Sivakant Tiwari facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sivakant Tiwari
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Tiwari in 2009
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| Born |
Sivakant Tiwari s/o Thakurprasad Tiwari
20 December 1945 |
| Died | 26 July 2010 (aged 64) |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Alma mater | University of Singapore (LL.B., 1971) |
| Occupation | Legal officer |
| Employer | Singapore Legal Service |
| Term | 1971–2007 |
| Awards | P.P.A.(E.) (1984), P.B.S. (1996), P.P.A.(E.)(L.) (2000), P.J.G. (2008) |
Sivakant Tiwari (20 December 1945 – 26 July 2010), also known as S. Tiwari, was an important legal officer in Singapore. He worked for the Singapore Legal Service for 36 years. He was known for his skills in solving big problems and negotiating deals for Singapore with other countries.
Tiwari studied law at the University of Singapore and graduated in 1971. He then joined the government's legal team. He helped Singapore in many ways, from leading investigations into major accidents to representing the country in important international discussions. He was also the person who started the Hindi Society in Singapore.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sivakant Tiwari was born in India on 20 December 1945. He moved to Singapore when he was young. He went to Monk's Hill Primary School and Raffles Institution.
His father wanted him to become a doctor. However, during a biology class, a hamster he was supposed to dissect woke up! This surprising moment made him decide to study law instead. He went to the University of Singapore and earned his law degree in 1971. One of his teachers was Professor S. Jayakumar, who later became a Senior Minister in Singapore.
A Career in Law
Tiwari started his career as a legal officer in April 1971. He spent his entire working life, 36 years, with the Singapore Legal Service.
Leading Investigations
Tiwari played a key role in three major public investigations:
- In 1978, he investigated a big explosion and fire on a Greek oil tanker called S.T. Spyros, which sadly killed 76 people.
- In 1984, he led the inquiry into a terrible accident where a drillship crashed into the Sentosa cableway. This caused two cable cars to fall into the sea, and seven people died.
- In 1988, he investigated the collapse of Hotel New World.
International Work and Negotiations
Tiwari was very good at international law and negotiations.
- He helped Singapore in talks for the United States – Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which was signed in 2003. He was especially important in discussing rules about intellectual property (like patents and copyrights).
- He also advised the team that set up official diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.
- He was part of Singapore's legal team in a case at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in 2003. Malaysia had concerns about Singapore's land reclamation near Tuas. The Tribunal decided that Malaysia had not shown enough urgent reason to stop Singapore's work.
- Tiwari was also involved for nearly 30 years in the land dispute between Singapore and Malaysia over Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge. He was part of the team that presented Singapore's case to the International Court of Justice in 2007. The Court later ruled that Pedra Branca belonged to Singapore.
Later Life and Community Work
After retiring from the Legal Service in December 2007, Tiwari continued to work as a special consultant for a year.
- In 2007, the World Trade Organization (WTO) chose him to be a panellist in an important international case between China and the United States about intellectual property rights. This was the first time such a case was judged internationally.
- He later became a senior visiting fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Tiwari was also very dedicated to his community.
- He was the founding president of the Hindi Society (Singapore) in 1990. He continued to be the principal of the Society's Hindi Centres even after he retired.
- He helped make it possible for students in Singapore to learn Hindi as a second language in secondary schools. He met with the Minister for Education to make this happen.
His Final Days and Legacy
On 25 July 2010, Tiwari had a severe headache and was taken to the hospital. He passed away the next day, on 26 July 2010, at the age of 64.
Many important leaders in Singapore shared their sadness and respect for Tiwari.
- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Tiwari "did much to advance Singapore's interests internationally. He was a determined, patient and skilful negotiator."
- Senior Minister S. Jayakumar said Tiwari "was much respected... internationally. Whether negotiating bilateral agreements or at international conferences, he achieved the reputation among other delegations as a tough, fair-minded and skilful negotiator."
- Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said that "Singapore has lost an outstanding legal public officer."
Awards and Honours
Tiwari received several important awards for his service to Singapore:
- In 1984, he received the Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Public Administration Medal (Gold)). This was for his work in investigating the Sentosa cable car tragedy and helping to write laws for the Ministry of Defence.
- In 1996, he was given the Pingat Bakti Setia (Long Service Award).
- In 2000, he received an additional Bar for his Public Administration Medal (Gold).
- In 2008, he was awarded the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) for his important contributions to the Pedra Branca case.
Images for kids
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The former Attorney-General's Chambers building on High Street between 1971 and 1991.
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The International Court of Justice in session in the Grand Hall of Justice of the Peace Palace in The Hague on 10 December 2009.
