Free hugs given at Orchard Road to mark Singapore Kindness Week

Channel NewsAsia 6 Apr 08;

SINGAPORE: Volunteers took to Orchard Road Sunday afternoon to spread the message of kindness as 5 April to 12 April is Singapore Kindness Week.

Free hugs and smiles were distributed freely by 100 Young NTUC Kindness Angels.

The aim of the event is to encourage people to spread a little kindness to strangers through simple gestures such as a smile.

The Kindness Angels also gave away small gifts such as T-shirts, balloons and badges.

The courtesy mascot - Singa the Lion - also joined in, and proved a hit with the young and the young at heart. - CNA/ac

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Singapore Kindness Movement aims to encourage Singaporeans to make a positive commitment to gracious living through simple acts of kindness in their daily activities.

"What makes a gracious society?
What makes a gracious society? There are various facets to being a gracious society. In summary, these cover culture, heritage, education and civics.

The cultural aspect calls for the appreciation of the finer aspirations of human endeavour, mainly spiritual and aesthetics.

Heritage awareness makes for better understanding, particularly of the community's history, traditions and values, which the people uphold.

Education, the desire for learning and passion for reading, not just for the pursuance of academic qualifications, helps to broaden the mind.

A population that is civic-minded will lend itself readily to acts of kindness and consideration, volunteerism and philanthropy, etc. for the betterment of society. It is in this area of expected social conduct that efforts are being made to promote small acts of kindness so as to improve social behaviour and create a more pleasant environment."