From delivering newspapers as a boy to becoming CEO of Singapore’s largest real estate company, life has been full of surprises for Mr Ismail Gafoor. He had no choice but to help his father, Mr Abdul Gafoor, who came to Singapore from India penniless in 1945 at 17 and ventured into various small businesses, including distributing newspapers. It meant, from the age of seven, getting up at 4.30am, delivering newspapers to around 300 households, going to school, returning home in the evening and doing his homework and then helping in his father’s neighbourhood shop in Lengkok Bahru. This continued until he turned 18 and was enlisted. His father had hoped his third son would return after NS to run the shop and newspaper distribution business. But Mr Ismail had other ideas when he found out he could make $1 million within a short time if he were to sell properties. But he did not tell his father about his plan, nor did he inform him that he had decided to sign up as an army regular.... Continue Reading