SREE NARAYANA MISSION HOME: A PLEA FOR DONATIONS
In the realm of sky so high,
Where thoughts and dreams freely fly,
A call to hearts, I hereby imply,
For Narayana Guru, let your kindness amplify.
Generosity blooms, do not be shy,
Extend a helping hand, oh my,
Your donation’s grace won’t ever die,
Igniting hope, like stars in the sky.
Predictable plea, a necessary sigh,
Yet your benevolence we rely,
With open hearts, we can’t deny,
Together we soar, you and I.
For the Guru’s cause, let compassion signify,
Your gift, a beacon, let it signify,
With deep gratitude, we gratify,
A heartfelt THANK YOU, reaching the sky.
By R Asokan
A QUESTION OF FAITH!
A VERY SHORT STORY (IN MEMORY OF A FRIEND)
G.P.Sasidharan
As soon as Jerry Lim walked through the gates of Heaven, the first person he wanted to meet was God himself. Not far from the Pearly Gates, he met an angel, who welcomed him warmly. Jerry thanked the angel but gratitude was furthest from his mind.
“I need to speak to God!” he began urgently. “I need to know why I’ve been brought here so early. Couldn’t HE have waited a decade or two? I have a wife and two young children. God has not been fair to me. Why? Why?”
The angel put a calming hand on his shoulder and said, “God works in mysterious ways. He gives no reason as to how and beckons people here.”
“I understand. But why me? My wife is a homemaker. My children are still in school. They need a father. They need my love and support. And I’m certain that you’re aware of the manner in which I was brought here.”
The angel smiled and replied, “I understand your concerns Mr Lim. Come walk with me and I’ll show you some of the people in Heaven and how they have arrived here.” Jerry nodded and went along.
As they walked, the angel pointed to a smiling, young lady and said, “That is Fang Mingzhu. Doesn’t she look happy? She’s only thirty years old. She arrived here just a fortnight ago after having suffered from cancer, for the last two years. She left behind her husband and a son who’s just three.” Lim was speechless.
As they continued walking, the angel pointed to a cheerful twelve year old boy and said, “That’s Osman Abdullah. He arrived here recently, after having been knocked down by a speeding car, just outside his school. The drunken driver who was responsible for Osman’s death, walked off after a few months in jail and a lengthy ban from driving. Can you imagine the trauma and anguish Osman’s parents would have undergone? Incidentally, he is from your country, Singapore.” Lim’s eyes welled up as he murmured, “Poor Osman! Like me, he’ll miss celebrating our nation’s bicentennial too.”
As they continued walking, the angel introduced him to Dr Robert Stout and Vijayan, a mechanic, who were having an animated chat. They greeted Jerry and the angel, before moving on.
“You know Mr Lim, Dr.Stout, an engineer from Britain, was just thirty-eight, when he came here a year ago, after a marathon race, leaving his young wife Elizabeth inconsolable.”
Jerry Lim was quizzical and muttered, “Excuse me?”
The angel smiled and said, “I’m sorry Jerry. That was my feeble attempt at humour. What I meant was that Dr. Stout collapsed and died while participating in a marathon race. His mechanic friend, seventy-year old Vijayan, arrived here from Singapore too, just a few years ago. He suffered from a debilitating disease for several years, before God beckoned him.
As they walked on, they heard a beautiful, melodious voice singing, “I’ll always love you.” “That’s Whitney Houston!” exclaimed Jerry.
“Exactly!” replied the angel. “She arrived here a few years ago and is still singing like a Diva.”
Jerry Lim then remarked, “I notice that people here have come from everywhere and from all walks of life.”
“Yes Mr Lim. God, is God, for saint and sinner alike of every faith. Whether one comes here or not, is determined by one’s attitude and the kind of life one leads on Earth. I’m sure that you know what I mean.” Jerry just nodded.
Jerry then realized that he had to accept his sudden departure from Earth. He turned to the angel and said, “I’m beginning to understand, but don’t you see that I need to let my wife and children know that I’m alright. Dying was simple but what’s worse, is being separated from my loved ones.”
“You could write her a letter,” said the angel.
“A letter from Heaven? Surely you must be joking!”
“I’m not. Write to your wife to reassure her. I’m certain that she and your children will understand and accept what has happened, calmly and peacefully.”
“How will I know that?” an incredulous Lim asked.
“I can’t show you. You’ll have to take my word for it. Now why don’t you sit down and write that letter and when you’re done, I’ll collect it from you.”
Jerry Lim found a quiet corner and began to write.
“Darling,
I’m sorry that I had to leave you and the children abruptly. I had no choice. Didn’t want to leave at all, particularly unannounced. Didn’t know that slipping and falling on my head in the bathroom, would lead me unexpectedly to Heaven. What an entrance that was! There are people here from everywhere. People of all races and religions! I realize that as long as one’s faith is strong and leads a righteous life, one will be in heaven. Grieve no more, my love. I am in a safe and happy place, though I did express my dismay on being called up so soon. Had left a lot of things undone and incomplete. And at fifty had many more years to do it right. I’ve been told not to worry. God must have a reason for bringing me here earlier. I shall always be looking out for you and our beloved children. We’ll be together again one day, though when it would be, I cannot say. Until then my dear, have no fear. HE and I shall always be near.
Love always.”
When he had finished, he gave the letter to the angel asking, “Don’t I have to sign it?”
“There’s no need for that. She’ll know it’s from you. And Jerry, you and Osman and others, can view the bicentennial celebration in Singapore, from here.”Thanking the angel, Lim, at peace with himself, went on his way, getting acquainted with Heaven.
As he walked along, he saw some writing by a pathway ahead of him. He went closer to have a look. It read.
“Prayer is the key to Heaven,
&
Faith unlocks the Door.”
Having read it, he murmured, “How true!” and continued on his way. Soon, he came across some verses, ahead of him. Having read it, he murmured again, before walking on,“He must have meant these verses for every soul who’s here.” The verses read
In Supplication
Feet bare,
palms together,
he stands
facing the deity
in prayerful pose.
Reverently,
she kneels in the pew,
eyes fixed intently
on the Cross.
Prostrate
on a prayer mat,
he turns to the East
in silent adoration.
Staring at the deity,
she chants
as smoke spirals upwards,
from smouldering incense sticks.
Every supplicant of every faith,
fervently invoking the Almighty,
for health, happiness and eternal salvation.
Early the next morning, fourteen-year old, Karen Lim, went to the kitchen, where her mother was preparing breakfast.
“Mum,” Karen said, “I had a strange dream last night. Dad appeared to me and told me not to worry. He told me that he loved us and said that he’ll always be looking out for us.”
“I know darling,” her mum replied. “He spoke to me too. Dad’s in heaven and yet he’ll always be close to us.”
Over 300 volunteers came together to support children affected by the crisis in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. The non-profit organisation ‘Humanity Matters’ organised a relief aid drive at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home on Sunday, 2nd March.
Volunteers packed gift bags for 5,000 children, filling them with toys, snacks, water bottles, and more. Despite it being the weekend, the volunteers gathered early in the morning to contribute to this noble cause.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attended as the special guest and commended the volunteers for their dedication. He was joined by Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, Minister of State for Home and National Development Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, and other MPs from the Nee Soon GRC.
“Ramadan is a time of giving. Singaporeans, regardless of race or religion, have united to help those in Gaza. While Gaza may seem far away, its people’s suffering resonates with us. Singapore will continue to work with its Middle Eastern partners to support Gaza,” said Prime Minister Wong in his speech.
He added, “Beyond humanitarian aid, Singapore will also support the Palestinian Authority’s efforts and their aspirations for self-governance. Although we are a small nation, we will always do our best to assist those in need. The crisis in Gaza highlights the global struggle, but when Singaporeans come together, we can overcome any challenge. This unity is what defines Singapore.”
The event also featured an iftar ceremony at the nursing home, attended by representatives from the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR), the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony, other interfaith groups, and community leaders.
During the event, Pacific International Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Humanity Matters, presided over by Minister Shanmugam. This partnership will enhance the organisation’s relief efforts.
“As Singapore approaches its SG60 celebrations, this event demonstrates that even a small country like ours can make a big impact,” said Mr. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission, the host of the aid project.
Mr. Ganesan, a 70-year-old volunteer who has been with Humanity Matters since its inception, expressed his pride in seeing people from all backgrounds come together to help.
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The ongoing conflict in Gaza highlights the current state of the world, where the global order is shifting, and signs of danger and escalating unrest are becoming more apparent. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised that Singapore can only navigate these changes successfully if its citizens remain strong and united, during his attendance at an aid-packing and iftar event organised by Humanity Matters on 2 March.
“What’s troubling is that the ongoing conflict in Gaza reflects the broader state of our world today. Major global powers are deeply engaged in fierce competition, and global institutions and norms are weakening. Unfortunately, the world is starting to resemble a lawless jungle, where strength is seen as the ultimate right,” said Prime Minister Wong.
“We are entering a new and challenging phase, and we can only overcome it if we stand strong and united as a people. So tonight, as we extend our help to those in need overseas, we must also appreciate and protect what we have here—a society that lives in peace, regardless of race or religion,” he added.
He further emphasised that this unity is what makes Singapore unique and will empower the country to face challenges and build a brighter future.
The event, held at the Sree Narayana Mission (SNM) in Yishun, brought together 300 volunteers from various racial and religious backgrounds to pack 5,000 “Kidz Comfort Packs” (KCPs) for child victims in Gaza.
Prime Minister Wong noted that even though Gaza is far from Singapore, “as fellow human beings, we can still feel some of their suffering.” He stressed that Singapore cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and must continue working with its partners in the Middle East to address the critical needs of the Gazan people.
“Apart from providing humanitarian aid, Singapore will fully support international efforts to establish a homeland and a state for the Palestinian people as part of a negotiated two-state solution,” he said. “We will continue supporting the Palestinian Authority’s capacity-building and helping the Palestinian people when they govern their own country in the future.”
At the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Pacific International Lines (PIL) and Humanity Matters to collaborate on humanitarian efforts and community development, with a focus on ASEAN and Middle Eastern countries.
Also attending the aid-packing and iftar event were Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law, Mr. K. Shanmugam; Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim; and other Nee Soon GRC MPs.
This marks the fourth aid-packing event organised by Humanity Matters, following the successful packing in March 2024 and the delivery of 5,000 KCPs to Gaza in July 2024. Volunteers were joined by community leaders and grassroots members for the collective iftar meal.
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The ongoing conflict in Gaza and other regions highlights the increasing instability in the world, where the powerful exploit the vulnerable. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reminded Singaporeans that the world is entering uncharted territory, and for Singapore to navigate this period successfully, unity is crucial.
Prime Minister Wong made these remarks while addressing the Gaza situation at a humanitarian packing event for Gaza’s civilians, held at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home in Yishun on Sunday, 2nd March. The event was organised by the non-profit group Humanity Matters.
Also in attendance were the Minister for Law and Home Affairs, K. Shanmugam, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, Associate Professor Dr Faishal Ibrahim, along with Nee Soon GRC MPs Louis Ng, Carrie Tan, and Derrick Goh, who participated in their capacities as grassroots organisation advisors.
“Although Gaza is far away, we cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis there,” Prime Minister Wong emphasised. “Our shared humanity compels us to feel the suffering of civilians worldwide.”
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement in January, with the first phase concluding on Sunday. However, the second phase of negotiations remains stalled. Prime Minister Wong acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding how the Gaza situation will develop in the coming days, weeks, or months.
He pointed out that the conflicts in Gaza and other regions reflect the global challenges facing Singapore. Major powers are engaged in fierce competition, and international institutions and norms are weakening. “Sadly, the world is increasingly resembling a lawless jungle, where the strong prey on the weak. With each passing day, we see more signs of danger and disorder around us,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Prime Minister Wong urged, “We are in uncharted waters, but if we remain resilient and united, we can navigate these difficulties successfully.”
Approximately 300 volunteers from various religious backgrounds gathered at the nursing home on Sunday to pack 5,000 “Kidz Comfort Packs” for children in Gaza. This marked the fourth round of relief packaging organised by Humanity Matters. The previous round took place in March last year, with 5,000 children’s heat packs sent to Gaza in July.
After packing the supplies, volunteers from different faiths and communities shared an Iftar meal with 500 community leaders and grassroots members, symbolising unity, sacrifice, and empathy.
Prime Minister Wong reminded Singaporeans that while supporting others abroad is essential, it is equally important to appreciate and safeguard what Singapore has. “We may have differences, but we are one community, united in peace and harmony, regardless of race, language, or religion,” he said.
Singapore has contributed over S$19 million in aid to Gaza. The Singapore Air Force recently delivered the seventh round of relief supplies to Jordan, which will be dispatched to Gaza shortly.
In addition to the Humanity Matters event, M³ (M-Cube), a Malay organisation, launched a donation booth at the Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar on 1st March in support of the Quan Fu Foundation’s fundraising efforts.
Prime Minister Wong reiterated Singapore’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and collaborating with partners in the Middle East to address urgent needs. He also reaffirmed Singapore’s support for international efforts to establish a homeland for the Palestinian people through a negotiated two-state solution. “We will continue to support the Palestinian Authority in its capacity-building efforts and in governing their own state,” he stated.
Additionally, Humanity Matters and local shipping company Pacific International Lines signed a memorandum of cooperation on Sunday, ensuring continued logistical support for delivering humanitarian aid to conflict zones and regions affected by extreme climate conditions.
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