This little red dot on the map that I grew up in, I call it home.

It is a great privilege to be born and to grow up in Singapore. It's a modern city, organised, orderly, politically and economically stable. I'm given a chance to go to school, and subsequently pursue a degree at the National University of Singapore. It is a place that I hold dear to and love.

In the past weeks, the whole country seems to be slightly unsettled, after Mr Lee Kuan Yew was hospitalised for severe pneumonia. With each update from the Prime Minister's Office, things just do not have a bright outlook. The whole nation knew that the news was coming, but it is something most people did not want to hear. Mr Lee's condition worsened and deteriorated. Finally, he bade farewell to Singapore and the world yesterday morning. The nation mourns the passing of a well-respected person who has gave his life to build it up.

It is sad and emotional, having to come to terms that we have lost someone important to us. He may be remote, in the sense that we do not know him personally. With each obituary published, we get a glimpse of who this man really is. The more I read, the more grateful and appreciative I feel. Indeed, he may be an iron-fisted politician, and not all that he has done is right. After all, he is not immune to faults and errors. But it is also appropriate to also remember what he has contributed to Singapore. As George Yeo aptly puts it, just look around Singapore, and we will see how far we have all come. It is hard to hold back my tears as I read the papers, about what he has done and who he is. This man built this place I call home.

I served my two years of National Service in the Army, and I knew very well why I did what I was doing. I wanted to protect my nation, I wanted to keep my home safe. I entered university, so that I can learn more about how I can make Singapore a better place, because I did not want the country to fail in my generation's hands, making waste what the forefathers have built.

Mr Lee, you have lived a life that is worthy to be celebrated. It is with great thankfulness that I express my heartfelt appreciation. It will take time for us to take this in, and it will not be easy. The nation will remember you.



Thank you, Sir.