Singapore at 60: Prosperity with Purpose

“The economic progress of a country is ultimately measured not by the wealth of the few, but by the dignity of the many.” — Amartya Sen

Singapore, the small but mighty city-state, marked its 60th anniversary of independence—SG60—just yesterday. Once a sleepy port when Sir Stamford Raffles set his sights there in 1819, it has blossomed into a global financial powerhouse. Much of that transformation stems from the unwavering vision of Lee Kuan Yew, a leader who admired Sri Lanka’s potential as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” but was disheartened by its ethnic turbulence. He anchored his leadership on two pillars: fostering racial harmony and stamping out corruption—moves that elevated Singapore from stagnation to prosperity while many neighbors lagged. This prompts a deeper question: in today’s uncertain world of geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, and rising living costs—how does a small, open nation like Singapore preserve social dignity while pushing forward?