The question comes faster than jet lag.
You land back in India after a few days in Singapore, and almost instinctively, you say it out loud—or think it quietly:
“Why can’t India be like this?”
A city where concrete does not suffocate, where greenery thrives alongside glass towers, where public washrooms are usable, tap water is drinkable, and rules are not suggestions. A city with no litter—none at all—where discipline is enforced not through chaos, but through systems that actually work.
Singapore does not feel clean by accident. It feels clean by design. And once you experience that design, returning home makes the contrast impossible to ignore.
After days of complaining, I finally decided to pause and think. I realised that while some aspects of Singapore’s success can indeed be replicated in India, others are far more complex—at least not easily transferable. And here’s why.
Reason #1: Size Matters
Singapore is roughly the size of an average Indian Tier-2 city. India, on the other hand, is about 4,500 times larger in land area. This sheer scale brings with it immense diversity—of terrain, climate, cultures, languages, food habits, and people.
Does that mean Singapore’s model is impossible to implement in India? Not entirely. In fact, it already exists in small pockets across the country. Limited, yes—but possible.
Reason #2: A Very Different History
Singapore does not carry the burden of a long, violent history of invasions or a prolonged struggle for independence. It developed primarily as a port city with strategic trade advantages and was established as a British colony in a relatively orderly manner.
India’s story, however, is vastly different. Centuries of invasions, followed by a brutal and extended fight for independence, have deeply shaped our social, political, and administrative psyche. The struggle to simply live freely has left behind generational scars. While those of us born into independent India have seen progress and growth, earlier generations carried heavy baggage—one that still influences systems and mindsets today.
Reason #3: Living Under Constant Threat
Although India gained independence in 1947, it continues to live under persistent external threats. Is the word “enemy” too strong? Perhaps—but it is also realistic. Border tensions and security concerns remain constant.
During our visit, a guide mentioned that Singapore’s military is not even stationed within the country. Much of its armed forces are trained overseas. While Singapore maintains a military as a sovereign requirement, it rarely needs to deploy it for internal or border security.
India has no such luxury. Maintaining a massive army, navy, and air force is a necessity, not a choice. In many parts of the country, security itself is still a privilege.
This contrast struck me sharply at Changi Airport. It took me a few minutes to realise that we had entered the airport without any security checks. At the same moment, I overheard my husband explaining to our daughter that large parts of the airport are open to the public—people can walk in, shop, eat, visit Jewel, and leave.
This is a luxury we simply do not have in India.
Reason #4: Agriculture, Population, and Civic Sense
Singapore grows nothing on its land. Everything is imported. There are no stray animals on the roads—animals are either protected in reserves or bred for consumption.
India, in contrast, has a largely agrarian past. A significant portion of our population still resides in rural areas, where formal education was never the primary focus. Knowledge revolved around land, crops, and cattle. As rural populations migrate to cities, many find work in unorganised sectors, where survival takes precedence over civic responsibility.
Ironically, while walking through Singapore, I noticed many construction workers from India and South Asia. Civic sense, it seems, emerges not just from education but from strict systems and enforcement.
That said, even many educated Indians lack civic sense—because it was never prioritised. The silver lining is the younger generation, which is far more aware and informed, giving us reason to hope.
Reason #5: Politics and Corruption
India’s massive, multi-layered governance structure makes loopholes inevitable. Over time, power has become an obsession—perhaps rooted in centuries of insecurity and struggle. The desire to accumulate wealth and influence “for seven generations” has normalised corruption.
Where corruption thrives, growth stagnates. Resources meant for public development are hoarded, while large sections of the population remain deprived.
Reason #6: Our Relationship with Rivers
Our guide proudly spoke of how Singapore took decades to clean its rivers—and then ensured they stayed clean.
Indians, too, consider rivers sacred. Unfortunately, our way of showing respect often involves dumping everything into them, under the belief that rivers possess magical self-cleansing powers. We continue to believe this, even as evidence proves otherwise.
Reason #7: Red Tape and Easy Escape
Singapore has strict laws and heavy fines—and they apply equally to everyone.
India has laws too. But enforcement often depends on who you are, who catches you, and how powerful you may be. Fear of consequences is unevenly distributed. Power frequently overrides accountability. For the poor, even getting a file to move can be unbearably expensive—emotionally and financially.
So, can India ever become like Singapore? Not entirely—and perhaps it shouldn’t. India is larger, older, messier, and far more complex. Expecting a direct comparison is unrealistic. But dismissing the possibility of improvement is just as flawed.
India does not lack intelligence, talent, or resources. What it lacks is consistent intent—the political will to prioritise systems over symbolism, long-term impact over short-term optics, and civic responsibility over vote-bank convenience.
Progress is not defined by taller buildings or faster roads alone. It is defined by how a society treats its public spaces, its rivers, its laws, and its people—especially those without power. Singapore proves that discipline, planning, and accountability can transform a nation. India’s challenge is not capability, but courage—the courage to enforce rules fairly, to think sustainably, and to build not just for the present generation, but for those yet to come.
Until then, every return flight from Singapore will carry the same uncomfortable question back home.
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