When retired chartered accountant Paul Drayson celebrated his 90th birthday, he made just one request of his guests: No presents. Instead, he suggested they donate to “any charity for older people”.
Three close friends, comprising two United States citizens residing here and a Singaporean, decided to honour the spirit of that request in a different but equally meaningful way.
Ms Aparna Dubey, her husband, Mr Saud Siddique and their friend, Mr Bernard Teo, got together to sponsor free breakfast at Krsna’s Free Meals in Little India.
Their S$500 donation ended up serving 2,197 freshly cooked meals on July 1 to mainly migrant workers, as well as elderly residents and others in need living nearby.
“We believed that what we had planned also fulfilled Paul’s wish to help people,” said Ms Aparna.
She added that the meals gave migrant workers a comforting taste of home, with authentic Indian food prepared fresh before serving.
The impact went beyond those who queued for breakfast. As many migrant workers support families back home, every free meal meant one less expense, allowing them to send a little more money to their loved ones.
The occasion also showcased Singapore’s community spirit in action.
Long before sunrise, chefs were busy preparing masala upma and tomato rice, while volunteers from different ethnic backgrounds packed the meals.
By 6am, queues had already formed, and volunteers served breakfast promptly so workers could head to their jobs on time.
“It is truly beautiful to see people of different races coming together over food, knowing they are helping those who genuinely need it,” said Ms Aparna.
Many other guests have also stepped up to do their part. Lawyer Poonam Mirchandani donated two wheelchairs in Mr Drayson’s name to injured construction workers who had to return to Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, lawyer Azmeen Moiz pledged to donate up to two wheelchairs to crippled or elderly rural folk in Bangladesh.
Friendship that keeps on giving
Ms Aparna, 63, is the founder of Jaan Water in Bali. She recalls: “I first met Paul’s wife, Zaibun, at a gym about 12 years ago, before getting to know him and introducing him to my husband.”
Mr Teo met the couple only in 2024 during what was meant to be a lunch at her home. The lunch spanned seven hours, and the gathering blossomed into a lasting friendship.
For Ms Aparna, giving through meals has become a personal tradition. She has previously sponsored meals to mark her birthday and her father’s death anniversary.
Mr Saud, 68, is chairman of the Singapore-based sustainability company Tigris, and Mr Teo, 62, is the owner of Lodge in the Woods and Farm Food, a boutique hotel and restaurant respectively, in Bali.
To help out, Mr Saud and business partner Daniel Yeung, together with their families, volunteered at the event as part of Tigris’ community outreach.
All their hard work had the desired outcome, and the trio’s birthday gift left the guest of honour deeply moved.
Mr Drayson told tabla!: “I am overjoyed and enormously grateful to Aparna, Saud and Bernard for this novel gift and to all the other guests who took up my suggestion. Thanks to them, my birthday not only helped the elderly but migrant workers as well.”
A birthday lasts just one day, but for more than 2,000 people, the birthday celebration of this retired chartered accountant offered something far more lasting – a nourishing meal served with joy, generosity and compassion.
