Page 55 - Stories from our Grandparents

Mr M. A. Shahul Hameed BORN 1942 Unfortunately, I had to stop my One unforgettable incident in my The government imposed a curfew

By Al-Farveez Mohammed education after I completed life was when I was inadvertently and there was no transportation.
embroiled in the 1964 racial riots.
Hence, I had to walk all the way
Secondary four as my father
Ping Yi Secondary School
passed away. Soon after, I took on
the responsibility of providing for I was walking along Padang and from Guillemard Road, Nicoll
Highway, Elizabeth Walk to
suddenly someone threw stones
my family and had to start working. and it broke out into a riot. There Tanjong Pagar.
y name is M. A. Shahul were clashes between the Chinese
Hameed and I’m 76 I had to support my mother and and Malays. I was terrified and did I could still remember that
years old. I migrated sisters who were in India. I began not know what to do. incident very vividly and believe
Mto Singapore to join my career as a clerk in 1965 at that we can learn a lot from such
my father from India in 1955. My Cambridge Correspondence School. incidents. Singapore is a peaceful
father owned a book shop at and advanced nation now, so the
Tanjong Pagar and I used to It was difficult to get jobs younger generation have to always
help my father in the shop after then so I valued my job and remember their roots and learn
school. It was a daily routine. from the mistakes of the past. They
worked very hard. Many should work towards a prosperous
During my schooling days, I spent people were jobless. I rose and peaceful Singapore. We should
my primary school days in Chong to the level of Registrar and never jeopardise our peace!
Hua Institution. I joined the school
when I was in Primary Three. Then, worked there for twenty
I embarked on my Secondary years. Subsequently,
School Education at St. Thomas I became a businessman
Secondary School. I lived in till I retired.
Tanjong Pagar, which is the present-
day location of Amara Hotel.

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