Ambassador Chandra Das
IHFS – Excellence Award For Labour Movement
Sitaram Chandra Das, commonly known as S. Chandra Das, was born in 1939 and has made remarkable contributions to Singapore over the past 40 years, impacting government, business, and the Indian community at large. His political career includes notable service as a Member of Parliament for the People’s Action Party, where he represented Chong Boon from 1980 to 1988 and Cheng San Group Representation Constituency (GRC) from 1988 to 1996.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics: S. Chandra Das graduated from the University of Singapore in 1965, laying a strong foundation for his career in public service and business.
Certificate in Education: He began his professional journey with a Certificate in Education, obtained from the Teachers Training College in 1960, which underscores his commitment to education and community service.
Government Career
He embarked on a distinguished career in the public sector, marked by several key positions:
Economic Development Board (EDB): He initiated his career with the EDB, where his talents led him to ascend to the role of Chairman of the Trade Development Board.
Trade Representative to the USSR: Notably, he was Singapore’s first Trade Representative to the USSR from 1970 to 1972, playing a crucial role in fostering international trade relations.
Government Parliamentary Committee Roles: He served as Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, contributing to national security and international relations.
Government Feedback Unit: His leadership extended to the Government Feedback Unit, where he worked to integrate public feedback into policy-making.
Diplomatic Roles: S. Chandra Das served as Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Turkey from 2006 to 2015 and was appointed as Non-Resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in 2015, further enhancing Singapore’s diplomatic presence.
Business Career
Transitioning from public service, Chandra Das established a thriving career in the private sector:
Entrepreneurship: He founded NUR Investment & Trading Pte Ltd. and serves as its Managing Director, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit.
Corporate Governance: He actively participates on the boards of several publicly listed companies, contributing his expertise in governance and strategic direction.
NTUC Co-operatives Involvement: Since 1972, he has been an integral part of NTUC Co-operatives, serving as Chairman of NTUC Fairprice from 1993 to 2005, leading initiatives to improve the welfare of workers and consumers alike.
Community Service
S. Chandra Das is a stalwart in community development, particularly within the Indian community:
Singapore Indian Welfare Association: He co-founded this organization to tackle social issues faced by Indians in Singapore and to promote their welfare and social integration.
SINDA Trustee: His appointment as a life trustee of SINDA (Singapore Indian Development Association) further underscores his commitment to self-help initiatives within the community.
Tamil Murasu Leadership: As Chairman of the national Tamil daily, Tamil Murasu, from 2005 to 2017, he spearheaded efforts to fortify the Tamil language and culture. He also introduced the English weekly, Tabla!, to cater to the non-Tamil-speaking Indian populace.
Honors and Awards
He has been recognized for his exemplary service and contributions:
Public Service Star: This prestigious award from the Singapore government reflects his dedication to public service.
Friend of Labour Award and Distinguished Service (Star) Award: Received from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in recognition of his contributions to labour welfare.
International Honors: He was awarded the Golden Cross of Merit of Poland, and received the President’s Medal from the Singapore Australian Business Council.
Honorary Doctorates: He has been conferred honorary doctorates by the University of Newcastle (Australia) and St. John’s University (New York), highlighting his impactful contributions to society and education.
Other Positions
Pro-Chancellor of NTU: Since 2007, he has served as Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he continues to influence the educational landscape.
Family Status
Chandra Das is married to Rosie Pillai, and together they have two children, fostering a family devoted to public service and community development.
References
NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. “Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award 2019.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. “MFA Press Statement: Appointment of High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa and Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.” May 28, 2015.
This enhanced profile reflects the depth of S. Chandra Das’s contributions while maintaining the integrity of the original facts.