Following the announcement by Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, of the nation’s separation from Malaysia in 1965, his first public appearance took place on 12 September that year at the former Sree Narayana Mission complex in Sembawang.
“Never fear,” he declared in a firm voice to all Singaporeans.
Even after six decades, that poignant moment remains etched in the nation’s memory. In fact, with that historic occasion as its focus, a segment on religious harmony was held on Sunday (7 September) at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home in Yishun, as part of Singapore’s 60th anniversary commemorations.
Centred on the theme ‘Oneness in Humanity’, the discussion brought together five representatives from different faith-based organisations — Catholic Welfare Services, Ren Ci Hospital, Jamiyah Singapore, the Ramakrishna Mission and Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society — along with a member of SNM’s Board of Trustees. The dialogue was chaired by religious reconciliation moderator Nazhath Faheema.
The event was held in conjunction with the 171st Guru Jayanthi celebration, marking the birth anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru.
The panel exchanged views on issues such as the challenges faced by social service organisations, their responsibilities to the community, and how best to meet the needs of their beneficiaries.
Following the discussion, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, as well as for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Goh Hanyan, attended the celebration as Guest of Honour.
“This auspicious day, which commemorates the teachings and ideals of Sree Narayana Guru, is also closely tied to Singapore’s journey. We are one united community, regardless of background. This dialogue was a platform to strengthen that unity,” said Ms Goh.
During the event, it was also announced that the Singapore Indian Education Trust will provide educational grants to healthcare workers at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home to support their professional development. To this end, the two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“Narayana Guru’s teachings transcend religion. He translated his philosophy into practical action that benefitted society. Through discussions on religious harmony, we seek to share his message with the wider community,” said Mr Jayadev Unnithan, former President of Sree Narayana Mission.
“We hold the Guru Jayanthi celebrations every year to reaffirm our commitment to his teachings. This year’s commemoration goes beyond marking Guru Jayanthi; it also reflects the spirit of 1965. Our racial harmony and tolerance are Singapore’s true treasures,” added Mr S Devendran, Chief Executive Officer of Sree Narayana Mission.
Click here to read the article
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has said that Singapore’s way is to treat every festival as a multicultural celebration and to celebrate it together.
He made this statement while addressing the Deepavali Light-Up ceremony on Saturday (6 September) evening at the ‘Grand Stand’ stage set up in front of the Little India Arcade, where he was the Guest of Honour.
He noted that the participation of not only the diverse Indian community but also other multi-racial communities showcased Singapore’s diversity.
The President emphasised that at the moment the lamps are lit, we should remember to show understanding and compassion towards one another and remain united.
He further said: “The spirit of Deepavali is to recognise the light within each individual, to be a guiding light for the underprivileged, and to unite and uplift everyone.”
The festival, organised by the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), was held on a grand scale with thousands of special guests, foreign representatives, and members of the public taking part.
From now until 9 November, Little India will be illuminated for 64 days, offering a visual feast for visitors.
This year, in celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday, 600,000 LED lights have been installed, along with 42 decorative arches spanning a two-kilometre stretch from the Little India shopping complex.
The theme of this year’s Deepavali celebrations is Attam, Pattam, Kondattam.
The lighting ceremony was also attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan; Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and for Manpower, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash; Minister of State for National Development, and for Trade and Industry, Mr Alvin Tan; Mayor of Central Singapore District, Ms Denise Phua; as well as several foreign ambassadors.
President Tharman presented mementoes to nearly 20 community organisations that had contributed to the Deepavali celebrations. Meanwhile, various organisations and temples, including the Hindu Endowments Board, raised $100,000 for the President’s Challenge and presented a cheque to the President.
Adding to this year’s celebrations, the colourful Utsavam road parade returned after many years. For the first time, the entire stretch of Serangoon Road was closed for the occasion.
More than 700 people from 25 multi-ethnic, social and artistic organisations took part in the parade, which began at around 7.30 pm.
Notably, 23 seniors aged between 63 and 94 from Sree Narayana Mission participated as a contingent. The youngest performers were four-year-old dancers from the Apsaras Arts troupe.
This year’s parade also featured young artists, beneficiaries and volunteers from SINDA, who took part under the theme Let’s Move Forward, Together – A Journey with SINDA. The segment marked the official launch of SINDA’s annual Project Give initiative.
The parade commenced from Hastings Road and concluded at Birch Road. At 8.15 pm, President Tharman and other distinguished guests boarded a specially designed peacock-shaped float and travelled along the route.
As part of the Deepavali festivities, LISHA has also organised a variety of events and activities in collaboration with partners, running until 11 November. More details are available at www.deepavalisg.com.
Click here to read the article
This year’s Deepavali lighting ceremony will take place at Serangoon Road this Saturday, 6 September.
For the first time, the entire stretch of Serangoon Road will be closed, setting the stage for a spectacular road parade and a variety of artistic performances.
The festival, organised annually by the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), will spotlight the theme “Aattam Pattam Kondattam.”
LISHA shared details about this year’s Deepavali celebration preparations at a press conference held on Wednesday (September 3).
The ‘Utsavam’ road parade, returning after many years, will take place across three locations — the ‘Grand Stand’ area opposite Tekka Market, in front of Veerasamy Road, and in front of Angullia Mosque.
In preparation, Hastings Road and the right-hand lane of Serangoon Road will be closed from midnight on Saturday until 3 am on Sunday.
On the event day itself, the entire stretch of Serangoon Road, from Bukit Timah Road to Kitchener Road, will be closed from 12 noon on Saturday until 3 am on Sunday.
‘LISHA’ is urging visitors to use public transportation to avoid traffic congestion.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be the guest of honour at the lighting ceremony, which begins at 6.30 pm on Saturday, where he will officially inaugurate the Deepavali light-up.
He will be joined by ministers, members of parliament, foreign ambassadors, community leaders, and other distinguished guests.
The public can view the parade from behind barricades along the roads, with more than 20,000 people expected to attend.
A total of 26 groups from various cultural organisations, including the High Commission of India in Singapore, are taking part in the road parade.
The event is expected to conclude at 10 p.m.
Following the lighting ceremony, a 2-kilometer stretch of Serangoon Road will be adorned with colorful lights daily from 7 p.m. to midnight for 64 days, until 9 November.
LISHA traditionally organises a variety of events each year to celebrate Deepavali. This year, a total of 12 events will take place from 12 September to 11 November.
As in previous years, stalls will be set up along Campbell Lane for Deepavali sales. Attendees can also look forward to treasure hunts, Deepavali-themed posters on public transport, and ‘Big Bus’ tours.
Additionally, renowned local chef Arifin will attempt to set a record by preparing 60 varieties of biryani in 60 minutes, in celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday.
LISHA has also organised public workshops, including flower tying, rangoli drawing, and saree and dhoti wearing.
Meanwhile, SINDA has launched its annual Project Give programme.
At the press conference, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between LISHA and Sree Narayana Mission to undertake new initiatives aimed at supporting the elderly.
“We chose the theme ‘Aattam Pattam Kondattam’ to coincide with two major milestones — LISHA’s 25th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday. Our aim is for families to come together and enjoy a joyful celebration,” said LISHA President Raghunath Siva.
For more information on Deepavali celebrations, visit www.deepavali.sg
This year, Deepavali will be celebrated on 20 October.
Click here to read the article
At 76, retired technician Ramaiah Vijayanaman has discovered the key to a happy and independent retirement: financial planning and disciplined spending.
“You have to save well and spend wisely. That’s why my wife and I don’t depend on our children for money,” he shared.
Mr. Vijayanaman worked with a security company until the age of 70, diligently building up his retirement savings. Even after retiring, he found ways to stay productive—earning some income during the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering food prepared by his wife to relatives.
His wife, Janaki, also 76, still works part-time in the packaging industry. The couple live with their third son in a four-room flat, managing their household budget carefully and maintaining savings for unforeseen circumstances.
Support from Government Schemes
During his working years, Mr. Vijayanaman benefited from the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme, which boosts the income and CPF savings of eligible lower-wage workers. He also made full use of public support schemes like U-Save rebates, service and conservancy charges discounts, Medisave top-ups, and CDC vouchers provided through various national assistance programmes.
To cut daily costs, he prefers using public transport and benefited from $60 public transport vouchers issued to low-income households following fare increases in December 2024.
Monthly payouts from his retirement savings, combined with government support schemes, help him live comfortably. But financial security, he says, is not just about covering daily expenses—it includes being prepared for medical needs without financial anxiety.
When he suffered a minor stroke last year after a fall at work, his hospital bills were largely covered by the Pioneer Generation Scheme, with the remaining costs paid through Medisave. The scheme provides eligible seniors with annual Medisave top-ups ranging from $300 to $1,200, which can be used for insurance premiums under MediShield Life, CareShield Life, and ElderShield.
Like all Singaporean families, the Vijayanamans also benefit from CDC vouchers introduced in 2021. His wife used the $500 vouchers issued in May to purchase groceries and household essentials. Additionally, all Singaporeans aged 60 and above receive SG60 vouchers worth $800 in celebration of the nation’s 60th birthday, redeemable at businesses that accept CDC vouchers.
A Life of Hard Work
Mr. Vijayanaman’s journey is a testament to resilience and hard work. After completing vocational training at 16, he began his career at the Air Force Canteen. He was among the first Singaporeans to serve National Service and underwent an apprenticeship at Sembawang Shipyard while in the Vigilante Corps. He later joined the Navy, and after several years, moved to MRT Corporation (now SMRT), rising to the rank of Chief Engineer. His last major project was the Tanah Merah Link to Changi Airport before leaving the company at age 52 due to restructuring.
At a friend’s suggestion, he later obtained a security license and worked at the International French School in Singapore for over five years. “I even won the Best Security Guard Award during SG50,” he said proudly.
Eventually, long working hours took a toll on his health, and he retired at 70 after suffering a fall, heeding his son’s advice to stop working.
Adapting to a New Lifestyle
Upon retirement, Mr. Vijayanaman withdrew $20,000 from his personal savings and set the rest aside for emergencies. Initially unsure about their financial future, he and his wife made lifestyle changes to stretch their budget.
“We use public transport with our senior concession cards, even if it means leaving home earlier. Singapore’s system is reliable and much cheaper than driving,” he explained.
“We don’t buy new clothes unless necessary. My sons still get clothes for us, even though we’re content with what we have. If I refuse, they get upset,” he added with a laugh.
Staying Active and Giving Back
Despite health challenges, Mr. Vijayanaman and his wife remain actively involved in social work. Both volunteer at the Sree Narayana Mission Active Ageing Centre in Woodlands, where Janaki conducts cooking classes and he enjoys socialising with fellow seniors, especially in Malay.
He visits the centre weekly for yoga to support his stroke recovery. “Earlier, life was just work, home, and sleep. Now I’m more at peace,” he reflected.
He also enjoys visiting places of worship of different faiths to meet people and promote racial harmony.
Saving and Sharing
“Managing a home is like managing a country—you must plan and save,” he advises. “If you don’t start saving now, you’ll face bigger problems later.”
Mr. Vijayanaman also encourages others to give back instead of gambling. “Instead of spending on 4D, why not donate food to temples or to those in need in poorer countries?”
Today, he actively encourages fellow seniors to engage in activities at ageing centres. “When people say it’s too far, I point out the direct bus routes. Then they realise it’s actually convenient.”
He’s also preparing to train other seniors to become befrienders at the nearby Sree Narayana Mission Senior Care Centre. “Seniors like us need to know how to manage our money, live healthily, and most importantly, be independent,” he said.
He’s living proof that retirement success comes from planning early and staying engaged.
💡 Visit https://go.gov.sg/tfb-tm for programmes and resources to help you plan for retirement.
🧭 You can also explore the Together for Better roadshows held island-wide to begin your vibrant ageing journey.
Click here to read the article
Singapore’s Indian population is increasingly facing challenges such as an aging population, environmental protection, discrimination against foreign workers, and support for low-income families.
Dinesh Vasu Das, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, Minister of State for Manpower and Mayor of South East District, emphasised the importance of Indian youth uniting and enhancing their skills to tackle emerging societal challenges.
Mr. Dinesh was the Guest of Honour at the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) Youth Forum’s SINDA Young Leaders Seminar held on Sunday (15 June).
Commending the innovative thinking of young participants, Mr. Dinesh remarked that such initiatives offer a valuable, lifelong learning experience for Singapore’s Indian Youth.
“This is a crucial step in nurturing the next generation of Indian community leaders,” he said.
The three-day seminar, held at the Ridge View Residential College campus, saw the participation of nearly 80 students from various higher education institutions.
On the final day of the seminar, through a programme called ‘Echoes of Insight’, young participants used their creativity to share the social challenges they had experienced, the strategies they used to overcome them, and the key lessons they learned from them.
One of them, Anderson Serangoon Primary School student Abdul Rahim, 17, shared with Tamil Murasu his experience of visiting the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home with his group on Saturday (14 June).
“Elders are the backbone of every family. It is very important to learn from their life experiences,” said Rahim.
To commemorate Father’s Day, young volunteers assisted elderly residents at another nursing home in making Father’s Day cards.
“The experience of making Father’s Day cards with the elderly at the nursing home was an opportunity to connect with them. It was like talking to my grandparents,” said Reshma Sureshkumar, 23, a student at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
He said that he was unable to meet and speak to his grandparents directly because both of them live in India.
Volunteer Balasundari Mamannan, 19, said that the wrong perspective on certain situations may change as young people have such social interests.
“This creates a desire among young people to help many communities,” he said.
Click here to read the article
In Singapore’s first general election in 1968, the People’s Action Party (PAP) won all 58 seats in Parliament. On Saturday (May 3), Singaporeans voted in the country’s 14th general election.
Among them was 97-year-old Maylvaganam Sabapathy, a resident of Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home, who cast his vote on Saturday morning. He shared his memories of past elections with Tamil Murasu.
Mr. Maylvaganam recalled that as a young man living in the Serangoon constituency, he once stood as a candidate in an election, running against a PAP candidate who was regarded as having leftist views. He noted that the PAP candidate won that election by a narrow margin.
“Singapore has seen good development over the years,” he reflected.
Mr. Maylvaganam was one of several residents from Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home who voted at various polling stations on Saturday.
Care staff accompanied six wheelchair-bound elderly residents to a nearby polling station at Block 734, Yishun Avenue 5. Sree Narayana Mission has also arranged for the remaining nine residents to vote at polling stations near their home addresses.
Suryakumaran Subramaniam, 86, a resident and former business owner, said the organisation had made the voting arrangements well.
“We were brought in carefully and with proper security. Voting was smooth. I extend my best wishes to the most deserving candidates,” he said.
S. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home, said the home is committed to supporting residents who wish to vote.
“We arranged staff and transportation to assist residents going to the polling stations. The Elections Department also made various provisions, including wheelchair ramps, to help elderly and wheelchair-bound voters,” Mr. Devendran said.
Mahalakshmi Annamalai, 39, manager of Sunlove Home, said that elderly residents under their care were transported in wheelchairs to polling stations near their homes.
“We safely transported about 30 elderly residents to the polling stations. They were happy to be able to vote despite their limited mobility,” said Ms. Mahalakshmi.
Click here to read the article