The unfadable life of an ordinary man

In a world where so many people believe that they cannot go far because they were not born gifted or with a silver spoon, Mano Sabnani’s story provides profound inspiration – showing how an ordinary man can achieve extraordinary things by following a very simple and ethical set of principles. From greenhorn journalist to Editor of the Business Times, Managing Editor of the Straits Times, CEO/Editor-in-Chief of TODAY, and Managing Director at DBS, Mano enjoyed a front-row seat to the transformation of Singapore since independence and the painful trade-offs that had to be made as it achieved its phenomenal economic success. In this memoir, Mano relates the story of his life, career and family, from an idyllic boyhood in Joo Chiat through to National Service, university days, a shoestring trek through Asia and Europe, marriage and fatherhood, to his role as an “activist investor” speaking up on behalf of ordinary shareholders. Along the way, Mano offers unique stories and special insight into a myriad of topics: friendship, leadership, values, the existence of God, the role of man in nature – and life itself.

Mano Sabnani is a veteran journalist who has also served in various capacities with the DBS Group. In 2003, he was invited to take charge of money-losing daily newspaper TODAY; he developed it into the second most read in Singapore and turned it around to be very profitable by the time he left.