Speech by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at SINDA Gala Dinner

Former President of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan and Mrs Nathan

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Chairman, SINDA Board of Trustees

   and Mrs Shanmugaratnam

Professor S Jayakumar, Former Chairman, Board of Trustees

Members of the SINDA Board of Trustees

Ms Indranee Rajah

President, SINDA’s Executive Committee

Members of the Executive Committee

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

        This evening’s event is a recognition and celebration of the hard work of the SINDA management, staff, members, and volunteers over the past 20 years. The socio-economic standing of the Indian community has improved significantly since SINDA’s formation in 1991, and SINDA has made commendable contributions and efforts toward enhancing the development of the Indian community in Singapore.  

Role of Self-Help Groups in Singapore

        Our society consists of a unique blend of diverse cultures comprising different ethnic groups living and working side by side at all levels of our society. The programmes of our Self-Help Groups are designed by people who best know the unique challenges faced by their own communities, to benefit not only their communities but also Singapore as a nation. 

        While we have national-level programmes such as ComCare offering a range of assistance for the needy in our society, Self-Help Groups like SINDA complement these national-level programmes by taking into account cultural factors to uplift their respective communities. Our Self-Help Groups are therefore part of a comprehensive national framework to help every Singaporean cope with the changes in the global environment and benefit from Singapore’s economic progress.

        While our Self-Help Groups adopt a community-based approach, there are also many opportunities for collaboration in areas of common interest.  I am heartened that SINDA works with other Self-Help Groups like Yayasan Mendaki, the Eurasian Association and the Chinese Development Assistance Council in joint programmes such as the Collaborative Tuition Programme, Joint Tuition Award Ceremony, and the Orange Ribbon Celebrations. This is an excellent example of how the various communities in Singapore are able to work together and support one another.  I hope to see more of such joint projects amongst our Self-Help Groups in the future.

SINDA’s contribution to Singapore

        When SINDA was formed in Aug 1991, its core objective, as spelt out by the Action Committee on Indian Education (ACIE) then, was to focus on resolving the pressing educational and socio-economic issues facing the Singaporean Indian community.  Since its formation, SINDA has worked hard to address the issue of educational under-performance. Comprehensive supplementary tuition programmes in key subjects have yielded results. I am glad to note that for the period 1990 to 2009, the overall PSLE pass rate of Indian students has improved from 80% to 95%.  Achievements in mathematics results were also encouraging with PSLE and O Levels Mathematics pass rates improving from 54% to 76% and 66% to 78% respectively.

        In addition to improving academic performance, SINDA has also steadily expanded its outreach programmes to the Indian community. This year, SINDA has some 1,350 beneficiaries under its Family Services Programme and 1,800 students and families in its Community Engagement Programme.  SINDA has awarded 2,000 bursaries to students from needy families, and has 6,200 students enrolled in its Education Programmes and Services.  SINDA’s programmes are supported by 1,200 volunteers who have come forward to serve the community.

Enhancing The Role of SINDA

        Our Self-Help Groups have to continually review, renew and reinvent themselves to further the interests of their community and stay relevant. I commend SINDA for commissioning a 2020 Review to examine the needs and challenges facing the Indian community in light of changes that have taken place in the educational and social landscape.  I am happy to hear the key strategies mentioned by DPM Tharman in his speech and I am sure that these strategies will help SINDA to further uplift the Indian community in the coming decade

        I would like to conclude by thanking our Indian community leaders and volunteers, past and present, for their hard work and contributions all these years.  In addition to improving the lot of the Indian community, they have also contributed to Singapore’s nation building process.  I am confident that, with your continued support, SINDA can achieve even more in the coming years to uplift the Indian community.

        Thank you.