日系搭配,鸿雁向苍天是什么歌,林淑敏
Very happy to be here today to unveil the Commemorative Notes as part of our SG50celebrations. MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) has produced a set of CommemorativeNotes and Coins this year to mark Singapore's progress over the last half century. Theycelebrate our shared heritage and the Singapore spirit. The coin set was themed "Education,Building our Nation Together" and was launched by Minister Heng Swee Keat earlier in April.And today I am launching the set of notes comprising one $50 bill and five $10 bills.
The notes draw inspiration from our collective Singaporean history, values and aspirations.And I am glad the designers are here with us today to see the notes come to fruition.
As with our current portrait series of notes, a portrait of Mr Yusof Ishak graces the front of allof the commemorative notes. He was our first President and an outstanding member of ourpioneer generation and exemplified enduring Singaporean values of meritocracy,multiracialism, and modernisation.
The $50 note shows Mr Lee Kuan Yew rallying the people with "Merdeka!" And this was back in1959 when Singapore achieved internal self-government, and he became our first PrimeMinister. Mr Lee and his colleagues believed in and fought for a Singapore governed by electedrepresentatives for the benefit of the people. And self-government in 1959 was a major steptowards Singapore's eventual independence in 1965. Very few people, when we becameindependent, would have expected this little red dot, with no resources or hinterland, tosurvive, much less to thrive. But our leaders and people showed indomitable spirit and grit,they worked together, they grew the economy and built a place where all of us, regardless ofrace, language or religion, called home. So it is apt that the $50 note also features our firstNational Day Parade, a year after independence. It represented the resolve of the newly-formed nation to defy all odds and it showed the can-do spirit that continues to drive us toexcel and to realise bigger dreams.
But even as we reflect on our past, we must look towards the future. And that is why the notedepicts Punggol, our latest new town, which symbolises the continuing renewal of our homesand communities which is our responsibility, to build on the legacy which we have inheritedand carry on to realise the vision of the Pioneers to make Singapore our best home.
The $10 notes illustrate the values that make Singapore a "Vibrant Nation and an EndearingHome" to all of us. They celebrate Singaporeans from different walks of life, who togethermake this island our home. And I am glad that some of the people depicted in the pictures arehere with us today.
So let me briefly mention the themes depicted in the notes you saw visualization just now,animation in the movie. First, "Regardless of race, language or religion", one of Singapore'skey founding principles – multiracialism. We have achieved social harmony not by chance, butthrough conscious, deliberate effort and vigilance on the part of all of us – the government,the communities, each individual Singaporean. As a result of which, today we can be proud ofour diverse and harmonious multi-racial, multi-religious society.
We celebrate "Opportunities for All", which underscores our belief in a fair and inclusivemeritocracy. For students in school, for adults at work, we strive to create varied pathways sothat they can pursue their passions and fulfil aspirations. And we create a whole society whereour young can look to the future and chase rainbows – whether they're academic success,technical expertise, or sporting or artistic achievements.
We celebrate our being "Safe and Secure", the peace and stability that has made possible ourdevelopment and prosperity. And for that, we salute the men and women in the SAF and theHome Team who have been vigilant and have given us the peace of mind to study, work andplay.
We celebrate "Strong Families" because we are committed to the families as a basic buildingblock of society. We celebrate respect for our elders who have contributed so much to bringingus here. Families are the centre of the lives of many of us, and the energy, drive andenthusiasm of the young people brought up, well brought up in stable families, together withthe wisdom, experience and guidance of our elders will ensure our nation's resilience anddynamism.