Today is the 50th anniversary since Maldivians formed the second republic. On such a day it is important to remember the services of the founder of the second republic Former President Ibrahim Nasir. One of the most remarkable achievement of his is that even though he governed the country for 21 years, 11 years as the Prime Minister and 10 years as the president, the Maldives was never in debt to any country by the time he left office.
It was not because, there weren’t people willing to lend. Even without loans, he conducted various projects for the development of the nation. In 1961 English medium schools were opened in the Maldives. In 1976 A-Level examinations were offered for the first time. In the following year, atoll education centers were opened to further expand English medium studies. In 1963 nurses were being trained and in 1965 a health center was opened in Naifaru, which is the first health center outside Male’.
In 1967 a hospital was opened in Male’ which was considered modern at the time. In 1972 tourism was introduced in the Maldives. In 1974 fishing boats were mechanized and in 1978 Felivaru cannery was opened. In 1967 the national shipping line of Maldives was an internationally recognized shipping line.
President Nasir also introduced telecommunications services in the Maldives, connecting Maldives to the outside world. He also deported the Indian merchants which had a monopoly in the Maldives.
He also introduced TV and banking services in the Maldives. There are books which gives an accourate account of President Nasir’s services to the Maldives. He achieved all these things without taking a single loan. He did not plunge the country into debt or begged any country. He protected the independence and sovereignty of the country and it was his utmost priority.
