Yousuf Rowther Rajid’s book Journeys and Lessons was launched on Saturday, 15th February, at the Singapore Indian Association. The event was organised by the Tamil Pattimandra Kalai Kazhagam and supported by the Sree Narayana Mission.
The book shares the inspiring journeys of 10 accomplished leaders from the Indian community. It highlights the lives of Mr. S. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission, Mr. K. Karthikeyan, former nominated Member of Parliament, Mr. Manoharan Chakrapany, educationists Mr. Manoharan Subbaiah and Mrs. Pushpalatha Kathiravelu, Mr. Rajaram, legal trailblazer, Ms. Sarojini Pathmanathan, retired HR officer, Dr. Umarajan, healthcare innovator, Mr. Vishwa Sadasivan, journalist, and career consultant Dr. Jagabar Ali.
All funds raised from the book’s sales will be donated to the Sree Narayana Mission.
Mr. Vishwa Sadasivan commented that the history of a nation is embedded in the lives of its people.
Author Yousuf Rowther Rajid emphasised that the book was not merely about recounting the lives of these ten leaders, but about illustrating how their personal development contributed to the country’s growth, which in turn brought them greater recognition.
The event’s Guest of Honour, Dr. Mohammed Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, shared that everyone’s journey offers valuable lessons for future generations. He encouraged today’s youth to read books like this and use them to enrich their lives.
Signed copies of the book were presented to the leaders by Dr. Faishal, and after honouring the donors, additional copies were distributed to other guests.
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Chandini still regards her volunteering experience at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home at the age of 11 as a truly enlightening one.
Chandini Subramaniam observed that the elderly residents’ faces were often filled with longing, even though they were being cared for.
“I realised that some people felt their families were absent in showing love, even when they had food and comfort,” she said. It then occurred to her that she could form meaningful connections with those who longed for love.
At 21 years old, Chandini was honoured to receive the Gold Award from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the National Youth Achievement Awards ceremony. Chandini, who studied at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), is currently pursuing a Diploma in Nursing at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Born into a low-income family, Chandini shared that she understands the emotional and experiential pain of financial hardship.
Chandini looks after her siblings, particularly her brother, who uses a motorised wheelchair.
She mentioned that the experience of caring for her brother as his health declined instilled in her a sense of responsibility and resilience.
Her parents struggled to fully comprehend and meet the needs of their five children. Unlike her friends, Chandini couldn’t afford to buy things on a whim or travel abroad.
However, when she met other young people from similarly underprivileged backgrounds, she developed a strong desire to help them.
“I would like to strongly emphasise that financial deprivation should not diminish our sense of self-worth. We too are loved,” she said.
Chandini expressed with emotion that there could be no better role model than her mother, who instilled good values in her.
“She always works late into the night. She never gives up, even when she’s exhausted. My mother is a perfect example of patience during hardship,” said Chandini.
Chandini, who supports both the underprivileged and the elderly, also organised the ‘Pesta Upin’ programme for environmental protection.
She stated that by managing her time more effectively, she can work without distraction. By working attentively every day, she reduces wasted time and improves the quality of her work.
“The satisfaction I gain from my education, family care, and community service motivates me even more,” Chandini said with a smile.
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The recent visit of three ships from the Indian Navy has strengthened defence ties between Singapore and India, while also fostering deeper people-to-people connections. The ships—INS Sujatha, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera—were stationed at Changi Naval Base for three days as part of a long-range training programme in Southeast Asia
On Friday, 7 February, Indian Navy chefs prepared meals for all 300 residents and staff of Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home in Chong Pang, ensuring the food was vegetarian and made with the utmost care. Officers from the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) distributed the food to the nursing home residents.
Captain Saikat Chatterjee, Defence Adviser at the High Commission of India in Singapore, led the initiative. A spokesperson for the High Commission stated that the effort reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to giving back to the community.
S. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission, briefed the Indian Navy personnel on the nursing home’s activities. Indian Navy officers also engaged in discussions with the team managing the nursing home’s daily operations.
Mr. Devendran expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy and the High Commission of India for the initiative. “This is especially meaningful to me personally, as I was an international student at the National Defence College in India. The current Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, studied with me,” he said.
The visit of Indian naval ships to Singapore is viewed as an important step in strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries, while fostering a deeper mutual understanding between India and Singapore.
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