S R Nathan was Singapore’s sixth and longest-serving President. He was also the man whom most Goody Feed writers can resonate with because we practically grew up with him. We saw his picture in our primary and secondary school halls every morning when we took the pledge, and also the prominent figure whom we looked out for every National day.
Mr. Nathan was also the president who has relentlessly helped many Singaporeans but chose to stay out of the limelight as he believed that recognition is secondary. The man started his career as a Medical Social Worker and has carried on his passion for helping others even in his Presidency.
In memory of Mr. S R Nathan, let us all revisit the 8 things he has done of the people that you probably didn’t hear of.
1. He initiated the President’s Challenge in 2000
The President’s Challenge started as a kindness movement to help those that were less fortunate and to help foster a more caring and cohesive society. Other than fundraising activities, the President’s Challenge also encompasses the annual President’s Challenge Volunteer Drive and the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award.
2. He defended the Singapore Press against the government
Mr. Nathan joined The Straits Times after retiring from The Civil Service in 1982. This angered quite a number of employees at The Straits Times at first, who felt that he joined the organization to restrict press freedom.
However, by the time he left the organization after 6 years, he had already garnered the respect of many journalists, who said that there were times when he even defended them from the government.
3. He was very passionate in the social service sector
Many times, Mr. Nathan lent his name and time to charities so as to raise funds for the less fortunate.
In a report by The Straits Times, he once recited part of the poem Desiderata in a TV charity show and this garnered more than S$48,000 from donors.
4. He sponsored the less fortunate even in his personal capacity
Even when he wasn’t president, Mr. Nathan still continued his cause of helping the less fortunate through sponsoring the lower income students and obtaining special medical care for accident victims.
5. He even cares for the people when taking morning walks
Mr. Nathan was often seen exercising or taking morning walks with his wife at East Coast Park. Even during then, he often stopped to chat with fellow Singaporeans and listened to their concerns.
In a report by The Straits Times, a retired accountant who often met Mr. Nathan on his walks told the reporters that when the former President doesn’t see him at East Coast, he would get his people to call him to check if he was okay.
6. He holds personal “meet-the-people sessions”
Mr. Nathan’s care for the people went beyond fund-raisings and charity events. He wanted to know what exactly went on in the people’s lives, and would often hold informal meet-the-people sessions to listen to them.
He’s truly a real people’s President.
7. He was kind to everyone the Office, including his clerks
Mr. Nathan was a well-respected man, even when he was in the Office.
When former postman Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, who used to deliver letters to Mr. Nathan’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was worried that he couldn’t send his kids to university with a small salary, he was issued a cheque from the former President because of this exact liner, “Rahim, I want you to just make sure your child completes her education.”
8. He was a firm believer in education for the people
Mr. Nathan got his University Degree at the age of 28 and was a firm believer in education.
Therefore, he also set up the S R Nathan Education Award to help Malay/Muslim students from low-income families fund their polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) studies.
The public can pay their last respects at Parliament House from 10am to 8pm on Thursday, Aug 25. A State Funeral Service will take place 4pm on Friday, Aug 26, at the University Cultural Centre (NUS) and will be open to Singaporeans from all walks of life.
Condolence boards will be available at Istana for those who want to pen tributes to the late Mr. Nathan from Aug 23 at 6am. Condolence books will also be opened at all Overseas Missions for overseas Singaporeans and friends.
This article was first published on Goodyfeed.com
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