Growing up in the humble kampung of Air Leleh, Melaka, I came from a family that struggled with poverty. My father was a hardworking Sikh cowherd, and my Chinese mother a devoted housewife.
Life was challenging, to say the least. But even in those circumstances, my parents instilled in my nine siblings and me a strong sense of discipline, hard work, and the belief that education was the key to rising above our situation. Today, as I reflect on my 75 years of life, the thread that has woven through all my experiences has been education.
Walking to school every day, often alone, through rain or shine, symbolised my determination to succeed.
My primary and secondary education was made possible by a scholarship, which lifted the burden of school fees from my family’s shoulders. It was during this time that I realised that with discipline, persistence and a thirst for knowledge, the sky truly is the limit.
In 1966, I became the first boy from my kampung to score a Grade One in the Senior Cambridge exams, making me the pride of my community. It wasn’t easy, though. There were no tuition classes, no extra guidance, and the environment was far from conducive to study. But I kept going, motivated by the values my parents instilled in me.
My mother, Ram Kaur, often told me, “You may be born into a poor family, but you don’t have to remain poor. The greatest gift you can give me is to study hard.”
Her words became my guiding light. Even in moments when I felt exhausted or discouraged, her wisdom reminded me that education could change my life.
Rising above adversity
The year 1972 was a defining one for me. I graduated with an honours degree in economics from Universiti Malaya. It wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was a moment of collective pride for my family and my kampung.
My father, who had sacrificed his entire savings from the Employees Provident Fund for my university education, and my mother, who shed tears of joy at my convocation, had helped make this possible.
They didn’t fully understand what my convocation ceremony entailed, but they knew their son had accomplished something special.
The lessons I learnt from my parents – particularly the belief that discipline and determination could overcome any obstacle –shaped my approach to life. No matter the hardships, I remained committed to learning.
Education was my way out of poverty, and I saw it as the ultimate vehicle for success.
After graduating, I embarked on a career in the civil service, holding various positions in ministries such as Trade and Industry and the Prime Minister’s Department. This was only possible because of my education, and it opened doors I could never have imagined.
In 1981, I pursued a Master’s in Business Administration in the United States. Later, in 1988, I returned to the US to pursue a PhD in Marketing, fulfilling my mother’s secret dream for me to become a “Doctor”, even though it was not in medicine.
The power of education
The journey to earning my PhD was not easy. It was long, filled with moments of doubt, frustration and fatigue. But through it all, I had a strong support system.
My wife, Rina, stood by me, offering strength when I faltered. My siblings, too, encouraged me to keep going. In 1992, I achieved my PhD, and that accomplishment led to exciting new opportunities, including a four-year diplomatic posting at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Looking back, it’s humbling to see how far I’ve come – from a kampung boy tending cows to representing my country on an international stage. This journey has reinforced my belief that education is a powerful equaliser. It doesn’t matter where you start in life; with the right mindset, discipline and hard work, you can rise above your circumstances.
At the heart of it all, my success boils down to the lessons my parents taught me. Poverty was never an excuse. With determination, discipline and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, anyone can break through the barriers that life puts in their way.
Education is more than just acquiring knowledge; it’s about the doors it opens and the opportunities it creates. It has the power to transform lives, and I am living proof of that. As I continue my journey, I remain a firm believer that with hard work and a commitment to learning, the sky truly is the limit.
POLA SINGH, PhD
