BIOGRAPHY, WIKIPEDIA, PARENTS, RELIGION AND HOUSE OF President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam

BIOGRAPHY, WIKIPEDIA, PARENTS, RELIGION AND HOUSE OF President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

3rd Indian-Origin President Of Singapore

Tharman will become Singapore’s third Indian-origin president once the results are formally declared. Sellapan Ramanathan, popularly known as S R Nathan, a Singaporean politician and civil servant of Tamil descent served as the president of Singapore. In 2009, Nathan defeated Benjamin Sheares to become Singapore’s longest-serving president.

Chengara Veetil Devan Nair, better known as Devan Nair, served as the third president of Singapore from 1981 until his resignation in 1985. Born in 1923 in Malacca, Malaysia, Nair was the son of a rubber plantation clerk, who was originally from Thalassery, Kerala. 

Son To A Tamil Father, Chinese Mother

Tharman’s life story is a remarkable one. He was born in Singapore on 25 February 1957 to a Tamil father and a Chinese mother. His father, Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam, was a famous pathologist and cancer researcher, while his mother was a homemaker. Tharman grew up in a diverse and rich cultural environment, and mastered four languages: English, Tamil, Malay and Mandarin.

Tharman shone academically and obtained his bachelor’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics, his master’s degree in economics from the University of Cambridge, and his master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University. He also co-authored a poetry book with his classmates when he was in school.

Tharman started his career at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the central bank and financial regulator of Singapore, where he became its chairman. He also served as the deputy chairman of GIC, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore. He was highly regarded for his economic expertise and his role in guiding Singapore through the global financial crisis of 2008.

Who is Singapore’s new Indian-origin president Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin politician and former member of Singapore’s ruling party, achieved a significant victory on Saturday, securing 70.4 percent of the votes in the country’s presidential race. Shanmugaratnam faced stiff competition in a three-way contest, which included two candidates of Chinese descent, as indicated by the preliminary vote count released by the Elections Department.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his victory in Singapore’s presidential election. “I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi tweeted.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam began his education at the Anglo-Chinese School in his hometown. He later pursued higher education at the London School of Economics (LSE), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. Notably, LSE recognised his achievements by awarding him an Honorary Fellowship in 2011.

By winning the presidential election held on Friday, the 66-year-old joined a long list of Indian-origin leaders who are dominating politics at important world capitals including Britain Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Following his time at LSE, he continued his academic pursuits at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, where he completed a Master of Philosophy in economics. Tharman then moved to the United States as a student at the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University. There, he completed his Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree and received the prestigious Lucius N. Littauer Fellows Award, an honour given to MPA students who demonstrate exceptional academic excellence and leadership.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam embarked on his professional journey at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which serves as the central bank and financial regulator of Singapore. Over time, he rose to the position of chairman at MAS. Additionally, he held the role of deputy chairman at GIC, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore. Tharman earned widespread recognition for his profound economic expertise and his pivotal role in steering Singapore through the challenges posed by the global financial crisis of 2008.