The Indian community in Singapore has bid farewell to one of its most respected elder statesmen and leaders. Mr Shriniwas Rai, former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP), founding member of the Hindi Society and a steadfast champion of Gandhian values, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan 18. He was 83.
Born in March 1943 in Kanaicha, a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district, Mr Rai arrived in Singapore at the age of 10. A bright student, he went on to study law at the University of Singapore and built a distinguished legal career that spanned over five decades. Remarkably, he continued practising law until his final days – never officially retiring.
A Life Devoted to Public Service
Mr Rai’s impact extended far beyond the courtroom. Appointed as an NMP (1997–1999), he brought to Parliament a voice of reason, compassion, and cultural insight. He was instrumental in raising issues concerning minority communities, education, and cultural preservation.
His contributions to the Indian community were far-reaching. He played a key role in the formative years of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), serving as its Secretary and helping to lay strong institutional foundations. A deeply spiritual man, Mr Rai also served with quiet dedication on the Hindu Advisory Board and other civic organisations.
Champion of Hindi and Cultural Identity
One of Mr Rai’s most enduring contributions was his role in founding the Hindi Society (Singapore) in 1988, alongside Mr Kailash Rai and Mr S.K. Tiwari. Their tireless advocacy led to Hindi being recognised as a second language in Singapore’s national education system. Thanks to their efforts, Hindi can now be studied from PSLE through A-Levels – a milestone for linguistic and cultural inclusion.
In recognition of his lifelong devotion to the language, Mr Rai was awarded the Hindi Society’s highest honour, the Hindi Ratna, in 2024.
“I had the privilege of meeting Rai Sahib on many occasions, and was consistently impressed by his impassioned yet objective approach, his forward-looking perspectives, and his thoughtful insights on the matters we discussed” said Mr Mahendra Prasad Rai, president of The Hindi Society (Singapore). “These qualities left a lasting impression on all who interacted with him.”
“Despite his many leadership roles and professional achievements, Mr Rai remained a simple humble and unassuming person, deeply respected for his sincerity and quiet grace. A steadfast champion of Hindi, he devoted himself to preserving and promoting the language as a vital expression of cultural identity.”
As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Mr Rai was instrumental in preserving and revitalising the iconic Race Course Lane site. Working closely with the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS), he helped transform the building into the SIFAS Annexe – ensuring the Mahatma’s ideals of service and non-violence lived on.
Mr K.V. Rao, President of SIFAS, said: “He was a true Gandhian in thought and action. He quietly slipped a donation cheque into my pocket and said, ‘You all are doing a good job.’ That was Shriniwas Rai – always kind, always generous, always helpful.”
Humility, Scholarship and Quiet Leadership
Despite his senior roles and accolades, Mr Rai remained a figure of humility. Often seen walking or taking the bus despite his means, he embodied the Gandhian principle of simplicity. Friends and colleagues remember him as calm, thoughtful, and deeply wise – a “statesman without pretence” and a “scholar with humility”.
His scholarship extended to his love for the Hindi language and his cultural curiosity. One of his proudest works was a book exploring the linguistic connections between Hindi and Malay – a testament to his belief that languages are bridges between communities.
Mr Rai is survived by his wife Ratneshwari Devi, son Satish Rai, daughter Suchitra Rai, son-in-law Dhruv Jain, and granddaughter Dishani Rai Jain. His son Satish, himself a lawyer, described his father as “a wonderful father and teacher… always there for us, and always helping the downtrodden.”
In the words of former civil servant, diplomat, businessman, and community leader Haider Sithawalla: “Shriniwas Rai was dedicated and humble. He lived by Gandhian ideals and was always ready to talk to people – especially the underprivileged.”
Mr Rai’s funeral was held at Mandai Crematorium on Jan 19, 2026.
santosh@sph.com.sg
