LTA REMINDS US THAT DEEPAVALI IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HALLOWEEN

Dear A.S.S. Editor

While Halloween has, thanks to the proliferation of popular western culture, picked up steam, some of us may have forgotten that another festival is also coming up. It’s Deepavali, of course, which falls on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) once again looks to delight fellow Singaporeans who celebrate the occasion with a gorgeous visual feast of decorated MRT trains, which run on the North East Line and Downtown Line. So, if trains breakdown again, you can always look at the nice Deepavali decorations and enjoy them, while waiting for the trains to move again.

Just like last year, many of the symbols are inspired by Deepavali festivities, with colourful rangoli patterns on the floor. Besides the spruced-up train carriages, this year also sees the launch of Deepavali-themed buses — services 23, 56, 65, 147 and 166 were chosen to carry these pretty decorations.

Let’s hope this will remind Singaporeans that before Halloween, there’s Deepavali — but of course, what can compare to actually heading down to the breathtakingly beautiful Little India during this festive season?

David Tang

A.S.S. Contributor