Graced by Guest of Honor Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies, the event attracted about 100 guests ranging from ambassadors, members of parliament, academics and others from the public and private sectors.

The evening began with a welcoming speech by Mr Kwa Chong Guan, editor of the book. Mr Kwa said that the book project was initiated so that Singaporeans may better remember the achievements of their founding fathers. In particular, this book would be "an appropriate tribute to Mr Rajaratnam in commemoration of his achievements."

Mr Kwa's speech was followed by addresses by Mr Barry Desker, Director of IDSS, and Professor Phua Kok Khoo, Chairman of World Scientific Publishing. Professor Tommy Koh then took over the rostrum and captivated the audience with his light-hearted speech, which highlighted key features of the book and interesting snippets of his acquaintance with Mr S Rajaratnam.

The Chairman of World Scientific Publishing, Professor KK Phua, now feels that the time is right to launch the Chinese version of this book, in order to increase awareness in the Chinese world of Prof Chern's background, scientific spirit and patriotic sentiment.

The Chinese version of the book entitled CHERN SS and Chinese Math include famous scientists and artists from China such as Prof Wu Wen Jun, Prof CN Yang, Prof Peng Yan Huan Wu, Prof Hu Dingguo, Prof Zhang Kong Qing, Prof GE Molin, Prof Xiang Wuy, Mr Fanzeng, and others.

Beyond the serious lessons that readers can take, the book is also sprinkled with interesting and humorous anecdotes of his personal life. For example, his student, Chen Yongchuan, writes about his teacher from the perspective of a younger student, while his secretary, Ms Chan Kam-Wan, shares with us stories of Prof Chern in his older days.