Who: Anbarasu Rajendran, 54, chief executive of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) since 2018. Prior to joining SINDA, he held leadership positions in the Ministry of Education (MOE), including roles as a school leader and director of the MOE Language Centre.
“I am now reading 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna Wiest and My Grandmother’s Tweets by Geetha Gopalakrishnan, which draws inspiration from Avvaiyar’s ancient wisdom.
Avvaiyar was a renowned Tamil poet who lived during the reign of the Chola dynasty. She is best known for her timeless teachings, which impart moral values and life lessons.
I picked up 101 Essays because it offers concise yet thought-provoking reflections on mindset, self-awareness and personal growth. What I appreciate about the book is its ability to distil complex ideas into accessible insights that prompt deeper introspection – which resonates strongly with leadership and personal discipline.
In contrast, My Grandmother’s Tweets offers a more reflective and culturally rooted reading experience. Its stories carry enduring lessons on values, humility and moral clarity. I find it particularly meaningful as it bridges traditional wisdom with contemporary life, serving as a reminder that many of the principles guiding us today have deep and enduring roots.
Together, these books offer a balance – one grounding me in modern perspectives on growth and the other reconnecting me with timeless cultural wisdom.
I am generally drawn to books on leadership, organisational development, education and social mobility, as well as biographies. These themes align closely with both my professional responsibilities and personal convictions.
Leadership books offer frameworks and discipline. Biographies provide perspective and humility – reminding us that every journey has its struggles. And books on education and equity reinforce my belief that opportunity, when given early and sustained, can change generations.
I typically read early in the morning or late at night, when the day is quieter and more reflective. Like many, my schedule is demanding. However, I see reading not as an activity to ‘fit in’, but as something essential. Even 15 to 20 minutes a day creates space for reflection and continuous learning.
My preferred place to read is at home, where there is a sense of familiarity and calm. That said, some of my meaningful reading moments happen in between engagements. For example, in a quiet lobby before a meeting. Those brief pauses in a busy day offer unexpected opportunities to slow down and engage deeply with a book.
Reading is one of the most accessible and powerful ways to expand one’s thinking, challenge assumptions and develop empathy. It also keeps me grounded, reminding me that there is always more to learn and new perspectives to consider.
It allows us to develop critical thinking and understand perspectives beyond our own lived experience. For communities, especially, fostering a culture of reading strengthens not just individuals, but also collective progress.” THE STRAITS TIMES
