PM Modi Cheers for Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s Big Win in Singapore

PM Narendra Modi gave a virtual high-five to Tharman Shanmugaratnam for becoming the new president of Singapore. Modi said he’s super excited to work with Mr. Tharman to make the friendship between India and Singapore even stronger.

Tharman was the star player in the election, winning by a huge margin on Friday. At 66 years old, Tharman isn’t just an amazing economist; he’s also going to be Singapore’s ninth president. And guess what? He won the race with an impressive 70.4% of the votes!

The Tharman Shanmugaratnam Tale

Once Upon a Time in Singapore…

Imagine this: you’re on a football team made up of players from all sorts of backgrounds. Some speak different languages, and some have different talents. And, you’ve got a guy like Tharman Shanmugaratnam on your team. You see, Tharman isn’t your average Joe. Born to a Tamil father and a Chinese mother, he was already a blend of cultures from the get-go.

How Tharman Became a Brainiac

Tharman started his education at the Anglo-Chinese School, sort of like the Hogwarts for smart kids in Singapore. From there, he took his broomstick (well, not really, he probably took a plane) to the London School of Economics. Imagine that as the big leagues, the World Cup of brainpower! Not only did he score a goal there by getting a degree, but they also gave him an Honorary Fellowship. That’s like being the Most Valuable Player!

Flying Further to Harvard

But wait, the story doesn’t end there. He hopped across the pond to the United States, attending Harvard Kennedy School, which is like the Olympics for future leaders. He didn’t just win a medal; he got the Lucius N. Littauer Fellows Award, a trophy given to super-duper smarty-pants.

Climbing the Job Ladder

After filling his trophy cabinet, Tharman went back to Singapore to join the Monetary Authority of Singapore, or MAS for short. That’s like being a manager of a big toy store, but for money! He climbed up the ladder so fast; he became the boss, the Chairman of MAS! He also had a key role when the world’s money went bonkers in 2008; sort of like fixing a huge LEGO tower that was about to topple over.

Mr. President, Here He Comes!

In July 2023, Tharman decided it was time to be the captain of the whole team, so he ran for President. And guess what? He WON! Even India’s PM Modi gave him a virtual high-five through X. PM Modi said on X, “I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership.”

What Does This Mean for Us?

This win is like a huge cake with the words “Unity is Strength” written on it. It shows that no matter where you’re from or what languages you speak, you can still be the leader of the team. Tharman is a walking, talking lesson that diversity is a superpower!

The End of the Tale, But Just the Start for Tharman

And there you have it! The story of how Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a mix of cultures and genius, became the President of Singapore. This is the beginning of what could be a thrilling chapter, like when Harry Potter found out he was a wizard!

Do-It-Yourself Activities

1. Learn a New Language!

Steps:

1. Download a language learning app like Duolingo.
2. Choose a language you want to learn.
3. Practice for 10 minutes every day.

Learning Outcome:

• You’ll learn new words and phrases, just like how Tharman knows four languages!

2. Write a Mini Story

Steps:

1. Open a note-taking app on your smartphone.
2. Think of a character and a place.
3. Write a short story in less than 50 words.
4. Get your creativity showcased on Curious Times Platform.
5. Write, Showcase and Impress!

Learning Outcome:

• You’ll improve your creativity and writing skills, kind of like we did telling Tharman’s story!

There you go, tiny titans! You’ve got some fun activities to try, and a super interesting story to inspire you. Off you go, onto your own adventures!