P. Govindasamy Pillai

P. Govindasamy Pillai (b. 1887, Mayavaram, Tamil Nadu, India - d. 1980), popularly known as PGP, a well-known and successful South Indian businessman who established the string of PGP stores. He was also a noted philanthropist, the biggest donor to Perumal Temple, founder-member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce set up in 1937, founder of the Ramakrishna Mission and a Justice of the Peace in 1939.

Early life
Pillai grew up in an Indian village of Koorainadu, Mayavaram, Tanjore District,Tamil Nadu. In his teens, he ran away from home and boarded a ship to Singapore, landing at Tanjong Pagar in 1905.

After many unsuccessful attempts looking for a job, he gained employment at a provision store at 50 Serangoon Road. It was a backbreaking job starting before dawn and ending after midnight. He was given no wages, only food and accommodation. However, it was during this time that he learnt to run a business, knowledge that would put him in good stead later.

Businessman
In 1929, he went back to India and returned with his young wife, 15 year-old Packkiriammal. On his return from Singapore, he found himself without a job as the provision store was put up for sale on the owner's demise. Pillai turned the occasion into an opportunity and bought the shop instead. He borrowed S$2,000 from the chettiars or Indian moneylenders and started a business selling spices, oils and grains. At first, he named the store Dhanalakshmi Stores, after his eldest daughter, and later changed it to P. Govindasamy Pillai or PGP Stores.

Being thrifty and frugal, he managed to save enough to invest in properties and to start other businesses such as textile shops, flour and spice mills. PGP saree shops were popular and his sons later expanded this business. The Little India Arcade currently occupies the place where P. Govindasamy Pillai saree shop and supermarket once stood. He also invested in properties in Serangoon Road, Race Course Road and Buffalo Road.

Pillai was one of the few successful South Indian businessmen and managed to build two houses in Campbell Lane and later in Race Course Road. During the Japanese occupation, Pillai and his family escaped the horrors of war for they were in India but his property and goods were confiscated. He returned to Singapore in 1945 and started all over again. He expanded his business across the Causeway and opened PGP stores in Malacca and Johor.

He retired in 1963, handing over the family business, valued at S$3 million to his children. After the death of his youngest son, his daughter-in law managed the PGP stores. It ran into huge debts and was closed down in 1998.

Philanthropist
Pillai died of heart attack in 1980 at the age of 93.  He is most remembered for his generosity and charity. A pious Hindu, he donated a large sum to the Sri Perumal Temple to build a S$425,000 Gopuram or an entranceway to the Temple and the first Indian wedding hall which bears his name -- Govindasamy Pillai Kalyanamandabam. The first wedding to be solemnised here was his granddaughter's to his son Ramakrishnan.

In 1952, a new home for the Ramakrishna Mission at Bartley Road was built with his generous donation. He also donated to many other institutions including University of Malaya, Indian Association and Gandhi Memorial Hall.

On 28 February 2001, Singapore Post released stamps featuring Pillai in recognition of his contributions to Singapore and the Indian Community.

Family
Wife: Packkiriammal
Sons: Ramachandran, Ramakrishnan, Danabalan
Daughters: Dhanalaskhmi, Rukumani, Pushpa, Shanbhagavalli



Author
Sitragandi Arunasalam



References 
Doggett, M. K. (1985). Characters of light (p. 61). Singapore: Times Books International
(Call no.: RSING 722 4095957 DOG) 

Lee, G. B. (2002). The religious monuments of Singapore: Faiths of our forefathers (p. 27). Singapore: Landmark Books.
(Call no.: SING 726.095957 LEE)

Liu, G. (1996). In granite and chunam: The national monuments of Singapore (p. 124). Singapore: Landmark Books.
(Call no.: RSING 725.94095957 LIU)

Morais, J. V. (1963). The who's who in Malaysia 1963 (p. 210). Kuala Lumpur: Solai Press.
(Call no.: RCLOS 920.0595 WWM)

Samuel, D. S. (1991). Singapore's heritage: Through places of historical interest (p. 207). Singapore: Elixir Consultancy Service.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 SAM)

Boo, K. (1999, September 24). Simple, generous, wise. The Straits Times, Home, p. 47.

Boo, K. (1999, September 24). End of an era. The Straits Times, Home, p. 47.

S'pore pioneers to be featured on new stamps. (2001, February 22). The Straits Times, Home, p. 9.

The runway who became textile king. (1989, March 10). The Straits Times, section 2, p. 6 .

P. Govindasamy Pillai. (1986, May 4). The Straits Times, p. 12.  



The information in this article is valid as at 2003 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject.  Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Community Leaders
Businesspeople--Singapore
Philanthropists--Singapore
People and communities>>Social groups and communities
Business, finance and industry>>Business organization>>Business enterprises

Librarian Recommendations
>> Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
>> Sri Ramakrishna Mission


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