Historyogi Post (90): Two podcast episodes on race & religion, Idi Amin's Singapore link, & Neil Rd's bloody past
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Historyogi Post: Issue 90
Historyogi Podcast
We begin the year with two episodes focusing on race and religion. As communities worldwide become more polarised, how can we preserve common ground and protect secular governance?
#15 - Are dialogues still relevant with rising polarisation? (A conversation with Nazhath Faheema): A series of racist incidents took place in Singapore last year, raising questions about how we should tackle such issues more decisively. Opinions are split on whether there should be more dialogue or whether culprits should face stiffer legal penalties. We speak to Nazhath Faheema, Founder and President of hash.peace, a social harmony advocacy group, on whether dialogues are still relevant and how groups with sharply differing views can engage each other more productively.
#16 - The rise of Hindu nationalism in India & beyond (A conversation with Mohan Dutta): Hindutva, the predominant form of Hindu nationalism in India, has emerged as a powerful and polarising force. Hindutva aims to ultimately transform India from a secular republic into a Hindu state. Since the election of Narendra Modi in 2014, followers of Hindutva have become bolder in targeting minorities and critics with intimidation and violence. These tensions have also affected the global Indian diaspora. We speak to Mohan Dutta, Dean’s Chair Professor of Communication, and Director of the Centre for Culture-Centred Approach to Research & Evaluation (CARE) at Massey University, on the reasons behind Hindutva’s surge in prominence and what this means for Indians who defend secular values and religious pluralism.
Digging Deeper
2022 marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle and Fall of Singapore. Tap the pic below to read my live tweets from Feb 8 to Feb 15 as events unfolded.
This Month in History (January)
First major US combat operation in Vietnam (Jan 12, 1962): On this day, US forces initiated Operation Chopper. They deployed dozens of helicopters to airlift over 1000 South Vietnamese troops to assault a Vietcong stronghold about 10 miles west of Saigon. The rebels were soundly defeated but also gained valuable insights into American military doctrine which they would exploit in later battles. For the Americans, the successful operation was a rare bright spot which obscured the fact that CH-21 helicopters were ill-suited for Vietnam's tropical weather. They were eventually replaced by Chinooks in 1965.
Idi Amin stages coup while Ugandan President is in Singapore (Jan 25, 1971): On this day, Idi Amin staged a military coup and overthrew Ugandan President Milton Obote, who was in Singapore for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (above). Obote left Singapore and went into exile in Tanzania. Idi Amin ruthlessly set out to crush opposition, both real and perceived, via mass executions and widespread torture. He also expelled Uganda's mercantile Asian community, devastating the country's economy. Idi Amin was finally overthrown in 1979 by Tanzanian forces aided by Ugandan exiles. He fled to Saudi Arabia and died there in 2003.
Raffles and Farquhar land in Singapore (Jan 28, 1819): On this day, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (right) and Major William Farquhar (left) landed in Singapore in search of an ideal location for a new trading post along the lucrative trade route between China and India. By manipulating the succession issues of the local royals, Raffles was able to get a treaty signed on Feb 6 allowing the British to set up a factory in Singapore. This sparked a fierce dispute with the Dutch, who claimed the area as within their sphere of influence. This would only be settled through the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 which delineated each side's spheres more clearly and forever split the Johor-Riau Sultanate.
Down Memory Lane
Nee Soon Road: This road is named after Lim Nee Soon (1879-1936), who was known as the "Pineapple King" and also owned rubber plantations and construction businesses. He owned large tracts of land in Seletar and Chan Chu Kang Village was later renamed after him (now redeveloped into Yishun New Town). A prominent community leader, Nee Soon co-founded the Chinese High School and served as both a Justice of the Peace and member of the Rural Board. He was also a close personal friend of revolutionary leader Sun Yat Sen and hosted him during his visits to Singapore. In the 1930s, Nee Soon's fortunes and health declined and he died during a visit to China in 1936. The Kuomintang government held a state funeral and buried him in Nanjing. His son Lim Chong Pang continued his father's businesses and created his own legacy.
Neil Road: This road is named after British Brigadier General James Neill (1810-1857), who is reviled as the "Butcher of Allahabad" for his atrocities against Indians during the 1857 Mutiny. Neill ordered mass executions and burnings of Indians in Allahabad as well as in Kanpur, where he personally executed many prisoners. During an attack on Lucknow, Neill was killed in action. A statue of him in Madras was later removed to a museum after protests by Indians. In Singapore, Neil Road's bloodthirsty history has been forgotten and the area is better known for its LGBT nightlife and heritage buildings.
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