Govindasamy Pillai Part 2: 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.

References:
http://www.hsse.nie.edu.sg/staff/blackburn/SerangoonRoadLittleIndia.pdf
http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_262_2005-01-13.html