Govindasamy Pillai: Brief Biography

P. Govindasamy Pillai, or popularly known as PGP, was born in Koorainadu, Mayavaram, Tanjore District,Tamil Nadu in 1887 and died in 1980. He was a successful businessman and a well-known philantropist. He was donated a lot to Perumal Temple and he was also a founder-member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce set up in 1937. He founded the Ramakrishna Mission and was a Justice of the Peace in 1939.

He ran away from home in his teens and came to Singapore by ship in 1905. He searched long and hard for a job and finally found one at a provision store. Unfortunately, he had to work throughout the day and past midnight. He was not paid; only given food and a place to stay. However, this job provided him with the knowledge that he would need to run a business.

He went back to India in 1929 with his new wife. When he returned to Singapore, he was dismayed to find out that he had lost his job as the owner of the provision store had passed away and the store was put up for sale. He took the advantage of the situation by buying the shop with some money he had borrowed from the chettiars (Indian moneylenders).

He originally named the shop Dhanalakhshmi Stores but later changed the name of the store to P. Govindasamy Pillai Stores or PGP Stores. He sold oils, spices and grains. He lived frugally and saved up enough money to start more shops. He also invested in properties.

He and his family managed to escape the second-world-war but he had to start from scratch when he came back to Singapore in 1945 as all of his goods and properties had been taken away. However, he did not give up. He expanded his business over the Causeway and prospered.

He retired in 1963 and his family managed the store until 1998, when it had to close down due to enormous debts. When he died of a heart attack at the age of 93, an Indian community leader said,” The Indian community will mourn the loss of a grand patriarch of old whose like Singapore will not see again.” Govindasamy Pillai's shared what he had with the poor. He always maintained that more Indians should settle in Singapore.

Govindasamy Pillai: Contributions

Govindasamy Pillai was a great philanthropist. He is remembered for his generosity and charity.

In 1966, the Sri Perumal Temple was renovated. However, it did not have a Gopuram (an entranceway). Govindasamy Pillai donated $425 000 to build one in 1975. A few years back, he also donated money to construct an Indian wedding hall in the same temple. The wedding hall had his name, Govindasamy Pillai Kalyanamandabam, on it.

In 1952, a home for the Ramakrishna Mission was built at Bartley Road using the money he had donated. He also helped to rebuild the Sri Veerama Kaliamman temple in 1976.

How did all of these contributions help Singapore? Firstly, if it was not for his kindness and generosity, several temples would not be the way they are today. For example, if Mr Pillai decided not to spend his money on Sri Perumal Temple, it would not have the Gopuram and the Indian wedding hall. Maybe it would have to close due to a lack of money.

Then what about the people that go to it to worship? They would have to search for another temple which would be troublesome. A little donation goes a long way. Mr Pillai’s donation could have made it more convenient for people to find a place for worship. He was a rich man, but he spent his money in a way people in today’s society would never have.

Also, Govindasamy made economic contributions. His shops sold items that could be traded easily at that time so when more people bought things from his shop, they might trade them. This would encourage traders to come to Singapore to trade. When more traders came to Singapore, there would be more goods being brought in and circulated. This would encourage even more traders to come to Singapore. This means Singapore would prosper.

Govindasamy Pillai : Suggestion for Monument

A monument should be erected to recognise Govindasamy Pillai’s contributions. It should be erected at the junction of Serangoon Road and Syed Alwi Road. This is in Little India, where Mr Pillai first started working. It is also near the centre of Little India, as Mr Pillai should be considered the father of Indian entrepreneurs in Singapore. He should be the ‘centre’ of the Indian community.

Proposed Monument

The monument, as shown in the picture above, is made out of the ‘aum’ symbol and a pile of spices, oils and grains. The ‘aum’ symbol, also called pranava, is an important symbol in Hinduism. Mr Pillai was a pious Hindu and he donated money to a lot of Hindu temples. The pile of spices, oils and grains represent Mr Pillai’s humble beginning as a owner of a shop that sold spices, oils and grains.

Govindasamy Pillai: Reflections

I feel that this ACE assignment has been very useful. Through this assignment, I have gained more knowledge about one of Singapore's immigrants: Govindasamy Pillai. This assignment has given me the chance to learn how to source for information on the internet better. I have also learned to think creatively when i had to think of a monument to draw. Though the initial process was tiring, it paid of in the end. I learnt more about Govindasamy Pillai and i think that this is a good alternative to learning things from a textbook. However, much time has to be spent on this assignment and i think that fewer things should be needed. For example, maybe the biography should not be required and the person that has to be researched on should be a more well-known person so that it will be easier to search for information.

Govindasamy Pillai : Bibliography

References:

http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_262_2005-01-13.html
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/singapore/facts_old_singapore/353/singapore8217s_tamil_pioneer_mr_p_govindasamy.php
http://www.hsse.nie.edu.sg/staff/blackburn/SerangoonRoadLittleIndia.pdf
http://www.microsite.nl.sg/PDFs/BiblioAsia/BIBA_0303Oct07a.pdf
http://www.lcsi.smu.edu.sg/downloads/SharifahMaisharahTracingSingaporesSocialSector.pdf
http://hinduism.iskcon.com/lifestyle/806.htm
http://www.organicvirtues.com/images/BW2992.jpg
http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/images/8001/inline_aum-symbol.jpg
http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_main.php?zonename=Little+India

And all other sources which have helped in the making of this website but could not be listed.