Last week we humans reached a historic milestone – we are now 8 billion strong! Until 1804, fewer than one billion people roamed our planet. More than a century later, in 1927, we crossed two billion. Since then, the world population has shot up in the shape of a hockey stick, boosted by the triumphs of modern medicine and public health. Earlier this month, the United Nations said the world population had reached eight billion, just 11 years after it passed seven billion.

After a week of uncertainty and the first-ever hung parliament, Anwar Ibrahim became Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister and will lead a unity government comprising the main coalitions of Pakatan Harapan (PH), BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). He has left the door open for other coalitions or parties to join.

I read a very interesting article in the Straits Times this week. India’s economy is set to soar and this is not just in the knowledge and service economy, but also in the manufacturing sector. India now has the world’s third-biggest economy measured by purchasing power parity and is projected to have the same standing in nominal GDP by 2027. This momentum, driven by digital transformation is going to transform the country. India has the second-lowest data costs in the world and a wave of investor interest in India is manifesting as the world scrambles to diversify from China. Today, India is indeed shining and looks to be even more lustrous in the coming years.

Today’s quote does not have any author attributed to it, but what the quote reminds us is that sometimes when our life seems bleak and everything that can go wrong, does and we hit rock bottom, that’s when we need to realise that it’s essential to reach rock bottom because it is only then we will appreciate what we achieve in our lives. Sometimes, for everything to come together, things need to fall apart first. Not getting what we want can be a huge step toward reaching a bigger dream. Everything that happens comes along because it simply needs to happen.

BB & GG are busy with school and things are as usual in our household. As the clock ticks towards a new year, everyone is busy making plans for what the new year will bring to them. Take care and talk soon!