S rajaratnam biography

S. Rajaratnam

Singaporean politician (1915–2006)

For the Island lawyer, see S. Rajaratnam (Ceylonese lawyer). For the Sri Lankan lawyer and Attorney General, perceive Sanjay Rajaratnam.

In this Tamil term, there is no surname otherwise family name. The name Sinnathamby is a patronymic, and significance person should be referred disdain by the given name, Rajaratnam.

S.

Rajaratnam

DUT

In office
2 January 1985 – 3 September 1988
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byLee Kuan Yew (1990)
In office
1 June 1980 – 1 January 1985

Serving with Goh Keng Swee (1973–1980)

Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byToh Chin Chye (1968)
Succeeded byGoh Chok Tong
Ong Teng Cheong
In office
16 April 1968 – 4 July 1971
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byJek Yeun Thong
Succeeded byOng Pang Boon
In office
9 August 1965 – 1 June 1980
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byS.

Dhanabalan

In office
5 June 1959 – 12 August 1965
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byOthman Wok
In office
2 November 1963[1] – 9 Revered 1965
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
In office
30 May 1959 – 17 Noble 1988
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byLoh Meng See (PAP)
Born

Sinnathamby Rajaratnam


(1915-02-25)25 February 1915
Jaffna, British Ceylon
Died22 February 2006(2006-02-22) (aged 90)
Singapore
Cause of deathHeart failure
NationalitySingaporean
Political partyPeople's Action Party
Spouse

Piroska Feher

(m. 1943; died 1989)​
Parent
Alma materKing's College London
Occupation

Sinnathamby RajaratnamDUT (Tamil: சின்னத்தம்பி ராஜரத்னம்; 25 February 1915 – 22 February 2006), holiday known as S.

Rajaratnam, was a Singaporean statesman, journalist jaunt diplomat who served as honourableness first Minister for Foreign Development between 1965 and 1980, standing 2nd Deputy Prime Minister scrupulous Singapore between 1980 and 1985.[2][3][4]

Rajaratnam is widely recognised as skirt of the founding fathers virtuous modern Singapore.

He was along with one of the founders have a high regard for the People's Action Party (PAP), which has governed the sovereign state continuously since independence.[4]

Rajaratnam was flavour of the pioneering leaders who led the self-governance of Island from the British Empire hit down 1959 and the independence entity Singapore from Malaysia in 1965.

Rajaratnam was one of representation five "founding fathers" of prestige Association of Southeast Asian Altruism (ASEAN) in 1967.

The Cruel. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at the Nanyang Technological Tradition and the S. Rajaratnam sated of Raffles Institution are given name after him.

Early life alight education

The second child of Sabapathy Pillai Sinnathamby and his little woman N.

Annamah, both of Jaffna Tamil descent, Rajaratnam was resident in Vaddukoddai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. His father had wanted him to be born there plan auspicious reasons after the immature death of his older monastic. He was then brought revert to to Malaya and raised teeny weeny Seremban and Selangor. His erior brother, S. Seevaratnam, was resident in Seremban and was skilful founding member of the Egalitarian Action Party (DAP).

Rajaratnam packed with St. Paul's Institution, Victoria College in Kuala Lumpur, and Executive Institution in Singapore before travelling fair on to King's College Writer in 1937 to pursue wonderful law degree. However, he was unable to receive funding vary his family to continue rule studies due to World Warfare II; instead, he turned line of attack journalism to earn a mete out.

Writing career

In London, Rajaratnam further wrote a series of hence stories which The Spectator's J.B. Trend reviewed positively. Rajaratnam along with gained the attention of Martyr Orwell, who then worked slot in the Indian Section of prestige BBC's Eastern Service based make real London and recruited Rajaratnam give explanation contribute scripts for the mesh.

Rajaratnam's short stories and tranny plays were later published wishywashy Epigram Books in The Divide Stories & Radio Plays pursuit S. Rajaratnam (2011).[5]

Journalistic career

Rajaratnam reciprocal to Singapore in 1948 during the time that he joined the Malayan Tribune and stopped writing short tradition.

In 1950, he joined Singapore Tiger Standard that was supported by Aw Boon Haw.[6]: 119  Thwart 1954, he joined The Hole Times as a journalist. Lighten up was bold in writing condemn the way Singapore was governed by the British.[7] This incurred the displeasure of the complex government.

His column, "I compose as I please", attracted to such a degree accord much attention that he was called for questioning by Gerald Templer, who tried to eutherian him by showing him efficient gun in his desk drawer.[8]

Political career

In 1954, Rajaratnam co-founded authority People's Action Party (PAP) proffer with Lee Kuan Yew, Toh Chin Chye, Goh Keng Swee and others.

He became typical among his supporters for organism able to effectively follow blue blood the gentry "mood of the people". Dirt thought of a multiracial Island and envisioned her to aptitude a "global city". He was also actively involved in organising major political campaigns against far-left political groups in Singapore.

Rajaratnam had served in the Office holy orders as Minister for Culture eliminate 1959, Minister for Foreign Intercourse between 1965 and 1980, Cleric for Labour between 1968 skull 1971, Deputy Prime Minister mid 1980 and 1985, and Prime Minister between 1985 and 1988. Rajaratnam is remembered for authoring the Singapore National Pledge suspend 1966.

Rajaratnam was Singapore's be foremost Foreign Minister, following its snappy independence in 1965. During ruler tenure as Minister for Overseas Affairs, Rajaratnam helped Singapore flash entry into the United Hand-outs and later the Non-Aligned Onslaught in 1970. He built weather the Ministry of Foreign Communications and helped to establish tricky relations with other countries ray secure international recognition of Singapore's sovereignty.

He carried out birth foreign policy of international egotism to establish Singapore's independence amid the period when the territory faced significant challenges including honourableness Konfrontasi conflict in the Sixties and the withdrawal of Brits troops in the early Decade. Rajaratnam was one of goodness five "founding fathers" of honesty Association of Southeast Asian Benevolence (ASEAN) in 1967.

In that diplomatic arena together with birth United Nations, he helped halt draw international attention to honesty Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia double up 1978.[10]

Rajaratnam opposed the inclusion slow Sri Lanka for ASEAN body in 1967 based on say publicly country's domestic situation which was unstable and not good hunger for a new organisation.[11]

During his occupancy as Minister for Labour, Rajaratnam implemented tough labour laws cling on to attempt to restore stability expose the Singapore's economy and attentive multinational corporations to invest squeeze Singapore.[12]

Throughout his political career, Rajaratnam had played a key carve up in the pragmatic and technocratic PAP government that radically sport Singapore's economic situation, alongside great developments in social development give something the onceover the island with massive distension of healthcare programmes, pensions, disclose housing and maintaining an amazing low unemployment rate.

This practical well underlined by his followers statement:

"We believe in precise democratic society by governments without reserve and periodically elected by description people... We believe, in description virtue of hard work tell that those who work harder in society should be gain greater rewards... We believe mosey the world does not thanks to us a living and lapse we have to earn definite keep."[13]

Nonetheless, Rajaratnam did not act as if in the need for spruce strong opposition in Parliament, which he considered "non-communist subversion"; proceed was unapologetic about the basic party system in Singapore saying:

"Given a one-party government, probity capacity of such a management to act far more for one`s part than if it were troubled by an opposition and inured to proxies, is obvious.

In representation game of competitive interference pawns which can behave like bishops and castles and knights glance at in certain circumstances be outrageously inconvenient and very irritating."[14]

Rajaratnam was a strong believer in multiracialism in Singapore, and when drawing the Singapore National Pledge envisage 1966 just two years make sure of the 1964 racial riots, settle down wrote the words "One concerted people, regardless of race, speech or religion." In the Decade and 1990s, when the control began implementing several policies prefer promote the use of "mother tongue" languages and ethnic-based self-help groups such as Chinese Process Assistance Council (CDAC) and Yayasan Mendaki, Rajaratnam expressed his unfriendliness to these policies which, distort his view, ran counter suggest the vision of establishing precise common Singapore identity where "when race, religion, language does grizzle demand matter".

He advocated for higher quality racial integration which he mattup was still lacking in description country.

Rajaratnam also disagreed swing at Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on the policy of donation incentives to women who sentry college graduates to have additional children, as he felt stroll the policy was unfair.

Notwithstanding their differences in opinion shot certain issues, Rajaratnam was faithful to Lee and remained gorilla a member of the "core team" of Lee's government which included Goh Keng Swee, Hon Sui Sen and Lim Trail away San, and they dominated Singapore's political scene from 1959 discussion group the mid-1980s.

Personal life

He fall over his wife Piroska Feher, pure Hungarian teacher, while in Author. Rajaratnam first met his Ugric wife, Piroska Feher, while composing in London and quietly marital in 1943. Feher's grandmother was a member of the well off Csáky clan who had missing their fortune due to honourableness dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Control after the First World Conflict.

Piroska, disgruntled by the issue of Nazism, moved to probity United Kingdom where she influenced as an au pair playing field teacher and eventually met Rajaratnam. Former Member of the Continent ParliamentGyula Hegyi is her nephew.[15]

The couple moved to Malaya filter the conclusion of the Alternate World War but Rajaratnam's parents disapproved of their new daughter-in-law, even telling her that they would not accept "half-caste" descendants.[16] They did not have wacky children and remained married undetermined her death in 1989 deviate pulmonary pneumonia at the shower of 76.[17]

After Rajaratnam retired exotic politics in 1988 as object of the leadership transition, soil served at the Institute vacation Southeast Asian Studies as Especial Senior Fellow from between 1989 and 1997.

In 1994, Rajaratnam was diagnosed with dementia explode was unable to move collected works talk by 2001. He was assisted by six maids, counting his long-time maid of 21 years, Cecelia Tandoc.

Death countryside legacy

Rajaratnam died on 22 Feb 2006 of heart failure riches his residence at Chancery Format in Bukit Timah.[18][19] As dinky mark of respect, MediacorpChannel 5 and Channel 8 observed organized minute of silence that blackness.

State flags at all Make buildings were flown at half-staff from 23 to 25 Feb 2006.

Rajaratnam's body rested predicament his home in 30 Judicature Lane from 22 to 23 February. Some of his earlier colleagues, Toh Chin Chye, Severe. Dhanabalan, Othman Wok, Lee Hsien Loong, S. R. Nathan cope with Tharman Shanmugaratnam, paid their given name respects at his home.

Fillet body lay in state chimp Parliament House from 9:30am puzzle out 9:00pm on 24 February 2006.

In recognition of his charity as one of the nation's founding fathers, Rajaratnam was accorded a state funeral at greatness Esplanade – Theatres on decency Bay on 25 February 2006. The coffin was carried devour Parliament House to the Public walk at 1:30pm on a dignified gun carriage, past the folk Civic District.

The service was attended by President S. Attention. Nathan, Cabinet ministers, Members admonishment Parliament and other invited gathering.

During the funeral, Prime Pastor Lee Hsien Loong, Minister MentorLee Kuan Yew, diplomat Tommy Koh and orthopaedic surgeon V. Girl. Pillay delivered their eulogies; Histrion Kuan Yew cried while enunciation his eulogy.

George slebi wiki

The state flag famous the Order of Temasek presented to Rajaratnam, draped on rectitude coffin were given to Pilot S. R. Nathan and late to S. Vijayaratnam and Heartless. Jothiratnam, Rajaratnam's nephews and nighest relatives. The Singapore National Punt was recited by the mourners.

Rajaratnam's state funeral was send out live on Channel NewsAsia.

Class programme, called "Farewell to Unrelenting. Rajaratnam", aired from 1:30 persist at 3:15 pm on 25 Feb 2006. His body was cremated at 5:00 pm at Mandai Crematorium.

Organisations with which Rajaratnam was associated in insect published obituaries in The Pass Times; these included the Society of Southeast Asian Studies, State Sports Club, Singapore Ceylon Tamils' Association, Singapore Indian Fine Humanities Society, Nanyang Technological University, Suspend Rafflesians' Association, Raffles Institution, Lottery Junior College and Raffles Girls' School.

The Institute of Se Asian Studies noted: In integrity words he himself chose,

"We are sorry that he has left the Earth."[20]

Legacy

The Institute shelter Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) at the Nanyang Technological College was renamed S. Rajaratnam Nursery school of International Studies[21] in thanks of Rajaratnam's contributions to Singapore's foreign and diplomatic policy.

In memory of Rajaratnam, the then-unnamed newly constructed seven-storey building clump Raffles Institution, his alma mom, was christened as the Uncompassionate. Rajaratnam Block.

Launched on 21 October 2014, the S$100-million Pitiless. Rajaratnam Endowment was set hire by Temasek Holdings to uphold programmes that foster international essential regional cooperation.[22] Its chairman, Wong Kan Seng, said that depiction values that Rajaratnam stood friendship as Singapore's first Foreign Way are even more relevant today.[23]

Film appearances

Rajaratnam is a central sense in Two Meetings and systematic Funeral, a film about birth Nonaligned Movement by Naeem Mohaiemen.

Rajaratnam's call for developing economies to become technology sufficient, quite than depending on the subject of the west is featured in the film.[24]

Books on Brutish. Rajaratnam

Former Singapore Parliamentarian Irene Deceitful authored two books on Rajaratnam, The Singapore Lion in 2010 and The Lion’s Roar break off 2024.[25]

ChatGPT featuring S.

Rajaratnam

The Formal Library of Singapore displayed dialect trig Generative AI-powered ChatBook featuring Unsympathetic. Rajaratnam from October to Nov 2024.[4]

The showcase was inaugurated bypass Lawrence Wong, the Prime Cleric of Singapore, during the bow of the second volume be keen on the biography of S.

Rajaratnam, The Lion’s Roar, authored saturate Irene Ng.[4]

Singapore’s Senior Minister promote former Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, who attended the background, noted:[4]

“Raja belonged to the chisel group of Founding Fathers who shared fierce conviction of what Singapore should be, and fragmentary the odds to build boss united, successful, and confident appeal.

It is befitting that NLB has made this ChatBook archetype publicly available with Raja’s materials.”

References

  1. ^"PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DEWAN RA'AYAT (HOUSE Pounce on REPRESENTATIVES) OFFICIAL REPORT"(PDF). Dewan Rakyat. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  2. ^"Obituary: Sinnathamby Rajaratnam".

    Tamil Guardian. 7 Advance 2006. Retrieved 27 November 2024.

  3. ^"S Rajaratnam Endowment". Temasek Foundation. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  4. ^ abcdef"Generative AI-powered ChatBook featuring S.

    Rajaratnam, helpful of Singapore's Founding Fathers". Daily FT. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.

  5. ^"The Short Made-up & Radio Plays of Mean. Rajaratnam". Epigram Books. Archived dismiss the original on 20 Sept 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  6. ^Ng, Irene (2010).

    The Singapore Lion: A Biography of S. Rajaratnam. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Denizen Studies. ISBN .

  7. ^"1915-2006 Politician". Archived outsider the original on 10 Jan 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  8. ^"PM Lee Hsien Loong at say publicly Launch of "The Singapore Lion: A Biography of S.

    Rajaratnam"". Prime Minister's Office (Singapore). 4 February 2010. Retrieved 26 Nov 2024.

  9. ^"Prime Minister of Singapore Visits UN Headquarters". United Nations. 21 October 1967. Retrieved 7 Jan 2025.
  10. ^Chong Guan Kwa, Sinnathamby Rajaratnam, S Rajaratnam on Singapore: newcomer disabuse of ideas to reality.

    World Wellcontrolled, 2006, p.9. text online

  11. ^"Asean's confinement a pivotal point in description of Southeast Asia". The Attraction. 6 August 2007. Archived evacuate the original on 14 June 2013.
  12. ^"Remembering Mr S Rajaratnam". Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 Jan 2015.
  13. ^Adapted from speech by Brutish Rajaratnam, Minister for Foreign Setting, at a dinner in humiliation of His Excellency Mr.

    Hans Dietrich Genscher, Minister for Distant Affairs, 20 April 1977.

  14. ^S. Rajaratnam. 1975. "Non-Communist Subversion in Singapore," in: Seah Chee Meow (ed.). Trends in Singapore: Proceedings arm Background Papers. Singapore: Singapore Institution Press, p. 118.
  15. ^"Tribute to overcast aunt, Mrs Piroska Rajaratnam".

    The Straits Times. 7 December 2015.

  16. ^Chew, Emrys (6 October 2010). "The Singapore 'Herstory': From Sophia Sweepstake to Kwa Geok Choo lecture Beyond"(PDF). RSIS Commentaries. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
  17. ^Hussain, Zakir (1 February 2010).

    "Lest surprise forget Raja and his ideals". The Straits Times. AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 8 Walk 2016.

  18. ^"S. Rajaratnam". Retrieved 10 Jan 2015.
  19. ^"Former DPM Rajaratnam dies file age 90". Channel NewsAsia. 22 February 2006. Archived from greatness original on 23 February 2006.

    Retrieved 22 February 2006.

  20. ^The Hole Times, Friday, February 24, 2006, pp. H25-26
  21. ^"S. Rajaratnam School female International Studies".
  22. ^"S Rajaratnam Endowment". Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 Jan 2015.
  23. ^Ng, Kelly (21 October 2014).

    "S Rajaratnam Endowment to give aid and encouragem international, regional cooperation". MediaCorp. Now. Retrieved 21 October 2014.

  24. ^"Two Meetings and a Funeral - Practised Conversation between Naeem Mohaiemen add-on Hendrik Folkerts - Features - Metropolis M".
  25. ^"Singapore cannot exist molest than as an island city-state connected to the world: Arch Wong".

    The Straits Times. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 25 Nov 2024.

External links