Today is a poignant day in the history of Singapore. Thousands of Singaporeans line the streets or tune in to the media, to send off the founding father of the nation. They stand resolute, undeterred by the pouring rain.
As I watch the live telecast from home, I came to realise just how much he has contributed to Singapore. The meticulous city planning itself was just so evident from the TV footage. The people standing united is validation of his efforts to integrate a nation. The sheer number of foreign dignitaries present was a clear testament of his success in diplomacy and international relations. The guests and representatives from so many different sectors of the community and institutions: defence, private and public sectors, religious groups, sports, culture, arts and media, research and education, with their presence, is a moving reminder of just how many lives he has touched and affected for the better, in so many different ways.
In a way, I am one of the many lives he has touched.
Without his foresight and tenacity in building regional relations, I would probably have not received my ASEAN scholarship Tuition Grant and have the opportunity to study in one the best education systems in the world -- one which he helped to build.
Without his help to establish The Band Movement, I would have been a very different person, for the school band is where I have learnt so much from, in terms of character building and music. The Singapore Band Movement is also very much an influence of Malaysia's band scene, where I started from.
His economic policies will also be a major part of what I will experience as I graduate, and it is in fact on which I have experienced, not just through my scholarship, but in my Industrial Attachment as well.
Some might think that thanking him for all these might be fallacious, as these are all fruits of labour which can be enjoyed, regardless of which leader was present at that time. But, by looking at differences in ideology and achievements between Singapore and regional nations, it becomes evident, that his outstanding successes - how he built so much from so little - were no coincidence. His values, vision, veracity, are as valuable as can be. They were unique. They are the reasons of his success. The reasons why we are able to enjoy prosperity and sustainability today.
I did not attend his wake, nor line the streets to give him tribute. But deep down from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank him for everything he has done. His legacy will live on.
