SM Lee Hsien Loong at the Indian Community Appreciation Dinner

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr R Ravindran;
Former and current Cabinet colleagues;
Leaders of the Indian community;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen;

A very good evening and Vanakkam to all!

I deeply appreciate the honour that the Indian community is doing me by holding this dinner. I am happy to see many old friends and familiar faces here tonight, from across grassroots, business, community, and religious organisations, some of whom were also present when the Indian community had a welcoming dinner for me, now more than 20 years ago. I would like to thank the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Ravindran for his warm words. I am also grateful for the tribute video and the beautiful elephant sculptures that the community has presented to me.

I am moved by your generous sentiments and warm wishes.

In reality, whatever Singapore achieved during my term as Prime Minister owes everything to the support, hard work, and contributions of many others in the private, people, and public sectors, including all of you and many more from the Indian community, for which, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

A small community with big impact

The Singaporean Indian community may be small, but your impact and contributions to Singapore are far from small. The community has played a full role in Singaporean society, and worked with the other communities to contribute in many ways. And this shows the success of our multiracial model, that has created full and equal opportunities, a harmonious society, and better lives for all, including the minority communities.

People of Indian origin have formed part of the Singapore story since the earliest days of modern Singapore. Migrants from many parts of the Indian subcontinent – including Tamils, Malayalees, Telugus, Sindhis, Punjabis, Bengalis, and Sinhalese – came here in search of a better future. They brought with them the world’s major religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and others. These different groups sank roots here, formed bonds with one another, and out of this kaleidoscope of backgrounds, there gradually emerged a distinctive and proud Singaporean Indian identity.

These diverse heritages manifest in our rich and deep Singaporean Indian culture. Festivals like Deepavali, Pongal, and Thaipusam are etched into our cultural fabric. Here in Singapore, you can find cuisines from all over India. Traditional Indian dance, arts, and music flourish, together with modern variants. As reflected in the diverse range of performances that we are enjoying tonight. The Bhangra to welcome us in the beginning, and I believe many more performances this evening.

The Singaporean Indian community is flourishing, benefiting from the efforts of community organisations. For example, SINDA (Singapore Indian Development Association) started as a self-help group to address the relative under¬performance of Indian students in English, mathematics, science. It mobilised volunteers to tutor and mentor Indian students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through the efforts of SINDA and its partners, Indian Singaporeans have narrowed the performance gap with other groups, and in some cases even surpassed the national average. SINDA has since expanded its role to include services such as career counselling, financial assistance, and family support programmes. Another example is Narpani Pearavai (Indian Activity Executive Committees Council). Operating under the umbrella of the People’s Association, Narpani brings various Indian grassroots organisations together to engage the community. Narpani fosters integration and active participation both within the Indian community and in Singapore’s multiracial society. We all look forward to Narpani’s annual Deepavali and Pongal celebrations, which strengthen the sense of community and unity across diverse Indian groups in Singapore. Narpani also builds bridges with other communities through cultural exchanges, youth engagements, and educational programmes. During the pandemic, Narpani pitched in to support the national battle against COVID-19, distributing masks, care packs, and grants to vulnerable and low-income households.

SINDA and Narpani Pearavai can do good work because of the strong support of many selfless and community-spirited individuals. We are grateful that many individuals who are doing well – professionals, seniors, and even teenagers still in school – have stepped forward to volunteer. They read with kids from low-income families, mentor youths who are entering the workforce, and organise food distribution drives. They volunteer in Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, organising inter-faith engagements and initiatives to foster friendships across racial and religious lines. These activities of Indian organisations and individuals reflect the core values that define us – a commitment to leave no one behind, and to build a multicultural and multireligious Singapore.

In fact, the ranks of Indian volunteers include many who have moved here only recently. Some have become PRs or citizens, and made Singapore their home. Others are still deepening their roots here. Still others are here temporarily, working, studying, or accompanying family. Regardless, they recognise this as a worthy cause, and willingly step up to volunteer, and should be applauded.

These new arrivals come from a wider range of backgrounds and places than earlier generations of Indian immigrants. They bring along their diverse experiences and expertise, they add to the vibrancy and dynamism of our Indian culture, and thus they are contributing to the community, and to Singapore.

Immigrants and foreign workers raise political sensitivities in many societies. Singapore relies heavily on them to top up our population base and talent pool. Therefore, we must manage the inflow and integration of new arrivals with the utmost sensitivity and caution, to ensure that the flows are balanced and sustainable, but we must also stand firmly against nativism and xenophobia, and welcome the new arrivals to become part of our extended family. We should help them to adapt progressively to the way we do things in Singapore, to our social norms and ethos. It is an ongoing process. But gradually, with the passage of the years and generations, the new arrivals will integrate into the local community. This is how earlier generations became Indian Singaporeans, and it will happen with this generation, and with new arrivals from other groups and places too. This is how we can sustain and enrich our shared Singaporean identity, and this is the way to build a cohesive, inclusive society – connected to the world, strengthened and not divided by our diversity.

The Indian community’s strength at home has enabled it to reach out confidently to the rest of the world. The connection to India has helped Singapore develop a healthy, vibrant, and extensive relationship with India and other countries in the subcontinent. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between Singapore and India has fostered extensive trade, investment, and travel links between us. Many Indian companies have set up in Singapore to serve the region, while many local Indian businesses have successfully forayed into the Indian market.

The SICCI (Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) has played a key role. It has helped businesses to innovate, transform, and expand overseas. It has supported local firms with outreach and advisory on the Indian market, it has deepened economic links between Singapore and India. Last year, the SICCI celebrated its centenary. I am a little bit late, but I wish to congratulate SICCI on this milestone – 100 years of supporting Indian businesses and entrepreneurs in Singapore. Congratulations!

India is growing, and on the move. We see many opportunities in the Indian market, to expand our cooperation in bilateral trade, skills training, and fintech, to explore new fields like healthcare, and the digital and green economies. Singapore has a good brand name in India, and we have enjoyed very good ties with successive Indian governments. We must make the most of these advantages to nurture and grow our relationship with India. I am sure our Singaporean Indian business community will do so.

Conclusion

Once again, let me express my deep gratitude for the support and friendship of Singapore’s Indian community through these past decades. The Indian community has progressed with the nation, and made considerable contributions in so many fields, for so many years. As Singapore continues to advance and develop, I am confident that you will advance with it, and participate actively in building a stronger and more united Singapore

Mikka Nandri! Thank you very, very much!

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