Tarun Das, an Indian leader and pivot figure for fostering Singapore-India relations, was conferred the prestigious Honorary Citizen Award by Singapore on Jan. 15.
The award, presented by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a ceremony in New Delhi, is the highest honor Singapore bestows upon a non-citizen for exceptional contributions to its growth and development.
The Honorary Citizen Award, conferred by the Singapore Government since 2003, recognizes non-Singaporeans who have made significant contributions to the country in areas such as business, technology, education, and more. It is the highest national honor for a non-citizen and is awarded for life.
After receiving the award, Das said, “I am deeply honored and privileged to be selected by the Singapore Government to receive the Honorary Citizen Award. My journey with Singapore started 31 years ago and I have seen the "Singapore-India Fever", reflecting a multi-faceted partnership, evolve and grow over the years. A source of great happiness for me.”
It is a great honour for me to receive Singapore’s Honorary Citizen Award from the President of Singapore @Tharman_S , as India & Singapore are celebrating 60 years of its diplomatic relations. Thank you !@SGinIndia @HCI_Singapore @FollowCII @AnantaAspen @Sasakawa_India pic.twitter.com/m25avgRLjT
— Tarun Das (@tarundas1939) January 15, 2025
Das, the former Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has been a steadfast advocate for Singapore in India for over three decades.
His efforts began in 1993 when he led a delegation of Indian industrialists to Singapore, catalyzing a robust partnership during India’s economic liberalization. He played a key role in establishing enduring initiatives like the India-Singapore Strategic Dialogue and annual CII Core Group visits to Singapore, which have significantly deepened economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
Furthermore, in his acceptance remarks, Das expressed gratitude, reflecting on his 31-year journey with Singapore and the evolution of their multifaceted partnership.
For his lifelong dedication to strengthening bilateral relations, Das has previously been honored with Singapore’s Public Service Medal in 2004. This latest recognition cements his legacy as a bridge-builder between India and Singapore.
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