Everybody loves fireworks during the annual National Day Parades, but with every passing year, it feels more and more like an excessive indulgence. We do need to mark our independence but all the blinding lights, screaming jets and massive pyrotechnics seem very exuberant and expensive. Maybe the money for the electricity, fuel and fireworks could be saved and channeled to other worthwhile causes.

But everybody loves the fireworks and it only seems to get bigger every passing year. At least, we don’t go anywhere near the massive show of opulence and over-elaboration at the Olympics opening ceremony.