Farewell to my Father 20 - 22nd Sept 2010

                                             My father with President S.R.Nathan in 2002

       My father, Geoffrey Abisheganaden passed away at 9 :58 am on Monday 20th September 2010. A staunch Christian, he was called to the Lord's House after serving many years in St. Andrew's Cathedral Church Choir, the Synod, Diocese of Singapore, past Chairman of the Board of Governors for St. Andrew's School, past Chairman of the Board of Governors at St. Andrew's Junior College, Past President of National University Society (NUS Alumni) from 1967 - 70, on the board for the Singapore Bible Society, the YMCA, Legal adviser to Singapore Swimming Club and a host of many other clubs and societies which my brother and I are slowly coming to to realise.

     What a legacy my father left behind for my brother and myself to follow and teach our children. At his wake on 20th, and 21st Sept and at the St.Andrew's Church Service at 4pm on 22nd September, there were hundreds of people from all walks of life from the ordinary people he had coffee with in the 1950s and 60s to many prominent lawyers, doctors and business people who came to pay their respects.

      I am indeed very touched and indebted to the outpouring of respect and love to all who turned up at the wake and service of my father's funeral and there were many of John's (my brother) and my friends who spent time with us. Thanking all of you. In particular,  I wish to thank :

a) Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Canon Louis Tay for conducting both the service at the wake, at the
    Church Service and at the Mandai Columbarium

b) St. Andrew's Junior College and School who sent a Prefects Guard of Honour (of boys and girls)
    and Mrs. Belinda Charles (principal of St. Andrew's School) for her touching speech in Church

c)  Ms. Joanna Paul, an accomplished organist based in London who graciously played at both the wake
     service and in the Church

d) Deaconess Judy Teo who so professionally arranged all service matters in the funeral parlor and in
    Church

e) our 'godbrothers' Ramani Muniyandi and David Mitchell who did alot of the legwork in coordinating
    all necessary details like the booking of the Casket Company funeral room, to columbarium time slot
    booking and all transport details.

   I leave with this verse from the Bible which is so applicable to my father's life :

" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have kept the faith " 2 Timothy 4 : 7.

   Geoffrey Abisheganaden, indeed was a faithful servant of God.  He was truly an inspirational man, my father.

The Opposite House - San Li Tun Village Beijing

                                                   Village Cafe at Lobby of Opposite House

   The Opposite House is named in its unique way because it is supposed to cater to the 'opposite' kind of person, I reckon. This hotel is quite likely to be patronised by the fashion designers, hair stylists and trendy male models, hence its unique sounding name.

                                             Splendid grilled chicken breast with satay sauce

        I had an exquisite lunch on the last day of my visit to Beijing, and for Yuan 88, (S$ 18), had a 3 course Singapore style starter of wanton soup, grilled chicken breast and Creme Brulee with a coffee.
The waitresses and maitre'd were very eager to serve me and took pains to check whether my plate or glass of water was filled. This is something rare in Beijing, there was no level of good service to speak of. Furthermore, I have a suspicion that this hotel is owned by a Singaporean, given that the cafe serves alot of Singapore dishes like Laksa, and Singapore Fried Rice among other dishes.

                                          The unlikely looking hotel called "The Opposite House"

The hotel is located at the end of the San Li Tun Village (something like our Holland Village) whereby one can walk and shop amongst all the sports and some foreign high end design boutiques. There are many eateries, and my Indian colleagues and I went to the Ganges restaurant in the complex to savour some fine Indian vegetarian food. In the evening, the place comes alive with the trendy Beijingers - mainly young 20 something, all parading in their latest fashions and pubbing. Its a little like the Xin Tian Ti in Shanghai if I can make a comparison.

Beijing 13 - 16 September 2010

Atrium of The Opposite House - a Boutique Hotel

         My recent trip to Beijing to attend the Automotive Test Expo show was  not quite an eye -opener. The show reminded me of how these kinds of shows used to be very big in Singapore in the late 80s and early 90s and now that the manufacturing sector has movedabroad to more cost competitive countries like China and Vietnam, we see the same established players in China, plus some new Chinese brands who are trying to go international.

          The 3 days was quite packed for me, as I went to visit the show, plus also had some time off to visit the Forbidden City, this was once the abode of the Chinese emperors and their wives, concubines, eunuchs and their entire armies of troops,palace staff and high officials.

   

The Farm Workers Stadium

Once I was in the forbidden city, it became apparent why China remained so closed for so many centuries. If the 1st Emperor Shi Huang Ti decided to call China Zhong Guo or Centre Country, it meant that it was the centre of the world, and it wanted to remain the global superpower. So instead of going forth to trade, it closed itself to the world preferring to look inwards. The Forbidden City reflected much of that attitude, as the emperor chose to remain sealed off from the rest of the Chinese people, and had 6 levels of inner courtyards. China's attitude was due probably to her  warring over the centuries, and also had major conflicts with its neighbour, the Monglos, so much so that it built the Great Wall, or Chang Cherng about 2 hours drive north of Beijing. It was only in the 15th century that China then decided to trade with the Western world, sending our huge warships and forcing smaller nations to offer 'tributes' to the then Chinese emperor.

   

 The Western nations were at that period, experiencing a very bleak period, and were hit by the Black Plague, killing about 30% of their population. However, due to Marco Polo's efforts in the 16th century, the Western people finally managed to pierce through the 'bamboo curtain' and establish the Silk Route Trade with China. 

To God be the Glory

The last 4 - 5 weeks have been a rollercoaster ride of stressful emotions and day after day of hospital visitations to both my mother and father, first it was my mother who had to be warded for a short while which turned out unexpectedly longer than usual - 3 weeks and then my father fell ill, not once but now for a second  time. I have been blogging about my father's life as an outlet and also to put on record his achievements which he so modestly put aside.

While my father's health is in a fragile state, with nurses monitoring his blood pressure every hour and as he takes on this latest battle in his life, I want to highlight that our family and friends have been praying for both of my parents' well being.  

My experience in recent weeks is that God is indeed merciful and kind to me and my family. God has blessed us with the miracle of my Mother's amazing recovery when she was bedridden after an operation and now 3 weeks later, she is walking although slowly, but the recovery is nothing short of amazing.

"To God be the Glory great things he has done".  

Another Great Acoustic Song - Train Dec 2009

Save me San Francisco - Train Live in Portland USA

Wedding Day Pics No. 2 - More History

Clockwise from left, David Mun,Dr. John,Me, Yuen May,Uncle Phoon,Aunt Susan,Aunt Mona,Anna ,Grandaunt,Geoffrey, Aunt Betty (HK) 

More pictures of our immediate family on my mother's side. Uncle David is the youngest brother of my mother. Aunt Mona is the youngest sister, and Aunt Susan is the wife of David.Uncle Phoon is the husband of Aunt Mona. Aunt Betty and her mum flew from Hong Kong to celebrate our happy days.
My wife looks radiant doesn't she ? My parents also look extremely pleased that they have settled off No. 1 son !  

Wedding Pics 22 May 1993 - Some History

Geoffrey singing "The Lords Prayer" (clockwise) Dr. John, Mark, Yuen May, Anna and Geoffrey Abisheganaden

This is some history which I digged out from my old photos,on the left was my father, Geoffrey singing the Lords Prayer in the church May and I got married,St. Andrew's Cathedral, on 22nd May 1993. Being the elder son, and the first in the family to get married, we had a church wedding on 22nd May, and a rather grand dinner at the Raffles Hotel on 23rd May 1993 attended by about 250 distinguished family and guests.

It was one of the happiest days of ours lives.

Train - Hey Soul Sister

The first few bars of the song reminds me of the old Nescafe advertisement where the train is coming in loaded full of coffee beans presumably from the South American forests of Brazil. See if you agree ?

This Perfect Day - 7th Sept 2010

My mother Anna, my niece Hannah and my Dad Geoffrey

My father has been warded for about 12 days now, and since he has been in the hospital, he has been calling for my mother. She herself had been in hospital for 3 over weeks following surgery and rehabilitation and only today, my brother and I managed to get her to the hospital to see my father. My Mum needs help walking, so we wheeled her in my car this morning, and together with my brother John, the domestic help Joanna, and John's daughter Hannah we went to see my father.

Geoffrey had been waiting for Mum for over 3 weeks and when she came home, he fell ill again with an eye infection. So my brother decided to immediately ward him and put him on a course of strong antibiotics. Everytime any family members came by, he would either ignore them, or was sleeping so we decided to cajole my Mum to go and visit him. Today, the weather was bright yet cool because of the night's rain. Temperatures were a pleasant 29 deg C in the morning.

When my Mum went there, we brought her up to see him and he managed to open his eyes to see "Ling', his term of endearment for my mother. After a few seconds, he recogised her and a wide smile broke out on his face. I did not see him smile for over a month now, so was very pleased.

Next, Hannah, his favourite grandchild, called out to him in her piercing voice "Grandpa" and again he broke out into another wide smile. Everybody in the room, my Mum, John, Hannah, me and Joanna were laughing and so happy to see my father in so happy a mood. He was talking to Joanna and when she asked him if he was in pain, he said "No". He is still in a very frail state so we are all praying for his recovery and health.

It was indeed a wonderfully perfect day for me.

5 essential things

3 of the 5

On my bed lie 3 of the 5 essential items which are a must for me to operate in this world, they are

1. a notebook
2. my passport
3. my smart phone for connectivity to the world with all contacts and schedules

4. my wits (logic,empathy, experience, memory,vocabulary,plans)
5. my health

Sounds simple, but very unique to each individual. What are yours ?

A funny true story involving Papa and my son

Grandpa Geoffrey and grandson Noel

This was a funny story related to me by my father, some 14 years ago. We were staying at the condominium called Le Marque at Keng Chin Road, where our first son Noel in the picture had his first walking steps,swimming and other fun stuff made possible by his doting grandparents. My father is very fond of Noel, and he used to take my son out for walks in his pram around the condominium and the surrounding estate. This was in 1996, so imagine there were alot less cars on the road, and the first housing bubble was only just beginning. Now, my mother is Chinese and so I am half Indian. My son is thus 3/4 Chinese and 1/4 Indian - technically speaking.


Noel when he was 5 - 6 months old

One day, my mother was busy with an errand, so my father took Noel out of the condominium for a walk, and Noel was about 1 and a half years old. They were walking along the 5 foot way towards the neighbouring condominium where the kind guard allowed them to play in the large open garden. On the way there, my Dad was stopped by a Chinese lady who asked him some strange questions, like "where are you taking this child". After some puzzlement, my Dad replied that Noel was in fact his grandchild, did the lady make some connection. You see, my father is dark skinned, and my son is well, very fair. (See pictures above).

So he told me later that evening that someone actually thought that he was 'kidnapping' my son ! We had a good laugh afterwards. True Story.

Dad's Golden Days

Geoffrey Abisheganaden with President S.R. Nathan

My father held many important positions in community in the past, and this pictorial spread is to highlight some of the past famous and powerful people he has associated in his 40 - 50 years of community and social work. During the 1960s he was a prominent lawyer assisting the then 1st Chief Minister David Marshall as his assistant, and later on starting out his own law firm Abisheganaden and Company at the old Boat Quay. I remember the days in the 60s when his office was on the 2nd floor of an shophouse converted from a godown and the staircases were dusty and creaky. In those days,we lived in a big bungalow at 6 Adis Road and the entire ground floor of the house was used to store the old case files.

I remember the old days where practically every Sunday we would head over to the Marshall family house in Changi and enjoy a glorious lunch spread made my Mrs. Marshall and we spend many hours of fun playing hide and seek, having iced lemon tea and observing Mr. Marshall's lovely 'zoo' consisting of pelondok (or mousedeer), a peacock, some dogs, cats and a cockatoo. The 4 Marshall children were childhood friends of ours but now are based mainly in Europe. Their house had a winding sloping road down to the sea where Mr. Marshall would take dips at night. My family thoroughly enjoyed those weekends.


Campus Crusade for Christ Token

His church work took him to the Bible House, as well as the Campus Crusade for Christ. Addtionally, he was involved in the Christian Businessmen's chapter. He was also the Chairman for the board of Governors of St Andrew's Junior College as well as on the board for St Andrew's School. A down to earth and unassuming person, he has met with all of the last 4 Presidents of Singapore in his various capacities.

I recall once such event which was the St. Andrew's School dinner, where my father sat on the Main Table next to Presiddent Sheares. Later, he called for someone to bring us to meet the President and I remember him saying, "Now Mark, this is probably more rare than meeting Santa Claus, you are meeting President Sheares".


St. Andrew's Junior College Sports Day Momento as Guest of Honour

He also donated funds for the start of a basketball tournament at the SAJC (my college I might add) and there is a Geoffrey Abisheganaden Cup somewhere in the silverware of SAJC.His made donations to charities and worthy causes and I am sure that the giving spirit would have passed on to the next generation.

Geoffrey Abisheganaden - Christmas 2009

Anna and Geoffrey, May (my wife) and Joanna (domestic help)

Last Christmas, we went for our annual Christmas dinner, made special every year because my son Noel is born on Christmas day itself, a blessing which provided joy especially to my father and our family. Dinner was short and sharp, as Papa normally does not want to 'hang around' making small talk ; he is hard of hearing. The mind is still sharp until this week, where he is given to calling for Joanna, our domestic help.

At Li Bai, we normally have our usual Peking Duck (Beijng Ya), which is the skin of the duck, prawns with wasabi and fish roe, duck fried with special sauce, cod fish with special sweet and sour sauce and longevity noodles. A feast which is enjoyed by the family during special occasions like birthdays and our wedding anniversaries.


Dinner at Imperial Treasures 2006, when he was walking with some aid, picture with May

My father had a fall in 2003 and although he made a very good recovery since then, his walking and mainly his legs were weakening by the year. His coordination slowed but he had regular massages and physiotherapy. His mind was sharp as ever, and he read books, 1 book every 2 to 3 days and kept himself engaged by watching the BBC news channel every day without fail to keep up with current affairs. His many appointments in the civil society and also from St Andrew's school and St Andrew's cathedral highlight how much has has contributed to the greater good of our society.


Geoffrey at 90, still full of grace and vigour - taken at Li Bai Restaurant - his favourite at Christmas time 2009

Papa, I may never be able to emulate you but your honest values and wonderful generosity will live in your children and grandchildren for a long time on.

Dedicated to my father, Geoffrey Abisheganaden

My father Geoffrey Abisheganaden's 88th birthday in 2007

Life, as I know it, is unpredictable, fragile, at times producing moments of sadness,anxiety,anger,grief,joy,happiness,gloriousness and satisfaction. As I manage as best as I can with my father's frail health, I am reminded of the good works he has done over the last 40 years. He was sitting on the Board of Governors of Saint Andrew's School, Saint Andrews Junior College, President of the National University Society (Alumnus Club) for 3 years, Management Committe Board of Singapore Swimming Club as well as a dedicated member of the St Andrew's Cathedral Church Choir where he sang and worshipped faithfully for all his adult life.

He was talented too, blessed with a rich baritone voice and he made many singing appearences in public at the Singapore Conference Hall, the Victoria Theatre and sang at practically all the family gatherings where he would perform a solo. During my wedding, he sang forcefully and beautifully at both the church service and the wedding dinner. His forte would be singing the Italian operas and he would spend endless hours practising his craft and gift to the awe and delight of his family members and us of course. A dedicated Christian, he game much money and his time to the Church and the Bible House, among others and was ready to help fight cases of the poor people 'pro bono' (without fees).

Running his own successful law firm called Abisheganaden and Company we saw him mainly in the evenings and he would always spend time with my brother and I bringing us to the park and I remember the unforgettable incident when I fell down a series of steps in 1968 (6 years old), I had a gash on my forehead and my father (or Papa as we call him) rushed down upon hearing my screams, called out to his house tenant, Ken Omuri and sped all the way to the Singapore General Hospital. His best friend was the famous surgeon, Professor Yahya Cohen. Upon arriving at the SGH Accident and Emergency Department, he shouted to the nurse that he wanted to see Yahya Cohen.The nurse told him sarcastically that even the Prime Minister of Singapore needed an appointment to see Yahya Cohen. My father, created a big scene by shouting and insisting for Yahya Cohen and told her to mention his name. Prof Cohen came running straight away, gave me an assessment ( I was sobbing but lucid I recall) and then proceeding to get the nurses to wheel me into the operating thearter. After cleaning the wound, they applied local anaesthesia and I witnessed first hand how the famous surgeon stitched me up. I was actually concious and able to observe the entire head stitching operation ! What an experience, to witness an operation and from the top surgeon in all of Sinagpore !

Prof. Cohen did not charge his fees, and after settling the hospital charges, I was driven home to attend a 'welcome back' party by all my neighbours. There were around 20 - 30 people, mainly neighbours and my stitch was covered by a brown patch of putty like substance resembling mud. My father stood back quietly allowing me to bask in the 'limelight'.


Chinese New Year eve Reunion Dinner at my house in 2005, my Dad was 85 and still very engaged in things around him

I owe my father many things, such as a privileged childhood,thanks to his success as a lawyer. Thanks of course to my mother too for managing the household finances well for us to enjoy travelling and visiting foreign countries at an early age of 10. The incident above stands out as one of the pivotal or most memorable moments which my Papa 'saved my skin'.

Thank you Papa. May God Bless you richly.

The Beautiful Japanese Palm in my Rooftop Garden

This beautiful Japanese Palm is located at the timber deck of my house rooftop. The architect decided to place it there after much deliberation to add some 'form' to the otherwise boring timber deck of the rooftop. I took this picture to test my handphone camera's focussing capability in bright sunlight.

On further thought, I have come to the conclusion that trees, are like people, in certain aspects. Looking at the Palm, its only use or function is to look good in someone's garden or rooftop. Does it serve any purpose such as providing food for say other animals like birds, squirrels etc.. provide shade, or reflecting heat and UV rays back to the atmosphere or do birds nest in their leafy foliage ? No. Its only 'use' is a decorative one. To adorn a person's garden.

Similarly there are people whose only purpose in life are to party, have a good time, and look good. No contribution except to add numbers to the already swelling crowd of so called 'beautiful people' list. So while personal grooming is important, the most important thing in life is to CONTRIBUTE meaningfully back to society. Do not be a beautiful Japanese Palm all your life. 'Nuff said.

Transformation of Singapore River

A clean river and the vehicular Elgin bridge in the distance

About 50 years ago, the Singapore River was polluted with the tonkangs (small bumboats) plying the river to bring the unloaded sacks of rice, foodstuffs, textiles building material and even equipment to be stored in the godowns near the river which is now called the Boat Quay. There were many poor labourers and coolies ekeing out a meagre existence, carrying the bags from the tonkangs to the godowns and sometimes back to the ships. They literally lived beside the river and made their drinking, doing business and dumping waste into the river. In short the river stank of dead animals, faeces, garbage and waste.

Since our Government came into power, they have made many efforts to clean up the river with successive cleanups, moving out of the labourers and coolies as well as developing a world class container port called Port Singapore Authority (PSA) which has the second highest tonnage moved per year in the world. The cleanup of the river started around the 1970s and by the lates 1970s the godowns were all history, being replaced by law offices, architects firms, clan associations and many eating and drinking establishments.

In 1984, a MP for Mountbatten, Major Fong Sip Chee, declared the river 'clean' and swam the width of the river to show that it was indeed clean. His act is still remembered to this day. Its 26 years down the road and I happened to snap some interesting shots of the river outside the UOB tower, the morning was bright and there were fishes in the river and birds searching for 'breakfast'.


A bird and his 'breakfast'

The only boats which ply the river are the tourist bumboats, and the river is clean, and it is on par with some of the rivers in Switzerland in my opinion.Some people even fish by the side, and its complete transformation is indeed a wonder to behold.