Daily Lessons from Life 07 February 2012 - Tributes pour in at Dr Toh's funeral

"Tributes pour in at Dr Toh's funeral - CNA 07 February 2012

SINGAPORE: Family members and friends said their final goodbyes to the late Dr Toh Chin Chye on Tuesday morning at the Mandai Crematorium.

Dr Toh died at the age of 90 on 3 February.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who was one of the five, who delivered eulogies at the funeral service, reminded Singaporeans that without Dr Toh and his fellow Old Guard, the country, as "a modern and prosperous metropolis" would not exist.

It was fitting that the state flag was draped around Dr Toh's coffin. After all, one of his first tasks as then Deputy Prime Minister was to chair a committee to design the flag.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it was not all about aesthetics, Dr Toh's life embodied the values symbolised by the national flag.

Mr Lee said: "Dr Toh and his committee came up with the red and white flag, with the crescent and five stars representing democracy, justice, peace, progress and equality. These were values that Dr Toh himself embraced and fought for all in his life."

Dr Toh was the founding Chairman of the ruling People's Action Party during Singapore's most tumultuous years.

After independence, Dr Toh was a key figure who transformed Singapore from Third World to First.

Mr Lee said Dr Toh dedicated himself to nation-building, and made significant contributions in his various portfolios.

Even when he retired from Cabinet, Mr Lee remembered him as backbencher who stuck fiercely to his beliefs.

For many, Dr Toh's life was a lesson for all.

Mr Lee said: "Dr Toh's passing reminds us of how we got here, how much we owe to him and his generation, and how heavy a responsibility we have to carry their vision forward and to take Singa­pore higher and further into a brighter future".

President Tony Tan and his wife, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Cabinet Ministers were also present at the funeral service to bid a final farewell to the man who left a deep imprint on Singapore.

The service ended with a short prayer, followed by a minute of silence and then the sound of the last post as a final farewell to Dr Toh."

I must confess that I do not know Dr Toh very well as he has been out of the limelight for so long though I have recently read a few of his parliamentary speeches as a backbencher providing feedback to some of the ministers' on their policies. I must admit I was impressed by the depth and the passion he shown.

Lessons for me are:

1. whoever you may be, however great things and deeds you have acheived, you will pass on. At that moment, how people remember you will define you. Not how you think you are. Of course, if you are a balance and sensible person, you will know that some will spout unpleasant comments or even downright disrepect while some will be your most ardent fans who cannot see any flaw in a man with many flaws!;

2. I guessed for public figures, it is important for them to leave behind a legacy that is admired by more people than not. If we just look at the bright sides of things, there must be many good things that Dr Toh had done and accomplished. At the same time, there might by some things that had he prevailed in those sessions where he saw CLEARER than the ministers then, Singapore may be a better place to live in besides the material sides of things;

3. when people of your generation slowly but surely passes on one by one, how would you feel? do one wonder when is one's time and how will others remember you? I guessed that must be something that is going through the leader of the 1st batch of PAP stalwarts. And then there are none ...

May Dr Toh rest in peace. He has done what he wanted. And then some ...