Share your racial harmony stories
Win iPad, Montblanc pen in writing competition which is part of Our Blocks Rock series
Do you have a positive experience or anecdote to share about racial harmony?
Here's your chance to write it, to have your work read - and to also snag a chance to win an iPad, a Montblanc pen or a Kindle.
As part of the Our Blocks Rock series of 17 parties, a nationwide writing competition called "Share Your Harmony Experience" will be launched on Saturday, when the party moves to the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol Division.
The competition is a joint initiative by the People's Association (PA) Panel of Activists for Community Engagement (Pace) and The New Paper (TNP), who are also the organisers of Our Blocks Rock parties to make "harmony happenin'".
FUN ACTIVITIES: The previous party was an opportunity for interest groups to show off their skills such as paper quilling, bead-making and calligraphy. TNP PHOTO: PHYLLICIA WANG
TNP editor Dominic Nathan said: "With so many terror attacks across the world placing a strain on relations between peoples of different race, nationality or faith, it becomes all the more critical for us to preserve the harmony we have.
"And it starts in our school classrooms and along the corridors of our neighbourhoods.
"Getting people to pen their thoughts on this subject is our small contribution to this effort."
FUN ACTIVITIES: The party will feature interest groups unique to Bedok Reservoir-Punggol, such as the Spyder IG. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX TAN
The competition will be held from tomorrow to Nov 30.
Those who wish to participate can submit their stories and pictures to PA_iknowmyneighbours@pa.gov.sg.
Each entry must be accompanied by a title, full name and contact number.
All stories should not exceed 1,000 words.
Writers can also send in pictures to complement their stories. The photos should be in JPEG format with a resolution of at least 300 dpi.
The deadline is 11.59pm on Nov 30.
YUMMY: The previous Our Blocks Rock party had food such as duck burgers, modern ice kacang and coconut drinks. TNP PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Ten entries will be shortlisted by PA.
The top three winning entries stand to win a 9.7 inch 32GB iPad (1st prize), a Montblanc pen (2nd prize) and a Kindle (3rd prize).
The winning entry will also be published in TNP.
All winners will be notified by end-December.
Between 4pm and 10pm this weekend, residents from the Bedok Reservoir and Punggol area can party at the open field next to Hougang MRT in a unique take on the traditional pasar malam.
WHERE:
Open field next to Hougang MRT station
WHEN:
Saturday and Sunday, 4pm to 10pm
ADMISSION IS FREE
Come and party
If you are living in the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol area, be sure to check out the second in the series of Our Blocks Rock parties tomorrow and Sunday between 4pm and 10pm.
These block parties, a unique take on the traditional pasar malam, are organised by the People's Association (PA) Panel of Activists for Community Engagement (Pace) and The New Paper.
There will be live music, cultural performances and 18 vendors selling artisan products and contemporary cuisine such as rainbow bagels, homemade fresh coconut shakes and chocolate chip cookie dough french toast.
Interest groups unique to Bedok Reservoir-Punggol, such as the Spyder IG, will also feature at the parties.
Residents can take selfies with the Spyder bikes, get henna tattoos or create Indian handicrafts, among other activities.
NEW FRIENDS
Mr Victor Lye, adviser to Aljunied GRC Grassroots Organisations, said: "Our Blocks Rock is a great platform for residents to make new friends and gain new experiences such as picking up a new sport and savouring interesting food.
"Such an event is a first for residents of Bedok Reservoir-Punggol Division with the welcoming and vibrant atmosphere for people to congregate to share their interests and showcase their talents through the open mic session.
"The collaboration between The New Paper and People's Association is helping us rethink how we can offer more engagement opportunities for our youths to make new friends and play as one community."
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