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Here’s Why Mr S R Nathan’s Life Journey Should Be an Inspiration for Every Singaporean

2016-08-23 , 10:28 am

What it remained unsaid, most probably agree with me when I say this: if you have a good background, a happy (read: powerful) family, chances are you’ll succeed in whatever you do.

Remember the elitist issue that cropped up a few years back? Successful people engaged the best tutors for their kids, send them to the best schools and had them make connections with powerful people.

But Mr S R Nathan proved us wrong. He once said this:

I never imagined that I would one day be anything more than a hawker’s assistant. With education, with hard work, and the school of life, many things are possible however difficult circumstances may seem at times. – Mr S R Nathan

From a humble background to the respected powerhouse he is today, here’s why his life journey should be an inspiration for every Singaporean.

He was a survivor

He had a happy family, but when his father was dismissed from his position as a lawyer’s clerk and committed suicide when Mr Nathan was just 8 years old.

He dropped out of school twice

At the age of 16, he quarrelled with his mother after dropping out of school, and ran away. He was accused of stealing textbooks from a fellow classmate expelled by the principal.

He was willing to do whatever necessary to get up again

During 1942 when the Japanese invaded, he was homeless, jobless and uneducated. When the Japanese occupied Singapore, he learnt Japanese and became a translator to the Japanese civilian Police.

He was willing to do the impossible

The first time he got the attention of Singapore’s leaders was when he was assigned travel to Algiers and negotiate acceptance of Singapore into the Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organisation.

Nobody expected him to succeed. He was given a brief by then Deputy Minister Mr Goh Keng Swee while Mr Lee Kuan Yew practised golf swings nearby.

At that time, he was jeered at and called a “neo-colonial stooge”.

He eventually won delegates over by telling jokes and buying them drinks, getting them to consider Singapore’s acceptance the following year.

He made himself indispensable

It’s not about how much your organisation can do for you, but what you can do for your organisation.

He learnt and developed himself into an asset for the government.

“Every time there was a tricky task which required a steady hand, someone dependable and who could get things done, his name would pop up,” said Mr Lee.

He listened to his opponents

When Mr Nathan was assigned to be executive chairman of the Straits Times press, reporters wore black armbands in protest.

Instead of replying in force, he showed that business was still going on as usual and took the time to understand the worries of the staff.

“I had seen bigger strikes than that! They were only wearing black armbands and jumping about. But when they saw I was not doing what they expected me to do, they began to have confidence.” – Straits Times

He knew his purpose

And this is probably the most important lesson he has taught to all young Singaporeans: purpose.

His duty was his purpose and when he was on a plane to Kuwait with twelve other Singaporeans and four hijackers, he soothed himself with the words: have faith and do your duty.

So know yours and you’ll be guided to give your best in whatever you do. After all, there’s no man more effective than someone who knows what he’s doing, right?

After all, there’s no man more effective than someone who knows what he’s doing, right?

The public can pay their last respects at Parliament House from 10am to 8pm on Thursday, Aug 25. A State Funeral Service will take place 4pm on Friday, Aug 26, at the University Cultural Centre (NUS) and will be open to Singaporeans from all walks of life.

Condolence boards will be available at Istana for those who want to pen tributes to the late Mr Nathan from Aug 23 at 6am. Condolence books will also be opened at all Overseas Missions for overseas Singaporeans and friends.

Featured Image: straitstimes.com

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com