Cristina Dinu

Forum letters, translation samples Translated title of the article: ‘More single item recycling bins should be introduced’ Original article in Chinese: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/talk/story- Curated translation/summary of the article: “LHZB (10 Dec, p25) and LHZB Online (10 Dec) carried a forum letter by Qiu Qiaolian on 'Residents in five districts can receive free recycling box now' reported on (27 November) by LHZB. The writer said that the environmental recycling bins launched by NEA are suitable for the public to develop the habit of sorting garbage. But, after sorting at home, the recycling bins are not separated, causing secondary pollution when sent to the recycling bins. Regarding the label information posted on the recycling bins, although the authorities have gone through 21 years of publicity and emphasis, some people still throw waste indiscriminately. The writer saw a black recycling bin to recycle glass bottles in a coffee shop and thought of the recent recycling bins that only recycled paper, plastic bottles and electronic waste. The writer opined that these single-item recycling bins were a short trial, but judging by the level of public participation, they worked very well. The public sometimes is willing to go further to throw their items into the appropriate recycling bins, not because of incentives but because of the fear that newly introduced recycling bins will re-contaminate the things they have sorted. The author hopes that more single-item recycling bins can be launched to meet the challenges of environmental protection.” Translated title: ‘The roof garden will be rebuilt to remove stagnant water’ Original article in Chinese: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/talk/story- Curated translation/summary of the article: “LHZB (12 Dec, p13) and LHZB Online (12 Dec) carried Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council (TC) Senior PR Manager, Yin Baixin's reply to reader Zhong Yayu's forum letter "Stagnant water should be solved as soon as possible" published by LHZB on 21 November. TC sincerely apologises for Ms Zhong's dissatisfaction with the maintenance work. TC is also concerned that the garden stone basins may harbour mosquitoes so whenever it rains heavily, TC workers drain the accumulated water from these structures, but this is not a long-term solution. The existing basins had only one drain, and they were all blocked by tree roots, so TC removed the trees and soil and cleared the blockages. TC is currently checking the rest of the garden stone basins and roof gardens for adequate drainage. TC will remodel to ensure good drainage and plant more suitable plants for roof gardens for easy maintenance.” Translated title of the article: ‘Writer on Garden of Peace’ Original article in Chinese: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/talk/story- Curated translation/summary of the article: “LHZB (13 Dec, p21) and LHZB Online (13 Dec) carried a forum letter by Liang Jiajian on Garden of Peace. From the information on the Internet and the media, understand the hardware facilities of Qingxin Garden and the basic principles and requirements of funerals. Relatives of the deceased can apply through NEA's website, or visit NEA's office at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery or Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium to make an appointment for ash scattering services. After completing all procedures, on the appointed date, the relatives will hand over the cremated ashes of the deceased to the staff of Garden of Peace. They will help process the ashes into powder and put them into a disposable urn provided by NEA. Before the ashes are scattered, relatives can hold a mourning ceremony at a designated place, and then pour the ashes on ash-scattering walkways, and then water them with a gardening pot, allowing the ashes to flow along the water and seep into the soil from the crevices of the pebbles. The writer opined that while scattering ashes from urns to the ground, even if the mouth of the urn is two or three centimetres above the ground, if the wind blows suddenly the burial would become a wind burial. Considering the whole process of scattering ashes, although it is not a hasty affair, the writer opined that two key elements of respectful etiquette and solemn ceremony are lacking. The writer opined that the ideal planning of Garden of Peace should be like this: the whole garden should be composed of four circular columbariums with a diameter of about 30 metres as the main body, and each zone would be further divided into 100 square centimetres of columbaria, and each zone would have about 320 areas. After family members of the deceased have completed all the formalities, the staff would prepare a vertical circular tunnel with a depth of about 30 cm and a diameter of about 10 cm in the middle of the arranged area the day before the funeral, with a white lily to be planted. On the day of the funeral, family members would hand over the cremated ashes to the reception, where the staff would process them into powder and put them lightly into a covered clay pot filled with soil with a diameter of 8 cm and a height of 12 cm. After all the ceremonies are completed, a relative would gently put the round jar into the round pit that has been prepared at the columbarium. Relatives and friends would scatter the soil lightly in the round pit. Finally, the staff would plant a white lily on the round pit. This way the ceremony not only preserves traditional concepts but also meets the demands of environmental protection. According to NEA's website, the average daily usage of Garden of Peace is four. The four columbaria could be reused for about three months. After the first columbarium would be full, the second one would be put into use, and when the third area starts to be used, the first one would be re-digged for reuse. The writer also suggested setting up a "Remembrance Wall" in the Garden of Peace as a way for the deceased to connect with relatives and friends. The "Remembrance Wall" would not belong to any deceased person, but would only be used as an invisible connection and dialogue between the deceased and the surviving relatives and friends.”