Historyogi Post (98): Making history in 2023
"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." - Rabindranath Tagore.
Wrapping up 2023
Nine podcast episodes. Five newsletter issues. Over 70 TikTok posts. 2023 has been a productive year and I thank my listeners, readers and followers for supporting this Historyogi project to promote better understanding of research into Singapore's history. My belief has always been that the country’s history is far more interesting, exciting and relevant than we think. The richness of memories, experiences and lessons go beyond any single individual and I hope to continue doing my small part in sharing these histories.
Classroom
Here are the top Historyogi Podcast episodes for 2023! Sincere thanks to all my listeners and to all my interviewees: Athanasios Tsakonas, Theophilus Kwek, Lara Tan, Isaac Tng, Liew Kai Khiun, Reynold Godwin Pereira, Roy Tan, Neil Humphreys, Sue-Ann Chia and Muhammad Suhail for being so generous in sharing their amazing work with me and my listeners. Subscribe
Look out for more exciting episodes in 2024!
Digging Deeper
My Debal Diaries - Tracing The History of Singapore’s Eurasians (CNA): Singaporean author Melissa De Silva goes to Malacca and Goa where her ancestors hail from, to discover more about the roots of Eurasian culture and identity. She wants to learn about the origins of Curry Debal (also known as Curry Devil), a quintessential Eurasian dish. By figuring out how the cuisine of the Eurasians travelled from Europe to Asia and evolved, she learns more about a parallel story of colonial migration and understands who the Eurasians are, how they came to be. Watch
How my grandpa’s death by Tengah plane crash fits into Singapore’s history (ST): The writer Chang May Choon traces the story of her grandfather Chong See Wee who died in 1970 when a Royal Air Force plane from Tengah Air Base crashed into his farm. In tracing his story, the writer delves into the newspaper archives, and uncovers a snapshot of 1970s Singapore as it grappled with economic development and the impending British military withdrawal east of Suez. Read more
This Month in History
Singapore unveils new national symbols (Dec 3, 1959): On this day, the government unveiled a new flag, state crest and anthem to replace the colonial ones used by the British. They were commissioned by a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye and officially launched during National Loyalty Week. The festivities kicked off with the inauguration of Yusof Ishak (above) as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, replacing the former British Governor William Goode. This was followed by parades, cultural events and exhibitions designed to promote loyalty among the diverse citizens of the new state. One could even dial 2 or 3 on the phone to listen to a recording of Majulah Singapura.
Batang Kali Massacre in Malaya (Dec 12, 1948): On this day, British troops surrounded a rubber plantation at Batang Kali in Selangor, rounded up the villagers and accused them of providing food for communist rebels amid the Malayan Emergency. Twenty four men were shot dead before the village houses were set on fire, and their bodies were later found mutilated. Attempts by the survivors to seek redress from British authorities have been unsuccessful since the 1990s, with investigators first claiming insufficient evidence to prosecute and courts later ruling definitively that the massacre occurred too long ago. Declassified files have revealed that authorities passed legislation in January 1949 to retrospectively legalise the killings and exonerate the soldiers involved.
Down Memory Lane
Race Course Road: This road is named after the race course which was originally built there in 1842. Renamed the Singapore Turf Club in 1924, the race course moved to Bukit Timah in 1933. The area itself was renamed Farrer Park after RJ Farrer, President of the Municipal Commissioners. These days, Race Course Road is more famous as the site of popular Indian restaurants like Muthu’s Curry and Banana Leaf Apolo.
Quotable Quotes
“We have to use our Medisave carefully. I sympathise entirely with women who want to do their breast screening early. I would urge them to do so. My usual reply to them is: save on one hairdo and use the money for breast screening. I have been taken to task by many of my hairdressers in Telok Blangah but I think this is still my main message.”