In the neighbourhood: serangoon is the only home he has ever known

SINGAPORE - A Short walk from Mr Ang Kum Siong's block is the home of Hariharann Ravindran, 17, who has lived in the area since he was a baby. He tells The Straits Times about Serangoon.

Who he is?

I'm an aerospace electronics student at Singapore Polytechnic. I've lived at Block 258 Serangoon Central Drive with my family all my life.

Why he likes the area?

It's very convenient. We have a shopping centre, gym and MRT station nearby. I go jogging at the park and stadium.

My extended family also lives in Serangoon Central.

My family of five, grandparents and two cousins' families live in four of the blocks here. It's good because we can take care of one another.

For the World Cup final, 10 of us met at my grandparents' place to watch the game.

His growing up years?

I used to play at the playground under my grandparents' block, which was a sandpit then.

In secondary school, I played a lot of football at the street football court next to Braddell Heights Community Centre. When I take off my spectacles, some people ask whether I am (national footballer) Hariss Harun's brother.

What has changed?

Growing up, I had a lot of close friends here, but now, as we all grow older, we have our own paths and meet new people.

Things have become more convenient since they opened nex mall and the Circle Line.

Before, we had to go to Bishan to watch a movie, but now, the cinema is just a short walk away. You can also travel to a lot of places easily.

What hasn't changed?

Visiting my grandparents after school and staying over sometimes.

If I moved away, I would miss this neighbourhood a lot.

This article was first published on July 19, 2014.
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