Devan Nair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Devan Nair
BBM
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Nair in 1981
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| 3rd President of Singapore | |
| In office 23 October 1981 – 28 March 1985 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Kuan Yew |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Sheares |
| Succeeded by | Wee Kim Wee |
| Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress |
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| In office 1970–1979 |
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| Preceded by | Seah Mui Kok |
| Succeeded by | Lim Chee Onn |
| In office 1961–1965 |
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| Succeeded by | Steve Nayagan |
| Secretary-General of the Democratic Action Party |
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| In office 11 October 1965 – 30 July 1967 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Goh Hock Guan |
| Secretary-General of the People's Action Party of Malaysia |
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| In office 14 August 1965 – 9 September 1965 |
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| Preceded by | Lee Kuan Yew |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the Singapore Parliament for Anson |
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| In office 10 February 1979 – 13 October 1981 |
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| Preceded by | P. Govindaswamy |
| Succeeded by | J. B. Jeyaretnam |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Bangsar |
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| In office 18 May 1964 – 20 March 1969 |
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| Preceded by | V. David |
| Succeeded by | Goh Hock Guan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Chengara Veetil Devan Nair
5 August 1923 Jasin, Malacca, Straits Settlements (now Malacca, Malaysia) |
| Died | 6 December 2005 (aged 82) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Cause of death | Dementia |
| Resting place | Hamilton, Ontario |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
People's Action Party (1954–1965, 1979–1981) Democratic Action Party (1965–1967) Malayan Communist Party (until 1950) |
| Spouse | Avadai Dhanam Lakshimi |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Victoria School |
| Occupation |
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Chengara Veetil Devan Nair (born 5 August 1923 – died 6 December 2005), known to many as Devan Nair, was an important leader in Singapore. He served as the third president of Singapore from 1981 to 1985.
Devan Nair was active in politics in both Malaysia and Singapore. When he was young, he strongly believed in fighting for independence from colonial rule. This led to him being held by the British in 1951. In 1954, he joined the People's Action Party (PAP). He was held again in 1956 until the PAP won the 1959 election and helped him get released.
He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bangsar in Malaysia (1964–1969) and for Anson in Singapore (1979–1981). Before becoming president, he led the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in Malaysia. He also played a big role in the labour movement in Singapore. He was the Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) from 1970 to 1979. He stepped down as president in 1985 and later moved to Canada, where he passed away in 2005 at age 82.
Contents
Who Was Devan Nair?
Devan Nair was a key figure in Singapore's history. He was known for his strong beliefs in independence and his work to improve the lives of workers. He became Singapore's third president, a role that represents the country as its head of state.
Early Life and School Days
Devan Nair was born on 5 August 1923 in Malacca, which is now part of Malaysia. His father worked as a clerk on a rubber plantation.
When Devan Nair was ten, his family moved to Singapore. He went to Rangoon Road Primary School. Later, he attended Victoria School for his secondary education. He finished his Senior Cambridge examination in 1940.
After the Second World War, Devan Nair became a teacher. He taught at St Joseph's Institution and St Andrew's School. In 1949, he became the General-Secretary of the Singapore Teachers' Union. He was very vocal about wanting Singapore to be free from British rule.
Fighting for Independence
Devan Nair was part of groups that wanted to end British colonial rule. He joined Lee Kuan Yew's People's Action Party (PAP) in 1954. Because of his activities against colonial rule, the British held him in 1951.
In 1956, he was held again, along with other union leaders. He was released in 1959 when the PAP won the general election. After his release, he worked as a political secretary for the Minister for Education for a year. He then went back to teaching. In 1960, he helped start the Adult Education Board.
A Leader for Workers
Devan Nair was the only PAP member to win a seat in the 1964 Malaysian general election. He won the Bangsar area near Kuala Lumpur. After Singapore separated from Malaysia, he helped form the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in Malaysia.
However, he soon returned to Singapore. He became a very important leader in the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). This is a big group that helps workers. He was the Secretary-General of the NTUC from 1970 to 1979. He worked hard to make sure that workers' rights were protected. He also spoke up for developing countries on the world stage, wanting more focus on poverty and unemployment.
Becoming President
In 1979, Devan Nair became a Member of Parliament for the Anson area in Singapore. He won this seat again in the 1980 election. In 1981, he stepped down from his MP role to become the third President of Singapore. The President's role is mostly to represent the country.
His resignation from the Anson seat led to a special election. This election was famously won by J. B. Jeyaretnam, an opposition leader. This was the first time since 1963 that a candidate not from the PAP won a parliamentary seat.
Stepping Down
On 28 March 1985, Devan Nair stepped down from his role as President.
Life After Presidency
After leaving the presidency, Devan Nair and his wife moved to the United States in 1988. They later moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where they spent their final years. His wife, Avadai Dhanam Lakshimi, passed away in April 2005. Devan Nair himself passed away in December 2005, at the age of 82, due to dementia.
His Legacy
Devan Nair is still highly respected in Singapore. He is especially remembered for his important work with the labour movement. The Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability was opened in 2014. It is located in Jurong East and helps workers and employers in Singapore. This institute was named after him to honor his contributions to the labour movement.
Family Life
Devan Nair had four children: one daughter and three sons. He also had five grandchildren. His eldest son, Janadas Devan, became a senior editor and now works in government communications. His second son, Janamitra Devan, was a Vice-President at the International Finance Corporation. His only daughter, Vijaya Kumari Devan, lives in Canada.
Devan Nair was also good friends with a Dutch economist named Albert Winsemius.
| 1920s births: | 1920-1921-1922-1923-1924-1925-1926-1927-1928-1929 |
This category has articles on people who were born in the year 1923.
See also: 1923 deaths.
Category:Singaporean people of Indian descent
| 2000s deaths: | 2000-2001-2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009 |
This category has articles on people who died in the year 2005.
See also: 2005 births.
Category:Singaporean HindusCategory:Presidents of SingaporeCategory:People's Action Party politiciansCategory:Members of the Parliament of SingaporeCategory:Members of the Dewan RakyatCategory:Malaysian emigrants to SingaporeCategory:Malaysian politicians of Indian descentCategory:Malaysian political party foundersCategory:Singaporean emigrants to CanadaCategory:Victoria School, Singapore alumniCategory:Malayali peopleCategory:Democratic Action Party (Malaysia) politiciansCategory:Malaysian people of Indian descentCategory:Malaysian people of Malayali descentCategory:Singaporean people of Malayali descentCategory:Singaporean politicians of Indian descentCategory:People who lost Malaysian citizenshipCategory:Naturalised citizens of SingaporeCategory:Singaporean trade unionistsCategory:Deaths from dementia in Canada
