Lee Kuan Yew was the prime minster of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, making him the longest-serving PM in history. During his long rule, Singapore became the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.

I have heard a lot about Lee’s iron-fisted approach to governing. But, I think he has done a great deal of good too to Singapore, making it one of the top countries in every respect. All the more, since it hardly had any natural resources.

The clarity with which Lee went about creating the nation-city of Singapore is very inspiring, to say the least. Every nation needs such a leader who puts nation and people at the forefront. Of course, while the nation prospered, so did his family fortunes! Still the nation benefited immensely. The magnitude of challenges and size of a nation like India, may create greater complexities, still the purposefulness can make a big difference.

I have had an opportunity to hear to Lee at 2008 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Singapore. I found him to be very well read, and being abreast about the world’s socio-political-economic scenario even after 20 years of retirement. He had a great deal of clarity in everything he spoke.

Here is one of Lee’s answers to the growing religious intolerance and how to go about governing the nation..