Regardless of Race, Language or Religion
In Singapore's 50th year, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, whose name was synonymous with Singapore, passed away. It was not unexpected - he was 91, increasingly frail and had been in hospital for a month. So I, like many others, was surprised by the depth of my sadness when I woke up to the news of his passing on the morning of Monday 23rd March, 2015.
I probably first heard of LKY when I was 8 or 9, growing up in Malaysia - my father espoused LKY's methods and frequently referred to Singapore's 'rugged society'. When my father became headmaster of a certain school in Penang, known for its disciplinary issues, he turned it around using LKY-esque techniques - and introduced a new motto for the school - "Rugged not Ragged".
In the week of national mourning for LKY, I had plenty of time to think about how different my life might have been without LKY's Singapore. This country has given me opportunities which I will always be grateful for - when my university application got rejected in my home country (there were 'quotas'), Singapore not only offered me a place in its university, but as icing on the cake, offered me a scholarship too. My first real encounter with the famed meritocracy!
It was a contemplative week, to say the least; it was also a historic week - one that I felt compelled to record in photos.
Read MoreI probably first heard of LKY when I was 8 or 9, growing up in Malaysia - my father espoused LKY's methods and frequently referred to Singapore's 'rugged society'. When my father became headmaster of a certain school in Penang, known for its disciplinary issues, he turned it around using LKY-esque techniques - and introduced a new motto for the school - "Rugged not Ragged".
In the week of national mourning for LKY, I had plenty of time to think about how different my life might have been without LKY's Singapore. This country has given me opportunities which I will always be grateful for - when my university application got rejected in my home country (there were 'quotas'), Singapore not only offered me a place in its university, but as icing on the cake, offered me a scholarship too. My first real encounter with the famed meritocracy!
It was a contemplative week, to say the least; it was also a historic week - one that I felt compelled to record in photos.
