Sellapan Ramanathan
Sellapan Ramanathan: A Life of Service to Singapore
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Sellapan Ramanathan, also known as S.R. Nathan, was a prominent figure in Singaporean politics and diplomacy.
Birth and Death Dates
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Sellapan Ramanathan was born on June 1, 1924 and passed away on August 22, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of service to his country.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Ramanathan was a Singaporean by nationality and held various professions throughout his life, including:
Politician
Diplomat
Statesman
His extensive experience in public service spanned over five decades, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's development.
Early Life and Background
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Born to Indian immigrant parents, Ramanathan grew up in a humble household in Singapore. His early life was marked by hardship and struggle, but he persevered through his determination to succeed.
Ramanathan's passion for education led him to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom, where he earned a degree in economics from the University of London.
Major Accomplishments
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Throughout his illustrious career, Ramanathan achieved numerous milestones that significantly impacted Singapore's growth and progress:
He served as the third President of Singapore from 1999 to 2011.
As Deputy Prime Minister, he played a crucial role in shaping the country's economic and social policies.
Ramanathan was also instrumental in promoting international relations and diplomacy, fostering strong ties with neighboring countries.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of his notable works include:
Singapore's Economic Development: Ramanathan was a key figure in implementing the country's economic development plans, which transformed Singapore into one of the world's leading economies.
Social Welfare Reforms: He championed various social welfare initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens, including education, healthcare, and housing.
Impact and Legacy
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Ramanathan's impact on Singapore is immeasurable. His dedication to public service has inspired generations of leaders and citizens alike. His commitment to education, economic development, and social welfare has left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the nation's future.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Sellapan Ramanathan is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Visionary Leadership: He demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, guiding Singapore through periods of rapid change and growth.
Compassion and Empathy: Ramanathan's commitment to social welfare and education reflects his compassion and empathy for the needs of his fellow citizens.
* Diplomatic Efforts: His tireless efforts in promoting international relations have strengthened Singapore's position on the global stage.
In conclusion, Sellapan Ramanathan was a remarkable individual whose life and work have left an indelible mark on Singapore. His quotes continue to inspire and motivate people around the world, serving as a testament to his enduring legacy.
Quotes by Sellapan Ramanathan
China also has moved away from its original status of purely producing basic, what you call, consumer commodities and Chinese companies are moving beyond China to various parts of the world.
In the United Nations, when China entered, we voted on the same position, and since then we have maintained the same position, that position has not changed.
It's your natural right to do so. And we firmly believe that with globalisation, with the entry of China into the WTO, your markets will open.
Apprehension is natural, but it must not be concluded that it is a threat. Certainly not.
You are slowly developing some multinationals of your own. We certainly hope that some of them will look in this direction when they look for opportunities because the progress of Southeast Asia is important to China, just as China's progress is important to us.
We are each other's seventh largest trading partner, we are the fifth largest investor there and likewise, we have a lot of exchanges between political leaders, businessmen, tourists and school children too.
The question of peace, progress and prosperity, it's a motherhood statement, all of us like it.
Well, the important message that we've always carried to China is that we look forward to your progress and prosperity, we look forward to you playing a role in the progress and prosperity of this region and we look forward to stability in your relations with others.
You are a large country, you have many resources, and you have people who are highly capable.
We hope that through these trade arrangements, through collaboration in training, in manpower development, and what have you, ASEAN in, say, ten years' time, will be a very different ASEAN.