Hyd: ASCI Hosts Lecture on Singapore’s Transformation, Lessons in Leadership
Hyderabad, Sept 10 (TNT): The ASCI School of Management, Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad, on Thursday organised a public lecture on Singapore’s transformation and leadership lessons.
The lecture, titled “Singapore Miracle – Lessons in Leadership”, was delivered by Viswa Sadasivan, Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore and Founder and Managing Consultant of Strategic Moves, as part of ASCI’s Public Lecture Series.
Sadasivan spoke about Singapore’s transformation since independence and the leadership choices that contributed to its development.
Drawing on his experiences in public life, media and the Singapore Armed Forces, he highlighted the role of leadership, social cohesion and pragmatic decision-making in nation-building.
He identified five broad pillars of Singapore’s development — multiracialism, public housing, national security, economic philosophy and political pragmatism.
Singapore’s approach was to recognise and manage differences among communities while maintaining emphasis on self-reliance, merit and national interest, he said.
Reflecting on the leadership of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Sadasivan said pragmatism involved taking decisions based on what worked for the country rather than adhering to rigid ideological positions.
He also stressed the importance of trust in governance and leaders delivering on their commitments to citizens.
Sharing personal experiences, Sadasivan spoke about his father’s migration to Singapore in 1938 and the values of community support that influenced his approach to public service.
Recalling his four decades in the Singapore Armed Forces, he said National Service brought together people from different racial, religious and economic backgrounds and offered valuable lessons in leadership and social cohesion.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. Dr P V Ramesh, while summing up the discussion, highlighted the importance of resilience, authenticity, ethical conduct and the ability to accept criticism and learn from it.
The programme was attended by faculty members, students and invited guests.
K Padmanabhaiah, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Court of Governors, ASCI, delivered the opening remarks, while Dr Nirmalya Bagchi, Dean, ASCI School of Management, welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.
TNT TS
