Mudflat to metropolis

courtesy : mudflat to metropolis

As someone from a generation that immensely benefited under the system that he and his team devised in the early years of independence, I am deeply grateful. His belief in the fundamentals — the rule of law, meritocracy, and self-reliance — helped establish a system where there are equal opportunities for all, a clean and stable government, quality education, minority representation and an economy that is strikingly powerful yet stable.

I first became interested in Singapore’s political scene in college. I dived into his memoirs, which I had owned but never got around to reading it until then. It was the only place I knew, where there is a wealth of knowledge regarding Singapore’s political history and the thoughts of the most intelligent man I know. I watched some of his rally speeches that he made in the 1970s to 1980s and he has never failed to impress me. He is able to articulate himself clearly, without the need to constantly refer to a script. He is able to speak from his mind, and heart, to rally the masses. I am talking about his consistent performance over years of rallying, hours at one go. Only someone who is as brilliant as him can do that.

I have benefited from his legacy in providing education for all Singaporeans. I wasn’t a smart kid. But did I have the opportunity to excel in academia? Yes I did. I was given opportunities, time and time again and finally I made it to junior college and then to University. The idea of meritocracy had been imbued within me from young. ‘Work hard to achieve what you want’ was the mantra I followed. I am confident to say that most of the people in my generation also have it within them. Over the years, this has produced generations who are conscientious, work very hard and become very successful in what they do. This raised the overall standard of Singaporeans. Increase in our standard of living followed.

Mr Lee was devoted to the development and growth of the country, citing that growth would enable ‘better homes, better schools, better hospitals, better playing fields, a healthier environment for their(workers) families and for their children to grow up’. It was not just the economic growth but the transformation of an entire nation, ‘came to be seen as people who could get things done’. This impression fueled international confidence in this small nation. Increases in foreign investments, increases in GDP and general standard of living gave us all a better place to live in.

His insistent demands for high standards served as a model for many. His vision that Singaporeans must not be sloppy and inconsistent, and should instead be civillised, educated, efficient and gracious pushed the nation out of the slums. He gave Singaporeans an asset — a home, which would appreciate in value over the years.

International accolades flood the back covers of his books. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on Mr Lee’s brilliance, “In office, I read and analysed every speech of Harry’s. He had a way of penetrating the fog of propaganda and expressing with unique clarity the issues of our times and the way to tackle them. He was never wrong.” (1998) and his good friend Henry Kissinger on his bold vision, “A big man on a small stage.”. These are testament to his influence on the international stage — for Singapore.

In Mr Lee’s own words: “You begin your journey not
 knowing where it will take you. You have plans, you
 have dreams, but every now and again you have to take
 uncharted roads, face impassable mountains, cross 
treacherous rivers, be blocked by landslides and 
earthquakes. That’s the way my life has been.”

I guess that’s how most of our lives will be.

Over the week I have consolidated a personal list of lessons I have learnt from this man who is larger-than-life. Thank you, Mr Lee. You are the epitome of the Singapore Spirit. You, Sir, are Singapore.

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