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Aug 3, 2007

The day we can mark our success as a nation

AS MUCH as I agree with Mr Bentley Williams ('Laud successes, don't shortchange ourselves'; ST, July 26), allow me to comment on an incident at a supermarket frequented by expatriates. I was at the meat counter waiting to be served as the salesgirl was busy attending to another customer. No one from the adjoining counters took any notice of me until a Caucasian woman joined me at the same counter. Suddenly there was a flurry of activity and one man hurried to serve her but not me - though she was kind enough to indicate that I was there before her.

While apologising to me, the man continued to serve her. Another man, seeing my look of disbelief and amusement, moved in to remedy the slight.

I gather from my friends that mine is not an isolated case. It is therefore disturbing to know that after 40 years of independence this element of discrimination exists. It is only when the day arrives that there is equality of treatment in the service sector for citizens and foreigners alike that we can truly celebrate our success as a nation.

Padmini Kesavapany (Mrs)