A draft of the pledge-
In 1954, S. Rajaratnam Co-founded the PAP(Peoples Action Party) together with Lee Kwan Yew and Goh Keng Swee.Since 1959, PAP has always been the governing body, even up to today. He was popular and gained a lot of support. He wanted Singapore to be a multiracial city, with people of different races, religions and languages living in harmony.together. He also wanted Singapore to be a Global city. Like what it is now.
He did many things in parliament- He was Minister for culture(1959), Minister for Foreign Affairs (1965-1980), Minister for Labour (1968-1971), and Second Deputy Prime Minister (1980-1985).
When Singapore gained independence in 1965,he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. He helped Singapore to be part of the United nations. He established diplomacy with other countries too. He was one of the founding fathers of ASEAN, as he wanted to have good relationships with neighboring countries.
S. Rajaratnam is most renowned for writing the National Pledge. It was written two years after the race riots."One united people, regardless of race, language or religion." Was what he wrote.
In his years as labor minister, he implemented harsh laws to restore the economy. Foreign firms began to invest in Singapore . There was good healthcare, pensions, housing and a very low unemployment rate.
S. Rajaratnam passed away in 2006 but his legacy will always be remembered. Books have been written on him and in Raffles Institution, theres a 7 storey block named after him
S. Rajaratnam played a key role in the history of singapore as he believed in a democratic, multiracial society. He also changed the mindset of many Singaporeans in the area of labor. Without him, Singaporeans might not be as acceptive of other races. We might not have such strong ties with other nations or such a good economy. And of course, the pledge we recite every day. I think we should ponder and think every time we recite it and not just unmeaningfully say it because it has a strong meaning and representation of the country
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