Former trainee tells RDU’s Kala Manickam, ‘You helped propel me to who I am today’

SINGAPORE: Perhaps the best endorsements come from the people whose lives are forever changed because someone else took the time to care for them. One such testimonial was recently posted about Red Dot United’s (RDU’s) Kala Manickam.

Ms Manickam is a former full-time officer with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), although her career trajectory is substantially different from other former SAF officers who’ve gone the political route. Having been a platoon commander of the Women’s Wing in the Officer Cadet School, she left the military to become an adult educator.

This week, one of her former trainees wrote about her in a Facebook post. Although he noted that it has been 18 years since Ms Manickam trained him as a service professional, Eophailus Tan wrote, “A teacher who nurtures is like a parent to us till the end of time.”

Ms Manickam had discovered his “inert strength” and encouraged him to take up an Advance Certificate in Training & Assessment (ACTA). Mr Tan added that what his former trainer had done propelled him to who he is today, and he has been paying it forward since then.

Posting a photo of himself with Ms Manickam, he wrote, “I’m blessed to have met amazing people that have made a difference to me. In turn, I’m giving back to others. Thank you, Kala, for trusting and having faith in me.”

In a comment to his post, Mr Tan added that the encounter had been accidental, as he had bumped into Ms Manickam while he was having breakfast. Others who were also her former trainees chimed in, leading her to leave a comment as well.

Writing that she was happy to have made a difference in their lives, she added, “Please, continue making a positive impact in the lives of others as well. I am deeply moved, and together, let’s continue to make a meaningful difference in our country to give that care and support.”

RDU shared Mr Tan’s post and noted, “In a time when politics can feel like a wayang show with too many costume changes, this moment reminds us what leadership should be: honest, humble, human. Kala doesn’t need a stage. She’s already made her mark—one life at a time.”

Ms Manickam was part of the RDU team on a walkabout at Fernvale on March 23 at the party’s outreach efforts in the newly carved Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC).

RDU Secretary-General Ravi Philemon officially announced Ms Manickam as the party’s ground operations leader during a doorstop interview with the media. Ms Manickam, who had formerly been with the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), will be spearheading RDU’s grassroots efforts in the constituency.

Mr Philemon said during the interview that if they are chosen by voters, “RDU wishes to be a credible voice in Parliament.” He emphasised that RDU is committed to learning how residents of Jalan Kayu SMC can be “served better” and added, “We intend to work hard and engage more on the ground.”

As for Ms Manickam, she said that employment stagnation is a key concern for her. “We have very hardworking Singaporeans who go through all this retraining but don’t seem to get job opportunities, face stagnation in wages, and receive little recognition for their work.” /TISG

Read also: GE2025: RDU clear on citizens first approach, launches Kala Manickam as team lead for Jalan Kayu SMC outreach