PDF (7.80MB) - Challenge Online
PDF (7.80MB) - Challenge Online
PDF (7.80MB) - Challenge Online
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I JOINED THE PUBLIC<br />
SERVICE because… My<br />
parents always told my<br />
siblings and me that working<br />
in the Civil Service was like<br />
having an “iron rice bowl”.<br />
Three of my siblings are in the<br />
Civil Service and, like me, two<br />
of them have clocked more<br />
than 30 years of service.<br />
Then and now<br />
My fi rst role was as a<br />
temporary offi ce assistant<br />
with the City District<br />
Secretariat (Prime Minister’s<br />
Offi ce), a position I held for<br />
three months. Then I became<br />
a permanent staff at the<br />
Ministry of Communications<br />
and held various positions<br />
such as typist and clerical<br />
offi cer. In 1998, I was<br />
transferred to the public<br />
relations section, which is<br />
now known as the Corporate<br />
1970s<br />
MS DEVISHINI DEVARAJA<br />
Corporate Communications Assistant,<br />
Corporate Communications Division,<br />
Ministry of Transport<br />
Joined: September 1977<br />
IES Short-sleeved<br />
Communications Division.<br />
Previously, there was an<br />
age limit when one worked<br />
as an offi ce assistant. Once<br />
you hit 23, you had to either<br />
upgrade your skills or leave<br />
the service! Technology has<br />
changed offi ce work, too.<br />
I bet no one remembers<br />
cyclostyling machines and<br />
Harvard Graphics software…<br />
We used to work six and<br />
a half days a week. Today, in<br />
line with work-life harmony,<br />
we have a fi ve-day week.<br />
When I fi rst started, the<br />
pace was much slower,<br />
processes were simpler and<br />
less complicated and there<br />
was no fl exi-time. We had<br />
to report to work punctually<br />
and leave the offi ce at the<br />
appropriate time, too.<br />
My fondest memories<br />
Getting my Long Service<br />
and Effi ciency medals in<br />
recognition of my contribution<br />
to the Civil Service.<br />
I also remember serving<br />
the then Minister of State<br />
for Communications, Mr<br />
Ong Teng Cheong, who<br />
later became the President<br />
of Singapore. Mr Ong was<br />
a humble and kind minister<br />
who always had a smile for<br />
me, and never forgot to ask<br />
me if I’d had my breakfast<br />
or if my day had been good.<br />
Another fond memory is<br />
of an incident that happened<br />
during lunch in 1978. I was<br />
reading the newspaper<br />
when Mr Lim Kim San, who<br />
was then the Minister for<br />
Communications, walked<br />
past my seat and told me<br />
not to read the newspaper<br />
in the dark as it would ruin<br />
my eyesight. In those days,<br />
most lights were switched off<br />
during lunchtime to conserve<br />
electricity. But Mr Lim had the<br />
lights switched on for me.<br />
shirt - Raoul, Off-white racing-inspired jacket and off-white three-quarter pants - Gant
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