Singaporeans and PRs pay tribute to Mr Lee

Proud citizen says thanks

It is with profound sadness that I am writing this tribute after waking up to the news of our founding father, the legendary.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew's demise. With tears welling up in my eyes, I took a moment to reflect on the greatness of Mr Lee's leadership and how much our and the later generations have benefited from it.

I was speaking to my cousin recently (who was feeling really sad at his ill health) and she was telling me how she had lived through his initial leadership era and saw first-hand how he had set right major issues in safety, education, defence and health through his tough, but necessary, leadership. While that may not have been the case for me as, by the time I was born, he had already eradicated most of the major issues we were facing, growing up I saw our beautiful country transform over the years into one of the most reputed First World countries that most around the world admire us for. Those who have criticised his leadership will hopefully appreciate his foresight some day and understand how much he and his A team of leaders have actually done for Singapore and the people.

I lived in the UK (Glasgow) and the US (Dallas, Texas) for 12 years of my life where my two daughters were born. During my time there, I had the privilege of meeting Mr and Mrs Lee during their visit in 2004 and the picture we took together (above), which I am sharing with the world today, is safely stored in my treasure box. While I loved living abroad for many reasons - one of the main ones being the wonderful friends I made there, my career, the long drives, my large home, my 7-seater minivan and, basically, the independence that came with living abroad - there were also its downsides. I had to make a choice when my elder girl was due to start mainstream school. This was in line with my thinking over the years where I became clearer about how good we have it here in Singapore and how much we take it for granted and though the decision to move back was quite a tough one, I am glad I made it back home and am able to give back to the country that has given me so much.

It was interesting to me that one day after I returned, I was talking to a friend who, to my surprise, asked me, "Why would you return from a First World country to a Third World one?" And when I heard this a few more times from other people I met, I realised then that many Singaporeans thought of Singapore as "third world" without realising how First World we were . I told her, "Try living overseas for a few years and you will appreciate how good you have it here and how First World we are."

We have a world-class education system that is now replicated in other countries due to its tried and tested methodology; we have a clean, comfortable roof over our heads to retire to every night and the concept of "homeless" is foreign to us; we have running water and electricity 24/7; every single Singaporean has access to state-of-the-art medical treatment for a fraction of what we pay in other countries, regardless of whether we have insurance or not; we have world-class infrastructure and a transportation system that makes it easy for anyone from all walks of life to get around; we have political stability, low unemployment and a strong currency.

Basically, we have all the bells and whistles that a First World country has to offer but we also have the benefits of the so-called Third World such as low taxation rates and being able to have a live-in helper at home at affordable salaries.

Culturally, we have the perfect blend of the East and the West that I don't think we can get anywhere else. Most importantly - my 12- year-old daughter can walk home alone from tuition at 9pm and I do not have to worry about any of the bad things that could happen to a girl that age.

Yes, many of us may not be able to afford big homes or have large cars, there is a divide just like most countries between the rich and the poor, our country is too small for taking long drives, we don't have the large spaces as in larger countries, the work culture may not be as flexible as in the West, and the weather is a bit too warm with a lack of the four seasons. However where it truly matters, we have it all laid out for us.

Today I feel proud to call myself a fourth-generation Singaporean, feel proud to sing our national anthem loudly at every opportunity I get, feel proud that my children today are Singapore citizens, feel proud when my "expat" colleagues rave about Singapore and want to make Singapore their home, feel proud that I am living in a little red dot First World country that is envied by so many around the world and feel extremely proud to produce my red passport to the overseas immigration officers whenever I travel.

And all this pride is possible only because of our founding father Mr Lee and his A team of leaders who developed and shaped Singapore to what it is today and continue to do so. And, today, with the rest of Singapore and the world, my family and I mourn the loss of a great legend and the father of Singapore. It pains me immensely to realise that he will not be around to witness

Aug 9, 2015 and see first-hand the rise of the great country he had developed between SG1 and SG50. However, I am sure he will be the guiding force from above to lead our great nation into the next 50 years and onwards thereafter. May he rest in peace along with his beloved wife...

Majulah Singapura!

tabla@sph.com.sg

Ranjani Rangan is the deputy country head of a foreign bank. She has two daughters, aged 10 and 12.

A PR's poetic tribute

As the sun sets, the lights fade...

As the legend dies, legacy remains...

You built this country through your sweat and tears

Holding everyone together against all odds and fears

Relentless was your zeal, endless was your appeal

Grim were the scenes, ardent were the pleas

But some things thankfully were not meant to be

Forging ahead with full steam, believing only in your dreams

Pledging to this country your heart, life and soul

Giving in, giving up was never a part of your goal.

One step at a time steadily and assuredly

Working through the challenges, fighting all the battles

You cleared this land of all possible marshes

You built brick by brick, you sowed seed by seed

Transforming this country for all to see

As you leave behind us this beautiful legacy

For us to dwell and relish the fruits

We shall remember you in every thing we do

We have to keep the flag flying higher and stronger

We promise to uphold the story you wrote

We pledge to work on strengths yet to unfold

A guiding light which shone so bright

An inspiring life which will never expire

An irreplaceable loss, an empty space

An untold grief we face today

As the sun sets, the lights fade

As the legend dies, legacy remains...

O Father we bid you adieu

Farewell, rest well

May peace be with you

O Father as we bid you adieu!

Shilpa Dikshit Thapliyal. The PR has been living here for 14 years. She met Mr and Mrs Lee about eight years ago at MacRitchie Reservoir where Mr Lee enquired about her and her family's experience in Singapore.

In praise of a great leader

A man by the name of Lee Kuan Yew,

Created a nation brand new.

A lawyer turned into a dedicated politician,

Mr Lee rallied for self-government.

He put everything he had on the line,

And achieved this goal in nineteen fifty nine.

Next Mr Lee fought to form a Malaysian Federation,

And this he succeeded in doing with Tengku Abdul Rahman.

The sweet victory took place in nineteen sixty three,

Finally of British rule Singapore was free!

But joy for Mr Lee was only for a short duration,

For the newly formed Malaysian Federation,

Told Mr Lee Singapore was on her own.

Mr Lee was crushed and even openly cried,

For all he had fought for had come to void.

But like a Phoenix rising out of its own ashes,

Mr Lee rose tall and began to make promises.

He assured the people who were fearful of poverty,

That he and the rest of the People's Action Party,

Would look after their needs and welfare.

Mr Lee spoke to the people with great conviction and flair.

And thus in the year nineteen sixty five,

The Republic of Singapore came to life.

There were struggles and riots,

By people who all claimed to be patriots.

Some wanted wealth, others control and power.

There were conflicts and differences in culture.

It seemed our nation was heading for doom,

But Mr Lee brought us out of gloom.

He created law and order,

And slowly but surely made our country better and brighter.

And over the years Singapore flourished,

Her people were given resources and nourished.

Our nation small started to prosper,

With state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Singaporeans enjoyed the good life,

Thanks to Mr Lee's concerted drive.

Now Singaporeans are all eagerly awaiting,

August 9 two thousand fifteen.

For our nation will turn half a century old,

And great stories of courage and victory will be told.

But the man who deserves to be on centre stage

Is Mr Lee, who has alongside our tiny nation aged.

We salute you Mr Lee Kuan Yew,

For without you where would we be, we have no clue.

Dear Sir, thank you!

Naazneen Abdeali. The Singaporean is a part-time teacher with two teenage children.

A legacy that will last forever

Dark clouds loom over a nation

A nation that weeps

For its children have lost their bastion

A founding father who now rests in sleep,

Flags fly at half-mast

Tributes pour like rain drops

In remembrance of our past

Of a man who pulled no stops

To turn dreams into a vision.

That Singapore must achieve

He knew no other mission

For this illustrious son of Singapore, we grieve,

Yet the hovering sun remains calm

Behind the clouds, soothing

Like a mother holding her child's palm

For his legacy is ever-lasting,

Planted roots of respect, integrity and endeavour

Have blossomed into the nation's heartbeat

Mr Lee Kuan Yew will live forever

Forever, Within the Singapore Spirit

Malminderjit Singh. He is executive director of SICCI.

Praises pour forth

Indian dignitaries, an artist as well as ordinary Indians pay tribute to Mr Lee.

"Heartfelt condolences on sad demise of former PM Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. Asia will mourn the loss of a towering leader."

- India's president

Pranab Mukherjee

"A far-sighted statesman and a lion among leaders, Mr Lee Kuan Yew's life teaches valuable lessons to everyone. News of his demise is saddening. In this hour of bereavement, our prayers are with Mr Lee Kuan Yew's family and the people of Singapore. May his soul rest in peace."

- India's prime minister Narendra Modi

"He belonged to the league of Asian statesmen who successfully carried forward the task of nation building."

- Congress president Sonia Gandhi

"Singapore was in dire poverty when he took over the reins. He transformed such a nondescript country into a global economic power with his hard work, vision and discipline. When Singapore got independence from Malaysia in 1965, the per capita income of Singapore was a paltry US$516. Singapore attained an unimaginable level of per capita income of US$56,532 in 2010 by travelling on the path laid by Mr Lee."

- Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. In a rare gesture, the Andhra Assembly observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew

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