Tharman Shanmugaratnam has recently been elected as the President of Singapore. Let us tell you some facts about him.
Early Life of Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is a Singaporean statesman and economist who was recently elected as the president of Singapore. He was born on February 25, 1957, in Singapore to a Tamil father and a Chinese mother. Tharman studied economics at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, and Harvard University.
Political Career of Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Tharman has had a long and distinguished career in politics and economics. Prior to being elected as president, he served as Senior Minister of Singapore between 2019 and 2023, Coordinating Minister for Social Policies between 2015 and 2023, and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore between 2011 and 2023. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019, Finance Minister, and Minister for Education.
Tharman is known for his technocratic skills and his commitment to social justice. He is a strong advocate for social cohesion and racial harmony, and he is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable society. In his victory speech, Tharman said that he would be a president for all Singaporeans, regardless of race, religion, or background. He promised to work hard to unite the country and to address the challenges facing Singapore, such as the rising cost of living and the aging population.
Family Life of Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Tharman is married to Jane Yumiko Ittogi, a former lawyer and social worker of Japanese descent. They have four children. Tharman’s election as Singapore’s first Indian-origin president is a historic milestone.
In addition to his work in Singapore, Tharman has also led various high-level international councils and panels. He currently chairs the Board of Trustees of the Group of Thirty, a global council of economic and financial leaders from the public and private sectors and academia. He also co-chairs the Global Commission on the Economics of Water with Ngozi Owonjo-Iweala, Mariana Mazzucato, and Johan Rockström. Its initial recommendations helped shape the outcomes of the UN Water Conference in March 2023. Tharman has also been co-chairing the G20 High-Level Independent Panel on Global Financing for Pandemic Preparedness and Response alongside Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Lawrence Summers since 2021.
Conclusion
Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s election as president marks a new chapter in Singapore’s history. With his experience, expertise, and commitment to building a better future for all Singaporeans, he is well-positioned to lead the country forward.
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