SINDA Connections - June 2016 by SINDA

First Step Towards Bright Careers 12

MCI (P) 095/04/2016

SYLP: Learning About Service Leadership

JUNE 2016

Tuition Programme Shows Results!

HE WRITES POEMS ABOUT PATIENTS R R Pravin

03 CHALLENGING OUR JUNIORS

11 SINDA SCHOLARSHIPS

15 EXPANDING OUR OUTREACH

Contents

01 02 03

• CEO’s Note

12-13

• Book Rangers’ Reading Club

• Challenging Our Juniors

• Overwhelming Response for Oli Junior Presenter Workshop

PUBLISHER Singapore Indian Development Association

• SINDA RI Amazing Race—Race to Lead

• SYLP: Learning About Service Leadership

EDITORIAL TEAM

• Intensive Maths Coaching Pays Off • First Step towards Bright Careers

Corporate & Marketing Communications Division, SINDA CHIEF EDITOR Ravindran Nagalingam, COO, SINDA

15 • Expanding Our Outreach to Schools

07 • When School’s a Challenge, Meet It With Youth Victory • Up Close and Personal

08-10 • Cover Story: RR Pravin He Writes Poems About Patients

16 • Remembering the Late Mr Lee Kuan Yew

17 • Winners of Previous Contest • About Us

• Tuition Programme Shows Results! • Pursue Your Dream Education with a SINDA Scholarship

PRODUCTION EDITOR Dhanasegaran Narayanasamy DESIGN & LAYOUT Green House Design + Communications Pte Ltd PRINTER Stamford Press Pte Ltd Licence No: L022/04/2012

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CEO’s Note

K Barathan CEO, SINDA

Dear Friends, Recently, the Ministry of Education announced plans to replace the current PSLE aggregate scoring system with a wider band score system. The new scoring system—to be implemented from 2021 onwards—will encourage students to focus on their own learning and development rather than compete with their peers in examinations. This announcement signals the government’s increased emphasis on recognising students for their talents and achievements, and not for their academic performance alone. It is a step in the right direction, with our children encouraged to grow, explore and develop their areas of interest while pursuing academic excellence. The end result being students who are equipped with a balanced set of skills to excel in the future. The notion that only select professions guarantee success no longer holds. Every interest, talent and skill can pave the way to a successful future, if a child puts his or her mind to it, works passionately with determination and does not give up till he or she attains success. Oftentimes, our children tend to give up too easily. As parents, we need to support them, boosting their spirits when they are at a low and cheering them on in their victories. The path to success is sometimes wrought with disappointment, sacrifice and failure, but great things can be achieved with dedication, hard work, good habits and persistence. A comprehensive study in 2015 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

ranked Singaporean students as the top academic scorers among 76 nations. While our students are performing better, it also means that there are greater stressors on our children. Parents must be mindful of their children’s psychological and emotional needs and ensure that they put aside time to cater to both. At SINDA, we increasingly see students who have ended up in the company of negative peers. This is a situation that can be well-avoided if the home environment is conducive and our children are allowed an open and safe atmosphere to express their feelings, thoughts, fears and emotions. Children who come from supportive home environments grow into capable and confident adults. I encourage parents to have regular family-bonding activities to promote cohesion and mutual respect within their families. SINDA’s educational programmes infuse motivational elements, taught by trained tutors and facilitators, in order to offer our kids this support as well. The entire community has a role to play. If we, as a community, can ensure that each one of our students is emotionally and socially mature; is allowed the space to nurture and develop their strengths and character; and is guided towards making the right life choices, we can ensure the successful future of the Singapore Indian community. Let us work together as a community to achieve this future.

Book Rangers’ Reading Club The young ones are developing a fluency and love for languages through SINDA’s latest collaboration with the National Library Board. The fresh-look Book Rangers’ Club is nurturing budding writers and storytellers in both English and Tamil, in a revision of its successful pilot run last year. This resourceful programme doesn’t just allow its young participants to discover joy in reading, but, drawing inspiration from books, these 7-10 year-olds are also unearthing their talents in creative writing, illustration and dramatisation. Jurong Regional Library, Woodlands Regional Library and Ang Mo Kio Public Library hosted the first series of eight sessions from 5 March to 23 April 2016 at their conducive premises. Last year, Clementi Public Library was one of the participating libraries in this programme and feedback from an attendee’s parent was that “it’s an excellent programme!”. Another parent offered , “The Book Rangers’ Club has improved my child’s reading and writing abilities to a great extent.” Look out for the next series in the twice-yearly programme, which starts on 9 July!

Challenging Our Juniors

Can you model a working lung out of plastic bags, balloons and drinking straws? Our primary 5 and 6 STEP students sure can! And not far behind them, their lower primary STEP counterparts proved that you can also have fun with Enthralling English and Math Madness. At the annual SINDA Junior Challenge on 12 March, 223 participants from 20 STEP Centres showed their mettle and were each awarded ‘I am a winner!’ medals for their stupendous efforts. Whether it was crafting animal masks or grappling with tonguetwisters and charades, speedily doing mental sums for dog-and-bone, or designing a parachute to drop an egg to safety from a two-storey height, the students all relished applying their academic skills in exciting games. While the top three winners walked away with trophies, the rest certainly earned their medals too. Meanwhile, also at the Unity Secondary School venue, some 170 of their parents were being likewise inspired. Entrepreneur, author and life coach Mr Pugalenthii encouraged them with tips on how to support their children in their studies. Bukit View STEP Centre principal, Mr Rasandran, shared that parents and students both enjoyed the programme. He believes STEP will “continue to reach greater heights”, adding, “Our heartiest congratulations to the organising team!”

SINDA RI Amazing Race—Race to Lead Nothing “kiasu” (the Singlish term for ‘fear of losing out’) about the Race to Lead on 27 February. Instead, there was lots of cooperation, coordination and communication at play, literally. “It was a lot of fun!” beamed participant Shakti Thillainakasvaran, a Primary 5 student. She was referring to this year’s installment of SINDA-RI’s Amazing Race, at the end of the high-energy morning. Shakti was among 53 Primary 4 to 6 pupils who visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens, our newly-designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, that day. Led by SINDA’s annual partners, Raffles Institution (RI), the kids hopped around the park’s many iconic spots, from the Sundial Garden and Palm Valley to the Bandstand and Swan Lake, in order to complete various tasks. As team leaders and team players, the kids tackled challenges designed to develop good character and leadership traits. Learning to work together was high on the agenda, with the ‘Pipe Roll’ and ‘Toxic Swamp’ games needing players to not only work fast but be able to coordinate well with other players. Training concentration? The game ‘Buzz’, in which players had to replace the number 7 with the word “buzz” while counting up to 100, was made all the harder by the giggles it generated. The importance of communicating clearly was a lesson well learnt through the ‘Telephone’ and the ‘Minefield’. By the end of the morning, the students knew they were in sync with their team-mates, having mastered the ‘Blind Bandit’—saying a word simultaneously while blindfolded! Kudos to the RI teens, who independently planned and executed the day’s programme. Their rapport with the primary schoolers was warm, and they received much praise from their young charges for their role as peer leaders-cum-facilitators. Certainly many of these young ones picked up a tip or two from the RI teens on managing their time so that they can participate in non-academic activities too. Thanks to the Amazing Race, they have the confidence to make their next stage of schooling a success, too. Lead on, we say!

Intensive Maths Coaching Pays Off

First Step towards Bright Careers

When social workers with the SINDA Family Service Centre (SFSC) identified some kids who could do with extra help in Maths in their crucial PSLE year, they reached out to our Education division. As a result of the collaboration, some 17 students who were struggling with that subject were enrolled in a 12-week intensive Maths coaching programme last year. The upshot—half of them saw their grades jump by the time their final exams came round.

Our teens are our future—the last thing we want is for them to be aimless! But how are these youngsters to know what opportunities beckon? Enter SINDA’s Indian Business-leaders’ Roundtable (IBR), to light the way.

Vishwa T Saravanan is one of those for whom the intervention made a difference. The self-confessed “very playful” student appreciates the unstinting encouragement and rigorous practice he received at the tuition sessions, as well as the support from his parents. He shares, “I felt very demoralised in Primary 5 when I was doing very badly. With the maths intensive programme, I felt more confident. I was getting more of my problem sums correct and I was proud of myself.” Vishwa scored a C grade instead of the U he was used to seeing, and happily made it to Juying Secondary School. During the programme, Vishwa and his friends were offered intensive coaching support, including oneto-one guidance as well as group tuition. For him, the difference was being able to learn at his own pace without the stress of a large class. It didn’t hurt that the sessions were enjoyable, too! “Every time my friend and I walked out of class, we couldn’t stop talking about it,” he laughs. Not least, the programme ensured parental involvement in the exam preparations, with regular parent-tutor and parent-social worker sessions where parents would get feedback on their children’s progress. The parents were also roped in to help create a conducive study environment at home. Hopefully, these families and kids will remain motivated to strive on. SINDA certainly has their backs!

Impact of Intensive Maths Coaching

54% 52% 50% 48% 46% 44%

53% 47% Results Improvement maintained Shown

Over three dates in March and April, some of the senior executives who make up IBR offered insights to 387 STEP students in a round of career guidance talks. Hosted at four STEP centres, the dozen sessions highlighted pathways for the youths to achieve their career goals. Being exposed to a wide range of industries—from data sciences and information technology to manufacturing and finance—helped these secondary school pupils plan for their post-secondary education with a career in mind. Some students were enlightened by the talks as they discovered new things about unfamiliar sectors. “Informative” and “awesome” were words that popped up frequently in the pupils’ survey responses. Likewise, IBR speakers were warm in their appraisals. Mr Venkatraman Sheshashayee, CEO & Executive Director of Miclyn Express Offshore, was among them. “I enjoyed meeting with the adolescents,” he declared. “It has been an energising, engaging and rewarding experience.” Career guidance is a component of the SkillsFuture initiative. To encourage this national initiative, IBR, supported by SINDA, conducted a series of career guidance talks in 2015 and 2016 for STEP students with input from MOE’s Career Guidance branch and the SkillsFuture Council. Over these two years, IBR reached out to 424 students through this effort. Their aim—to motivate those in their mid-teens to develop a strong academic foundation that they can build their dream career on. IBR Chairman Mr Girija Pande explained, “SkillsFuture is a national priority and a life-long learning initiative to reskill the workforce. (This is a) special project (by IBR) to provide career counselling and internship opportunities to SINDA students.” Mindful of the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to pursue their dreams and equipped with the attendant skills, the participating students are poised to make well-informed choices in their education, training and careers. Indeed, the future’s looking bright.

When School’s a Challenge, Meet it with Youth Victory One lacked the confidence to speak up in class; another couldn’t see why he should put in any effort to improve his grades. Sound familiar? These teens represent a fair number of secondary school students who struggle daily to feel engaged in their lessons. Thankfully, their schools—among 24 island-wide currently—worked with SINDA to conduct the Youth Victory programme. The result? “I am able to work and contribute better in group presentations,” says Shobika Naidu of East View Secondary School. Santhosh, of Greenridge Secondary School, also testifies, “I have a positive attitude towards my studies now.” Youth Victory prepares students for their landmark exams. It teaches them to overcome earlier failures and surmount obstacles to earn better grades than they’d previously thought possible. Besides offering academic help, it inculcates self-esteem, builds interpersonal skills to handle peer pressure and instils emotional maturity, especially important for teens navigating the capricious social media. Held over ten sessions in participating schools, Youth Victory utilises small group settings, interactive activities, camps and outings to develop teens’ self-image and resilience. Study skills workshops also prime them well for national exams. For the schools which have implemented Youth Victory, the initiative has paid off. “Youth Victory has certainly made a difference in my pupils’ lives,” notes Mdm Rosina Bakam, teacher and SINDA Liaison Officer at East View Secondary. “The programme has broadened their perspectives and deepened their thoughts.” Youth Victory is open to Indian Singaporeans and Permanent Residents from Secondary 1 to 5, at a subsidised cost of $40 for ten sessions for lower secondary students and $10 per session for upper secondary students (deductible through Edusave). Students under the Financial Assistance Scheme are fully subsidised for this programme.

Up Close and Personal #SYCLEARNS is a brand new initiative by the SINDA Youth Club (SYC) to create awareness of various societal issues and concerns. The workshops, in collaboration with several partner organisations such as ETCH Empathy, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Law Society of Singapore, are specially designed for Indian youth to gain insights into unpaved critical areas of society through interaction with different segments of society. Kicking off the series was a ‘Dialogue in the Dark’ session held on 16 April. 27 participants were taken out of their comfort zones to perform typical daily actvities in total darkness, led by visually-impaired guides. The tour itself lasted for about one hour but the impact, a lifetime. This simulated environment allowed participants to gain understanding and appreciation of both the abilities and disabilities of the visually-impaired. More importantly, it led to a discussion about how gender, race, class and disabilities all become invisible, fostering inclusivity. Upcoming sessions of #SYCLEARNS will see participants exploring Singapore’s parliamentary system, understanding the legal service, and gaining insights into social entrepreneurship, among others. If you are game for the experience, get in touch with SINDA today. Contact Priyeswari @ 6393 6304 / priyeswari@sinda.org.sg

HE WRITES POEMS ABOUT PATIENTS Losing his father at 15 has given newlygraduated doctor R R Pravin an empathy that shines through his work in palliative paediatric care, as well as through his written word. The 23-year-old published poet and author shares his story with SINDA.

Tell us about your growing-up years.

When my father passed on from illness, it gave me a different perspective on life. Then a 15-year-old, I had to grow up quickly, and it was very difficult to see my mom take on the roles of both parents. I felt I had to learn many things quickly and be a role model for my younger brother too. It taught me to be self-driven.

Why did you choose to study medicine? My volunteer activities throughout my school days at ACS (Independent) spurred my pursuit of a medical degree. The desire to volunteer stemmed from my drive to turn adversity into triumph, and wanting to help those who are in need. The same year I lost my dad, I met some athletes with Down syndrome through a Special Olympics event. I would run with them, and was very inspired by what they could achieve despite their many struggles. In addition, I wanted to give back to society, which had given me so much when we needed help after my dad passed on. Medicine is an art and science—I feel that in the art of healing, compassion is pivotal. To me, being a doctor is about having humanity and a personal touch, besides being equipped with the

medical know-how. That somewhat paved the way in developing my passion for palliative care in particular.

Palliative care carries some stigma, and caring for children in the terminal stages of life can’t be easy. What makes it special for you? In our conservative Asian society, it’s inevitable that there are taboos about death, especially when it involves children. Some parents don’t even want their child to be referred to the palliative care team because they are very superstitious, but I want to raise awareness that we are here to help. Even my own mother took a while to accept what I do. We try to make the transition into the next stage, or next life, as smooth as possible—not just for the sick child, but also for their parents and siblings. I have always felt a connection with such children and their families. Having lost my dad at a young age, I understand the anger, denial, guilt and sadness that comes with losing a loved one. Some parents have told me, “You somehow know something that not many medical professionals understand.” That reassured me that I can make an impact. What better way to make my dad proud?

“We try to make the transition into the next stage, or next life, as smooth as possible—not just for the sick child, but also for the parents and siblings.”

In the early stages of your medical journey, you were already reaching out to very sick children. Can you share more? In Year 2 of medical school, we visited many homes of kids with lifethreatening or life-limiting illnesses across Singapore. We saw how they needed so much help, and the amount of medical equipment in their homes was shocking—it was as if they were running mini Intensive Care Units (ICUs). That really struck a chord in me. As a medical student, I could neither cure the patient nor offer consultations, but I organised little birthday surprises and storytelling sessions for these children and their families. The joy on the faces of the children and their parents made this one of my personal milestones. Even now, I am happy if I can turn adversity into something positive. One thing I’ve done is to start a Facebook page called ‘Children’s Palliative Care’ to help the public be more understanding, too.

How would you like to encourage parents of children requiring palliative care, who may be reading this? Parents usually start off thinking they can cope. They may be confident of handling the situation, but caregiver fatigue often sets in and it isn’t easy, especially if they have other children to tend to. I would like to let parents know that you don’t have to do this alone. There are many support systems and social networks that can help. Don’t allow yourself to feel like the hospital can’t help anymore. You may need to understand that your child isn’t as strong as he/she used to be, so getting help from as many avenues as you need is not a bad idea at all. Talk to your doctors and communicate your goals clearly. This helps the doctors help you better, too.

How can the community chip in to help? The community can step in with respite care. For example, if you see your neighbour with a child under palliative care, offering to do little things like buying groceries helps a lot. For the relatives of the family, I think it’s important they put aside their superstitions and prejudices. Volunteering your time is another way. Star PALS has a programme called ‘Medi Minders’, where you babysit a child so the parents get a break. That comes with some training. You can also organise story-telling sessions for the kids, or birthday parties and inter-family gatherings. It would be wonderful if Indian families with special needs children could meet and share with one another how they cope with the demands of caring for their children.

You’ve also written books of short stories and poems on palliative care (like Caught in the Mo(u)rning Rain), which have been well-received. How did that come about? My Secondary 1 English teacher, Mdm Marjorie Tan, was very encouraging, and would print my poems and short stories in school

publications. In 2007, I wrote my first novel and showed it to my dad, and it was literally his dying wish to have it published. Writing is very cathartic. I thought, why not write about palliative care to reach out? I use my books with the families of the children I work with. They feel very much comforted, because they often see their own stories reflected in there. Sometimes parents read the poems and realise it could be their child’s journey I have written about— they are happy to have something tangible to remind them of their child. It feels extra special to hear people say that my work has helped to bring them through tough times. Doctors, social workers and nurses have also been touched by my books, because they deal with emotions that people are usually afraid to express.

Getting your books published wasn’t exactly a smooth process, though. What were some of the challenges you faced, and lessons learnt from there? First, finding out which publishers were compatible for my material, and second, dealing with the multiple rejection letters. Third was finding the time to follow up and ensure the final

product was what I had envisioned. As for lessons learnt… well, patience to go through many drafts. Also that rejection is part and parcel of success. Success awaits those who don’t give up. Having a goal in mind helps, and having the support of those around you helps very much, too. SINDA helped by showcasing my story in the documentary, ‘Kannavukal, Kathavukal’ back in 2009.

What are your other interests? Writing poetry, reading, music, cultural activities and travelling. I’m involved in a lot of theatre, too. If I hadn’t become a doctor, I would have liked to have become a television journalist or even host the Miss Universe pageant!

What’s your advice to other youths, when it comes to pursuing something they are passionate about?

It’s very important that you find something you enjoy; take your time to find it. Taking time to find your inner person and developing yourself helps a lot. Try to find more than one interest, so that if one doesn’t work out, you can always explore another option that you like. Have will power, and don’t forget the people who helped you get to where you are. Have role models, too, and don’t ever give up. Ever.

Tuition Programme Shows Results! 77%

“I chose Saadhana tuition because the quality of teaching is not compromised despite the lower fees,” student Raveendran Ajey Ashok affirms. “There’s been considerable improvement in my grades—I used to be failing, but now I have pulled it up to at least a ‘C’!”

82% of

Raveendran’s testimony is not unique. Saadhana Maths tutor Mrs Poovaneswary explains, “At Saadhana, students can expect to study in a relaxed atmosphere. Small class sizes mean tutors are able to support students to the maximum. As tutors, our aim is to make sure that students get into a local university, so we take care to provide great support for their ‘A’ level journey.”

of Saadhana students saw their grades improve under the popular programme.

those whose performance picked up improved by at least two grades. 3% 6% 18% 15%

24% 34%

Improved by 1 Grade Improved by 2 Grades Improved by 3 Grades Improved by 4 Grades Improved by 5 Grades Improved by 6 Grades

The 32-year-old programme has been reaping recognition for its success. Most recently, the National University of Singapore Office of Student Affairs bestowed the prestigious Platinum Award on Saadhana at the 11th Student Achievement Awards 2016. Saadhana is the first student initiative to have won this award, having achieved the Gold Award thrice consecutively. If you are blinking at “student initiative”, you may be surprised to learn that the project was indeed begun by students, namely those of the NUS Tamil Language Society. It was, and still is, their aim to help Indian students excel in their ‘A’ level examination and go on to university. In this endeavour, they are supported by both SINDA and Singapore Indian Education Trust (SIET). Saadhana tutors are all experienced and qualified, and class sizes have shrunk this year to 6-10 students so that students receive more individualised attention from their teachers. In addition, a mentorship feature sees students interacting with NUS students from different faculties. The highly subsidised lessons are offered every Saturday at Serangoon Junior College. For more information, visit www.nustls.org to see why Saadhana’s getting the thumbs up. You can also go to their Facebook page: Saadhana ‘A’ Level Tuition, or call their student liaison officers Jamunah and Ponniey at 8211 6113 / 8316 5227 respectively.

Pursue Your Dream Education with a SINDA Scholarship What’s your dream job? SINDA gives you a leg up with a wide array of scholarships and bursaries, in collaboration with our partner institutions. Whether you’re into game design or animation, would love a career in social work, or are sure you’d make a great engineer, do check out what we offer. MAGES-SINDA Scholarship

• Game Design (Diploma / Advanced Diploma / Post Graduate Diploma) • Study at MAGES Institute of Excellence • Animation (Diploma / Advanced Diploma) • 7 scholarships available • Motion Graphics Design (Advanced Diploma / Specialist Diploma) • Scholarship covers 50% of course fees

Dr Balaji Sadasivan Social Work Study Award

• Social Work (Bachelor degrees / Graduate Diplomas / Master degrees) • Study at NUS or UniSIM • 3 study awards of $5,000 available

PSB-SINDA Scholarship

• Computer Science (BSc (Hons)) • Electrical & Electronic Engineering (BEng (Hons)) • Mechanical Engineering (BEng (Hons))

KAPLAN-SINDA Scholarship • Diplomas and degrees in any field of study

• Study full or part-time at PSB Academy • Applications close 20 June

• Study full or part-time at KAPLAN Singapore • Scholarships available for 100% and 50% of fees

If you’re a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident and belong to an Indian sub-ethnic group, come to www.sinda.org.sg for more information!

SYLP: Learning About Service Leadership The SINDA Young Leaders’ Programme (SYLP) is a flagship programme of the SINDA Youth Club (SYC). It aims to develop the next generation of young leaders who will be active contributors in community-building and service and eventually, become exemplars in social leadership. As part of the SYLP, which comprises of leadership modules and designing a local ‘Act to Change’ social innovation project, SYLP youth went on a study trip to Sri Lanka. There, they visited community organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to engage with their representatives and clients, as well as to learn from their experiences!

Day 1: Sunday 13 March 2016 See ya, Singapore! An afternoon flight brings our youth leaders to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, accompanied by SINDA staff and mentors. A coach brings them on a three-hour ride to Nuwara Eliya, and they check into their hotel. After a late dinner, a briefing is held to make sure everyone is updated and prepared for the next day’s programme.

Day 2: Monday 14 March An early start brings the youths to government group Participatory Action & Learning Methodologies (PALM) Foundation’s headquarters. Here, they get a feel of how Sri Lanka tackles an ageing population—an issue Singapore also faces. It’s an all-day affair that ends with a discussion session among SYLP members back at the hotel after dinner. For two hours, they share insights, and identify challenges in common with what they’ve seen at home.

Day 3: Tuesday 15 March The second organisation on the tour is ChildFund Sri Lanka’s T-field Child Development Federation. This local outfit may be small, but makes a difference to the vulnerable children of that area. How does an organisation of this size sustain its programmes? Our SYLP youth leaders learn from T-field’s experiences and think about the difficulties they face. There’s time in the afternoon for our youth leaders to learn about tea plantations, which are an integral part of Sri Lankan culture. Another facilitation session at night allows them to compare their thoughts on the day’s activities.

Day 4: Wednesday 16 March After an extra early breakfast, the youths check out of the hotel and head to the Lanka Evangelical Alliance Development Service (LEADS) office at Kurunegala and also visit a village that is a beneficiary of LEADS. LEADS develops and implements programmes specific to the needs of the people in the community. In particular, they provide resettlement and cost-effective shelter for those displaced by the 1983 ethnic riot. SINDA youths engage with them to learn more about how LEADS understands and helps its beneficiaries. It’s another long bus journey to Colombo, and it’s late by the time our youth leaders check into their next hotel. However, that doesn’t stop them from whole-heartedly discussing their take-away lessons from LEADS during that night’s facilitation session. They also spend time reflecting on how to apply these in their own ‘Act to Change’ social innovation projects back in Singapore.

Day 5: Thursday 17 March Our youth leaders’ fourth visit is with the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association. Here, they learn how a well-established international organisation empowers Sri Lankan youths. It’s also a chance to meet with Sri Lankan youth leaders, which makes for a very lively morning. After lunch, our participants make their way to another youth organisation, AIESEC Sri Lanka. Touching base with like-minded young leaders allows them to see how other organisations mobilise youths to catalyse change. A short stop to see and buy local products before dinner lets them soak in a little more of the culture. There’s much to discuss at that night’s facilitation session, as the trip draws to a close. Through the interaction with all the social leaders, thinkers and beneficiaries that they have met from different backgrounds, these 17-to-24-year-olds have learnt many good practices in social innovation and leadership.

Day 6: Home again, Friday 18 March It’s good to see Changi Airport again. The youth leaders are inspired and are brimming with ideas. The past few days have given them much food for thought, and they are raring to refine their own SYLP projects and put them into action.

Here are some of the youth leaders’ thoughts “It was a humbling experience,” reveals Devanantithan s/o Ragupathi. “It was enlightening listening to the various NGOs, and debating the lessons learnt amongst ourselves. Each of us came back with a fresh state of mind, ready to look at our projects with a new perspective.” Devan is a veteran of many other youth leadership programmes, but counts the SYLP as being the most memorable. As for Nikhil Dutt Sundaraj, the exchange of ideas with the NGOs there is something he treasures. Overall, his time in the SYLP has been a time of growth, he says. “I feel more composed, forwardthinking and better equipped to lead and serve my community.” Heena Ramesh Vasnani, another participant, says, “The trip to Sri Lanka was very heartening and inspiring. Learning from the NGOs’ successes and strategies, as well as having the opportunity to interact directly with the beneficiaries was relevant and helpful to our own projects.” Personally, Heena has found her involvement in the SYLP to be very fulfilling. “Having this avenue to reach out to society on issues close to my heart gives me personal gratification, knowing that I am trying to make a difference,” she shares. “It’s built up my passion for serving the community.”

Overwhelming Response for Oli Junior Presenter Workshop Such was the success of earlier events, that this year’s Oli Junior Presenter Workshop saw 200 parents vying for 80 places for their children. For the lucky participants, it felt like the chance of a lifetime. For three full days from 16—18 March, the 10 to 14-yearolds were trained, treated and taught by stars of the local media industry. The non-stop lineup of exciting activities ranged from behind-the-scenes peeks into the lives of Oli radio DJs, Vasantham artistes and news readers; to being coached for radio, television and stage presentation; to creating entertaining commercials and attending motivational talks. Best of all, every one of the students had their “8 Minutes of Fame” on the final day, where they showcased their creativity and confidence with rousing presentations in Tamil. “It was a great experience,” participant Sruthika Bhargavan enthused. “Before I joined this workshop, I was really shy. Coming here, I found a new side of me! I was brave enough to try the many things we were taught,” she said. “Even my parents were really surprised about this change, since I used to be very shy and scared about performing on stage. Now, acting on stage is nothing.” These kids, like those in previous workshops, have shown such promise that the “8 Minutes of Fame” has attracted industry professionals as judges, and it has become a platform for Vasantham and Oli to uncover new talents. You may even have spotted some of them acting in Vasantham’s children’s dramas! During the workshop’s finale, the youngsters weren’t the only ones doing the entertaining. They and their parents, too, enjoyed song numbers by Vasantham artistes Elamaran Natarajan, Vishnu Balaji, Suthasini Rajenderan and Kaushik Suresh. There was also a thrilling Sathuranga Vettai-themed segment with Karthikeyan Somasundaram, which tested the participants’ wits and their general knowledge. These three days were undoubtedly the highlight of the children’s March school holidays, and the memories are sure to provide a buzz for a long time. Says participant Shree Ram PL, “I’m sure I want to be a DJ when I grow up!”

Expanding Our Outreach to Schools

At a gathering at the Grand Imperial Hotel on 1st April, participants didn’t just savour a high tea, but also sampled programmes and services that SINDA has to offer. It was a chance for 55 principals, vice-principals, heads of departments, subject and level heads and teachers to meet and exchange ideas, at the networking session hosted by SINDA. First and foremost, it was also a chance for us to engage these educators as partners in our efforts to raise our students’ academic profiles. Getting their support and hearing from them helps us to better address the developmental needs of our pupils. Additionally, when we collaborate with schools, more students can benefit. The schools, primary and secondary, were keen to find out how SINDA works with pupils—for some 40% of them, a clearer picture was painted that raised their awareness of what we do. For others, like Ms Nuzaibah Siraj of Yishun Secondary School, SINDA’s strengths are already known. After all, Ms Nuzaibah is a STEP alumnus who won an award through SINDA for her academic achievements twenty years ago. She was only too glad to attend the networking tea, saying, “Thank you, SINDA. I would like to always be of help to many other students.” The afternoon also offered a perspective on Singaporean Indian upper primary and secondary youths, presented by envoys from the Singapore Police Force. It was heartening that 80% of attendees said that they are likely to attend similar sessions in the future. More so, the good news is that many of the schools represented showed interest in starting on our various programmes. These range from tuition schemes like STEP and Project Teach to enrichment programmes like Youth Victory and parent engagement workshops. Crest Secondary’s Vice-Principal Mr Subash Lazar has become a staunch advocate. “I want to affirm and applaud SINDA for the wonderful outreach and efforts in levelling up the social mobility of our Indian population,” he said. “Keep up the good work!”

Remembering the Late Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Nanyang Technological University undergraduate and SINDA Youth Club member R. Daminisree shares, “I was not born in an era which witnessed first-hand the early struggles and triumphs of nation-building… I was born straight into First World Singapore.” Daminisree was addressing some 1,500 Singaporeans gathered at Stamford Green on the morning of Sunday, 20 March 2016, to remember Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. As a “post-Millennial”, she represents Singapore’s future, and was one of four young Singaporeans—Malay, Indian, Eurasian and Chinese—who paid public tribute to the late Mr Lee. The commemorative event was one of many being held island wide on the first anniversary of his death. Daminisree explained to those present how, though she had “taken for granted the equal rights, security and protection that we enjoy”, she now better understands the legacy left by the man whom she used to stand up to cheer for. She expounds, “I am not denied opportunities because of the colour of my skin, nor the faith I choose, or the language that I proudly call my own. I speak fluently in my mother tongue, perhaps the greatest tangible gift of Mr Lee to the Indian community.” The young leader adds, “Mr Lee’s foresight in institutionalising multiculturalism has led to a diverse and cohesive social fabric that is uniquely Singapore.” This unity in diversity was itself demonstrated in the organisation of the event, a joint effort by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP), Business China, Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Eurasian Association Singapore, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC), Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) and Yayasan MENDAKI. Mr Lee had been personally involved in each of these organisations in the past. DPM Mr Teo Chee Hean, DPM Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and other Cabinet Ministers and MPs were among those present. For Daminisree and other youth leaders, Mr Lee’s policies have inspired reflection, and the next generation is determined to build on his legacy. “We should all continue to be the pragmatic Singaporeans that we are, but I also urge you to dream,” Daminisree exhorts. “Dream of the next chapter in the Singapore story.”

Congratulations to the winners of the previous contest! Ganesh s/o Ganasegaran, Primary 5 Compassvale Primary School

Kirthivardhan Rajasekar, Primary 4 Rivervale Primary School

Jayvivas Manoharan, Primary 3 St. Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Primary School

ABOUT US VISION

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To build a strong and vibrant Singaporean Indian community together

Patron Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

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

Chairman, Board of Trustees Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Life Trustees Prof 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

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MAKING DREAMS INTO SUCCESS For 60 years, we have nurtured our students’ dreams. Inspiring them to achieve success has also helped us evolve into one of Singapore’s premier educational institutes. Today, MDIS is poised to enrich you with the knowledge to achieve your dreams. MDIS BUSINESS SCHOOL

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