Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing told Singaporeans that it is more important for students to give meaning to their pursuits instead of searching for meaning in all that they do in life.
Speaking at the first session of Temasek Polytechnic's (TP) graduation ceremony where 272 diplomas were handed out to students in the School of Applied Science, Mr Chan said that there are many choices in life and people are often searching for something that will give them meaning. But we will often fail and then we will be disappointed.
The Minister then urged students to change their perspective when it comes to achieving their goals in life and to think about how they can "do justice" to the jobs that they are doing instead of embarking on a search for the perfect job.
He asked, "Is it (more important) to marry the woman you love, or to love the woman you marry?", drawing the link between this issue to a common question in relationships.
The Minister also urged students to remain adaptable in a changing world. citing the example of veterinary technology student Sim Xin Xian, who got a job offer after an internship with a shrimp farm in Sumatra, Indonesia. Despite cultural and language barriers, she adjusted to life there and got along well with her colleagues. Mr Chan said that this is the kind of spirit that the country wants.
"You go to a new place, you don't know the people, you don't know the culture. But with the skill sets that you have acquired you learn to adapt - and you will survive and excel"
Many readers lashed out at the reports of his remarks and commented that the Minister just does not make any sense. Here is a sample of what they wrote:
Bernard Kew playing on the remarks of the Minister, wrote, "Vote the Minister you love or love the Minister that has been Voted. Facepalm."
Siti Suhana wrote "Says someone who probably has never worked in a blue collar job."
Trampas Django wrote, "Most of our women don't marry us locals, they marry foreigners. And we end up getting married to foreigners as well. Anyway, this guy doesn't know what he is talking about"
Joan Ark wrote, " I wonder if he married the women he loved or loved the women he married. Either way, his wife is enjoying his 1 million a month pay cheque."
Julia Teng Roo Seen wrote, "How does one equate marriage to a job?!? Is this guy even married then, if he is, how does his marriage make him spout such bullshit? And he was delivering this to some fresh diploma grads?? Stop misleading these young people! Get your ideas together, please. Do justice to the job that you are so highly paid for!"
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/20...s-remark-on-perspective-of-job-irks-netizens/
