My nephew Robert’s blog ( http://www.digestingashitsandwich.blogspot.com/)  have  inspired me to write something ‘political’ today..

We ( my family) have another example, an older example of grass root activism in my aunt who at the age of 60 or so marched against the communist government in Kerala who were threatening to nationalise private schools. She marched with thousands of other men and women and was jailed for her activism. When we in Singapore received news of her participation in the march we were impressed, surprised and aghast in equal measure – our aunt, a single mother since she lost her husband while still in her thirties and then living n a village in Kerala, was marching in protest against government policies!! How radical! how brave! how participatory! A great role model in taking risks when something important in ones life is affected by public policies.

Recently I was impressed by the grass root activism of a group of women who live in my block of flats. This is nothing compared to Roby’s long commitment to the values he believes in or my old aunt’s ( she died two years ago a few months after she turned 100 ) audacious participation in the march.

Grass root, especially independent ones are not encouraged in the Singapore political culture. So people often accept public policies without question. Their attitude is why bother! Let me tell you the story of what is possible when people do take the trouble to improve their situation.

A couple of years ago the town council decided to offer our block the option of upgrading which included a lift on every floor. Currently the lift only serves 4 floors in a building with 13 floors. This means that many residents have to use the staircase to reach the lift – a daunting challenge to older people and those with really aging and frail parents. The option was put to a vote and 75% votes were needed for the plan to go ahead. We lost by one vote and the town council refused to install the new lifts.

Undaunted my friends, Mabel, Doris and  Julie started their uphill task of lobbying their Member of Parliament. It took them two years of persistent lobbying for the town council to call for another round of votes. The three women went round the block, visited the residents, canvassed their support , ensuring that everybody cast their votes. The initial round was lost because one person failed to vote. This round of voting garnered 94% votes in favour of lift upgrading.