My father worked in Singapore for 6 years. So I visited Singapore thrice between 2003 and 2005 . Each time, I saw a change in the attitude of the Singaporeans towards Indians. Me, who was not so welcome in 2003 became more welcome in 2005, thanks to the growing India’s standing in the global arena.

All the three times I was appreciative of the clean environment and the orderliness in Singapore. But I should admit it never left me with the wonder and awe I felt in my fourth visit.

The fourth one, was as a probationer in December 2010. Singapore hasn’t changed much in the five years span, barring a few more buildings. Then what has made the difference? Well it was only in fourth visit, I could understand the rules of the game which Singapore has followed to become what it is. You never appreciate a piece of art unless you know the rules of the game (game of hard work). The piece of art is Singapore and the chief artist is Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore is no more the organized brick and mortar it once was, but a beautiful piece of artistic creation crafted to the finest degree by its great master. The pleasant nature of Singaporeans, the strict adherence to rules and regulations by its countrymen, the commitment to give back more for every dollar spent - are not mere accidents. Nor are they inborn qualities of Singaporeans. These are things that have been carefully designed by the great master.

People, who attribute the prosperity of Singapore to its small size, utterly fail to understand the spirit behind it. Singapore is common sense at work. We needed the 1992 economic crisis to tell us something was not right with our economic policies.  But Singapore understood it in early 1960s. Singapore has no ideology save that of common sense. Ideology kills thinking. But thinking is what is needed for prosperity.

For example, India pays very low salaries to its MPs and MLAs. It could be, lets say - 30lakhs/annum including the perks. In Singapore an MP who has a constituency as small as our municipal wards gets a million dollars per annum i.e., 3.5 crores. We in India appeal to the integrity of the politician. It never works. A man has to be paid what he deserves else the post remains vacant or someone with ulterior motives would occupy. This sense of fairness is built into every decision the administration makes.

Truthfulness, courtesies and fairness are found in abundance. Crime rate is near zero. Cleanliness is of the highest order.  Singapore is Gandhism at work. It is this realization that made Singapore very dear to me in my fourth visit. The classes in Lee Kuan Yew school of Public Policy were pretty ordinary. However the class of Mr AmbLam (who worked as Principal Secretary) was the class which gave insights into the working of Singapore since 1965. A very inspiring class which gave me hope that changes are possible in India. All we need is a strong leader who will assiduously craft ‘institutions and systems’ of fair play. We need to create more and more institutions like UPSC which command the respect of the people. Institutions which are self-sustainable and do not demand too much sacrifice from people manning them. Creation of CVC, passing of the RTI Act, are few such examples.

Was the Singapore trip useful? A lot. However barring Mr AmbLam’s class, it was the streets of Singapore that taught me more about Singapore.

 Our DG says “Law is something that you can always learn. People who are smart enough to clear UPSC can learn it on their own. What I wanted to make is good officers out of you.”

 I would like to say ,”Sir your extra effort to send us to Singapore was a very good move in that direction. I am sure any officer who has imbibed even a bit of Singaporean spirit is bound to be better off after it.”

Thank you.