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  Straits Times Forum 12 Mar 07
Chingay's costly, so find more economical and environmentally-friendly alternatives to entertain the masses
Letter from Chia Hern Keng

THE annual Chingay Parade said to have been started in 1973 needs to be reviewed for economic and environmental concerns.

I could not find hard figures on expenditures involved in such a massive annual exercise. However, given the sophistication in design of the floats, participant costumes and props, fireworks and manpower, it would probably be in the region of tens of millions.

And let's not forget that the many invited foreign participants also need be accommodated.

At the same time, our country is so small that the exposure of the Chingay Parade is very limited compared to large countries like Brazil where similar types of road celebrations can entertain populations that are many times ours.

The economy of scale for such road shows is simply not there for Singapore.

As usual, weeks after its Orchard Road procession, the Chingay Parade is seen no more. I would guess the work of dismantling the elaborate floats would then follow. And the expensively designed costumes of participants would not likely to be reused.

There should be a more economical and environmentally-friendly alternative to entertaining people - locals and tourists.

The resources spent on Chingay should be channelled into creating more economical, permanent attractions and amenities in our country.

Our people should be engaged to provide suggestions on how this can be done.
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