Labor Day visits to Istana

Some 11,500 people visited the Istana on Saturday to celebrate Labour Day.

The grounds was opened from 8.30am till 6pm.

Visitors were treated to performances by bands from Singapore Chinese Girls' School, Pasir Ris Secondary School and Pioneer Junior College.

There was also a performance put up by the PA Talents Hip Hop Group.

President S R Nathan and his wife also mingled with the visitors.

Mr Nathan also hosted a short tea reception for participants of the inaugural Masters in Public Administration and Management programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Why Am I Here? Prataman's latest Book

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.

“But after reading, he insisted I should publish and I left it to him to do so. It has taken some time. I wasn't persuaded that it should be published, but he kept insisting I should agree and finally last I agreed and now you have the product.

“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.

“And at that time, civil servants hardly kept notes of what they did, so much depended on memory.”

Mr Nathan recalls that many of the seamen he worked with had little education, but a strong sense of camaraderie.

He said: “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.

“And I know of instances where fellow seamen, who had never known the family, never known the wife or children would make an allotment for an unknown family just because they have been working together. They have a very strong bond. I call them rough diamonds.”

“Some of the gangsters I met are still around, I met them. I went to one restaurant one day and I found him. He knows who I am, I know who he is, but he is now married and he has children, so life has taken him into a new life."

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.

But for his next book, Mr Nathan said he wants to focus on his work in the National Trades Union Congress and he hopes the book can come out next year to time with the 50th anniversary of the NTUC.

Next year is also when the Presidential Elections are due, and so will Mr Nathan contest again?

He said: "Next year must come before I can tell you that. When I was asked to be President I had to decide whether I should accept it or not. I wasn’t sure whether I was equipped for it and I wasn’t sure whether anybody was qualified for taking on.”

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.

President Nathan started working on the first manuscript in 2006 and took about a year to complete it.

3,000 copies of the book have been printed and some copies will soon be available at NUS libraries as well as libraries under the National Library Board.

Limited copies of the book will be on sale at the NUS Co-Op at a retail price of S$29.90 from Wednesday.

Thank you for buying His book.

Istana Open House on May 1 to celebrate Labour Day

The Istana grounds will be open to the public this Saturday, from 8.30am to 6.00pm, to celebrate Labour Day.

There will be performances by the PA Talents Hip Hop Group and bands from the Singapore Chinese Girls' School, Pasir Ris Secondary School and Pioneer Junior College.

Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. Others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of S$1 per person.

Members of the public can also tour selected function rooms in the Istana building to view a display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries by paying an entrance fee of S$2.

Istana souvenirs will be sold during the Open House, with the proceeds from the sale and all entrance fees collected being donated to the Community Chest.

Singapore President Nathan visits Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala

Singapore President Sellapan Rama Nathan, whose is of Indian descent, visited the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala

On his arrival at the Renigunta Airport on Thursday, he was received by Singapore Consulate General, Mohammed Noor Bin Yusuf, District Collector V Seshadri, Superintendent of Police (Admin) Ammi Reddy and other officials.
Nathan was accompanied by his wife and close friends.

"I have been to India before, summer vacations. I had to pay our respects at this pilgrimage centre so ...and we have come again with the family and some very close friends to pray at the temple and receive blessings," he said.

The temple of Tirupati Balaji in south India is one of the most revered and sacred shrines in the country.

President Nathan launches Scouts Job Week at Istana

If scouts come knocking on your door in search of work, do your bit for charity and find something for them to do.

Get them to clean your flat, dust your office or feed the pets, and make a donation that will go to charity.

It's part of Job Week, which was officially launched at the Istana by President S.R. Nathan, who's also the Chief Scout of Singapore.

During Job Week, some 10,000 Scouts will fan out across the island, knock on the doors of offices and houses to find work.

The target is to raise about $600,000 - similar to the amount collected last year.

Prataman congratulates Johor Sultan

Singapore leaders have sent congratulatory messages to the Sultan of Johor on his ascension as Sultan.

In his letter to Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, President S R Nathan said he has full confidence that relations between Singapore and Johor, and that between their people, will continue to deepen and flourish under his guidance and leadership.

"My wife joins me in extending our warmest wishes to Your Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness Raja Zarith Sofiah, and for Johor Darul Ta’zim’s continued success and prosperity," President Nathan said.

In his letter, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he looks forward to working closely with the Sultan to strengthen the co—operation between Singapore and Johor, as well as deepen the personal ties between Singapore leaders and the Johor Palace.

"My warmest wishes for Your Royal Highness’ good health, and for Johor Darul Ta’zim’s continued success and prosperity," Mr Lee said.

Indian Housemate Charged Over Death of 3 year Old Boy

Luckily it is not another racial thing - Thank God! None the less, we are sad by his death.

An Indian man charged over the death of a 3-year-old boy in Melbourne will appear in court tomorrow, police said.

Gursewak Dhillon, 23, was charged with one count of manslaughter by criminal negligence in the death of Gurshan Singh Channa, according to a statement on the Victoria Police Web site.
Dhillon, who was refused bail, will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, the statement said.

An autopsy last week failed to reveal the cause of Gurshan’s death, the Australian newspaper said.

The boy’s mother reported him missing on the afternoon of March 4; his body was found that evening.