding road names with deep and indepth historical significance is already quite a hard thing to do. Yet, the road telok blangah do not have only one meaning, but in TWO, in malay and hokkien languages.
In malay, “telok blangah” means cooking pot bay, which is to remember in the past this area was dominated by southern indians making clay pots by the name of blanga.
-In hokkien, it means Singapore gate, or north west gate, a relation to the rocky cliff nearby just a laboror park which literally is an entrance to singapore although illegally.
6) Important part in modern singapore-With shopping malls, cinemas, hotels, places of worhships and school all around the close vicinity, telok blangah is a road that many people from all walks of life are already acustomed.
-Changing the road will bring about much confusion and “out-of-placeness”
7) Historical interest to tourists-With a not-so-city feel but yet within close vicinity of the CBD area, Telok blangah road is surely a place of interest for tourists who want to explore singapore out of the norms of tourist attractions.
-Changing the name to 123 road will cause it to lose its historical meaning and will be depriving tourists of historical experience of singapore.
8) Nostalgia of elderly people-Telok blangah road has many old estates with elderly people living in it.
-Once happy children in telok blangah district and road, most elderly residents may have interesting experiences and memories they experienced in telok blangah road and the surrounding area.
-By changing the road name, we are depriving them of the nostalgia they will feel whenever they see the road sign.
9) Tradition of telok blangah name given to man-made and natural landmarks-Many landmarks like CC, hill park, schools and so on are named after telok blangah. By changing the road name, the tradition will be lost and controversies may arise.
10) Aestetic appeal in comparision-“Telok blangah road” sounds much more unique, authentic and appealing as compared to “123 road”.
Therefore I urge the URA not to change the road name.
I hope you guys have been convinced now. If you have any queries about the road name or anything related, you can pose your questions in the tag box and i will reply them as soon as possible to the best of my ability.
Remember to post it or send this whole text to your freinds to get more support. :D
BADMINTON! 10:19 PM
