My Alter Ego

This column celebrates its second birthday this month. About two years ago, I proposed at a meeting of the Publications Committee of the Law Society, that a new column be introduced in this publication to feature lawyers who have left the legal profession. This new column would provide light reading to the readers, I said. My idea was supported by my fellow Committee members. To give continuity to the new column, I volunteered to write it. I had no idea what I was getting myself into or how I was going to find the subjects. All I knew was that I love writing. I believed in my idea and wanted to bring it to fruition. Some months later (when I remembered my obligation!), I decided to profile Kelvin Tong, a film maker and a former journalist of the Life! section of The Straits Times, in my maiden column. 

I was elated when Kelvin agreed to the interview. I have always admired him greatly for his personal and incisive writings as well as his subsequent brave foray into the uncertain movie making industry in Singapore. Talking to each of the 24 subjects that I have since interviewed for this column has been a happy learning experience for me. I was deeply inspired by my subjects such as Ferlin Jeyatissa, Glenn Ang, Danny Leong and Lim Bee Hong. I learned that life is meaningful and challenging every day when one takes continuous and active steps to fulfil one’s ideals and dreams. My pupil master once said to me that life is about working hard. Life is also an accumulation of experiences and learning obtained by being with people and by engaging in different activities in life. Simon Tupman, author of ‘Why lawyers should eat bananas?’ said in his interview for this column that his salary is the experiences, learning and satisfaction that he gets out of living his life the way he desires every day. I now understand what he means. Goh Aik Chew’s story is an inspiration as to why one should remain a lawyer and practise with gusto. 

This column gave me lots of opportunities to meet and talk to people I have heard of or read about in the local newspapers and wanted to meet. The hassle of finding the subjects and sometimes pursuing them endlessly for an interview became worthwhile when they shared aspects of their personal lives and their values with me. It fed my high curiosity. I was oblivious to the popularity of the column until I went around bidding farewell to my former colleagues when I was leaving my former firm two years ago. A partner commented that I should compile the columns into a book. Many said that they read the column faithfully. This column has also garnered compliments from members of the judiciary, lawyers, former lawyers and friends outside the legal profession. One of the brickbats that I received is that I only focused on the positive traits of the subjects. I write columns that I am satisfied and proud of when I become emotionally involved in my subjects’ lives and connect with what they stand for. To come up with interesting story angles and captions is a preoccupation that fills my mind during sleepless nights, bus journeys, even in the shower! 

In these last two years, my life underwent significant changes. After six years in my first job in a large law firm, I left it at the end of 2002 without a job. The next day, 1 January 2003, I left for India. I felt a great sense of relief when I switched off my mobile phone and remained uncontactable for one month. The first week I spent in my maternal aunt’s home in South India was very blissful. The simple rituals of daily life were so refreshing. I miss it even now. I was finally able to relax, savour and enjoy a slower pace of life. I then took off to New Delhi, the capital city that I had wanted to visit for almost three years. The state of Rajasthan delivered its many promises of activity, relaxation and shopping described in my guidebooks. The most physically challenging thing I did was to go on a camel safari trip for three days, where I was served exclusively by a four-member crew in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan’s camel safari city! Living like a rajah for three weeks was therapeutic to both the mind and soul. On my birthday, I stood facing the Taj Mahal and soaked in its beauty and serenity. I did not want to leave the lovely, quiet, small country-style hotel that I stayed in, which faces the flowing River Ganges in Rishikesh. 

Back in Singapore, I just chilled out. Life was filled with waking up late in the mornings, spending time with my mother and watching my baby niece grow. I went to the gym regularly. I attended some personal development training courses.  

I get restless and bored very quickly. This is why I usually engage in diverse activities. The three-month break gave me a chance not only to relax, but also to really listen to my thoughts and my feelings. I was pleasantly surprised to realise that I wanted to return to legal practice. I recalled my mission to be a lawyer — to serve people so that they can live better lives. I had also dreamt of being an entrepreneur. At that point of time, I had achieved neither of the goals which I had been pondering over for more than two years. I married both dreams and started my own firm a year ago. I was very well prepared for the changes to my lifestyle. I handle all aspects of my law practice. I am grateful that I have the support of my parents, especially my father, who assists me to manage the back-end of my law practice. It helps that I enjoy going into details. It is financially very challenging. I love challenges and working hard to make dreams come true. I met many individuals from all walks of life in the course of my work during the last year. 

I think the greater forces must know that I only sleep better with stress and rush! Having enjoyed life as a single man for the past few years, sharing my life with a woman was the last thing on my mind then. A blind date has now resulted in a beautiful and happy relationship with my girlfriend. I admit that the new relationship attempted to topple my already topsy-turvy life. My youngest brother who is studying in the United States said to me during a net chat, ‘If one meets a woman, loves her and wants to spend the rest of his life with her, everything else can be sorted out and resolved.’ 

With a hectic law practice, numerous volunteer work commitments, my family, a wide network of friends and a girlfriend whom I am in love with, life is just becoming juicier. It is still busy and hectic. Twenty four hours in a day are still insufficient for me. 

However, I am happy and content now.  

I continue to believe in myself and in my dreams.

Rajan Chettiar

Readers with any comments or feedback on this column or who have suggestions on persons to be profiled are invited to send an e-mail to Rajan who will gladly incorporate a reply into his list of the many things he has to do.