Daily Lessons from Life 15 September 2013 - Queen Elizabeth II sends birthday message to Lee Kuan Yew

"Queen Elizabeth II sends birthday message to Lee Kuan Yew - AsiaOne Sep 15, 2013 SINGAPORE - Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has written a message to congratulate Mr Lee Kuan Yew on his 90th birthday. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement: "Her Majesty’s message is a reflection of the warm ties between the two leaders and the deep friendship between Singapore and the United Kingdom, which is underpinned by longstanding historical links and robust bilateral cooperation across many sectors." In her message, the queen praised Mr Lee for having an 'eventful life' which has been 'inextricably interwoven with the history and development' of Singapore. She said: "Philip and I send our warmest congratulations on the occasion of your 90th Birthday. "Yours has been a most eventful life, inextricably interwoven with the history and development of your nation. It is notable that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence from the UK and I am delighted that the links between our countries remain so strong."" Yes. The man is 90 years old now. No bad a life he has. Really good actually. Lessons for me are: 1. he is one of a kind for sure. Make no mistake about that. Smart, strong and get things done. He is also lucky to have a bunch of men and women who shared the same belief of breaking from colonial rules and have a go at making a new nation. Not for money but for the challenge, and hopefully, love, to make history. Not forgetting the many hundred of thousands not so well educated but willing first generation Singaporeans then; 2. how will history judge his achievements, and failures? Only time will tell. Only those who can write histories can tell. Or those who read the many books by him or for him or on him or on his behalf will tell you. Or those by his detractors and get to see the daylights? Whatever. For me, his first 3/4 life is amazing. Legendary. Got more things right with his 1st generation colleagues and the 1st generation Singaporeans working hard for/with him. As for the last 1/4 of his life, I am not so sure; 3. he once said he wants nothing to be in his name to remember him. No building or road or whatever to be named after him. He said, if I recalled correctly, he has no need for such 'vanity'. However, in recent years, there were a few things named after him for sure. An institution of higher study for researcher, some scholarships, honourable PhD and what not, etc. Maybe he is a mortal after all. Maybe there is a need to be remembered. After-all, he did, for most part, led the ruling PAP government to achieve many firsts. Leading Singapore economically from a backwater outpost to a 1st world nation. Though, grudgingly he conceded a few years back, that he could not inspire the younger Singaporeans to get married and have children, that he will not see 'graciousness' in Singaporeans' behaviors, that 'if there is no THEM, the children of Singaporeans may end up working as maids overseas', 'no opposition parties will be able to field enough qualified candidates for a GRC', etc. So, there were some 'failures'. That's kind of reassuring. That he is a mortal too. For that mortality, I wish him a healthy and happy 90th birthday. Every human being deserves to be congratulated on his or her birthday - high and might or low and humble regardless. p/s: I like to proposed that the New Singapore International Airport be named after him as: 'LKY's Singapore International Airport Main' with the other 3 or 4 older terminals named: 'LKY's Singapore International Airport T1, T2, T3 and T4'. That will be a nice legacy for him. Those who are for it say: Yeh!