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Old Victorians In Politics
Write up
This photograph shows my relatives and I with President SR Nathan. I am the person right in the centre of picture, in front of President Nathan. This photograph was taken in 2007 at a Deepavali function at Kebun Baru Bestari RC in Ang Mo Kio. Mr Nathan is an old Victorian and is currently the President of the Republic of Singapore. He was elected President on 1 September 1999 and is presently still serving out his second term. As President, he has to grace numerous events, just like the one you see in the photograph. He was a student of Victoria Secondary and has done the school proud, through the diverse portfolios he has held before attaining the greatest achievement of being our Head of State. As a current Victorian, I am indeed proud to be in the company of this Old Victorian.
Evidences:
Source A
A picture from Victoria yearbook 2003 .A picture of SR Nathan in Victoria school in 2003. He visited Victoria School and has written “A good reminder of days past”.
Source B
Extract from wikipedia:”The list of Victoria School old boys includes three Presidents: Mr Yusof Ishak, Mr C.V. Devan Nair and Mr S.R. Nathan.”
Extract from ;Speech by Dr Ong Chit Chung Chairman
Victoria Advisory and Executive Committees
at 130th Anniversary and Official Opening Ceremony
of the Victoria School New Campus
on 22 July 2006
“Thank you so much. In conclusion, I wish to thank each and every one of you who has played a part in the development and success of Victoria School. It is indeed heartening to see Victorians of all ages here today, united together.
On behalf of the school, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to past and present principals, staff, students and parents for your commitment and dedication.
Above all, I wish to thank His Excellency, President S R Nathan, and Mrs Nathan, for so graciously agreeing to officiate at the School Opening Ceremony today.
President Nathan is our most outstanding Victorian, who has given the school tremendous support over the years. I am glad that his grandson is now in Victoria School, continuing with the proud Victorian tradition.
Let us give our President and Mrs Nathan a special round of applause.”
Nathan received his primary and earlier education in Anglo-Chinese Primary School and the Rangoon Road Afternoon School, and his secondary/senior high school education at Victoria School. He started working before completing his studies. During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, Nathan worked for the Japanese civilian police as a translator. After the war, whilst working, he completed his secondary education through self-study, and entered the University of Malaya (in Singapore) where he graduated in 1954 with a Diploma in Social Studies (Distinction).
Nathan began his career in the Singapore Civil Service as a medical social worker in 1955. He was appointed Seamen’s Welfare Officer the following year. In 1962, he was seconded as Assistant Director to the Labour Movement. Later he was transferred to the Foreign Ministry and rose to be Deputy Secretary. He was appointed Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs in January 1971. That same year, Nathan moved to the Ministry of Defence where he was Director of the Security and Intelligence Division (SID), with the rank of Permanent Secretary. He was involved in the Laju incident on January 31, 1974, when members of the terrorist Japanese Red Army (JRA) bombed petroleum tanks on Pulau Bukom off the coast of Singapore. Nathan, was among a group of government officers who volunteered to be held hostage by the JRA to secure the release of civilian hostages.
In 1979, he became the First Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He left in 1982 to become the Executive Chairman of the Straits Times Press (1975) Ltd. From 1982 to 1988, Nathan also held directorship of several other companies including the Singapore Mint Pte Ltd, The Straits Times Press (London) Ltd and Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. From 1983 to 1988, Nathan was Chairman of the Hindu Endowments Board. He was a founding member of SINDA. In April 1988, Nathan was appointed Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia and, in July 1990, became Ambassador to the United States of America where he served until June 1996. Nathan was made Ambassador-at-Large and was concurrently Director of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at the Nanyang Technological University.
On August 18, 1999, Nathan was appointed as the only eligible and thus, unopposed, candidate for President of the Republic of Singapore.
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sellapan_Ramanathan
Source C: President Nathan’s views on his book – Why Am I Here
It's a decision he's taken after much persuasion. President SR Nathan's has launched his first book on his early life as a labour relations officer for a Seafarers' Union.
The title of President Nathan's inaugural book is a question one would constantly ask in life, said the author.
He said: "The cover of the book is very revealing, grey and gloomy. It is into that uncertain world that I went in to, do the job I did.
“So I decided to recall my experiences and write it down and kept it until I spoke to Professor Bernard Tan from the Centre for Maritime Studies. I said I didn't think it was something interesting which would merit publication, but I asked him to read it.
“I went into an area where nobody had been before. I had no brief and I had to create my own brief.
“Mostly, the seafarers were Malays, some Chinese, and some Bangladeshis, each one had his own characteristics.
Mr Nathan recalls “The seamen of that generation were mostly with little or no education. They were rough and sometimes very crude with their manners but they had a very strong sense of camaradarie, of concern.
"Sometimes the seamen would die at sea and usually when they sign on a ship, they would make an allotment for their family, a part of the salary will be paid to the family while they are sailing.
Mr Nathan believes the younger generation can gain from reading his book.
He added: "If they read it they will get to know many lessons of how human tragedy can disrupt a family, how some human problems are formidable and states of helplessness can come and how important it is for us to show a sense of compassion and concern for others.
“I'm sure in daily life there are many such happenings. We come across them directly and indirectly. It is for them to understand and if possible give them a helping hand to uplift them."
President SR Nathan's contributions to Singapore span many areas from his role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry, serving as envoy to Washington and Kuala Lumpur and now as the President of Singapore.
At the launching ceremony of the book on Tuesday, it was announced that President Nathan waived all fees and royalties due to him from the book.
Adapted from http://sgahneh.blogspot.com/
Source D: SPEECH BY PRESIDENT S R NATHAN AT THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY AND OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE VICTORIA SCHOOL NEW CAMPUS AT SIGLAP LINK ON 22 JULY 2006
1. Today, Victoria School celebrates its 130th Anniversary. This event must be a very nostalgic moment for students and staff, past and present. As I look back, I remember sitting among the boys of this school as a student before the war years. It was a different era. Victoria School was not among the Premier Schools then. Neither were the students the cream of the “Secondary School” cohorts. The school did not have the “Education Culture” of today, nor the “soft touch” which teachers and staff are inclined to exercise on the less fortunate or less intellectually endowed. Vintage Victoria – A 130-Year Tradition of Excellence 3. VS today is among the oldest schools in Singapore. It offers a well-rounded education to young Singaporeans from all walks of life, regardless of family background, excelling in the academic as well as in sporting and cultural areas. 5. VS is well-positioned to forge ahead to bring its quality of education to the next level. There are some things which VS will always be strong in, and you will want to continue to do well in these areas. For example, our grip on sports is legendary. I recall Ali Ahmad who became well known for the 100 yards sprint, in pre-war Singapore. Then there was Mr Vijaratnam, who wore the National Colours for Soccer, Hockey and Cricket. Commitment to Serve Singapore and Society 9. First, I ask all of you, whatever you do in your lives, to be kind towards others. Always find the time and space to do good for the community. Your actions and efforts may not make the news headlines nor make you a household name, but every single effort counts towards making Singapore being recognised by others for our humanitarian concerns. 10. Second, be engaged, be proactive to bring about the change you want to see. Don’t be afraid to speak up, and in doing so, do it positively and constructively. Look at the strengths and weaknesses of our society, think about them, have a realistic appreciation of our circumstances, before you can say “This is what I want for the future”, and then offer your commitment to help bring it about. 11. My third point for you is, be grateful. Cultivate, what someone called, “the discipline of gratitude”. Be grateful to your family, teachers, friends, neighbours, and those who make your life better and make you a better person. It is easy to ask what other people can do for us, but it is more difficult to ask how we can do more for others. 12. Just as it has done throughout its history, VS must continue to develop citizens who have a genuine desire to give back to society and make a difference in the lives of others. 13. We must also remember that Singapore’s success in the future will ultimately depend on you – the students. Your commitment to the success of our country will be critical in determining the destiny of Singapore. Past generations of Victorians have shown the way. You must do so too, for future generations to follow. Conclusion 15. Remember that great things can only be achieved through hard work. May you always live up to the School motto, NIL SINE LABORE (Nothing without Labour). I wish the school many more years of success. |
Source E: Report in the third issue of the Victoriana on the school’s move to its new premises.
Speech Day is a time of celebration, a celebration of the 127th anniversary of Victoria School. Final preparations were made to welcome our Guest-of-Honour, President S R Nathan, a former student of Victoria School.
President Nathan was welcomed with cheers and applause by students who lined the entrance of the foyer. To announce the arrival of Victoria School to its new premises, President Nathan took a torch, that runners and canoeists had carried from our previous campuses at Tyrwhitt Road and Geylang Bahru to Siglap Link, and lit the Victorian Torch. To commemorate the event, President Nathan also released 18 Koi fish into the pond. |
Adapted from http://victoriana.vs.moe.edu.sg/pdf/Victoriana03_2003.pdf
Source F: Pictures of the ceremonial move to the new premises in 2003
http://vs.moe.edu.sg/heritageonline/?dir=2003%20Year%20Book
Source G: Pictures of the President with students at Speech Day 2006
http:www.flickr.com/photos/cats-eye-view/206905002/
Compilation
Singapore’s current President, SR Nathan, is Victoria School’s most illustrious Victorian. On 22 July 2006, at the 130th Anniversary and Official Opening Ceremony of the Victoria School New Campus, Dr Ong Chit Chung Chairman paid tribute to the President for his continuous support to the school. President Nathan’s has officiated in several school events such as the school’s move to its new site in 2003 and Victoria School’s Official Opening Ceremony of the Victoria School New Campus in 2006. He certainly has fond memories of the school and is proud of the school’s achievement as evident from his visit to the school in 2003 where he wrote “A good reminder of days past”. As he officiated at the ceremonial moves of Victoria School to its new existing premises, he had fond memories of his days as a Victorian. Nathan spent secondary/senior high school education at Victoria School. Times were hard and he had to work before completing his studies. In his speech at the school’s official opening at the new Siglap campus in 2006, President Nathan recalled his days at the Tyrwhitt Road campus. He remembers sitting among the boys of this school as a student before the war years. It was a different era. Victoria School was not among the Premier Schools then. Neither were the students the cream of the “Secondary School” cohorts. The school did not have the “Education Culture” of today, nor the “soft touch” which teachers and staff are inclined to exercise on the less fortunate or less intellectually endowed. Yet, he remembers that the school has a long sporting history. He is proud of the school’s strong tradition is developing outstanding sportsmen. He believes that there are some things which Victoria School will always be strong in. He says “our grip on sports is legendary” and the school will want to continue to do well in these areas. He recalled Ali Ahmad who became well known for the 100 yards sprint, in pre-war Singapore. There was also Mr Vijaratnam, who represented the nation in Soccer, Hockey and Cricket.
President Nathan embodies Victoria School’s motto, NIL SINE LABORE (Nothing without Labour). During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, Nathan worked for the Japanese civilian police as a translator. After the war, whilst working, he completed his secondary education through self-study, and did well enough to enter the university. He continues to give his best in every job and rose up the ranks very fast; holding varied portfolios. He started with a career in the Singapore Civil Service as a medical social worker in 1955. He later went into an uncertain world to work as a labour relations officer for a Seafarers' Union. Life was not easy as he says in his book, Why Am I Here. He said he had no brief and “I had to create my own brief”. Yet, his experiences with the seafarers deepened his sense of compassion and concern. He strongly believes that in our daily lives there will be many instances of helplessness that “we come across them directly and indirectly”. He feels all of us should “give them a helping hand to uplift them" in whatever ways we possibly can.
President Nathan upholds the VS values of professionalism, integrity and compassion. He urged all Victorians to always find the time and space to do good for the community while they pursuit excellence. He stressed that our actions and efforts may not make the news headlines nor makes us a household name, but every single effort counts towards making our nation more humane. President Nathan encouraged Victorians to live up to its tradition and to continue to develop citizens who have a genuine desire to give back to society and make a difference in the lives of others. He believes that future generations of Victorians must sustain the efforts of past generations of Victorians who has pave the way and contributed to Singapore’s success in the future.
President Nathan has shown that Victoria School’s motto, NIL SINE LABORE (Nothing without Labour) is the way to achieve great things. President Nathan embodies the Victorian vision and mission. He is a Gentleman, a Professional and a respectable Leader who makes tangible contributions to his family, work, community and nation. He has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence, served as envoy to Washington and Kuala Lumpur and now as the President of Singapore. As President, he graces numerous events such as the 2007 Deepavali function at Kebun Baru in Ang Mo Kio. As an Old Victorian he has done the school proud, through the diverse portfolios he has held and attaining the greatest achievement of being our Head of State. We are indeed honoured to have President Nathan as part of the Victoria School family
Done By:
1: Gurshant Singh Dhaliwal (14) 2: Nicholas Ong Rui Qian (27)
3: Ong Wei Siong (28) 4: Ryan Ang Shi Bin (30)
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