He is the benefactor of my life. Presently at 72 years of age, he is always humble and active. He does consulting works and lectures part time at the Asia Pacific Centre for Enviromental Law (APCEL).
Recalling my first encounter with him jolted my memory back in 1986. I was working in a statutory board when I received an admission for a course in Mechanical Engineering at Nanyang Technological Institute (today known as Nanyang Technology University) with the degree to be conferred by National University of Singapore.
I took the initiative of asking my company for sponsorship well in advance but the company only replied me 3 weeks before the academic term starts. Given the situation, I resigned from the board giving only 3 weeks of notice instead of the required one month notice. The board accepted my resignation but slapped me with a liquidated damages of one month of my salary which means that I had to pay $1600 back to the board. Sincerely, I was furious.
My colleague introduced Prof Appan to me and I met him at his office in Nanyang Technological Institute for the first time in my life. I related my incident to him and immediately he assured me that he could resolved it for me. My simple mind can’t imagined how he could carry out but one week later, I got a letter from the board stating that my liquidated damages was being waived. Up to today, I still do not know how he managed to do it but I know whatever he had done, it’s all the way out to help me coming from a kind hearted, concerned teacher and mentor.
From that time onwards, my respect for him grew by the days. We had long talks at his office during my stay as a student in the university and he was always encouraging, forward looking and always made time for me no matter how busy he was. From all these talks, I learned a lot about his past works and his family and he understood all my past encounters and my ambitions for my passage of life.
He even wrote a supporting letter for my application of scholarship in the university. I went back to thanks him sincerely for all his help and since then we began to start our teacher-student relationship. I was invited to his house for Deepavali celebration during my final year as a student and I was very glad to be there.
Upon graduation, my first testimony was from him among my final year project supervisor and other professors. One year after graduation, I got married and he attended my wedding dinner happily with his wife even though my dinner reception was just mediocre. Thereafter, there was a lapse of the relationship as I fought for my path and financial stability in my life.
It was in 1991 when my youngest brother was doing his accountancy course in Nanyang Technological University (renamed from Nanyang Technological Institute and issuing its own certificate). I referred him to Prof Appan and he was advising and guiding him all along during the years as a student there.
Even till now, we always keep in contact. Courtesy calls are common and Deepavali blessing for him will always keep him lively. He will always keep in touch with me through his courteous, well wishing card during Chinese New Year.
I am very blessed to have such a benefactor and confidant.
