Roshann.my

I fully embraced diversity and cultural differences by choice and by chance in weathering through 4 years in the Royal Military College, where about 90% of student demographics are Muslim, whereas I am a Hindu.

A choice was made when I decided to enrol at the Royal Military College. Barely a teenager at the time, I survived and did my best in the 7-day interview of which we were told that only 150 students will be enrolled from around 20,000 candidates from all around Malaysia.

By chance, I received an acceptance letter to be enrolled. Given the odds, chance had definitely favoured me in making the cut. Again by chance, I was born a Hindu – allowing me to embrace life as a non-Muslim in a Muslim majority environment.

4 years of strict upbringing, discipline and being ragged with other Malaysians is a mix of choice and chance. The different upbringing and genetics of friends exposed me to different personalities and traits. I met them by chance but made a choice to befriend them.

When our 4 years were up, 123 of us graduated and completed our education in the Royal Military College. Waking up every day and bracing challenges for 4 years is a choice. Challenges that we faced happened by chance.

By choice and by chance, I am ready to fully embrace diversity and cultural differences which are expected as an Old Putera.

OP Roshann Mathiahlagan (2003 - 2006)