Today Singapore bade farewell and laid to rest one of its founding fathers - the former Deputy Prime Minister and senior statesman, Mr S. Rajaratnam who died last Wednesday due to heart failure.
He was given a state funeral at the Parliament House, where Mr. Rajaratnam has given so many speeches after this island state's tumultuous separation from Malaysia in 1965. He was one of the founding members of the Peoples Action Party, which has ruled and transformed Singapore to what it is today.
Mr. Rajaratnam was the first and longest serving foreign minister of independent Singapore. He skilfully steered Singapore's foreign policy and tirelessly worked to enhance Singapore’s prestige among the nations of the world. He did this admirably well, winning many friends on the international stage of diplomacy.
He was a firm believer in multi-racalism and it was he who penned the Singapore Pledge (below), leaving behind a lasting legacy.
"We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity & progress for our nation"
Mr. Rajaratnam was a thinker, a lover of books and was a voracious reader. He used reasoning and persuasion to win over opponents to his side.
Judging by the steady stream of national leaders and common people who turned up to pay their last respects and pay tribute to him, it is clear that Singapore has lost one of the most illustrious leaders of the Founding Generation.
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