The Do-Gooder
Her World Singapore|December 2020
Even before she started work officially, this young doctor had helped to save lives with her quick thinking. Her medical translation site TranslateFor.sg was used by countless healthcare workers to communicate with migrant workers at the height of the outbreak.
The Do-Gooder

DETERMINED TO BREAK DOWN LANGUAGE BARRIERS

At one point, it got over 50,000 hits in a month. So it’s hardly a hyperbole when we say that her website helped to save lives, although Dr Roy Chowdhury’s humility would beg to differ. What she didn’t tell journalists previously was that before trying to build the website herself, she had reached out to two guys who work in tech, in hopes of getting their help to bring her idea to life.

The first guy told her that he’d need two weeks. The second told her that it was too ambitious and basically impossible. He said she wouldn’t be able to do it.

Out of sheer defiance, and a sense of urgency as a medical worker, Dr Roy Chowdhury got down to work.

“We can’t afford to wait around for two weeks during a pandemic,” she says. Over the subsequent weeks, she worked on improving the website’s functionality and interface, optimising it for mobile. Later, software engineer Aniruddha Adhikary helped her turn it into the current TranslateFor.sg.

“It wasn’t perfect,” she says of her first attempt, stressing that her main focus was functionality. “But I’m glad I didn’t wait.”

Building a website in eight hours

The young doctor was waiting to start her housemanship when Covid-19 struck. Like most medical workers, she had been keeping up with the daily numbers and getting increasingly anxious as the count increased.

Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin December 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin December 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

HER WORLD SINGAPORE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
What Are Some Watches That Double As Pieces Of Art?
Her World Singapore

What Are Some Watches That Double As Pieces Of Art?

The Bvlgari Fenice High Jewellery watch is a spell-binding expression of the Italian jeweller's audacious aesthetic.

time-read
2 dak  |
October 2024
Getting To The Seoul Of K-Beauty
Her World Singapore

Getting To The Seoul Of K-Beauty

The days of complex 10-step skincare routines may be behind us, but K-beauty's skin-first approach continues to dominate markets worldwide. Here's a closer look at the phenomenon.

time-read
4 dak  |
October 2024
My Super Power Is Saying No
Her World Singapore

My Super Power Is Saying No

It's 2009, and some 1.67 million Singaporeans are tuning into the two-hour finale of the hit Chinese language series The Little Nyonya, transfixed by the multi-generational saga of three Peranakan families.

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024
New York State Of Mind
Her World Singapore

New York State Of Mind

Inspired by the Big Apple, Coach's new Times Square Tabby is an amalgamation of the city's love stories, both old and new.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Building Safer Workplaces
Her World Singapore

Building Safer Workplaces

As an increasing number of workplaces are understanding the importance of mental health, we ask three leaders what it will take to move the needle to create environments where we can speak up, challenge the status quo, and have our needs met.

time-read
10 dak  |
October 2024
What Beauty Routine Should You Follow If You Have Eczema?
Her World Singapore

What Beauty Routine Should You Follow If You Have Eczema?

Quinn Chen, co-founder of Singapore beauty brand, Ice's Secret, answers.

time-read
2 dak  |
October 2024
A Mid-Career Change Is Not A Crisis
Her World Singapore

A Mid-Career Change Is Not A Crisis

A mid-career switch, while daunting, can be the key to unlocking a more fulfilling and aligned professional life.

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024
It's Cool To Get Cold
Her World Singapore

It's Cool To Get Cold

Ice baths are popping up around Singapore, waiting for you to take the plunge.

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024
Will joining a breast cancer support group help me with my healing journey?
Her World Singapore

Will joining a breast cancer support group help me with my healing journey?

Emily Goh, senior medical social worker, answers.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
PASSION FOR A CAUSE
Her World Singapore

PASSION FOR A CAUSE

Rebellion of the academic sort - runs in Anna Yip's blood. The deputy CEO of Singtel Singapore tells us how self-love, confidence, and a passion for tech guide her as she leads one of the nation's most established telecommunications companies into the future.

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024