The Government will launch its Kindness Week on Sunday following a call by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong for Singaporeans to be more gracious. Research by the state-backed Singapore Kindness Movement found that while more than 95 per cent of Singaporeans thought it right to be kind to the elderly, handicapped and their neighbours, many were too timid to carry out good deeds, such as giving up their seats on buses to elderly people or pregnant women. Ismail Sudderuddin, secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement Council, said: 'Singaporeans are sometimes too shy to come forward with little acts of kindness. 'They are frightened that people won't take it graciously.' It was hoped Kindness Week would help give residents more confidence to follow their heart. Noel Hon, the movement's chairman, said: 'We are telling them, don't be embarrassed.' The week will be launched by Mr Goh at the President's office residence, the Istana, on Sunday and telecast live to the National Stadium, where 15,000 people will take part in a charity walk for breast cancer. A convention will be held the following day for 500 guests, including representatives from other kindness movements around the world. Activities will be conducted through the week in schools, universities, community centres, libraries and at work. Participants will be encouraged to conduct friendly home visits, serve free meals, clean homes and hold get-together parties. At the same time, reporters will be out on the streets hunting down acts of kindness to report in the state-controlled press. Even a special Internet site has been created for Kindness Week. It tells residents what it means to be a gracious society, gives tips on how to be kind and provides virtual postcards for e-mailing to family and friends to show they care.
