The two-week long celebrations of Chinese new year of the horse started on Friday, with the second new moon of 2014. Originated during the Han dynasty era (206-220BC), the Chinese zodiac – or lunar calender system – names each of the years in its 12-year cycle after rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, in that order.

With Singapore due to celebrate it's 50th birthday next year, the year of the horse comes with great opportunities and challenges. These include a fast-ageing population, growing income-inequality, rising healthcare cost, balancing the influx of foreigners without hampering the job prospects for Singaporeans, defining the meaning of “compassionate meritocracy”, making the education system less stressful, connecting the youth emotionally with the country as well as giving them more freedom to express their aspirations, and managing the hope of Singaporeans for affordable housing.

In Newzzit's first issue (13th overall) in the year of the horse, we have not focussed on any particular theme, rather, touched upon few relevant issues brought up in the public domain in the foregone fortnight.

Homelessness, risk areas prone to money laundering and terrorism financing, affordability of MediShield Life premiums, declining contribution of the chemicals sector in Singapore's economy, and IPS survey insights on race, language and religion, are covered under different sections.

Have an informative read and a great year ahead!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Gaurav