SECTION I: MY STORY

ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH PERSISTENCE

The author's personal story of overcoming obstacles

How Far to Istana?

"The obstacles of your past become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."

— Ralph Blum

North of the Singapore River runs the city's most famous boulevard — Orchard Road, the lifeblood and center of commerce for Singapore. Lined with shade trees reminiscent of the nutmeg orchards growing here two centuries past, Orchard Road winds its way to Istana, the vast palatial residence of the president of Singapore.

It is here that I stand gazing one warm day in the merry month of May, admiring the view. And what a view it is!

Grand and majestic, with sweeping panoramic views of land and sea, alternate glimpses of city and harbor peeking through the trees; one would be hard pressed to find a more distinguished portrait of grandeur. It is postcard perfect — complete with spraying fountains and graceful swans gliding across the mirrored lake, while crisp white-coated guards stand at stern attention, securing the gated entrance. Like a crown jewel, Istana sits with her graceful columns and deep verandas on a hill overlooking her stately manicured gardens and reflecting pools. It is a sight to behold every day of the year.

But today is no ordinary day. And I'm not just another casual passerby. Today is mine. Dressed to the nines, I own this day! I have come to Istana by invitation of the President of Singapore. Today is the red letter day on which the President and the Deputy Prime Minister are hosting deserving recipients from various ministries to offer recognition for exceptional achievements in public service. It is for my contribution in the public service industry as a college-level senior lecturer-mentor that I have been selected to join other celebrated recipients receiving the prestigious Public Service Star Award today.

Walking past the gated entrance and stately guards gives one the undeniable presence of royalty. The marbled corridors lined with lush carpets only lend further regal touches to this aura of elegance.

The magnitude of the occasion left me glowing for days as I relived that crowning moment of stepping forward to shake hands with Mr. Tony Tan, President of Singapore — an unforgettable moment!

The festivities continued a few days later, when we were ushered into the Suntec City Convention Hall Grand Ballroom, where the awards were to be conferred. Again, excitement and anticipation overwhelmed me. Witnessing the event unfold brought me to the brink of nervousness as the crowd rapidly swelled to an audience of thousands of well-wishers and the elite of Singapore's business community.

After endless preliminary remarks and other recognition given, I heard my name announced, the echo reverberating across the vast auditorium: "Hariharan Dharmarajan!" I was elated to receive the honor from Mr. Peter Ong, Head, Civil Service College.

As the event was winding to a close, the master of ceremonies introduced an element of surprise when she announced that twelve individuals would be awarded the Distinguished Service Star Award, a meritorious certificate signed by Mr. Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, who would award the certificates personally to the recipients. Little did I know that I would be one of a dozen recipients to receive this coveted award.

As my name was called once again, I was walking on air, approaching the red carpet in front of the stage. Here, the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Teo Chee Hean, stood waiting to offer his handshake and my certificate. The auditorium erupted in thunderous applause and cheers from fellow recipients. It was a crowning moment. I was overwhelmed. Cloud nine! It was difficult to process that this prestigious honor was actually being given to me.

The moment was surreal. Flashbulbs exploded, news reporters armed with TV cameras panned ever closer, and the roar of applause swept me past the state of euphoria. This was my moment — my "fifteen minutes of fame." It was time for "my close-up!"

Standing there, basking in the fleeting seconds of glory that I knew would soon evaporate, a haunting question pierced my conscience: How did I get here?

By some stroke of misfortune, had they selected the wrong recipient? Was this honor really mine? Did I truly fit the profile of an award-winning recipient — worthy of a presidential honor? How could it be that this twenty- something young man, transplanted so far away from family and his beloved India, could now be sharing this stage with a dozen overachievers who held résumés full of phenomenal accomplishments?

Like a panoramic movie of my life streaming past me, I reflected on my tenure in Singapore. I suddenly realized a defining truth: "No, this moment could not have happened by oversight or accident. It wasn't some stroke of good luck or fate that brought me here today."

At this climactic instant, I was recalling a young Indian man who had proven in countless times of duress and disappointment that determination always trumps adversity. Armed with the power of persistence, he had set foot on Singaporean shores one spring morning with little more than a suit of clothes and a steely resolve that nothing would deter him from his goal!

How far to Istana? For me, it had been a long and challenging passage — much farther than my morning stroll down Orchard Road. My journey had been riddled with setbacks, detours, and more than enough roadblocks to discourage the faint of heart.

Was the destination worth the perils of the journey? Without...