Dropout turned President

[Lynn2010]

autumnbronze:

Mdm Koh:

It's an inspiring story. Not many people know that Nathan's family lost their fortune during the Great Depression and his dad killed himself when Nathan was very young.


I think that the book is not so much saying that it's ok for kids to drop out of school, because even a drop-out can become a president. I think he's simply trying to tell us that there are things in life beyond our control, but we can overcome them if we work hard. I believe that this is still true, no matter what age we're in. :imcool:

Now that he's published a book, the next thing I hope to see him do is donate half of his accumulated wealth to charity.

Thank goodness at least someone understood the underlying message of this book ...

:lol:

I appreciate the comment and not mocking at our former president. In fact, I personally like him a lot and respected him. I'm just trying to say that if a similar situation happen today, the chance of becoming a President of a country is extremely slim. That does not mean that the person has no future and he/she is doomed

[concern2]

UncleLim:

Right place at the right time ?


We do not want to encourage our kids to drop out, do we ?

Definitely not in near future when so much emphasis is on having 'track records'. Money and status is worth more important these days. Drop outs only have a chance when the chance is given by some people, or the people.

[Funz]

In our time, a dropout will be one who has not completed at least their 'O’s.


In our kids time, one will be considered a dropout if they do not attain a PHD?

[autumnbronze]

Lynn2010:

autumnbronze:

[quote=\"Mdm Koh\"]It's an inspiring story. Not many people know that Nathan's family lost their fortune during the Great Depression and his dad killed himself when Nathan was very young.


I think that the book is not so much saying that it's ok for kids to drop out of school, because even a drop-out can become a president. I think he's simply trying to tell us that there are things in life beyond our control, but we can overcome them if we work hard. I believe that this is still true, no matter what age we're in. :imcool:

Now that he's published a book, the next thing I hope to see him do is donate half of his accumulated wealth to charity.

Thank goodness at least someone understood the underlying message of this book ...

:lol:

I appreciate the comment and not mocking at our former president. In fact, I personally like him a lot and respected him. I'm just trying to say that if a similar situation happen today, the chance of becoming a President of a country is extremely slim. That does not mean that the person has no future and he/she is doomed [/quote]Hi Lynn2010,

Ohhh I understand where you and Mdm Koh are coming from .... :hi5:

Was hoping that the topic would not veer off the course based on some other earlier comments ...

:lol: :lol:

[KiasuAdult]

read from the new paper that all royalties from the sale of the $45 book will go to the SR Nathan Education Upliftment Fund launched by PM Lee so guess it's worth buying

[concern2]

Lynn2010, I haven’t read the article - but just thinking along this line…


Imagine - would you vote for someone whose achieved high education (and little work experience - or perhaps even life experience) to be president? And if the high education is a result of tuitions, rather than self-motivated / personal struggle?

If our new generation is to be full of kids who achieve results due to tuitions and parents pushing all the way, what kind of candidates do we have left to choose from the new generation? No surprise if we have to make a choice of electing a ‘foreign talent’ who has achieved through personal struggle /self-motivation one day…

[smartmummy]

Mdm Koh:

It's an inspiring story. Not many people know that Nathan's family lost their fortune during the Great Depression and his dad killed himself when Nathan was very young.


I think that the book is not so much saying that it's ok for kids to drop out of school, because even a drop-out can become a president. I think he's simply trying to tell us that there are things in life beyond our control, but we can overcome them if we work hard. I believe that this is still true, no matter what age we're in. :imcool:

Now that he's published a book, the next thing I hope to see him do is donate half of his accumulated wealth to charity.

:goodpost:
I got to know from wiki pedia after i read ur post, his father passed away when he was 8 yrs old.Its amazing! This happened to everywhere, where the kids doesn't have money to eat they will study harder.I heard some other Ministers' and another President's stories also like that.When they were young, their family so poor. I extract some information from wiki pedia.

The young Nathan returned to his birthplace, Singapore, to live. He received his primary education in Anglo-Chinese Primary School and Rangoon Road Afternoon School, and his secondary education at Victoria School. He started working before completing his studies. During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, Nathan worked for the Japanese Kempeitai as a translator.[3][4] After the war, whilst working, he completed his secondary education through self-study, and entered the University of Malaya (then in Singapore) where he graduated in 1954 with a Diploma in Social Studies (Distinction)

[Angelight]

Following Mr Nathan’s book, it was reported that Tan Jee Say also plans to write a book on his GE and PE experiences. He really ‘strikes while the iron is hot’ - looks like he will not stop seeking the limelight. Wonder if anyone will buy his book and read?

[Lynn2010]

Angelight:

Following Mr Nathan's book, it was reported that Tan Jee Say also plans to write a book on his GE and PE experiences. He really 'strikes while the iron is hot' - looks like he will not stop seeking the limelight. Wonder if anyone will buy his book and read?

Hahaha.... no more space in my book shelves

[Intermezzo]

smartmummy:

The young Nathan returned to his birthplace, Singapore, to live. He received his primary education in Anglo-Chinese Primary School and Rangoon Road Afternoon School, and his secondary education at Victoria School. He started working before completing his studies. During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, Nathan worked for the Japanese Kempeitai as a translator.[3][4] After the war, whilst working, he completed his secondary education through self-study, and entered the University of Malaya (then in Singapore) where he graduated in 1954 with a Diploma in Social Studies (Distinction)

i didn't know that Mr Nathan worked for the notorious Kempeitai during the Japanese Occupation..

i don't mean to be disrespectful to him or anything.. but just can't help having a weird feeling when one thinks about Lim Bo Seng and others in the Force 136 who died in the hope of defending Singapore against the Japanese invaders.. and then reading that Mr Nathan who worked for the Japanese invaders later becoming the President of Singapore..

(in fact, after Lim Bo Seng was captured, he was brought to the Kempeitai headquarters to be interrogated and tortured for information. He died in prison as a result.)

well, it was a terrible time for all, and choices must have been difficult to make, in the face of survival.. just remarking upon one of the little ironies of history.

(sorry if this post offended anyone)