Singapore, Aug 9 (IANS) Former Singapore president S.R. Nathan, who is of Indian origin, has been conferred the city state's highest honour, the Order of the Temasek, First Class.

The announcement came Thursday on the eve of its National Day.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, while congratulating Nathan, said that the honour was in appreciation of his varied contributions to the nation, the local media reported.

Nathan served two terms from 1999 to 2011.

Of Tamil descent, he was born Sellapan Ramanathan in Singapore July 3, 1924.

According to the Singaporre president's website, Nathan received his early education in the Anglo-Chinese Primary and Middle School, Rangoon Road Afternoon School and Victoria School.