She is one of those ordinary Singaporeans who simply wanted to make a difference in her own way.
Shanthini was already experienced in helping others by the age of 23. Her volunteering journey began at the age of 11 at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home.
“Even before this volunteer experience, whenever I saw the seniors downstairs in my block, I would smile and wave. It came naturally to me,” Shanthini told The Straits Times.
She later took part in Zumba sessions as well as arts and crafts activities with the elderly at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities.
While studying nursing at a polytechnic, Shanthini had the opportunity to meet people with intellectual disabilities through her involvement with Youth Corps Singapore. The experience had a profound impact on her.
Together with other volunteers, she organised arts and crafts sessions and food preparation activities for members of the MINDS organisation.
“Despite their challenges, they were happy to participate in activities with us,” said Shanthini.
Coming from a family that faced financial hardship, these meaningful and life‑changing moments taught her valuable lessons about gratitude and creative thinking, helping her see beyond her own circumstances.
Her younger brother lives with cerebral palsy. Caring for him, along with her experiences with the elderly, inspired her to pursue nursing.
Shanthini studied nursing at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and later obtained a Diploma in Nursing from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing at the National University of Singapore.
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Sri Mariamman Temple hosted a Chinese New Year reunion lunch on February 7 for approximately 100 seniors from four nursing homes—including Sree Narayana Mission—as well as local residents. The event, now in its 24th year, featured Bharatanatyam performances, a lion dance, and a festive meal. Attendees also took part in the traditional Lohei celebration.
Temple President Sekhar Krishnan highlighted the temple’s long‑standing commitment to giving back to the Chinatown business community and to celebrating Singapore’s harmony and multicultural spirit. Volunteers such as Devi Baskaran and Umadevi supported the event by serving food and preparing gift bags for the seniors.
Elders, including Saroja and Susan Hoong, expressed their joy at being part of the inclusive celebration and appreciated the warm, communal atmosphere.
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An event titled the “Festival of Hearts” was held to bring together seniors from different communities. The celebration combined the SG60 milestone with New Year festivities.
Nearly 200 senior citizens from organisations such as Project Smile, the Muslim Association for Kidney Patients, and the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home took part in the event. Reflecting Singapore’s multicultural spirit, the festival showcased a community‑led approach to supporting the mental and social well‑being of older adults.
Organised by Project Smile, a recognised public welfare charity, the event was held at the Crowne Plaza complex at Changi Airport on Saturday (January 17). Dr Wan Rizal, Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC, attended as the Special Guest.
As a culminating event of Singapore’s SG60 celebrations, the Festival of Hearts highlighted the lived experiences of senior citizens, their ongoing contributions, and the importance of ageing with community cohesion.
While Singapore has made significant progress in healthcare and active ageing, mental and social well‑being remain crucial—and often overlooked—aspects of ageing. Social isolation and weakened social bonds can affect the quality of life of older adults, even when other forms of support are available.
The Festival of Hearts aimed to create a shared space for recognition, connection, and social bonding at the start of the year. It brought seniors together not merely as beneficiaries, but as valued participants within the wider community.
The transitions that come with old age, particularly retirement, can subtly affect an individual’s sense of purpose and belonging. Project Smile addresses this by engaging seniors in familiar environments, allowing relationships to grow naturally and giving emotional needs the dignity of being recognised.
One of the participants, Mrs Nagammai Sathappan, 79, joined the Project Smile senior programme two years ago. An enthusiastic participant, she enjoys art and sewing classes and has formed strong friendships within the Tamil‑speaking community. She dedicates two days each week to these activities and says she does not feel like she is growing older.
Mrs Parvathy Sankaralingam, 50, a member of the Project Smile organising committee, works closely on initiatives related to elderly well‑being, development, and companionship. Drawing on her IT background and proficiency in Tamil, she plays a key role in translation and digitalisation efforts, helping seniors access and participate in the programmes more easily.
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Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung said that a major focus in the coming years will be on strengthening human resources in the healthcare sector, adding that manpower expansion must keep pace with the ongoing development of healthcare infrastructure.
Speaking about these infrastructure enhancements, Mr Ong noted that many existing hospitals are currently undergoing significant renovations and expansions. To support this growth, the national healthcare sector is working towards increasing its manpower by 20 percent by 2030.
Mr Ong made these remarks while serving as Guest of Honour at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards held at the University Cultural Centre at NUS on Friday (16 January).
Mr Ong, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, highlighted that special attention is being given to manpower planning for the newly built Eastern General Hospital. He also stressed the importance of deploying manpower effectively to manage the increasing workload.
“We are working to establish medical teams for each patient in intensive care hospitals, led by a primary care physician. That physician will develop an integrated treatment plan that incorporates advice from other health professionals based on the patient’s needs,” said Minister Ong.
He added that work in the community, beyond hospitals, is also being redesigned. Efforts are underway to expand the role of eye examiners through collaborations between public health institutions and community eye care centres.
Mr Ong further noted that training methods are being updated to ensure healthcare workers can adapt quickly to new and expanded responsibilities. The Ministry of Health is collaborating with higher education institutions and public healthcare agencies to develop flexible, part time, on the job training programmes for nurses and allied health professionals.
A total of 5,171 individuals—including healthcare professionals and partners from 49 public and private healthcare institutions and social care organisations—received awards at the 17th annual ceremony.
Awards were presented across five categories. Yogeswari Chandrasekaran, 39, won in the “Superstar” category. She serves as the Head of Social Work and Resident Programmes at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home. She introduced informal consultation sessions called “Hearty Sessions,” where residents could openly share their thoughts and concerns. Through compassionate listening and guidance, her efforts helped the care team better manage residents’ behavioural challenges.
Another awardee in the same category was Saravanan Mahalakshmi, 49, a Nurse Clinician at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home. She volunteered enthusiastically for an infection prevention and control project.
With full team support, the nursing home soon saw tangible results, including significantly reduced infection rates, improved recovery conditions, and increased confidence among residents and their families.
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The High Commission of India in Singapore announced that the three‑day port visit of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron to Singapore concluded successfully on January 18. Indian Naval Ships Thir, Shardul, Sujata, and the Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi had arrived in Singapore on January 15.
The port call formed part of a long‑distance training deployment for the 110th Combined Officers’ Training Course. The High Commission highlighted that the visit was especially significant as India has designated 2026 as the Year of ASEAN–India Maritime Cooperation.
Dr. Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore, interacted with the officers and training officers. He, along with senior officers of the squadron, hosted members of the armed forces, government officials, and other guests on board INS Thir and CGS Sarathi.
During their stay, Indian Navy personnel visited Changi Naval Base, where they viewed the Singapore Navy’s Damage Control Trainer. They also toured the Singapore Navy Museum and the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) at Changi Naval Base.
At the Kranji War Memorial, the personnel laid a wreath and paid tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War II. The Indian Navy also participated in sports events with the Singapore Navy and students from DPS International School. Additionally, they served food and interacted with residents of the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home.
Visitors and school students of Indian origin had the opportunity to tour the ships and learn about life in the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy Band also performed at the Global Indian International School.
The port call aligns with India’s “Act East” policy and reinforces its commitment to fostering an open, inclusive, and secure Indo‑Pacific region.
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A meal distribution event for senior citizens was organised on behalf of the Indian Navy, highlighting the deepening ties between Singapore and India.
Held on Friday (January 16) at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home in Yishun, the initiative further strengthened the long-standing historical relationship between the two nations.
Jointly arranged by the High Commission of India and the Sree Narayana Mission, the event saw around ten Indian Navy personnel serving meals—prepared onboard their ship—to the elderly residents. The officers also spent time chatting, laughing, and engaging in activities with them.
“The history of Sree Narayana Mission is closely linked to India. As a Singaporean in uniform, I have always shared a strong relationship with the Indian Army and Navy. It is an honour to organise this event in recognition of that bond,” said S. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission.
He noted that the connection between India and Singapore dates back to the 1940s, when the organisation was founded. Devendran added that he hopes such efforts will help preserve that connection, especially as many Singaporeans today have grown more distant from their Indian heritage.
“The military profession exists to safeguard a nation’s sovereignty and interests, and it is a noble calling. But no one—including those in uniform—wishes for war or conflict. By engaging in community service, officers working in security sectors can find relief from the pressures of their environment. It also enriches the lives of individuals through human connection and creates a more meaningful atmosphere,” he said.
Lieutenant R. Nishant, 27, shared that the first squadron—responsible for training India’s future naval cadets—participated in the initiative.
“Community service is part of our training. Through this programme, we were able to serve meals to the elderly,” he explained.
A total of 300 food packets were prepared for distribution to 224 seniors.
Nishant noted that all dishes, made with traditional Indian flavours, were cooked onboard the vessel.
“Since the food was prepared for seniors, we toned down the spice levels. We also served payasam, which is an important element of Indian cuisine. It wasn’t just about sharing food—it was about sharing warmth and emotion,” he said with a smile.
He added that the seniors were delighted to see the officers in uniform and to learn about the work they do.
“The food was delicious. The officers from India served it with great kindness and spoke to us warmly. It was a joyful experience,” said 87-year-old resident Suryakumar.
Another resident, 95-year-old Rajamma, shared that she had come to Singapore when she was young and felt especially happy to meet and speak with officers who had travelled from India.
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