Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hit the nail on the head when he reminded Singaporeans that racial harmony is always a work in progress ("Racial, religious integration an ongoing work: PM"; Oct 5).

His words drive home the reality of our future growth, peace and happiness.

We all know that to ensure cohesiveness, we have to continually work towards racial harmony. Tensions can easily arise if we fail to understand and appreciate one another's practices and way of life. A multiracial, multicultural and multilingual society like ours requires tolerance, empathy and acceptance.

It is up to all of us to cast our prejudices aside and work for togetherness. This is the surest way to achieving greater cohesion, integration and racial harmony.

V. Subramaniam (Dr)