Changemakersmagazine.org

In a society that is increasingly global and interconnected, Singaporeans need to know their own story better. That is why the Singapore prize aims to recognise outstanding books that illuminate the island nation’s past and make it more accessible to readers.

The prize is open to non-fiction or fiction work from around the world as long as it focuses on Singapore history. Submissions can be published between June 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024.

Kishore Mahbubani, the former Singapore diplomat who chaired the prize’s five-member jury panel and set up the prize in 2014 with an anonymous donor, said at a media conference that the biggest challenge to the country now is not economic but developing a strong sense of national identity through a common history. He added that there were plans to expand the scope of the prize in future to include works such as movies and comic books, which might better tell Singapore’s story to a wider audience.

The winner will be announced at a special ceremony on September 21 at the National Museum of Singapore. The winning book will be available in three editions: one for the general public, one for students and teachers, and a third — a hardback with detailed maps — for academic libraries. A prize booklet and website will also be launched to support the book.

In addition to the main prize, there are two honourable mentions, and the judges will select four additional titles to be included in the catalogue. This year’s shortlisted titles cover a broad range of topics from the lives of Singaporeans in the 1940s to the city’s urban ecology and how it has evolved over time.

Prof Miksic, who is a lecturer with the Department of History at NUS, said he was humbled to receive the prize for his labour of love. He started his excavations at Fort Canning in 1984 and has since been involved in the archaeology of Empress Place, Old Parliament House and other sites. He wanted to write the book to thank some 1,000 people who volunteered their help in his excavations and to let them know that their efforts had not gone unappreciated.

Other books in the list of six finalists for this year’s prize include an examination of the life of an iconic Indian poet, histories about Malaysian migrants to Singapore and the food culture of the Malay community here. One of the titles, written by Kamaladevi Pillai with the help of her co-researcher, presents historical events through a layperson’s eyes.

Besides the prize ceremony, other highlights of the event will include the launch of the NUS History Prize catalogue and an exhibition of the winning entries. It will feature artifacts that have been unearthed at the site of the former British colony. The exhibition is free and will run until September 23. NUS is partnering with Conservation International, a global conservation organisation that brings extensive experience in spotlighting and securing the benefits of nature for humankind, to curate the exhibition.

Gambling is the wagering of something of value on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value. The odds of winning are determined by the outcome of the event, which could be a football match or a scratchcard. While gambling can be a fun and exciting form of entertainment, it should never be done with money that you need for bills or other expenses. This is one of the main reasons that responsible gambling is so important. It involves only betting with money that you can afford to lose, and setting time limits for play.

Despite being considered a risky activity, gambling is a major source of income for many people and has contributed significantly to the economic stability of several countries around the world. However, some individuals who engage in gambling often develop gambling problems, which can cause substantial personal, family, and financial harm. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available for those suffering from gambling addiction. These include individual and group therapy, as well as inpatient and residential programs.

The first step to overcoming gambling addiction is to recognize the symptoms and warning signs of this problem. These signs include changes in behavior, impaired judgment, and feelings of a loss of control. They may also affect relationships, work performance, and finances. Once you’ve identified the signs, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible.

While most individuals who engage in gambling do so as a form of socialization and recreation, there is a small percentage that becomes addicted to the activity. This is a serious problem that can lead to other serious health conditions, such as substance use disorders and mental illness. It can also impact the life of the gambler’s family, friends, and coworkers.

It’s important to note that the majority of people who experience a gambling disorder are not in recovery. The DSM-IV, the American Psychiatric Association’s official guide to psychological disorders, included 10 warning signs of compulsive gambling, but the DSM-V, which is currently being debated, eliminated this criterion. The problem is that there are many other signs and symptoms of a gambling disorder that could go unnoticed by the general public, especially in light of the rise of internet-based gaming and mobile technology.

It is essential to note that the majority of studies focus solely on economic costs and benefits of gambling, which are easily quantifiable. In contrast, social and community impacts are less understood. While these impacts can be just as significant, they are not as readily visible. These impacts are categorized into two types: personal and interpersonal level costs/benefits, and society/community level externalities. The latter are grouped into general costs/benefits, costs/benefits related to problem gambling, and long-term cost/benefits.