Recorded Message for Sree Narayana Mission’s Guru Jayanthi Celebrations

RECORDED MESSAGE BY MS INDRANEE RAJAH, MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, SECOND MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, FOR SREE NARAYANA MISSION’S GURU JAYANTHI CELEBRATIONS ON SATURDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2020

Greeting / Introduction

Good evening everyone.

It is a great pleasure and privilege to be here with you at Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore)’s first virtual Guru Jayanthi celebrations today. I would like to congratulate the Mission in commemorating Sree Narayana Guru’s 166th Birth Anniversary this year.

The celebration today embodies the contributions of Sree Narayana Guru in helping the community at large, regardless of race, language or religion. This resonates well with Singapore, a multi-racial society, who embraces unity in diversity.

The Mission also crossed its 70th milestone last year – a strong testimony to the good work they have been advocating in Singapore thus far. Today, SNM has made its mark in running the SNM Nursing Home, two Senior Care Centres, Meranti Home@Pelangi Village and the recently opened SNM Care Centre in Jalan Besar.

Supporting the Government’s Ecosystem for Seniors

1. 1. Our seniors have played a big role in shaping Singapore today. The Government has invested $3 billion from 2015 to 2019 to care for the healthcare needs of our seniors. By 2023, we hope to build more senior-friendly communities for our seniors to lead active and meaningful lives.
   2. Nursing homes like SNM play a very important role in helping seniors age in place. I am happy to know that SNM has also introduced the SNM Residents’ Committee to encourage empowerment amongst residents. This provides them the opportunity to make decisions on behalf of residents for the home.
   3. I am positive that SNM will continue to support the Government in building a strong ecosystem for our seniors.

Advancing with Technology

1. 1. Since the start of the year, we have been grappling with COVID-19. Singapore went through Circuit Breaker, and we had to take cautious steps to curtail the virus from spreading within the community.

This also brought senior-centric activities to a halt and visitations in Nursing Homes were temporarily put on hold in the interest of the seniors.

In order to carry on with the new norm, most healthcare organisations leveraged on technology such to ensure that seniors continue to keep mentally active, and keep next-of-kin regularly posted on the well-being of their loved ones.

This year’s celebration is also a good example of how technology can be used to bring a community together – A first virtual celebration for SNM.

Though making the digital leap may seem like a big hurdle, getting seniors to embrace technology during this pandemic is certainly admirable. With safe distancing measures likely here to stay, digitalisation offers us a way to continue living life to the fullest.

The Giving Culture

1. 1. The pandemic has also brought together great participation from the community. I am heartened to see the immense support coming from individuals to organisations – the emerging of a giving culture towards #SGunited.
   2. 6. On that same note, the government will continue to support the community in building a stronger giving culture. At the 2020 Budget announcement this year, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and National Council of Social Service will set up the Community Capability Trust to fundraise and support our social service sector partners in enhancing their capabilities and capacities to serve the community.

Building Stronger Partnerships for Greater Good

1. 1. As a charitable organisation, it is very important to build strong partnership within the community, especially during a pandemic situation like the present. This is also part of the government’s Transformation and Growth efforts.
   2. It is through working together with like-minded partners that greater good for the community can be achieved to help strengthen capabilities and governance.
   3. I am glad to know that SNM has also reached out to the community through its slew of community programmes to motivate and help beneficiaries develop new skills.

In Conclusion

1. This evening, apart from the wonderful performances you will be watching, I hope you take some time to appreciate the efforts of the Mission.
2. They have done tremendously well over the years, playing a part in our healthcare sector as well as the community. Safeguarding the wellbeing of seniors is a collective effort, and each of us can play our part to support one another.
3. I thank all of you for working together to make Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) a trusted charitable organisation and wish you a wonderful evening ahead.