RAI, Shriniwas
Political History of Singapore 1985–2005,
Accession Number 004898
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 5
Total Reels
- Benjamin Ho
Interviewer
- 04:15:17
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 5
Metadata
- 12 May 2023
Recording Date
- 00:51:08
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born in Uttar Pradesh, India. Moved from India to Singapore as a child. [00:04:15] Recollection of 1955 elections in Singapore. Background of father. Father’s passage from India to Singapore just after the first world war. His father started life as a news vendor. [00:09:52] Background of mother. Reflection of childhood memories in India. Parents’ attitudes towards education. [00:23:50] Recollection of his time studying at The Adult Education Board (AEB) or Lembaga Gerakan Pelajaran Dewasa. Recollection of journey to Singapore with his father. Adapting to life in Singapore. Studied in Sacred Heart Boys’ school in Kampong Bahru Road. His interests and subjects he liked as a student. [00:44:00] His father’s occupations. Memories of the environment and the community in the place he grew up in Tanjong Pagar. Reflections on the value of education.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 5
Metadata
- 12 May 2023
Recording Date
- 00:49:01
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Considerations of subjects to study in the University of Singapore. Initially wanted to do economics. Interviewee eventually studied law. Inspired by Professor Tommy Koh in law school. [00:05:00] His recollection of his involvement in the representation to Parliament on the constitutional amendments concerning the Group Representative Constituency system. His views on constitutional laws and processes. His recollection on the representation he made on the legal processes in the Maintenance of Parents Act. Recollection of the Select committee on Land Transport Policy in 1990. [00:19:20] His motivation in practicing law. His work on the Legal Aid Bureau and giving legal services on a pro bono basis. The nature of legal issues faced by people who needed legal aid. Recollection of his trip to Japan as a student in University of Singapore. [00:24:05] His thoughts on the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony. His work in Inter-Religious Organization (IRO). [00:29:40] His view on appointing nominated Member of Parliament into the Cabinet. Recollection of his time as a student in the University of Singapore. [00:36:25] His views on the judiciary system in the community of Singapore. Reflections on his legal work. [00:43:00] Circumstances of his nomination to become a Nominated Member of Parliament.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 5
Metadata
- 30 May 2023
Recording Date
- 00:43:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Circumstances of interviewee becoming involvement in the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA). Key issues which affect the Indian Community during the time interviewee joined SINDA. [00:03:40] Interviewee’s recollection of the key personalities involved with SINDA. Recollections of JY Pillay and S Dhanabalan as SINDA president. [00:17:00] Recollection of the meetings in SINDA. [00:19:10] Interviewee’s involvement with Hindu Endowment Board (HEB). Recollection of the Hindu temples and its activities. Practices of Hinduism among the Hindu community in Singapore. [00:31:00] Views on the temples’ role in the Hindu community. Views on corporate governance of Hindu temples. Interviewee represented the HEB in the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO). Reflections on his community work.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 5
Metadata
- 30 Jun 2023
Recording Date
- 01:05:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee’s recollection of his participation in the hearing on the Elected Presidency. [00:02:45] His concerns on the Office of the Elected President. View on criteria for candidature. His recollection for the first Presidential election. View on walkovers. [00:14:00] Views on public transport and reasons for not owning a car. Reasons for preference to walk for short distance travels. Reasons for declining to join the Public Transport Council (PTC). View on society. [00:22:25] Recollection of his work with the Strata Titles Board. Issues concerning the en-bloc sales of properties. Discussion on the cases he was involved in. [00:29:35] His motivations for serving the public. Influence of his parents. Discussion on his role on the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents. Discussion on the cases on the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents. Discussion on his work as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP). Impressions of the Parliamentarians during his tenure as NMP. His recollection of the key political leaders like former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and former Finance Minister Richard Hu. His views on the term limit for NMP. His views on the progress of Singapore over the years. His last seating as NMP was in new Parliament House. [00:47:03] His views on parliamentary or political representations from diverse communities. Proposal of twinning system in parliament. [00:57:50] His views on the NMP scheme’s relevance to the Singapore political system. Reflections on his parliamentary career.
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