Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
SINDA
CEOs Message ( P01) A Community's Blessing ( P 02) STEP Tuition 2012 ( P 03) Confidence through Drama (P04) Holiday Enrichment Programmes ( P 05) SINDA 2020: A New Momentum Unveiled ( P 06) A Toast to the Future ( P10) Mountaineer Inspires Youth ( P12) Dr Balaji Sadasivan Remembered ( P13) Riders Aid Rides Again ( P14) Celebrate! Sharing Festive Cheer ( P15)
Editorial tEam
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CEOS MESSAGE
A HAppy New yeAr to All ANd best wisHes for tHe yeAr AHeAd! The economic reports that are coming out may not be encouraging and economists are predicting slow growth for a couple of years. Let us all get ready. On our part, we at SINDA are certainly discussing how to serve those who may need assistance. We are gearing for short-term financial assistance and career services. The best solution is to retain present jobs and for those who are retrenched, to find new ones. That would require some re-training to acquire new skill sets that are still in demand. Above all, we are concerned about the school-going children and their educational journey. We need to take all the necessary steps to ensure that our children continue to go to school and focus on their studies. There is renewed energy at SINDA. Many would know that we had spent 2011 reviewing all of our programmes and services. A review report titled "SINDA 2020: A New Momentum" has been submitted to our Board and this sets out the roadmap for us to go forth from this year. The key areas of the review report are covered inside this newsletter. I will reiterate them here very quickly. The review team, based on data and discussions with many people, has put forth the following recommendations: Encouraging greater participation in pre-school education from nursery level Focusing on Mathematics performance at all levels Expanding the number of students attending SINDAs educational programmes Engaging the youths in relevant activities Building family resilience Strengthening community partnership Many challenges remain. Under-performance of Indian students at all levels is a cause for concern. Continued under-performance in Mathematics will hinder the students future options in secondary schools and beyond. One in four students sitting for the PSLE, fails Mathematics. Approximately 3,500 Indian students are in each cohort. That would mean that slightly over 800 students fail PSLE Mathematics in each cohort. This is a huge number. Have you imagined what happens to these students? They will probably continue their educational journey in the Normal stream. Likelihood is that they will continue to fail Mathematics till their N and O levels unless some positive steps are taken to address this downward spiral in their educational performance. A point of great concern is that poor post-secondary qualifications will lead to lesser than desired career pathways and earnings. The cycle of family under-performance will repeat itself in the next generation. We need to break that cycle. Thus, we will start with primary school educational performance, especially with the PSLE. Many feel that there is no issue, or nothing too serious happening now. However, statistics point to a very serious future scenario if nothing is done. Nobody wants to be part of the underclass of the future. The least we can do now is to ensure that the next generation is more successful than the present one. In Singapore, the best way to a brighter future is through better education. That we all know. So, what is holding us back? That is the golden question. We need all the help we can get from the community to identify every student who needs to cross over from Fail to Pass. Parents will know who they are. Teachers know where they study. Help us help them succeed! This year, 2012, is a year of action. A sense of urgency needs to permeate the Indian community if we are to correct the lethargy that is setting in. Mediocre performance is simply not good enough. Failure is not to be taken lightly or tolerated. Come, join us in changing the course of the future. Let us all do what we can to urge everyone to take action now, for a brighter future ahead.
STUDENTS
A communitys Blessing
it wAs A dAy of Hope ANd HAppiNess on 3 December, with over 550 parents and students gathering at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre for the Indian Community Bursary Awards (ICBA) and SINDA's Backto-School Festival (BTSF) 2011. It was also a celebration of the strong partnership between the Tamils Representative Council (TRC), Singapore Indian Education Trust (SIET) and SINDA since 2002. Once again, Singapores Indian community has stepped up to ensure that no childs education will be compromised due to a lack of funds, by giving generously to Project Give. The annual donation drive funded 800 Back-to-School kits worth more than $100 each, as well as SINDA bursaries for 2012. Collectively, SINDA, SIET and TRC will disburse 2,000 bursaries worth $1.33 million for 2012. This years ICBA ceremony saw 68 students from primary school to junior college going on stage to accept their bursaries. As of 2011, SINDA partners with SIET in offering bursaries to tertiary level students as well. Ruthra Thiyagarajan, a SINDA-SIET bursary recipient now studying at National Junior College, gave a heart-felt speech motivating the students to aspire to excellence and never give up. Today, I understand the true meaning of
Project Give, she told the crowd. The whole Indian community has come together to make complete access to education a reality for all of us aspiring to make the most of our lives. Guest-of-Honour Mdm Halimah Yacob, Minister of State, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports lauded the partner agencies for joining forces to reach out to needy students. Mdm Halimah also encouraged parents to support their childrens bids for success, reminding all that what you sow today will result in plentiful fruits tomorrow. The up-beat atmosphere was amplified with energetic dance performances by participants of SINDA's programmes and inspirational videos, while workshops on parenting, nutrition and art also engaged the families. Besides lunch, participants also enjoyed a free flow of candy floss and popcorn, exciting carnival games and free books from the National Library Board, which made the day truly memorable.
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oN 25 August 2011, SINDA hosted the third Ng Lao ChikSINDA Secondary Study (NLC-SSS) Awards ceremony. This year, 12 students were conferred the award, which supports students so as to ease their families financial constraints. The aim of this award is to also allow students to realise their dreams in their pursuit of excellence in areas such as academics, sports and the arts. The award was started by Mr Ng Siak Heng in memory of his late father in 2009. It is meant specially for deserving Indian students studying in mainstream secondary schools in Singapore. Thus far, 17 students have benefitted from this award in the past two years. Second-time recipient, Ashwin s/o Singaram, from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), feels that the study award will prove helpful in his studies: The money goes a long way in supporting my daily expenses and study needs. My academic performance and my co-curricular activities will definitely benefit, said Ashwin.
STEP FEES
PRIMARY Level Subjects Fees (Cash / GIRO) (Fees based on relief package for Jan to Jun 2012 only) $5 per subject per month Curriculum Fees (One-time payment) Primary 1 & 2 Primary 3-6 (Including P5 & P6 Foundation) SECONDARY Secondary 1 - 2 (EXP & NA) Secondary 3 - 5 (EXP & NA) Secondary 1 - 4 (NT) Maths* / General Science Maths* / Combined Science (Phy/Chem) English / Maths* $10 per subject per month $5 per subject English / Maths* English / Maths* / Science $5 per subject
* SINDA offers Maths (2hrs / week) and Double Maths (4hrs / week)
STEP CENTRES
north Bowen Secondary School First Toa Payoh Primary School Marsiling Primary School Mayflower Secondary School North View Secondary School Woodlands Ring Secondary School Seng Kang Secondary School Yishun Primary School east East View Secondary School Pasir Ris Primary School Ping Yi Secondary School 3 Tampines St 42 S (529177) 5, Pasir Ris Street 21 S (518968) 61 Chai Chee Street S (468980) 2 Lorong Napiri S (547529) 7 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh S (319252) 31 Woodlands Centre Rd S (738927) 2 Ang Mo Kio St.21 S (569384) 530 Yishun Ring Rd S (768680) 10 Woodlands Ring Road S (738239) 10 Compassvale Lane S (545090) 500 Yishun Ring Rd S (768679) central Henderson Secondary School Global Indian International School, Balestier Campus West Chua Chu Kang Secondary School Clementi Primary School Fajar Secondary School Jurong West Secondary School Pioneer Secondary School Shuqun Primary School Shuqun Secondary School 3 Teck Whye Crescent S (688845) 8 Clementi Ave 3 S (129903) 31 Gangsa Road S (678972) 61 Jurong West St 65 S (648348) 21 Jurong West St 81 S (649075) 8 Jurong West St 51 S (649332) 450, Jurong East St 21 S (609604)
Primary, Secondary 1 & 2 only Primary only Mon, Tue & Fri Mon, Tue & Thurs Mon, Wed & Thurs Tues, Thurs & Fri
For more details, call 1800- 295- 4554 or visit www.sinda.org.sg/students/step Documents Required: Pupil's NRIC / Birth Certificate / Student Pass Parent / Guardian's bank details for GIRO deductions 2011 Final-Year Examination Results Slip
STUDENTS
confidence
through drama
A DRAMA WORkSHOP conducted by SINDA and ACT 3 Drama Academy on 10 September 2011 gave 21 Primary 4 students enhanced confidence in expressing themselves clearly. Themed Mirror Me, Mirror You, the workshop imparted drama skills in a fun way. Children warmed up to the idea of social interaction by exploring verbal and non-verbal communication methods. Putting aside their inhibitions and mingling freely with their peers, the kids also learnt to speak in English with clarity and confidence. Undoubtedly, these skills will provide the kids with an edge over their peers.
157 PRIMARY 4 AND 5 STUDENTS jumped enthusiastically into SINDAs Project Leap on 12 November 2011. The experiential workshop brought them to various stations around Republic Polytechnic in an exciting programme encompassing self-understanding, time management and public speaking, among others. The youngsters ended the morning motivated to do more for themselves and to set personal goals, armed with the skills to maximise their potential. This is one batch of students that will surely face life with confidence!
PUPILS LEARNT THE SECRETS to acing their PSLE Mathematics papers at SINDAs Winning Strategies seminar held in September at Cheng San Community Club. They learnt how to master challenging Mathematical topics such as Speed, Circles, Fractions and Percentage from their trainer, Mr Vijayan Nambiar, Director of Training Innovations Consultancy. Nasreen Malik, a participant, shared that Mr Vijayans teaching methods were result-oriented: He kept testing our knowledge of concepts by changing the numbers here and there in problem sums. It was very helpful because it made me more prepared for my PSLE paper.
HISTORY CAME ALIVE for 28 primary school students, through an unusual medium stamps! A fun sleep-over at the Singapore Philatelic Museum over 24-25 November 2011 allowed these children to gain insights into traditional methods of communication, as well as the history and origin of stamps. For many of the students, this was their first overnight camp, and it proved an exciting and enjoyable experience. I really liked the Tin Tin exhibition, nine-year-old Shankari d/o Muniandy enthused. Added Md Daniel Hakeem Bin Maznizam, 10, The programme built my knowledge of stamps, and the facilitators were really fun! Entertained by treasure hunts with prizes, a magic show, a shadow show and a movie, the kids also went home with goodie bags full of treats from the museum.
United We Play
PLAY bALL! A soccer workshop was held on 10 December 2011 as one of the many enrichment activities SINDA arranged for the year-end holidays. Following this on 15 December 2011 was an overnight camp at the Singapore Zoo a thrilling chance to Sleep with the Beasts. A dance workshop, Take the Lead, was also held on 19 December 2011. These activities were all designed to engage the primary and secondary school students involved in SINDA, to aid their personal development and ultimately motivate them to excel in school.
STUDENTS
Vroom!
SINDAs vision, at the end of the day, is the communitys vision our vision of building a well-educated, resilient and confident community of Indians that stands together with other communities in contributing to the progress of multi-racial Singapore
DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Chairman of SINDAs board of Trustees
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, PROCLAIMS THE STRATEGIC REVIEW, SINDA 2020: A NEW MOMENTUM. OUTLINED IN THE NExT FEW PAGES ARE FIVE kEY INITIATIVES TO bE ROLLED OUT. HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN LOOk FORWARD TO: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Earlier academic preparation. Everything from parental guidance to information on financial help will be rolled out to get more of the little ones into preschool. Enhanced focus on Mathematics. An intensive approach will be used to equip both parents and students with the right skills and tools.
Increased community reach. Exciting interactive programmes and collaborations are in store to increase our tuition enrolment. Youths engaged as a catalyst for change. In supporting youth aspirations and development, our youths will be positioned as part of the solution to challenges. Increased family support and motivation. A resilient family is the bedrock of a strong, confident and vibrant community. Increased community collaboration. With an all-hands-on-deck approach, SINDA will form or strengthen relevant partnerships to effectively reach out to the community.
AB C
initiative 1: getting more kids into preschool
The first of the strategies is to put Indian children on a stronger footing to succeed in the future, through early learning and confidence building. To see more of our young ones enrol into kindergartens, there will be more information provided for parents, through faceto-face sessions as well as the mass media. Find out which subsidies and grants can help put children through preschool, and learn how to turn your home into a conducive environment through new SINDA programmes. Families will have every opportunity to provide their kids that early head start towards success!
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SINDA 2020
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A CELEbRATION OF OUR UNITY IN ACTION AND A DEMONSTRATION OF OUR PREPAREDNESS TO bE INVOLVED is what Ms Indranee Rajah declared SINDAs 20th Anniversary Dinner to be. The gala fund-raising dinner, held on 23 November 2011 at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, had excelling artistes and SINDA staff performing items, as well as video segments highlighting SINDAs 20-year history. Gracing the event was President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, together with other dignitaries such as former President of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan and Prof S Jayakumar, former Chairman of SINDA. In his speech, Guest-of-Honour President Tony Tan commended SINDAs contributions and efforts toward enhancing the development of the Indian community in Singapore.
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Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Chairman of SINDAs Board of Trustees announced that we have reduced the gaps in educational achievement between Indians and the national average. DPM Shanmugaratnam called on the community to build on goodwill and openness of mind in the coming years, especially in encouraging newer citizens to integrate fully. He said, We need the full strengths of the community, with all its talents and civic energy, to make further progress. The evenings programme culminated in the launch of a commemorative book chronicling SINDAs rich history. Titled A Place in the Community, it is a testament to the integral role that SINDA plays in the community.
A specially-commissioned video, Kalvi Karpaai, was unveiled at SINDA's 20th Anniversary Dinner. A stellar cast of Indian artistes collaborated on this first-ever video, highlighting the importance of education. Watch it now! WATCH THE VIDEO? 1 Turn on 3G 2 Download a free QR code reader to your smartphone 3 Scan the QR Code
SINDA DINNER
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pinnacle of inspiration
YOUTHS ATTENDING SINDAS LATEST IN-CONVERSATION SERIES ON 7 OCTObER 2011 WERE TREATED TO A DIALOGUE SESSION WITH 27-YEAR-OLD DOCTOR AND AVID MOUNTAINEER DR kUMARAN RASAPPAN. The young people were enthralled to hear Dr Kumaran, who practices medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), speak about his medical career. The physician also touched on youth matters such as goal setting and self-motivation, disciplines that proved useful in his mountain climbing expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro and other mountains in Nepal, China and India. It was a learning journey for the 35 youths present as they learnt about the sacrifices Dr Kumaran made and the difficulties he overcame to achieve his ambitions. Photos and video snippets shown during the session gave greater depth to the challenges Dr Kumaran faced. This series organised by SINDA exposes youths to inspirational role-models who have achieved all-rounded excellence in both academics and career, and who give back to society in their own ways. Participant Bavani, who was fascinated by Dr Kumarans unique combination of career and hobby, said the session was an eye-opener. It was certainly an enlightening and inspiring session. You dont often meet doctors who put their careers on hold to pursue their hobbies, but to hear that from Dr Kumaran was simply moving. It shows that anyone can have a profession and pursue their passion for sports or hobbies, if they have the will, said Bavani. The session concluded with Dr Kumaran announcing his next challenge of conquering Mount Everest in 2012. He also aims to raise funds for Tan Tock Seng Hospitals Community Charity Fund through his mountain climbing expeditions.
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TO COMMEMORATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY of Dr Balaji Sadasivans demise, who served as SINDAs fourth president, a scholarship bearing his name has been launched. At the announcement on 27 September 2011, Guest-of-Honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong paid tribute to Dr Balajis passion for social service. Reflecting this, the scholarship fund worth $500,000 will be awarded to deserving Indian undergraduates and post-graduate students in Social Work. Recipients will be bonded to SINDA, so that their expertise in social work can help fulfil SINDAs mission to uplift the Indian community. Mr Viswa Sadasivan, Vice-President of SINDA, also voiced that the scholarship may evolve into something larger, and perhaps look into special needs education, which was another area close to Dr Balajis heart. A booklet entitled The Balaji We Knew, written by family, friends and colleagues, was also launched at the event as an enduring testimony to Dr Balajis life and work.
FAMILY
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Mr Shanmugam also referred to IBRs involvement, saying its not just about money, it is also about time. In particular, he urged members to take the time to talk to and motivate the students SINDA helps. Many of them have great potential but they need mentoring, he said. The session ended with a question&-answer and panel discussion with Mr Shanmugam and Mr Pande. This focused mainly on economic issues in Singapore and the region, with Mr Shanmugam stressing that the government aims to make sure Singaporeans are able to live a decent and meaningful life.
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celebrate!
VOLUNTEER
for Deutsche Post DHL in more than 220 countries and territories. There is enormous potential for their skills and energy to positively impact our society. Volunteerism is an important component in modern societies, and as a global company we want to make a difference."
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congratulations to our eXcO's MR k.V. RAO for being the iiFt alumnus of the year!
CITATION ExCERPT: MR. k.V. RAO IS FROM THE 1984 bATCH OF POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FROM THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN TRADE (IIFT). After completing his graduation in 1980 from Nagarjuna University, Mr. Rao started his career as a Management Trainee with DCM Group in India. He also had an outstanding academic record. He was a gold medallist at Graduate College and was a recipient of the Sir Rangaswamy Award at IIFT. Following a successful career in Consumer Marketing and International Business, Mr. Rao got involved in international trading and counter trading from 1996 to 1999, in Singapore. As CEO and Director of Duncans Group in Singapore, Mr. Rao established the International Business Division for the Group overseas and an IT arm in Singapore during his tenure from 1999 to 2001. In 2001, Mr. Rao joined the Singapore Civil Service as Director of the Trade Development Board of Singapore and was responsible for several initiatives to develop the local industry. Presently, Mr. Rao is the Managing Director for Trust Energy Resource Pte Ltd and Resident Director of Tata Chemical and Tata Power Limited in Singapore and has been with the Tata Group since 2006. Mr. Rao was appointed as a member of the Executive Committee as well as the Audit Committee of SINDA. He is also the
Chairman of the sub-committee on Corporate Social Responsibility for the Tata Group of Companies in Singapore. The Institute is proud of you, Mr. Rao. Munish Bhargava faculty alumni coordinator
About SINDA
Vision To build a strong and vibrant Singaporean Indian community together Mission To build a well-educated, resilient and confident community of Indians that stands together with the other communities in contributing to the progress of multi-racial Singapore VaLues Respect, our culture Integrity, our foundation Service, our promise Excellence, our pursuit Board of trustees patron Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong chairman, Board of trustees Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Life trustees Professor S Jayakumar Mr S Dhanabalan Mr S Chandra Das Mr J Y Pillay Mr Sat Pal Khattar Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Mr K Shanmugam Dr N Varaprasad term trustees Mr Inderjit Singh Ms Indranee Rajah Mr Haider M Sithawalla Mr Bobby Chin Yoke Choong Mr M Rajaram Mr V Shankar Mr Ravi Menon Mr R Jayachandran Mr Hsieh Fu Hua Mr Girija Pande Mr Gautam Banerjee MG Ravinder Singh advisors Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Mr S Iswaran Mr Hri Kumar Nair executiVe coMMittee president Ms Indranee Rajah Vice presidents Mr Viswa Sadasivan Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai, PBM secretary Mr Sarjit Singh, PBM treasurer Mr Subramaniam Iyer Members Mr V P Jothi Mr R Rajaram Mr Aaron Maniam Mr Naseer Ghani Mr Puvan Ariaratnam Mr P Thirunal Karasu, BBM Dr Joshua V M Kuma resource panel Members Mr K V Rao Ms M Nirmala Mr P B Desai Dr Sivasankaran Subramaniam Mr Mohamed Abdul Jaleel, PBM Ms Sabanitha Shanmugasundram Mr Sajen G Aswani
We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions towards SINDA's cause:
CORPORATE DONATIONS Abiraame Jewellers Allen & Gledhill LLP Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited BinjaiTree Chew How Teck Foundation Cleen First Services Pte Ltd Credit Suisse AG, Singapore Branch DBS Bank Limited Emerio Globesoft Pte Ltd GOPIO (Singapore) Hindu Centre Hindu Endowments Board Indian Restaurant Association of Singapore Intra Business Pte Ltd Jay Gee Enterprises (Pte) Ltd Josco Travel & Trading Pte Ltd KNP Trading Pte Ltd Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association Manbeni Corporate Consultancy Pte Ltd Mastercard Asia / Pacific Pte Ltd MGI N Rajan Associates Mini Environment Services Pte Ltd Optimum Solutions (S) Pte Ltd People's Association Indian Activity Executive Committees Council PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Sana Hindu Aftercare (Counselling) Svc Singapore Indian Education Trust Singapore Thamizhar Eyakkam Sri Arasakesari Sivan Temple Sri Arulmigu Murugan Temple Sri Krishnan Temple Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple Standard Chartered Bank State Bank Of India Straits Law Practice LLC Tamil Language & Cultural Society Tamil Murasu Ltd Tamil Representative Council Tolaram Corporation Pte Ltd Total Oil Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd UBS AG Singapore Branch Yahya Abdulhussain Lukmanji Saif Charity Trust INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS Mr Chelva Retnam Rajah Mr Christopher Anand s/o Daniel Mr Harry Susilo Mr Kaikhushru Shiavax Nargolwala Mr Lakshmanan s/o Seenivasakan Mr Manokaran Chakrapani Mr N Subramaniam Mr Nagarajan Senthil Kumar Mr Saha Ranjit Chandra Mr Subramaniam Sankar Mr Sundaram Arun Kumar Mr Sunny G Verghese Ms Sunu Sivadasan Mr Sutharshan Kandiah Mr Thirumalai Chandran Mr Venkatesh Narayanaswamy Mr Yin Kok Kong Mr Chua Nguen Chuar
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