P. Govindasamy Pillai (Tamil: பி கோவிந்தசாமி பிள்ளை; 1887 – 21 July 1980), better known as PGP, was a revered successful South Indian businessman and philanthropist in Singapore.
He was regarded as one of Singapore’s early pioneers who helped shaped the nation-state by creating a once-famous chain called PGP stores during the 1900s which expanded to Johor Bahru and Malacca.
[1] Pillai was also highly regarded for his contributions to the South Indian community in Singapore, particularly his donations to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.
[3] It did not take long for Pillai’s ventures to grow again, this time they expanded to areas, including wholesaling and distribution.
[1] It is worth mentioning that this did not deter him from having a strong rapport with the British community in Singapore who held key positions in shipping, banking, and trading establishments, with whom he conversed in Malay.
[1] After stepping down from his business in 1963 and bequeathing the family venture worth S$3 million to his children, Pillai's sons opted to broaden the enterprise owing to the immense success of his saree shops.
[4] Initially situated in the area that now houses Little India Arcade, the PGP saree shop and supermarket were run by his daughter-in-law following the death of his youngest son, Dhanabalan.
[7] Pillai gave a generous donation and land to help construct the building at Bartley Road for the Mission to be based.
[7] Today, the Ramakrishna Mission of Singapore still remains a prominent charitable organization committed to helping those in need.
[7] Around late 1951 and early 1952, the Association came up with a plan to help people of providing funds to those who were unemployed because they were terminally ill or old.
[7] A small committee was set up to oversee the collection of funds to build a hospice for these people under the Singapore Indian Association.
[7] Pillai was a devout Hindu, donating a large sum of money to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple’s redevelopment works in the 1960s.
[4] The temple located in 387 Serangoon Road was renovated to include an entranceway tower, known as the gopuram, and the construction of a wedding hall.
[2] The hall officially opened its doors in 19 June 1965, by the first president of Singapore, Yusof bin Ishak.
[2] Pillai felt very personal about his endeavours so much so that the first wedding to happen in this hall was that of his son Ramakrishnan and granddaughter.
[4] Pillai's generosity extended beyond the Indian community, and he was actively involved in various philanthropic endeavours, supporting diverse sectors and ethnicities in Singapore.
[1] Pillai was born and raised in an Indian village called Koorainadu, in Mayavaram where it was part of the Tanjore District.
[7] As it was his first time in a foreign country with no familiar faces around, he was lost and ended up walking for eight hours until he reached Potong Pasir.