SINDA Connections June 2023

CEO’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends of SINDA

As we enter the second half of 2023, we look back at the first half of what has already been an amazing year. We expanded on many of our initiatives, building upon the work we have done, to better reach out and support you, our community. We made new friends, partners who have joined hands with us in our efforts, and these partnerships promise exciting collaborations for community benefit.

One of these expansions came when we commemorated the one-year anniversary of Let Her Shine! with a new, meaningful initiative, ‘Mentorship to Let Her Shine!’. Our young women will be paired with leading women across a variety of industries, allowing them to glean valuable lessons from these mentors’ life experiences, and giving them role models to look up to and aspire towards in their career journey. Mentorship opportunities don’t stop there, as we look to expand mentorship opportunities to more students. Building upon the success of the SINDA-IBR ITE Corporate Mentoring Programme in 2022, we have expanded the programme to also mentor polytechnic students from this year. These holistic development opportunities complement SINDA’s continued focus on improving educational performance. Through our academic enrichment and tutorial programmes, we have been successful in guiding and supporting over 10,000 students each year. Ensuring our students continued academic success remains an unwavering purpose for SINDA, as we aim to provide our future generations with the right set of skills, knowledge and tools to do well in their chosen academic path and have access to better opportunities in life.

It must be said however, that these efforts would not be possible without the steadfast support of the partners that work with us. We’ve strengthened our existing partnerships, through Memorandums of Understanding with like-minded organisations, such as SG Her Empowerment, the Singapore Indian Association, and the Parish of Christ Church, with whom we share a common passion to serve our communities.

Amidst these meaningful efforts, SINDA is proud to have been recognised for its achievements, receiving the Family Champion Award from Focus on the Family Singapore for our work in nurturing resilient families. I am also honoured to have been appointed as a Justice of the Peace, where I will continue to help the community and the wider Singaporean society in various other capacities.

Honours such as these serve to encourage our efforts in giving our utmost towards the upliftment of our community and I’m thankful for the community’s support. SINDA remains as a beacon of hope for every member of our community in need of support, and we look forward to serving our community’s needs in impactful ways. Let us all continue to work together in our shared vision of community progress.

Anbarasu Rajendran CEO, SINDA

Looking Back

A Justice of the Peace

Our CEO, Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, was appointed as a Justice of the Peace by President Halimah Yacob. Held at the Istana in April, the appointments were presented to individuals who have been key changemakers in Singapore’s growth and have made significant contributions in their respective fields. The esteemed honour provides Mr Anbarasu with a wider platform to help the community, including mediating/refereeing in State Courts and serving as a visiting justice in prisons.

Volunteers Assemble

SINDA had the opportunity to share our best practices in volunteer work at the National Council of Social Service’s Volunteer Management Conference on 11 April. We were part of a panel of booths at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and had the chance to share with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong on how we sustain our pool of volunteers.

Family Champion Award

For our efforts in nurturing resilient families, SINDA received the Family Champion Award by Focus on the Family Singapore. We have worked with Focus in over 70 programmes to reach an estimated 1,200 Indian families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jamalian of the Year

The Jamal Mohamed College Alumni has named our CEO Mr Anbarasu Rajendran Jamalian of the Year. The honour is in recognition of his contributions towards safeguarding the Tamil language and uplifting the Indian community through SINDA.

Celebrating Superheroes on Mother’s Day

21st May was set aside for celebrating superheroes— in this case, the mothers of our Project Athena programme. At the Singapore Recreation Club, 30 mums and their children expressed their love for each other with performances and crafts and bonded over lunch. A highlight was the releasing of balloons at the Padang, a symbolic letting go of the things holding the family down. These families are now ready to soar!

PARTNERS IN STEP WITH SINDA

From individuals and companies, to grassroots organisations and national agencies, to religious and ethnic groups—SINDA has enjoyed much support as we work for the progress of Singapore’s Indian community. Each partner brings resources and expertise that fuel our outreach efforts, and our community is all the better for it.

Our collaborations span from events and programmes to booths, dialogues and fundraisers. They extend our reach to those who are vulnerable among us; they build a stronger society for generations to come. Having schools and educational institutions on board, in particular, has had a critical impact on our young.

We have champions on the ground—volunteers who play the integral role of running programmes and directing others to avenues of support. We empower them to organise and lead, offering them training and learning opportunities. We also catalyse projects by providing grants to those aligned with our vision and mission, so that ideas to help the community can take flight.

You (or your organisation), too, can join with us to make lives better. Read on to know more!

“Fernvale IAEC is proud to partner with SINDA through various programmes such as the Door Knocking Exercise and motivational talks for residents. Our partnership serves to uplift the Indian community through multiple avenues and we hope to continue this collaboration to provide stronger support for members of our community.”

Kumari Devi, Vice-Chairperson, Fernvale Indian Activity Executive Committee (IAEC)

Take that step to bring the community forward, at https://www.sinda.org.sg /get-involved/

YOUR TIME TO STEP UP!

Don’t think volunteering is for you? You might be surprised! Here are some of SINDA’s initiatives with opportunities for you to get involved.

Feet on the ground

Ground engagements are a vital way for us to connect with the Indian community. Working closely with our partners and community organisations, we are constantly reaching out to help those who need help.

Door Knocking Exercises (DKE)

The heartlands are our stamping ground, where we fan out to meet residents to understand their needs, suggesting appropriate support services where we can. Complementing this, the DKE Call Centre checks in with a ring within 48 hours of our in-person visits, to follow up on issues.

Festive Gift Pack Distribution

A community that celebrates together grows together! Over Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Christmas, we bring gifts and vouchers to vulnerable Indian families to ensure no one is left out of the festivities.

Getting social with seniors

Where there’s an elderly Indian who is lonely, there is a befriender from our Elderly Befriending Programme ready to share some time. Training is provided to volunteers so that we can remind our silver generation that they are not forgotten and that we can make new memories with them too!

Feeding a reading habit

Getting kids hooked on books is what our Book Wizards do. Volunteers with the SINDA Book Wizards programme read with 4 to 7-year-olds and guide them in activities that help them develop a love for books. These virtual sessions have become a ritual both volunteers and children look forward to!

Mentoring youths

Working professionals, you can steer young lives! Our programmes like Mentor Me match tertiary students to mentors in relevant fields for career guidance and insights into working life.

Funding your Ideas

Opportunities to contribute come in other forms, too!

SINDA Community Impact Fund (SCIF)

Support ideas that support the community! Individuals and organisations can access grants to implement innovative solutions that benefit the Indian community, for sustainable social impact.

SINDA Research Fund (SRF)

Seed insights into the needs of our community, through the SRF. With this, students from institutes of higher learning, researchers, academics or professionals are able to embark on inter-disciplinary research to bring us confidently into the future.

Visit https://www. sinda-grants.org/

explore how your ideas can help others too!

Radiant at First Anniversary

Also being inaugurated that day was Mentorship to Let Her Shine!, a new programme with a women-for-women model. 20-to-35-year-olds are matched to Indian women professionals for a year, who will guide the youths in the industries they are interested in, and lead them on “Peek to Peak” learning journeys.

To kick things off, participants at the event heard from an all-women panel discussion, which included CEO of SHE, Ms Simran Toor and other professionals. The panel discussed themes of resilience and sustainability, including navigating adversities and professional challenges, workplace disruptions, overcoming burnout and the importance of exercise and nutrition.

Close to 550 young Indian ladies have been empowered and inspired by LHS since its birth. This year, the programme aims to benefit 1,300 women. SINDA CEO Mr Anbarasu Rajendran calls it “an important pillar” in the uplifting of the Indian community, as SINDA continues to help more among us to succeed in life.

SINDA’s Let Her Shine! (LHS) programme is just a year old, but is already drawing fans for getting women on the path to illustrious careers. On its first anniversary, we celebrated by launching yet another well-received initiative within its ambit, as well as by inking a Memorandum of Understanding with like-minded non-profit organisation, SG Her Empowerment (SHE).

I think that Let Her Shine! accelerates the growth of Indian women. Having mentors, networking opportunities and meeting people with similar growth mindsets definitely is an acceleration for Indian women, and will ensure that they are not missing out on anything, as it acts as a good stepping stone.

Parvynpal Kaur, Let Her Shine Participant, 24

INking stronger partnerships

Besides the MOU with SG Her Empowerment in May, SINDA also signed an agreement with the Singapore Indian Association (SIA) on 16 April, which will allow our youths to use SIA’s sporting facilities. Together, we will be able to offer more diverse opportunities and help the youths develop both their interest and skills in sports.

Another MOU was reached with the Parish of Christ Church on 21 May. The partnership with the church gives SINDA space to implement programmes such as Café Excel; it will also make our services more accessible as Christ Church refers those who need our help to us.

Helping Organisations Walk in Step on the Road to Sustainability

As a teen, a line of poetry inspired first-generation Singaporean Madhumitha Ardhanari to care for the land, and today she inspires others through her work as a Principal Sustainability Strategist.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have a deep love for the natural world. After working for five years in the sustainability sector, I undertook a Masters in Inequalities and Social Sciences to understand climate justice better. I volunteer with various local groups and give public talks about sustainability, and research sand dredging and land justice.

What led you to a career in the sustainability sector?

I didn’t know what sustainability was when I graduated, but came across a job recommendation from a course alumnus. It was with non-profit organisation Forum for the Future, that helps companies weave sustainability principles into their business models. It intuitively felt like the most realistic way of creating meaningful change. Nine years on, I am still here.

What is your work like?

It is too complex for most businesses working alone to build sustainability strategies, so I convene multistakeholder collaborations where they can work across sectors to unlock transformative change.

It is hard work, especially when an organisation has no will or mandate—there used to be many climate sceptics—but I have an incredible team. We bring diverse people together and get them to listen deeply to different perspectives, because we all want a better future but may disagree on how to get there. These are difficult but important conversations that lead to healthy forms of change.

So why is sustainability so vital in ensuring a prosperous world?

Humanity benefited from the Industrial Revolution, but at the same time used our planet in ways it cannot fully recover from. We see this in the climate, health and biodiversity crises of today. Our global wealth is growing in a way that increasingly leaves many people out. Sustainability, to me, is not about prosperity in an economic sense, but about thriving in a way that is no longer at odds with our planet and people.

How does Singapore’s sustainability report card read? Singapore’s understanding of the scale of the challenge has been great. Our country is investing in food security, sustainable technologies and financial mechanisms, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. A major win was the introduction of a carbon tax that was higher than many environmentalists had anticipated.

However, we are still very far from a holistic and systematic process. We still finance unsustainable industries in the region like coal and palm oil. As a resource-poor country we import a lot without sufficient due diligence around the sustainability of our sources. We are losing forested areas to development. Our ecological footprint per capita is among the highest in Asia. We need all Singaporeans to join the effort and ask questions on how we can do better, in our families, communities, workplace and in policymaking.

How can individuals play our part?

Recycling is a start but far from all that is needed. We can:

• Consume more consciously by choosing not to support pollutive and exploitative companies.

• Inculcate the right values in our children, immersing them in the natural world and learning with them.

• Rally together for what we care about, to protect the places that matter to us, for our country’s future.

There is a beautiful line in the Indian poet Bharathiyar's poem ‘Nallathor veenai seithe’, which goes (“Will you grant me strength to be of purpose to this land?”). It is important to be of service to the land that sustains us.

Switching to 'Greener' Pastures

You graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a Diploma in Aerospace Technology; what prompted the switch to studying Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (EHS) after six years at RSAF?

I wanted to upgrade myself academically. At the same time, I had been paying attention to climate change issues throughout the world, and felt I could play my part by being equipped to create a better future. I was also moved to do something for migrant worker safety, after some months as a duty manager for a foreign worker dormitory and getting to know these brothers.

You were awarded the PSB-SINDA Scholarship for your degree, how did it help?

I found the scholarship online and it lifted my financial burden tremendously. The grant covered 50% of my school fees, and I managed to secure a SIET loan to settle the balance. I also received a HEB bursary for a few months. Still, I had to be very disciplined and thrifty—being in the middle of the pandemic helped as we mostly stayed in.

What does the fight against climate change mean to you?

Tell us something about your journey in the last few years, especially the challenges you’ve faced. After Polytechnic, a few months before my national service, I signed on with the Republic of Singapore Air Force because my dad retired. I became our family’s sole breadwinner for five years until my sister started work. I decided to further my studies and had to find a part-time job.

It was overwhelming initially, committing to work, study (I was also president of the university student council), taking care of my parents (my dad had a heart operation) and my sister. I had to make sure that I didn’t crumble while juggling all these.

I was anxious but determined. I felt very excited about entering a new phase in life, having made my choice. I am now a Health, Safety, Environment & Facility Executive with ISS, at Rolls-Royce Singapore.

Everything! All life on earth depends on human action against climate change. However, despite ongoing efforts we are still lagging. We need to influence our communities, families and friends to be good stewards of our planet. We can be more conscious in our daily choices—what we eat and wear, for example, are at the expense of nature. Be aware of your carbon footprint. Through more open conversations about climate change, we can look to more businesses investing in sustainability and pledging to align with nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

You were a SINDA volunteer previously and now you are a volunteer with the sustainability-focused Global Compact Network Singapore Youth Alliance. Is volunteering an activity you endorse?

I urge all youths to take that step. You can help with beach clean-ups or conservation activities; just read up or watch podcasts and documentaries about climate change and you are bound to be inspired.

What advice would you give to those looking to make a mid-career switch?

Be open-minded about exploring different sectors and take time for thorough research. Trust your own instinct and interests and believe in yourself. Be prepared so that when an opportunity arises you can seize it readily.

Pursuing his interest in sustainability meant leaving a career in the aerospace industry and taking on a part-time degree programme while working to provide for his family, but Sunilprashanth Rajendran says it was worth it.

Dishing Up Food for Thought

Culinary anthropologist Nithiya N Laila is serving up different means for Singaporeans to adopt a sustainability mindset around food.

What is being a culinary anthropologist about? How did you end up being one?

I studied Anthropology in London and as a homesick international student, I started a cooking club. I discovered the power of food to communicate human experience in a way that supersedes bias and prejudice, while carrying our histories.

With my pop-up Brunch Bandits which I’ve run since 2012, I use locally-grown ingredients to introduce the cultures of the Global South to guests via the cuisines, music and art of these countries. I want to show how we are more similar than different, from our migratory patterns to the edible flora and fauna of the region.

I also organise farmers markets featuring local growers and makers.

Is there a link with sustainability?

To me, sustainability encompasses cultural sustainability, community sustainability and food sovereignty, besides environmental sustainability. It is a holistic practice which should be woven into our lives.

One of the things I am most proud of is the series of panel sessions I co-organised with Yale NUS to explore Singapore’s 30x30 vision. We brought authors, farmers, the government and academics together to discuss food sustainability.

I have also started SG Seed Exchange with funding from the SG Eco Fund to provide Singaporeans access to highquality heirloom native plant seeds. We are also working on a native edible plant compendium and recipe bank.

How can our Indian community, with its rich culture of food, contribute to food sustainability in Singapore?

From turmeric to moringa to green jackfruit, so many superfoods are from Indian culture, even eco-food packaging like areca leaf plates. I hope we learn to value our traditions and native plant knowledge, which we also see in natural unprocessed skincare and regenerative organic farming methods.

All Singaporeans can start by buying local produce or growing herbs that thrive in our native environment.

You were also the host of the Edible Wild programme on Channel NewsAsia. What was the experience like? It was really wonderful to have my work filmed for TV. For the first season filmed in Singapore, I got a lot of my farmer friends involved. For Season 2, we travelled all over Asia Pacific, which was a true learning experience for me, from catching and cooking insects (in Bangkok) and sea worms (in Guangzhou) to foraging for mushrooms (in Seoul) to handdying silk fabric (in Tokyo).

Who are the heroes who motivate you?

I have been blessed with strong female figures in my life, like my grandma who showed me what it means to be generous and nourishing, and my mum who I respect for not limiting me even if it went against her parental worries. Then there are my role models like Jane Goodall and Vandana Shiva for how they balance impact on environmental issues with softness and humour.

What do you hope people take away from all these activities you do?

I hope we can appreciate and look at our surrounding environment with new eyes. Sustainability is inherent in tropical cultures; if we find that balance of past tradition and future innovation we can achieve our sustainability goals.

Spruced Up, Stocked Up and Filled Up for Hari Raya PUASA!

SINDA and friends celebrated Hari Raya Puasa with our Indian Muslim brothers and sisters in a new way in 2023, with our first-ever Project Shine hosted during the Hari Raya season.

Some 60 volunteers set out on a Sunday in April for visits to disadvantaged families and seniors living alone. They came wearing not finery nor bearing fine gifts, but with the whole-hearted gift of service—for Project Shine sees these volunteers rolling up their sleeves to scrub down and spruce up the homes of our beneficiaries.

On 16 April, participants from the SINDA Youth Club and other youth programmes joined SINDA volunteers to give 20 residences a fresh sparkle in time for Hari Raya. Ishtara Cares, the philanthropic arm of Ishtara Jewellers, also sponsored all the cleaning equipment and materials.

Barakth Nisha was among these youths who got to play a part in bringing festive joy to these residents, “At the end of the day, when we’ve finished the cleaning, we get to see the smile on their faces and see them satisfied with their house being cleaned. That’s the best part of this project –knowing that we’ve made their day better.”

Founder of the Ishtara Foundation, Mr Parthiban Murugaiyan, shared his excitement on this collaboration with SINDA, “By partnering with SINDA, we are able to reach out to a large pool of people who need support. Helping the elderly and children are our key focus areas. We were particularly keen to support Project Shine as it helps our pioneers to enjoy better living conditions. I am sure this will not only make them happy but also will serve an important purpose to keep their homes cleaner and more hygienic.”

Two weeks earlier, on 1 April, an even larger party of volunteers had also paid calls to 450 homes right round the island. Their joyous task was to distribute SINDA’s signature Celebrate! Festive Gift Packs, consisting of Hari Raya goodies and lights, as well as $120 worth of grocery vouchers. 10 partner organisations joined in to support the exercise. At the same time, 200 Iftar meals were provided for 45 families in need, so that they could break fast together.

All told, both the beneficiaries and the volunteers experienced a most meaningful Hari Raya, which was brightened up in so many ways!

GIVE THEM THE BEST START IN LIFE

Don’t wait until the little ones are in school to encourage their interest in words and numbers. Capture their interest early with SINDA’s help for wee ones, even new-borns!

For the very young

Got a new bundle of joy at home? Here’s another from us to you! Your baby gets a brain-boosting beginning with SINDA’s Hello Baby gift bundle. Dad and mum may just be as enraptured with the interactive playthings as baby is bound to be!

Then, our Hello Toddler gift set is just the ticket for older tots. Full of books just waiting to be read to them, it is a wonderful way to pique their imaginations.

For the pre-schoolers

Have your 3-to-6-year-olds join SINDA’s Literacy and Numeracy (LYNN) programme, so they will be all revved up for primary school (no fear of numbers!). We give your children a good start on their English and Mathematics learning journeys by cultivating their interest and confidence in the subjects.

Among the many activities available for pre-schoolers, this is one that will resonate for years to come. Our teachers help children enjoy learning while laying the groundwork so that they need not struggle once in school.

Register for this 20-week interactive enrichment class at https://www.sinda.org.sg/children/lynn/ for the best advantage you can give your kids.

Last year, more than 600 families were thrilled to use our toys and books to grow closer to their broods. Among them was Saraswati d/o Subramaniam, 26, who received both bundles for her two young daughters. The colourful sensory toys are aiding her younger one’s early development, and Saraswati reads with her older daughter the picture books that she loves.

Don’t miss this chance to bond with your precious tots while developing their cognitive skills! The Hello Baby and Hello Toddler bundles for low-income families are delivered right to the door. If you’ve got children under four you may be eligible—register now at https://www.sinda.org.sg/services/family/

Saraswati d/o Subramaniam, 26

Monisha d/o Ganesan attended the LYNN programme in 2021 and her mother Anakili d/o Raja Gopal has only praises for it, saying,

“The LYNN programme has made Monisha a lot more confident in reading and writing, and increased her interest in learning. I am thankful to SINDA for providing a head start for my daughter to achieve her full potential in school.”

“The Hello Baby and Hello Toddler Bundles have given me an opportunity to bond with both my daughters as they begin to explore the world around them. I have a new-found confidence to build a strong foundation for my girls.”

The Magic of the March Holidays

…is in how we manage to cram so much fun into just one week! Here’s what our youths, children and families got up to.

STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Finding their groove in the grove

Traipsing through the Gardens by the Bay, troops of students had a 'tree-rrific' morning getting up close with greenery, including the iconic Supertrees. Moving on to Forest Adventure at Bedok Reservoir in the afternoon, they got even closer—right among the branches, up in the park’s high elements obstacle course! A two-day camp for upper primary and a one-day camp for lower primary students hosted 50 kids each, with the older cohort enjoying a second day of bonding games at Sentosa.

Picnic and play

On 12 March, we gathered SINDA families at Coastal PlayGrove by the East Coast beach and put aside all electronic devices and thoughts of school and work. 39 in all, participants unwound with good old-fashioned games, laughing through dogand-bone, tug-of-war and other classics, dancing out forfeits along the way!

My Digital Boot Camp

Cairnhill Community Club was where upper-primary students got their hands on their own digital kits for a two-day workshop in collaboration with Central Singapore Community Development Council and United Overseas Bank. A little competition never fails to spice things up, and the pupils used their new digital skills to tackle real-life scenarios with gusto.

YOUTHS

Speaking out

Three days after International Women’s Day, our own young ladies from secondary schools learnt how to speak their minds confidently and respectfully. The participants of this Let Her Shine! workshop also toured the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame at the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations and learnt about milestones for women in our country.

Floorball flair

The youths who signed up for GAME Floorball came to improve their techniques, and got an exciting four sessions of training at Temasek Polytechnic, which culminated in a medal competition. Peer Leaders also followed up each session with discussions on social emotional learning.

Enthused for enterprise

“I felt like I was in Shark Tank!” exclaims Siddharth Manoj, 14. From ideation to pitching to execution, the participants of GAME Entrepreneurship exercised their business chops using real-life social issues. The various inventive products and solutions that surfaced during the two-day programme are testimony to the resourcefulness of a new generation of leaders.

Drumming up interest in Arts & Culture

20 young people took the opportunity to try traditional drumming with an introduction to Parai Isai at AKT Academy. Handling the heavy parai took some getting used to but participants were soon caught up in the flow and were well in-sync with each other. You can’t beat a good rhythm, we say!

Knock, Knock... Its SINDA at the Door

When life’s problems seem overwhelming, it can be tempting to hide yourself away, but SINDA wants to reach out and lend a hand where we can.

To that end, our Door Knocking Exercise (DKE)—where volunteers visit Indian families—has proven fruitful. Since 2017, SINDA has been calling on residents in various districts, listening to their problems and connecting them to the appropriate services they might need. Through the DKE, we have also shared and introduced our many programmes to over 1,000 households across the island. More than 700 of these families were new to SINDA's fold through the DKE, we managed to link them to many of our different initiatives!

On 26 March this year, the monthly exercise saw SINDA youths accompany Minister Indranee Rajah to 30 households in Bukit Merah, along with several volunteers from the Tanjong Pagar Indian Activity Executive Committee. Our volunteers at the DKE Call Centre would go on to follow up with residents across the next few days, reassuring them that help was on the way.

It was an especially insightful experience for the young volunteers, who got the chance to better understand issues on the ground. They heard concerns ranging from inflation and the cost of living to post-COVID-19 challenges.

2023

Calling Overseas Graduates!

SINDA will host the annual SINDA Excellence Awards (SEA) Ceremony in September 2023. The SEA Award is the highest honour bestowed by SINDA upon Indian students who have achieved excellence in their respective fields.

This ceremony will also honour returning graduates from leading overseas universities who fulfil the following criteria:

● Must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents of Indian origin; and

● Must have graduated in the 2022/2023 Academic Year; and

● Must have obtained First Class Honours or its equivalent in their respective course of study (Bachelor’s Degree only); and

● Graduate university must be ranked higher than NUS and NTU in the Times Higher Education World University Listings 2023, in its respective disciplines.

Quiz-O-Mania

Read everything in the August 2023 issue of SINDA Connections without skipping a page? Let’s see how well you know its contents!

This contest is open only to primary and secondary school students, who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents. Three correct entries will win $50 worth of vouchers each. Scan the QR code or visit www.sinda.org.sg/Quiz-O-Mania and complete the quiz by 23 September 2023. Winning correct entries will be picked in a draw and the judges’ decision is final.

Winners will be contacted by SINDA to collect their prize and their names will be published in the next issue of SINDA Connections.

Congratulations to the winners of the previous contest!

1) Jeremy Kevin Ratnam Junior Bartley Secondary School

2) Thara Robben Deyi Secondary School

3) Raikar Aahan Rajesh Tampines Primary School

Darshan s/o Rajenderan

When 25-year-old undergraduate Darshan isn’t hitting the books, you’ll find him managing his Mixed Martial Arts team, strumming his guitar, or exploring nature, new activities or cuisines. But his seemingly chill life belies a difficult background. Here is his story of overcoming personal challenges.

Hi! I’m Darshan, and I’m a second-year student at the National University of Singapore.

Growing up, home life was rough. My mom’s illness meant my dad had to put in extra effort to support our family. It was a very stressful situation that led to frequent conflicts. It took a toll on my studies—I was always dealing with family issues—but I’m grateful for the unwavering support of my relatives during those tough times. They were my motivation to dig deep and give my studies my all. My biggest goal now is to become someone that they can be proud of!

One of the toughest hurdles I faced was juggling the expenses of my education and day-to-day needs. Thankfully I managed to secure a scholarship and SINDA stepped in with bursaries so I could focus more on my studies, and I worked part-time to manage the rest.

“I actively expose myself to new experiences. Currently, I have my sights set on performing my own stand-up comedy act. By setting small achievable goals for myself, it becomes easier to tackle larger goals. My aim is to become a better version of myself with each passing day”

That said, I knew I wasn’t the most academically gifted student in class. In school, I took twice as long as my classmates to solve problems; at university, I sometimes still do. I’ve taken a longer path in my education, but have no regrets. Through the years, I’ve learned the importance of persistence. I’ve learned that it’s okay to not have the correct answer immediately. What truly matters is not giving up and always having the curiosity and grit to seek out the solution.

SINDA STEP tuition helped a lot, giving me the guidance to grow and build myself academically. It was a positive experience that led me to join the SINDA Young Leaders Programme, as both participant and later, mentor. I may not be the best leader, but joining such programmes allows me to work towards becoming a better leader.

Ultimately, I’m proud of who I am and I’m looking forward to who I can become. Looking back, I want to thank SINDA for giving me this chance and for being a pillar in my life.