RAMACHANDRAN, G
Pioneers of Singapore,
Accession Number 000106
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 4
Total Reels
- Lim How Seng
Interviewer
- 01:42:53
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 4
Metadata
- 7 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His father P Govindasamy Pillai came to Singapore in early 1900s. Unable to get job. Eventually offered job in provision shop. Nature of work. Later joined another shop. Boss died. Borrowed money from chettiar to start own business. Conditions on board ship. Father's expectation and knowledge of Singapore prior to departure. Serangoon Road in early 1900s. His father's interest in building. Reasons for not venturing into property development. Impression of his parents.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 4
Metadata
- 7 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:26:23
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His early education in Singapore. Studied in India during the war. Returned to Singapore to complete schooling. Did not complete university education in Australia. Joined father's business. Started as provision shop; progressed to textile, restaurant, grinding mills business. Expansion to Johore Bahru and Malacca. Developed trading. Family's return to India. When bombs fell in Singapore, disembarked in Penang and returned to Singapore. Later boarded another ship. Started farming and wholesale business in India.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 4
Metadata
- 7 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His uncle kept business going in Singapore during the war. Father resumed business after his return. Made profit during 1946-1948. Restarted trading in 1955. Renovating restaurant, textile and provision shops. He started wholesale textile business. Reasons for success despite Sindhi and Punjabi domination in trade. His father transferring shares to sons. Converted business to limited company. His style of management differed from father's. Working conditions of employees during father's time.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 4
Metadata
- 7 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:21:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration of working conditions. Problem in getting workers for provision shop. Cut down home delivery service. Reasons for branching out on his own. Formed P Govindasamy Pillai & Sons (1979) Pte Ltd. His ventures into trading of petroleum products and properties. Reasons for his father's business success. Accounts of father's and his own public services. His involvement in Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce.
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