Remembering the 'people's president'

Former Cabinet minister S. Dhanabalan greeting Mr S R Nathan's wife, Madam Urmila Nandey, at a tribute session by the Indian community for the former president who died on Aug 22. One of seven speakers who gave eulogies at the event yesterday, Mr Dha
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Former Cabinet minister S. Dhanabalan greeting Mr S R Nathan's wife, Madam Urmila Nandey, at a tribute session by the Indian community for the former president who died on Aug 22.

One of seven speakers who gave eulogies at the event yesterday, Mr Dhanabalan shared how Mr Nathan, whom he described as "the people's president", used to stroll ahead of Madam Urmila at functions.

"He did this not to register the fact that he's the boss, but to scan the faces of people as they walked in or out, to acknowledge with a nod, a smile, a greeting, a hand gesture or a handshake, those whom he recognised," said Mr Dhanabalan.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 09, 2016, with the headline Remembering the 'people's president'. Subscribe