A college student and daughter of a political leader in Singapore recently hit out at the views of a middle-class Singaporean. True to the idealism and evolving maturity that one finds in youth, she spared no punches, and even called the middle-class Singaporean names. She made her point, and her views sparked off more points.
Her father, a Member of Parliament, came out to defend her, and ended up rubbing salt to an open wound. Eventually, he had to apologise a second time. And now there are calls requesting him to resign.
This forest fire, which one blog has comprehensively followed and colourfully labelled "The Wee Shu-Min Affair a.k.a. [also known as] The Wee-Wee Saga/The Adventures of Elite Girl", rages on.
Readers have raised three questions relating to this matter:
1. How should one react to what the young person said?
2. What would I have done if I were the young person's father?
3. Should the young person's father step down as Member of Parliament?
HOW SHOULD ONE REACT TO WHAT THE YOUNG PERSON SAID?
I respect one's right to express oneself. And in the process of such expression, to have those views challenged, amended and/or revised. I have found personally that youth quite often enjoy more leeway, since people tend to take what such youths say in their stride. As such, I did not mind what this young person said.
But it was disturbing to me how people went after this young person, even pulling her family into the picture. Eventually, the issue received negative airing in the national press.
I don't think, if I was this young person, I would want my life scrutinised like that. Of course, this also means that, as a young person, I would take steps to protect my privacy, which I recognise was not done in this case.
I think it would have been better for individuals to focus on the views rather than seek to ruthlessly discredit a person. This whole incident to me is really a reflection of how ungracious or unforgiving we have become as a society. We label, we discredit and, eventually, we eliminate. How very unfortunate.
WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE IF I WERE THE YOUNG PERSON'S FATHER?
I would have recognised that every parent wants to create an environment where his / her child will be able to test views, to make mistakes, to learn from it and to grow. I would have emphasised this incident was therefore part of such a learning process for the child. Finally, as a parent, I would have apologised to individuals affected by my child's actions, and requested for some empathy in bringing this issue to a closure.
SHOULD THE YOUNG PERSON'S FATHER STEP DOWN AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT?
At the end of the day, this decision is out of the hands of the general public.
It is a matter for his constituents, his community leaders and his own political party members to decide, and to make known their views through avenues available to them.
If there is a real possibility that the whole incident could adversely affect the work of the Member of Parliament, the way forward may indeed be for him to step down.
Nevertheless, I think it is important to recognise how new this Member of Parliament is, and such teething problems are inevitable. Perhaps, it may be useful to give him some more time to fill the large shoes he has stepped into.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Monday, October 30, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Future of national television for Singapore Indians
My family and I are a part of a lesser known community within the Indian community in Singapore.
A Singapore newspaper recently carried an article about this lesser known community - the Bhojpuri-speaking community in Singapore, many of whom have origins in the northeast Indian states of Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. A secular Bhojpuri Society to champion this niche group's interests has been formed.
Around the same time, my sister was reflecting about what it means to be a Singaporean Indian and the relevance of national television to Indians in Singapore.
My sister was flabbergasted when someone appearing on national television suggested that the winner of a Singapore beauty pageant for the Indian commuity should be a person who speaks Tamil.
Many people in Singapore tend to assume that, if you're an Indian, you speak Tamil - one of the four national languages in Singapore.
My own view is that this assumption is less prevalent now than in the past.
In recent years, in this part of the world, there has been greater awareness of the diversity that shapes India.
This is partly attributable to the higher level of profile that the global Indian diaspora enjoys. It is also due to the greater appeal of Bollywood one finds around the world today.
Languages such as Hindi, Punjabi or Bengali are now thought in Singapore schools. Singapore is also seeing more successful people coming out of these niche groups in the Indian community.
On cable television today in Singapore, one finds more non-Tamil channels catering to Indians, includng other non-Indians.
I understand that these channels are well-subscribed, even though official numbers are not available.
Resultantly, these all have implications for the future of the national television channel for Indians in Singapore. Non-Tamil-speaking audiences such as my family, who used to watch this channel regularly, now almost totally do not watch it.
We increasingly rely on other sources of information for updates about Singapore.
There is today a debatable perception that the Indian television channel in Singapore no longer appears to serve as many in Singapore as it did in the past.
This begs the question if it should enjoy the same of level of government support it has received in the past.
Perhaps, this is something Singapore's media regulators will look into with the relevant persons in Singapore.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
A Singapore newspaper recently carried an article about this lesser known community - the Bhojpuri-speaking community in Singapore, many of whom have origins in the northeast Indian states of Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. A secular Bhojpuri Society to champion this niche group's interests has been formed.
Around the same time, my sister was reflecting about what it means to be a Singaporean Indian and the relevance of national television to Indians in Singapore.
My sister was flabbergasted when someone appearing on national television suggested that the winner of a Singapore beauty pageant for the Indian commuity should be a person who speaks Tamil.
Many people in Singapore tend to assume that, if you're an Indian, you speak Tamil - one of the four national languages in Singapore.
My own view is that this assumption is less prevalent now than in the past.
In recent years, in this part of the world, there has been greater awareness of the diversity that shapes India.
This is partly attributable to the higher level of profile that the global Indian diaspora enjoys. It is also due to the greater appeal of Bollywood one finds around the world today.
Languages such as Hindi, Punjabi or Bengali are now thought in Singapore schools. Singapore is also seeing more successful people coming out of these niche groups in the Indian community.
On cable television today in Singapore, one finds more non-Tamil channels catering to Indians, includng other non-Indians.
I understand that these channels are well-subscribed, even though official numbers are not available.
Resultantly, these all have implications for the future of the national television channel for Indians in Singapore. Non-Tamil-speaking audiences such as my family, who used to watch this channel regularly, now almost totally do not watch it.
We increasingly rely on other sources of information for updates about Singapore.
There is today a debatable perception that the Indian television channel in Singapore no longer appears to serve as many in Singapore as it did in the past.
This begs the question if it should enjoy the same of level of government support it has received in the past.
Perhaps, this is something Singapore's media regulators will look into with the relevant persons in Singapore.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Reader's Question: My Car Accident Claim
QUESTION
I was involved in a traffic accident 1 year ago and here is the scenario. I was the 1st car and had sought damages from the 2nd car which is a taxi. The police report and other evidence confrim that the taxi was in the wrong.
However, the taxi company, until today, refuses to pay me until they have sought damages from the 3rd car. The problem is that the 3rd car is disputing the claim by the taxi company against the 3rd car and thus prolonging the case.
My car is covered comprehensively by another insurance company (not yours).
ANSWER
I am not sure why you are having to do all these yourself. You should have claimed on your own motor insurance policy, and let your insurers sort it out.
You should seek independent legal advice if you feel strongly about this.
As importantly, since you are not insured with NTUC Income, please consider doing so.
AFTERTHOUGHTS
It is normal for taxi companies to defend such claims aggressively; this is part of their strategy to mitigate the risks they are exposed to.
Some such cases can take years to resolve so it is better to let insurers with the necessary expertise in handling such claims sort it out.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
I was involved in a traffic accident 1 year ago and here is the scenario. I was the 1st car and had sought damages from the 2nd car which is a taxi. The police report and other evidence confrim that the taxi was in the wrong.
However, the taxi company, until today, refuses to pay me until they have sought damages from the 3rd car. The problem is that the 3rd car is disputing the claim by the taxi company against the 3rd car and thus prolonging the case.
My car is covered comprehensively by another insurance company (not yours).
ANSWER
I am not sure why you are having to do all these yourself. You should have claimed on your own motor insurance policy, and let your insurers sort it out.
You should seek independent legal advice if you feel strongly about this.
As importantly, since you are not insured with NTUC Income, please consider doing so.
AFTERTHOUGHTS
It is normal for taxi companies to defend such claims aggressively; this is part of their strategy to mitigate the risks they are exposed to.
Some such cases can take years to resolve so it is better to let insurers with the necessary expertise in handling such claims sort it out.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Monday, October 16, 2006
Alternative Ideas For Early Access To Counsel
LETTER SENT TO THE STRAITS TIMES FORUM ON 16 OCTOBER 2006
I welcome the changes in our criminal justice system where "prosecutors to reveal all in proposed new law" (The Straits Times, 16 October 2006).
It is unfortunate that our policy gatekeepers do not see the value of providing individuals exposed to our criminal justice process early access to legal advice, that is when an investigation involving the individual begins.
Our criminal justice system presumes one is innocent until proven guilty. It is therefore only right for an innocent to have early access to legal representation.
But I respect that our public defenders have raised some valid concerns about such early access to legal professionals, despite recognising the need to protect the innocent. Perhaps, a win-win outcome can be reached through other means.
Lawyer Thomas Koshy recently proposed making and disclosing video recordings of statements provided to the police. This is something that can be considered.
Some time ago, the financial sector faced a similar issue. People were making disastrous financial decisions. A major initiative was launched to educate the public. Today, all buyers of financial products get free guidance materials. There are also many regular and complimentary financial literacy workshops for them.
Likewise, it is necessary to educate persons subject to our criminal justice practices about what they can and should do in such events.
Perhaps, the Law Society, Singapore Academy of Law and other relevant organisations can look into launching continuous programmes to keep the public regularly updated about their rights and responsibilities.
Innocent persons must be sufficiently protected from the adversarial aspects of our criminal justice system.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
I welcome the changes in our criminal justice system where "prosecutors to reveal all in proposed new law" (The Straits Times, 16 October 2006).
It is unfortunate that our policy gatekeepers do not see the value of providing individuals exposed to our criminal justice process early access to legal advice, that is when an investigation involving the individual begins.
Our criminal justice system presumes one is innocent until proven guilty. It is therefore only right for an innocent to have early access to legal representation.
But I respect that our public defenders have raised some valid concerns about such early access to legal professionals, despite recognising the need to protect the innocent. Perhaps, a win-win outcome can be reached through other means.
Lawyer Thomas Koshy recently proposed making and disclosing video recordings of statements provided to the police. This is something that can be considered.
Some time ago, the financial sector faced a similar issue. People were making disastrous financial decisions. A major initiative was launched to educate the public. Today, all buyers of financial products get free guidance materials. There are also many regular and complimentary financial literacy workshops for them.
Likewise, it is necessary to educate persons subject to our criminal justice practices about what they can and should do in such events.
Perhaps, the Law Society, Singapore Academy of Law and other relevant organisations can look into launching continuous programmes to keep the public regularly updated about their rights and responsibilities.
Innocent persons must be sufficiently protected from the adversarial aspects of our criminal justice system.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Resume & CV Different
From time to time, I get asked questions about applying for a new job. This largely stems from my previous job, where - among other things - the organisation provided career coaching. And many friends have successfully used such advice to secure roles so the word gets around.
One such event happened last week. A friend, looking to get employed either in a sales / banking role, asked me how to prepare a CV (Curriculum Vitae).
I often get shocked by such a question, even though it is something that I am asked quite frequently. A resume is NOT a CV.
Even seasoned practitioners in human resource roles fall into this unfortunate inaccuracy. Many seem to use the terms inter-changeably, especially in Asia.
A CV is something a person would need if, for example, he is applying for a research position at a university. It is often gives detailed information about your education, the papers you have published, the conferences you have attended and the subjects or topics that one has taught in educational institutions. A CV is predictably much longer and comprehensive than a resume.
A resume is something an individual needs when he is pursuing a career in all positions other than scientific, academic, education or research jobs. It is essentially a summary, in one or two pages, of outcomes, results and achievements, while in school, or at work or play. If a resume fleshes out too much information, it is possible for it to end up a CV.
Before deciding how to prepare a resume, it is more important to ask why one needs a resume and what does one want the resume to do. Many people often make a leap here.
They often reply that the purpose of a resume is to help one find a suitable job, so they end up putting things that one would normally be asked in an interview. Perhaps, it is more accurate to say that a resume is meant to open that door for you to get an interview, which eventually leads to a suitable job.
Once there are specific objectives that one wants the resume to achieve, it becomes easier to prepare a resume.
A friend of my former boss, Paul McGee, has written a very useful book called "Write A Great CV"; it is a useful read.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
One such event happened last week. A friend, looking to get employed either in a sales / banking role, asked me how to prepare a CV (Curriculum Vitae).
I often get shocked by such a question, even though it is something that I am asked quite frequently. A resume is NOT a CV.
Even seasoned practitioners in human resource roles fall into this unfortunate inaccuracy. Many seem to use the terms inter-changeably, especially in Asia.
A CV is something a person would need if, for example, he is applying for a research position at a university. It is often gives detailed information about your education, the papers you have published, the conferences you have attended and the subjects or topics that one has taught in educational institutions. A CV is predictably much longer and comprehensive than a resume.
A resume is something an individual needs when he is pursuing a career in all positions other than scientific, academic, education or research jobs. It is essentially a summary, in one or two pages, of outcomes, results and achievements, while in school, or at work or play. If a resume fleshes out too much information, it is possible for it to end up a CV.
Before deciding how to prepare a resume, it is more important to ask why one needs a resume and what does one want the resume to do. Many people often make a leap here.
They often reply that the purpose of a resume is to help one find a suitable job, so they end up putting things that one would normally be asked in an interview. Perhaps, it is more accurate to say that a resume is meant to open that door for you to get an interview, which eventually leads to a suitable job.
Once there are specific objectives that one wants the resume to achieve, it becomes easier to prepare a resume.
A friend of my former boss, Paul McGee, has written a very useful book called "Write A Great CV"; it is a useful read.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Monday, October 09, 2006
Understanding Deaf Community
Today, I began a new journey.
I started a course "Introduction to the Deaf Community, Culture and Language" organised by the Singapore Association for the Deaf.
It is a course that I have been interested in for some time, especially since I have a sister who is deaf. As she gets older, I am finding it difficult to communicate with her and the only way for me to bridge this is to take some personal responsibility to understand her mode of communication better.
What kept causing me to postpone this decision was the distance of the school where such courses are conducted. It would take about two hours of travelling time between the school and home.
Last year, NTUC Income introduced a SkillsSave initiative for its employees. The beauty of this initiative is that each individual gets up to $3,000 over three years to pursue courses that he or she is interested in. Such courses are independent of training initiatives relevant to one's function which NTUC Income sponsors, that is they need not be work-related.
The employee can also take up to 5 days of self-selected learning leave, which is in addition to one's annual leave, to pursue such programmes.
Key programmes such as sign language courses are specially brought into the workplace and doing so helps cut unnecessary travelling time for employees.
This is important for an organisation like NTUC Income. We have begun to employ persons from minority communities such as the blind, deaf or those without limbs in a big way. For example, some of our office support work is undertaken by deaf people, and our research surveys are carried out by blind persons.
One of the more useful takeaways from this course for me was how deaf persons celebrate success. They raise their arms and wave their hands, rather than clap. But my deaf sister has been, as part of her own efforts to understand the hearing community, clapping her hands like we do.
For me, that realisation was important in strengthening my resolve to communicate with her better. If she can adapt to the hearing community, I don't see why those that hear and care for her cannot adapt to her.
After all, one of the things that the deaf community shared with me is that they do not consider being hard of hearing a disability. To them, this is a strength since sign language - as a growing body of research shows - is a fascinating language in itself. And, at least in this part of the world, English is the deaf community's second language.
I came home to practise some of what I had learnt with my sister. I showed her my notes. She was beaming from ear to ear.
I told her I will soon be starting to learn sign language and she will now be my teacher while I her student. She was ecstatic!
More people can make special efforts to understand minorities in our society.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
I started a course "Introduction to the Deaf Community, Culture and Language" organised by the Singapore Association for the Deaf.
It is a course that I have been interested in for some time, especially since I have a sister who is deaf. As she gets older, I am finding it difficult to communicate with her and the only way for me to bridge this is to take some personal responsibility to understand her mode of communication better.
What kept causing me to postpone this decision was the distance of the school where such courses are conducted. It would take about two hours of travelling time between the school and home.
Last year, NTUC Income introduced a SkillsSave initiative for its employees. The beauty of this initiative is that each individual gets up to $3,000 over three years to pursue courses that he or she is interested in. Such courses are independent of training initiatives relevant to one's function which NTUC Income sponsors, that is they need not be work-related.
The employee can also take up to 5 days of self-selected learning leave, which is in addition to one's annual leave, to pursue such programmes.
Key programmes such as sign language courses are specially brought into the workplace and doing so helps cut unnecessary travelling time for employees.
This is important for an organisation like NTUC Income. We have begun to employ persons from minority communities such as the blind, deaf or those without limbs in a big way. For example, some of our office support work is undertaken by deaf people, and our research surveys are carried out by blind persons.
One of the more useful takeaways from this course for me was how deaf persons celebrate success. They raise their arms and wave their hands, rather than clap. But my deaf sister has been, as part of her own efforts to understand the hearing community, clapping her hands like we do.
For me, that realisation was important in strengthening my resolve to communicate with her better. If she can adapt to the hearing community, I don't see why those that hear and care for her cannot adapt to her.
After all, one of the things that the deaf community shared with me is that they do not consider being hard of hearing a disability. To them, this is a strength since sign language - as a growing body of research shows - is a fascinating language in itself. And, at least in this part of the world, English is the deaf community's second language.
I came home to practise some of what I had learnt with my sister. I showed her my notes. She was beaming from ear to ear.
I told her I will soon be starting to learn sign language and she will now be my teacher while I her student. She was ecstatic!
More people can make special efforts to understand minorities in our society.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
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