Friends of Buro: SG50 interview with Anita Kapoor

You know you've met a Singaporean when... you both sigh at the thought of exquisitely just-so runny eggs for breakfast.

My fondest memories from the last five decades are... the bumboats on the Singapore River and bread vans in residential estates.

I wish Singapore would bring back... door-to-door hawkers.

Singaporeans should stop complaining about... hired help, money and achievements.

The most underrated thing about Singapore is... resilience — under all of that kiasu-ness.

Every time I return back to our island, I appreciate... the digital sign at Changi Airport welcoming Singaporeans home. Yes, it's just for me. 

The cost of our country's progress... our soul, our languages and singlish.

The one local dish I would pay any amount for is... chicken rice — steamed, of course. Roasted is a pretender to the throne.

In 10 years time, I would like to see Singapore... kinder, gentler, individualistic, open, intelligent, emotional, proud, opinionated, brave and elder/disabled/marginalised friendly.

Singapore is uniquely... in progress. Stay tuned. 

LOCAL DELIGHTS

Favourite Singlish word: Walau

Favourite childhood game: Neighbourhood wall-scaling

Favourite childhood snack: Flattened, dried and flavoured cuttlefish triangles on a stick

Favourite department store: Yaohan

Favourite song that should be a National Day song: Singapura Waktu Malam by Saloma