Your Excellency

We are happy that you have been elected the third President
of our Republic. Greater is our pride.

The path from bondage to freedom stretches like a story of
trials and tribulations, courage and sacrifices.

The struggle to nationhood is a heroic epic of a passionate
inspiration, which consumed the body, and the soul of a nation.

Today, looking back at that long , narrow and winding road behind us:

We see a man, noble, great and strong who stood fast to the
ideals he held near and dear to his heart even in the dark
cold solitude of the colonial cells.

We see a patriot with the fire and fury of the young
and the restless, a revolutionary prepared to forgo the
pleasures of his own life for the dreams he cherished of
a glorious morrow for his country.

We see a born leader of the people, a fearless and
an outspoken nationalist, holding his head high, defying
pressures and persuasions and threats of retribution..

Then came Independence.
Crisis after crisis faced the nation.
From every comer of the globe, we heard again and again
the prophets of doom predicting the collapse of our infant nation.

During those transitional days at the cross roads of our destiny:

You were in charge of the Herculean task of transforming
the organised labour movement from its militant past
into a pragmatic and constructive new force in nation building.

You were an invaluable guide, friend and philosopher
to those who were responsible for the crucial decisions which
re-wrote our fate and re-shaped the future of our children.

You were an architect of hope and vision who left his
indelible mark in the blueprints for peace, prosperity and progress of our nation.

Against the backdrop of this turbulent period of our history,
the saga of your colouful life brightens the corridors of our
journey through the perils of yesterday to the promises of tomorrow.

It is as the nation's gratitude and recognition of your contributions
and services that the Presidency of the country was bestowed
upon you.

Dear Mr. President

On your elevation to the highest office of our Republic,
we, the SingaporeMalayalees, offer to you our very best wishes.

Please accept our congratulations.



Shangri - La Hotel

Singapore 23 January 1982


(Written by M K Bhasi)

Devan Nair died on 6 December 2005 in Ontario,Canada.