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Your monthly dose of buzzworthy goodness from around the lion’s den. Image Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction Veteran marine biologist wins one of the highest awards for a public servant In the...

Your monthly dose of buzzworthy goodness from around the lion’s den.

Veteran marine biologist wins one of the highest awards for a public servant

In the timely spirit of Teachers’ Day, 71-year-old marine biologist Professor Leo Tan is one of four people to be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal at this year’s National Day Awards. Humbled by the honour, he cites his students’ achievements as his greatest success. The first local to have graduated with a doctorate in marine biology back in 1973, Professor Tan has spent a large part of his life contributing to the scenes of science, education and conservation in Singapore. Praised for being an exceptional mentor and optimist, he continues making his mark at 71 as the director of special projects at the science faculty at NUS.

Image Source: Facebook

Keeping a lookout for one another at S R Nathan’s State Funeral

When the State Funeral for former Singapore President S R Nathan was held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus, the hazy weather was a cause of concern for one university student. Worried about not just her own well-being, but that of the servicemen who were on campus to prepare for the funeral, she headed to the Dean’s Office to get them masks. Grateful for their service and their reciprocal concern for the students’ health, the NUS student took to Facebook to express her thanks.

Image Source: Facebook

Sweeping the corridor to ensure her neighbours don’t fall

Going the extra mile to make sure those around her stay safe, a makcik cleans up her common corridor whenever there’s a heavy downpour. As a puddle would collect at the lift landing after it rains, she often frets that her neighbours may fall and end up hurting themselves. Proud of her mum’s caring gesture, Facebook user Saleemah Ismail shared a photo of her sweeping in action with her handbag still on her arm.

More support for those in their final hours

A programme to give dying patients without family and friends some comfort in their final moments, volunteers of No One Dies Alone go by shifts of three hours to accompany individuals by their bedside. Implemented in 2014 at the Assisi Hospice, the programme has 15 volunteers to date, and this sort of end-of-life care is seeing a spike. With more hospitals training nurses on how to support patients who are dying and those around them, and a greater number of individuals wanting to be death doulas, those going through the trying phase as well as their loved ones will see better care.

Image Source: Flickr

Hawker gives free food to the elderly for 20 years

At an unassuming hawker stall in Pek Kio Food Centre, hawker Wong La Ngoh has been giving away food coupons to the vulnerable elderly living around Owen Road for the past 20 years. The 65-year-old has been carrying out the generous deed with the aid of volunteers, and the roast pork rice coupons reach out to about 60 old folks each month.