I sent the following message of condolence to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong:
Mr Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister of Singapore
Dear Mr Prime Minister
I write to express my heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
I come from a disadvantaged family where I had to leave school at 16 after completing my O Levels, not because I did not qualify to pursue education further, but because I wanted to support my mother, who as a single-parent was holding down 3 jobs just so that she could send her children to school and put food on the table for us. My mother had always expressed the deepest respect for the late Mr Lee and credits him for putting in place a good system which rewarded those that worked hard.
I am a product of his vision of a people who are self-reliant and had also half-jokingly remarked to some of my friends that I was a 'son of Lee Kuan Yew', because regardless of whoever was the actual Prime Minister (no offence intended), psychologically I saw only Mr Lee Kuan Yew to be the man in-charge of the country. My worldviews and opinions were shaped by the policies of his Government. I believe many people of my generation will feel the same way about Mr Lee.
With the passing away of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, a part of us is also gone. My family and I grieve deeply with you at the passing of this giant. But he will live on in our memories!
Yours sincerely
Ravi Philemon
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