Vivian Balakrishnan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vivian Balakrishnan
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| விவியன் பாலகிருஷ்ணன் | |
Balakrishnan in 2023
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| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office 1 October 2015 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Hsien Loong Lawrence Wong |
| Second Minister | Josephine Teo (2017) Maliki Osman (2020–present) |
| Preceded by | K. Shanmugam |
| Acting Minister for Transport | |
| In office 25 February 2019 – 5 April 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Preceded by | Khaw Boon Wan |
| Succeeded by | Khaw Boon Wan |
| Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative | |
| In office 2014–2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Josephine Teo |
| Minister for the Environment and Water Resources | |
| In office 21 May 2011 – 30 September 2015 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Second Minister | Grace Fu (2012–2015) |
| Preceded by | Yaacob Ibrahim |
| Succeeded by | Masagos Zulkifli |
| Second Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts | |
| In office 30 May 2006 – 31 March 2008 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Minister | Lee Boon Yang (2003–2009) |
| Second Minister for Trade and Industry | |
| In office 1 April 2005 – 29 May 2006 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Minister | Lim Hng Kiang (2004–2018) |
| Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports | |
| In office 12 August 2004 – 20 May 2011 Acting: 12 August 2004 – 31 March 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Preceded by | Yaacob Ibrahim |
| Succeeded by | Chan Chun Sing |
| Member of Parliament for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC (Cashew) |
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| Assumed office 27 April 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Majority | 34,991 (32.72%) |
| Member of Parliament for Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC (Ulu Pandan) |
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| In office 4 November 2001 – 27 April 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Lim Boon Heng (PAP) |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 January 1961 State of Singapore |
| Political party | People's Action Party |
| Spouse | Joy Balakrishnan |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | National University of Singapore (MBBS) |
| Occupation |
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Vivian Balakrishnan (Tamil: விவியன் பாலகிருஷ்ணன், romanized: Viviyaṉ Pālakiruṣṇaṉ; born 25 January 1961) is a well-known Singaporean politician and diplomat. Before entering politics, he was an eye doctor, also known as an ophthalmologist. Since 2015, he has been Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He is a member of the People's Action Party (PAP), which is the ruling political party in Singapore. He has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Cashew division in Holland–Bukit Timah GRC since 2006. Earlier, he was an MP for the Ulu Pandan division in Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC from 2001 to 2006.
Over the years, he has held many important roles in the government. These include Minister for Community, Youth and Sports, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative.
Vivian Balakrishnan was a President's Scholar, which is a special scholarship for top students. He studied medicine at the National University of Singapore. He then specialized in eye care and became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He also served in the Singapore Armed Forces and led the Singapore National Eye Centre and Singapore General Hospital.
He started his political career in the 2001 general election. He was part of the PAP team and won his seat without facing an opponent. He then took on various junior ministerial roles before becoming a full minister.
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Singapore
Vivian Balakrishnan was born in Singapore in 1961. His father was of Indian Tamil background, and his mother had Chinese roots from Fuqing, Fujian.
His School Days and Studies
He attended Anglo-Chinese School and National Junior College. In 1980, he received the prestigious President's Scholarship. This allowed him to study medicine at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. During his university days, he was also the president of the NUS Student Union for two terms.
Becoming an Eye Doctor
After his general medical studies, Balakrishnan chose to specialize in ophthalmology, which is the study and treatment of eye diseases. In 1991, he became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This means he completed advanced training in surgery.
Medical Career
Working as an Eye Specialist
From 1993 to 1995, Balakrishnan worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. There, he focused on eye care for children.
When he returned to Singapore, he became an eye consultant. He worked at the Singapore National Eye Centre and National University Hospital. In 1998, he also became a professor of ophthalmology at the National University of Singapore.
Leading Hospitals
In 1999, he became the medical director of the Singapore National Eye Centre. A year later, in 2000, he became the chief executive officer of the Singapore General Hospital. He also served as the commanding officer of a medical unit in the Singapore Armed Forces from 1999 to 2002.
In the 1990s, he hosted a TV show in Singapore called Health Matters. This show helped people learn about health topics.
Political Journey
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Starting in Government
Vivian Balakrishnan began his political career in the 2001 general election. He was part of the PAP team for Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC and won his seat. After the election, he was appointed as a Minister of State for National Development in 2002. He also chaired the Remaking Singapore Committee. In 2004, he became a Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
Later in 2004, he became the acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. In 2005, he became a full member of the Cabinet, which is the main decision-making body of the government.
Helping the Community and Environment
As Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, he worked to improve social welfare. For example, he increased the financial help given to single-person households. This scheme helps people who need support to cover their daily needs.
In 2011, Balakrishnan became the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. In this role, he was responsible for protecting Singapore's environment and managing its water supply. This is a very important job for a small island nation like Singapore.
Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister
After the 2015 general election, Vivian Balakrishnan was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. In this role, he represents Singapore on the world stage. He works with leaders from other countries to build good relationships and promote Singapore's interests.
Transparency in Public Service
In 2023, there was public interest regarding the rental of state-owned bungalows. Balakrishnan and another minister, K. Shanmugam, were part of this discussion. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau looked into the matter. They found that there was no criminal wrongdoing or improper conduct. This showed the government's commitment to being open and accountable.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Balakrishnan spoke about the use of data from the contact tracing app, TraceTogether. He had said the data would only be used for contact tracing. Later, it was clarified that the police could access this data for criminal investigations under certain laws. Balakrishnan took full responsibility for this misunderstanding and expressed regret for any worry it caused.
Personal Life
Vivian Balakrishnan is married to Joy Balakrishnan. They have four children: one daughter and three sons.
