We father's let us take some time to appreciate what our fathers have done for us and to remember them on this fathers day. Our mother's must all be appreciated as it took both of them to mould us to what we are today for good or bad.
As for my father he was born on 14th January 1914 in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He only completed standard 3. My father was a very naughty person when he was young and my grandfather used to punish him by not giving him food when ever he was up to his tricks. My fathers name is Kandiah Subramaniam.
My father ran away from home and landed in Singapore at the age of 19. His parents did not know that he left Ceylon (now known as Sri lanka). On arriving at Singapore one of his relative told him that there are jobs in Tapah and Bidor under PWD department for road laying. My father told me when he landed in Singapore he bought a tin of Players Navy Cut cigarettes and his smoked a lot. So you see where I learned my smoking habits as it was in the genes. My father while at Tapah was informed by a relative that there was a job in Teluk Anson in a plantation. My father went to Teluk Anson (now known as Teluk Intan) and took up the job as a rat catcher in the plantation. From a rat catcher he final retired as the Field Superintendent with United Plantation after 46 years of service.
My father married my mother and had 6 children and I being the second last. My eldest sister and youngest brother passed away young. Towards the last part of my fathers life he had renal failure and he died on 25th May 1987 and my mother been very close to my father died 10 month later on 12th march 1988.
I have given you a short brief history of my father and now I would like to highlight the character and contribution my father had on my life.
The first wisdom that my father gave me was to be Honest and Sincere in what we do in life. When I returned home back from my education in the USA and after been unemployed for 10 month, I finally got a job with Upali Malaysia. I was employed as a management trainee and finally placed with the purchasing department. My father advise to me was that I should not take a cent as this would eventually lead me into many problems and trouble. I followed his advise with upmost honestly and sincerity and served 17 good years with the company. My fathers advise till today runs in my mind and I as a father will impart this wisdom to my son and daughter.
The second thing I learned from my father was not to underestimate any person whether rich or poor. We should learn to treat people equal and most of all as fellow beings. We should be kind to children and animals. The notion of self interest should be removed from our hearts and we should strive for the well being of society. Of course charity starts at home and we should always do charity as this will bring good karma towards our next birth. As Gandhi said we are all children of God and we must treat all people good. Do to others as you want other to do to you.
One important thing I learnt from my father was to speak the truth at all time. Sometime it is difficult but we must try to keep on this path most of the time. Living within your means was a point my father stressed always. He said cut your dress according to the amount of cloth you have. If you make your shirt too big with a small piece of cloth, then the end result will be your shirt will tear. Basically don't spend more than what you earn.
The greatest contribution I received from my father was a college education. I graduated from Washing State University with a degree majoring in Economics and a minor in Political Science. This has been the most important asset in my life as it cannot be stolen from me. All other assets can leave you or be taken away from you except your education. He wanted me to get a good education as he was not able to.
With your education and experience you can survive in any part of the world.
My father got me married or else I would have remained a bachelor. I am married for the last 26 years to Rahjam Nadarajah. He paid for my marriage as I was broke.
I guess I will end here as I can go on writing more on my father but it will be done in book which I intend to publish some time later.
Once again HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the fathers.
2 comments:
This is a great article on your father. Very well written. Short but the essence of it captured by the reader. I had completed something similar but with old photographs dating back to 1920s. I hope to create the same as you, a book. There is a show going on now on the Indians of Singapore. It shows the migrants, the jobs taken up by the majority of Indians here and their choice of residence. Let me know when you're onto yor book, we could share ideas and information, as a lot of this is lost, and the only way is through the mouths of of our elders. Maybe the stories my dad shares with me might link to a historical moment that was concerned Indian and Ceylon. You never know. All the best, Happy Father's Day, and God bless!
That was a most touching entry, Jothy mama! He was a certainly a great man! Happy Father's Day to you too.
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