I HAVE great respect for former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew for what he did in growing this nation.
His policies made it possible for me to go to London and pursue my studies in journalism.
I am always grateful for that, and for the environment that we live in, nurtured by a government that gives encouragement to those who want to better themselves.
We must never forget Mr Lee's legacy, as we look around us today and perhaps ahead to the next 50 years.
It was a firm and forward-looking leadership that made it possible for us to even exist, never mind flourish.
At the heart of it was Mr Lee, who brought together other like-minded and capable individuals, and made a dream a reality - a place called Singapore.
Yet, many of today's young people, who were not there during the difficult times, question his legacy.
Those who question this should ask themselves: Could they have done better? And if so, what would be the alternative? I doubt there is a better one, when we look at what we have today.
We must recognise what Mr Lee did for us and give him his due.
Manoraj Rajathurai
His policies made it possible for me to go to London and pursue my studies in journalism.
I am always grateful for that, and for the environment that we live in, nurtured by a government that gives encouragement to those who want to better themselves.
We must never forget Mr Lee's legacy, as we look around us today and perhaps ahead to the next 50 years.
It was a firm and forward-looking leadership that made it possible for us to even exist, never mind flourish.
At the heart of it was Mr Lee, who brought together other like-minded and capable individuals, and made a dream a reality - a place called Singapore.
Yet, many of today's young people, who were not there during the difficult times, question his legacy.
Those who question this should ask themselves: Could they have done better? And if so, what would be the alternative? I doubt there is a better one, when we look at what we have today.
We must recognise what Mr Lee did for us and give him his due.
Manoraj Rajathurai
