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Devan Nair
By Renuka, M. written on 2002-05-22
National Library Board Singapore
Comments on article: InfopediaTalk
Chengara Veetil Devan Nair or C. V. Devan Nair (b. 5 August 1923, Jasin, near Malacca, Malaysia - d. 7 December 2005, Canada) was Singapore's third President and first Indian President.
Early Life
The son of a rubber plantation clerk, Nair moved from Malaysia to Singapore with his family when he was ten. He received his early education at Rangoon Road Primary School. He went on to pursue his Senior Cambridge Certificate at Victoria School. Although he lacked formal learning at a higher level, Nair exhibited intellectual finesse and perseverance through independent learning.
Trade Unionist
After World War II, Nair joined the teaching profession, as there was a dire need for teachers. He first taught in St. Joseph's Institution and then St. Andrew's School. During this time, his interest in the trade union movement was ignited. He assumed the responsibility of General Secretary of the Singapore Teachers' Union in 1949.
The next few years seemed bleak for the idealistic Nair, as he was detained by the British authorities for participating in anti-colonial activities in 1951. Despite these difficulties, his passion for workers' welfare saw him return to trade union activities soon after his release in April 1953. This time, he served as the Secretary of the Singapore Factory and Shopworkers' Union.
Political Career
In 1954, Nair was called to be one of the convenors of the People's Action Party. He was also a Member of the Central Elective Committee. Again, in 1956, Nair was detained by the British. He was released three years later when the PAP came into leadership. Nair was appointed Political Secretary to the Minister of Education, a position he relinquished after a year. He returned to teaching.
In 1961, Nair played an instrumental role in the establishment of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC). He was also heavily involved in the parliamentary politics of Malaysia, as he earned himself a seat in the Bungsar constituency. After his term, he returned to assume his duties with NTUC. As the first Secretary-General of NTUC, he went on to become its President in 1979. That same year, Nair stood for elections at the Anson constituency and gained himself a seat. His Member of Parliament status stood for only two years.
On 23 October 1981, Devan Nair became Singapore's third President. He continued to champion worker's rights during his term. In 1985, Nair resigned from his position as head of state due to health reasons.
Awards
1963 : Public Service Star for his role and leadership in the labour movement
1976 : the National University of Singapore, then known as the University of Singapore, conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa)
Family
Nair married Dhana Lakshimi in 1953. The couple had known each other since childhood as Nair and Dhana's brother were good friends. Throughout Nair's struggle in the trade union, Dhana had been a pillar of support for her husband. The couple has three sons and a daughter.
Publications
Who lives if Malaysia dies? A selection from the speeches and writings of DAP leaders. (1969). Petaling Jaya, Selangor: Democratic Action Party
(Call no. : RCLOS 329.9595 DEM).
Tomorrow - the peril and the promise: report by the Secretary General to the 2nd triennial delegates conference. (1976). Singapore: Singapore National Trades Union Congress.
(Call no.: 331.88095957 NAT)
Socialism that works the Singapore way. (1976). Singapore: Federal Publications.
(Call no.: RSING 335.0095957 SOC).
Asian Labour and the dynamics of change. (1977). Singapore: Singapore National Printers.
(Call no.: 331.095 NAI)
Trade Unions in Singapore (not available in NLB's collection).
Author
Renuka M.
References
Nair, C. V. D. (1982). Not by wages alone: Selected speeches and writings of C.V. Devan Nair, 1959-1981. Singapore: Singapore National Trades Union Congress.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 NAI)
Singapore Government. [1988]. C.V. Devan Nair: Circumstances relating to resignation as President of the Republic of Singapore. Singapore: Singapore National Printers.
(Call no.: RSING 324.22095957 CVD)
A new consensus, a new goal: Address by C. V. Devan Nair, President of the Republic of Singapore at the opening of the first session of the sixth parliament on 25 February, 1985, and addenda to the President's address. (1985). Singapore: Information Division, Ministry of Communications & Information.
(Call no.: RCLOS 354.5957 NEW)
Comrade president. (October, 1981). [Singapore]: The Monitor.
(Call no.: RSING 324. 22095957 COM)
Devan: nation builder, people's president. (1981). Singapore: Singapore National Trades Union Congress.
(Call no.: RSING 959.5700924 DEV)
MCN International Pte Ltd. (2005). Former Singapore President Devan Nair dies at age 82. Retrieved December 7, 2005 from www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/182396/1/.html
President's Office, Republic of Singapore. (1999). Mr C V Devan Nair - third president of the Republic of Singapore. Retrieved December 23, 2004, from //www.istana.gov.sg/history.html#nair
The information in this article is valid as at 2005 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
Subject
Personalities> > Biographies> > Political Leaders
Nair, C. V. Devan, 1923-2005
Presidents--Singapore--Biography
Politicians-- Singapore--Biography
Labor unions-- Singapore
Law and government> > Political process> > Leadership
Business, finance and industry> > Economics> > Labour economics> > Labour unions
Librarian Recommendations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devan_Nair
pharoah88 ( Date: 02-May-2011 14:49) Posted:
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Updated: 02/05/2011
GE: We understand Nee Soon’s kampung spirit, says WP
Angela Oon (WP)
SINGAPORE: Ms Angela Oon, a Workers’ Party (WP) candidate for the Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC), on Sunday night evoked nostalgia among constituents by talking about the kampung spirit which makes their neighbourhood " special" .
In her maiden rally speech at the Yishun Stadium, Ms Oon recalled the old kampungs in Yishun and reminisced about landmarks of bygone days, such as the Chong Pang roundabout and the Sultan Cinema.
" Do you remember when the PAP Government took back your land?" she said, referring to the Government’s resettlement of villagers in the area in the ’80s and ’90s.
" People of Nee Soon, our team understands who you are. We understand the Nee Soon heritage. We understand that, for you, community and family come first."
Ms Oon urged voters there to ask the Government whether its S$600—million renewal plans for the town would be carried out regardless of the election results.
Foreign Minister George Yeo, who helms the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Aljunied GRC team, had said renewal plans for his constituency that had been announced would not be affected even if the WP’s " A team" there emerged victorious at the polls.
The rest of the WP’s Nee Soon line—up, which includes Dr Poh Lee Guan, Mr Sajeev Kamalasanan, Dr John Yam and Mr Watson Chong also spoke on Sunday night.
They touched on hot topics in these elections, such as the cost of living, the influx of foreigners, and affordability of public housing. Dr Yam and Mr Chong questioned the number of new jobs that the two integrated resorts have really created for Singaporeans.
Meanwhile, WP chairman Sylvia Lim took issue with the PAP Government’s changes to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme.
She said the deferment of CPF drawdown age from 62 to 65 and increase of the Minimum Sum required in the account was akin to it treating Singaporeans like children who need others to keep their money safe.
" The money in your CPF account belongs to you. But, for many years, the PAP has been changing the rules and doing what it wants to keep your CPF money secure from you," she said. " Your CPF balances are what you have saved from slogging hard for 30 years ... yet the Government goes about changing the rules as if the money belongs to them."
She added that the WP believes that the CPF system should be more flexible drawdown age should be lowered to 60 and those facing financial problems should be allowed to tap on their CPF savings under " strict guidelines" . —
TODAY
Updated: 01/05/2011
Reform Party's Kenneth Jeyaretnam says PAP out of step with Singaporeans
®Copyright MediaCorp
Reform Party Chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam says the People's Action Party is out of step with Singaporeans.
Speaking at his party's rally in Yio Chu Kang Stadium tonight, Mr Jeyaretnam said real wages have been unable to keep up with inflation and productivity has seen a sharp drop.
" They would have to run for a hundred years to catch up. They are so out of step with the world, out of step with democracy, but worse of all, out of touch with the Singaporean on the ground."
Mr Jeyaretnam, who is standing in West Coast GRC, was rebutting Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang who had said the Reform Party was out of step with other opposition parties.
The Reform Party's candidate for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mansor Rahman, has called for all PAP MPs and Ministers to resign from the NTUC.
He said trade unions must be free from political affiliations.
The 59 year old former unionist pointed to Mr Lim Swee Say's appointment as Secretary General of the NTUC.
" How could the representative of the government be in the union. That means there's no difference between the PAP and NTUC."
Updated: 01/05/2011
Unionists welcome reaffirming of tripartite relationship in Singapore
®Copyright MediaCorp
by Joanne Chan
Unionists have welcomed the government's commitment to improve the lives of workers - through skills upgrading and special programmes for low-income earners.
During his half hour speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outlined the steps taken by the government to enhance the lives of workers, and highlighted the unique relationship between the government, unions and employers in Singapore.
NTUC Central Committee member and General Secretary of the Singapore Teachers' Union, Edwin Lye, said he was heartened to hear the Prime Minister pay tribute to the labour movement.
" The reaffirming of the support of the labour movement and recognising that the labour movement is an intricate part of the nation, and the fact that government will support in terms of real funding to enhance the capacity of future union leaders, so that we will be able to continue to grow from strength to strength."
Mr Lee announced a 50-million-dollar development fund to build leadership in NTUC.
Alex Yam, principal executive at the NTUC youth development unit, said the fund will help bring in more youth leaders.
" This would be very helpful for us to see if there are any new areas for us to develop them, to bring more young leaders in and of course grow our leadership overall."
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General, Halimah Yacob, said she welcomed the programmes in place to help low-wage workers, such as Workfare and the Workfare Special Bonus.
" I like best the part where he said that we have not forgotten about the low-income workers and low-skilled workers. They will continue to have priority for the government in order to upskill their skills, and ensure that they have better wages and a better life."
Some 8,500 people participated in the NTUC May Day Rally.