YAHOO POLL: Does Singapore need another public holiday?
Workers' Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim recently reignited the debate on whether Thaipusam should be reinstated as a public holiday.
Thaipusam was initially a recognised holiday but was removed in 1968 when the government cut the number of public holidays to promote efficiency.
The decision was based on consultations with various religious leaders and economic considerations.
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Along with other holidays like Easter Monday and Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad's birthday), Thaipusam was sacrificed for the sake of Singapore's competitiveness.
Lim argues that with Singapore's economic growth, the time has come to restore this religious observance, particularly for the Hindu community.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) defended that the current holiday balance, citing careful deliberation made at Singapore's independence that encouraged employers to allow flexibility for religious observances.
What do you think? Should there be another a public holiday in Singapore?
Have your say and take the poll.
Related:
After MP Jamus Lim calls for Thaipusam public holiday return, Singapore ministry says up to employers to allow religious worship
Public holidays in Singapore 2025: How to get 48 days of holiday using 15 days of annual leave
No plans to review annual leave entitlements for now: Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Why Thaipusam is no longer a public holiday in Singapore
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Letters: Fighting hate and antisemitism requires us to seek to understand others
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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
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Yahoo
2 days ago
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India vows to keep up development in Kashmir after tourist attack
By Sakshi Dayal NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India is committed to efforts to develop its restive territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, accusing neighbour Pakistan of seeking to destroy livelihoods there with April's deadly attack on tourists. He was speaking on his first visit to the Himalayan region since Islamist attackers targeted Hindu tourists in the popular Pahalgam area, killing 26 men, triggering hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours that ended in ceasefire last month. "The atmosphere of development that emerged in Jammu and Kashmir will not be hindered by the attack ... I will not let development stop here," Modi said in remarks after inaugurating infrastructure projects. Key among these was a $5-billion rail link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, which has been more than 40 years in the making and features the world's highest railway arch bridge. Others include highways, city roads and a new medical college. India has accused Pakistan of backing the April attack, a claim denied by Islamabad, and they engaged in four days of fierce fighting last month before agreeing to a ceasefire. Pakistan aimed to disrupt the livelihoods of the poor in Kashmir, who rely heavily on tourism, Modi said, adding that he would face down any obstacle to regional development. Pakistan's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Modi's remarks. Last month, Islamabad said a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute was essential to ensure lasting peace in the region, known for its snow-topped mountains, scenic lakes, lush meadows, and tulip gardens. The region, which drew more than 3 million visitors last year, is at the heart of the hostility between the old foes, both of which claim it in full, but rule it in part and have fought two of their three wars over it. India also accuses Pakistan of supporting Islamist militants battling security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, but Islamabad denies the accusation. Trains run in the Kashmir Valley but the new link is its first to the wider Indian railway network. Apart from boosting the regional economy, it is expected to help revive tourism, which plummeted after the April attack. ($1=85.7500 Indian rupees)
