I READ with deep sadness and dismay that our senior fellow Singaporeans are left to die alone ('Dying Alone'; Monday).
However, my feelings are ameliorated by individuals and organisations who stepped forward to help, and I salute them for their kindness.
It is hard to believe that these elderly folk did not have a single relative or friend to take care of the last rites for them. What happened to our long-held traditional values such as filial piety and respect for the elderly?
These values are best taught at the preschool and kindergarten level. The Singapore Kindness Movement is working on a pilot curriculum to bring these teachings to our children at that level.
However, parents must not think that they can delegate their parental duties to the schools. Ultimately, such values are best caught than taught. If we do not inspire our children to be kind by our own kind actions, we may end up dying alone.
Dr William Wan
General Manager
Singapore Kindness Movement Secretariat