It has been 25 years since the Little India district kicked off the annual Deepavali light-up to commemorate the

annual festival of lights in Singapore. The celebrations this year were special with Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee together with Indian Ministers and Members of Parliament joining in the switch on ceremony on 27 September 2013 at Little India.

The highlight each year during the Deepavali Light-up is the strong spirit of giving by various community groups and temples towards the needy in Singapore. This is done with a sizeable contribution by these organisations to the President’s Challenge Charity.

Led by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB), Kewalram Singapore Limited, Little India Arcade Pte Ltd, Chettiars’ Temple Society, Sri Siva Durga Temple, Sri Krishnan

Deepavali light-up Celebrates 25 Years

NEWSHINDU

A PUBLICATION OF THE HINDU ENDOWMENTS BOARD, SINGAPORE

www.heb.gov.sg

Issue 03/2013

HINDU NEWS – 1

Continued on page 2 >>

WHAT’S INSIDE

Temple, Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Abiraame Jewellers and Little India Shopkeepers Association made monetary contributions totalling $165 000 for the less fortunate. The cheque was received by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Trade and Industry and Home Affairs, Mr S Iswaran and witnessed by PM Lee.

Contributions for the less fortunate did not stop with just the President’s Challenge Charity. HEB and several corporate sponsors came forward to contribute $600 000 towards the Singapore Indian Development Association’s (SINDA) Project Give. This cheque was received by Senior Minister of State for Law and Education and SINDA’s President, Ms Indranee Rajah, in the presence of PM Lee.

The newsletter is published by the Hindu Endowments Board, © 2013. No part of this newsletter should be reproduced without the

permission of the publisher. For further enquiries, please contact the Hindu Endowments Board, 397

Serangoon Road, Singapore 218123. Tel: 6296 3469, E-mail: admin@heb.gov.sg

Photo credits: T. Kavi

Designed & printed by Sun Media Pte Ltd, 20 Kramat Lane, #01-02 United House, Orchard,

Singapore 228773

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

91011

Deepavali greetingsWe wish all our devotees and well-wishers a very Happy Deepavali. May we continue to enjoy the peace, prosperity, stability, racial and religious harmony which are important for all Singaporeans.

Mr Iswaran (far left) receiving the cheque on behalf of the President’s Challenge Charity

Deepavali Light-up Celebrates 25 YearsMr S R Nathan Receives Nation’s Highest AwardOur CondolencesHEB Praised for ‘Kampong’ SpiritednessBook LaunchThaipusam 2014Deepavali Message from Archbishop of SingaporeHEB Honoured at Project SMILE Charity DinnerMedical Health Fair 2013Multi-faith Walk-a-jogVisit By Commander And Management Team of Cluster CProject Bhakti Workshop 2013Exemplary Mother Awards 2013Ashram as Beneficiary of Keppel Charity Golf 2013SKG and SDMKG Hold Joint Graduation CeremonyTemple Staff LunchLongest Thoranam – A New Singapore RecordSVKT Family Day 2013Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple’s Consecration Ceremony 2014Celebrating Lord Ganesha’s BirthdayCrowds Throng SSPT During PurattasiSaraswathi PoojaFire Walking Festival 2013Kids Zone

NeWs

2 – HINDU NEWS

<< Continued from page 1

1. Ms Indranee Rajah (in red sari) receiving the cheque on behalf of SINDA for Project Give

2. Colourful performances were put up for the light-up ceremony

3. The colourful street light-up at Little India

Mr s r NathaN reCeives NatioN’s highest aWarD

Mr S R Nathan, who served as the Republic’s sixth President, was conferred

the country’s highest National Day honour, The Order of Temasek, First Class, for the National Day Awards 2013.

The citation from the Prime Minister’s Office noted that Mr Nathan had given a lifetime of devoted service to the nation – From the early 1960s, when he was part of the small group that established the National Trades Union Congress, to the first decade of this century, when he held the highest office in the land.

He was elected Singapore’s sixth President in 1999, and served two terms, becoming the country’s longest-serving Head of State before his retirement.

Mr S R Nathan also has a special place in the Hindu community in Singapore. He served as the Chairman of the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) and Hindu Advisory Board (HAB) in the late 1980s before he became an Envoy.

It was during Mr Nathan’s tenure as Chairman of the HEB that the decision to rebuild the new Sri Sivan Temple at Geylang East Avenue 2 incorporating North and South Indian architecture was conceived and revealed.

On behalf of the Hindu community in Singapore, HEB and HAB express their heartiest congratulations to Mr S R Nathan and wish both Mr and Mrs Nathan good health and long life. Our heartiest congratulations also to all other Hindu recipients of the National Day Award.

Mr S R Nathan

our CoNDoleNCes

The Hindu Endowments Board and Hindu Advisory Board extend their condolences to the families of the following stalwarts on their

recent bereavement:

Mr R S Sithamparam (passed away on 20 October 2013); served HEB and its Temples in the late 1960–70s

Mr Ponnusamy Nadesan Pakirisamy PBM (passed away on 28 September 2013); served on the Management Committees of Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple for several years

1 2

3

NeWs

HINDU NEWS – 3

The book is a tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew who turned 90 this year

heb praiseD for ‘KaMpoNg’ spiriteDNess

booK lauNCh

thaipusaM 2014

Deepavali Message froM arChbishop of siNgaporeAt the 11th National Security Seminar held on 24 September 2013,

Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Teo Chee Hean praised HEB for its

efforts in enhancing the ‘kampong’ spirit and strengthening the social fabric of Singapore.

He said, “It is particularly heartening to see groups working together for good causes, and building social capital and a sense of common purpose. For example, Jamiyah Singapore and the Singapore Buddhist Lodge work closely with each other, and with other religious organisations to serve the needy, regardless of race or religion. With the Taoist Federation Singapore, these two groups distribute hong baos during the Lunar New Year to the needy, elderly and disabled. And together with the Hindu Endowments Board, they distribute bursaries to needy students each year, with contributions from a diverse range of individuals and organisations. We hope to see more of such examples of the kampong spirit, where the purpose is not just the specific cause at hand, but working towards building social capital, a common purpose and destiny.”

Thaipusam 2014 falls on Friday, 17 January 2014. Ticket sales for the paal kudam (milk pots) and kavadis

will commence in the middle of December 2013 at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. As in previous years, spiked kavadi and chariot kavadi tickets will be sold only at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. The two Temples will announce the details of the ticket sales in the first week of December through the mass media, so please stay tuned for the details.

Tamil poets from Singapore, Malaysia and India put together a collection of 90

poems to mark Singapore’s former Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s 90th birthday. Spearheaded by the Association of Singapore Tamil Writers, the Republic’s sixth president, Mr S R Nathan, launched the book on 22 September 2013 at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre. HEB also contr ibuted towards the event. Around 500 copies of the book, which also has English translation of the poems, were given out at the launch.

Dear Hindu friends,

With heartfelt thanksgiving, I share in your joy on this vibrant festival of Deepavali, which celebrates

the triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness. As you unite yourselves with fellow Hindus all over the world during this Festival of Lights, may God bless you abundantly as you renew ties of friendship with God, family and friends and also all of humanity in goodwill.

In recent months, the world has again witnessed chaos of dire proportions: civil war, suicide attacks, shootings, rebel incursions, natural disasters and other tragic events. As believers of the power of God over all that is damaging to peace and harmonious living among the people globally, let us unite in prayer and active works of charity to foster deeper understanding and respect for the dignity of human life, regardless of race, language or religion and the protection of our environment.

We are very fortunate that in Singapore we enjoy peace and respectful living which, in no small part, is due to the efforts of our Catholic and Hindu communities and the congenial bonds of friendship that have been forged by our leaders and active interfaith practitioners across the years. We certainly hope that these bonds may be further strengthened through increased interfaith interactions, particularly amongst our younger generation of believers.

There are many avenues that we can explore in order to concretely touch the lives of the people around us and to bring about wholeness. This will surely contribute to the ongoing interreligious harmony that we enjoy between our communities.

On this note, on behalf of the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Singapore, I would like to wish all our Hindu brothers and sisters a Happy Deepavali and Saal Mubarak.

Most Rev Msgr William GohArchbishop of Singapore

Msgr Philip HengVicar General (Inter-Religious Affairs)

eveNts

4 – HINDU NEWS

visit bY CoMMaNDer aND MaNageMeNt teaM of Cluster C

On 26 September 2013, Commander Cluster C, AC

Chiew Hock Meng, and his Management Team visited HEB-Ashram to as part of a learning journey to learn more about Ashram’s success in the Halfway House New Service Model (HSM).

Mr Anil Singh Sona, Acting Head of Ashram, conducted a presentation of Ashram’s capabilities, programmes and best practices. Commander and his team were also given a tour of Ashram’s refurbished facilities.

Commander Cluster C, AC Chiew Hock Meng (back row, second from right), and his Management Team with Ashram staff

heb hoNoureD at projeCt sMile CharitY DiNNer

On 24 August 2013, Project SMILE (Supporting and Motivating Ladies with Empowerment) held its third charity event. The aim of the event was to raise funds to support women with interim financial assistance, as well

as provide training programmes for their long term growth and sustainability. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Environment and Water Resources, was the Guest of Honour.

Project SMILE has been supported by several organisations since its inception and one such entity that was recognised for its continuous efforts was the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB). The tremendous amount of encouragement and backing from the HEB has allowed for the team at Project SMILE to meet its objectives, especially with regards to women feeling empowered to face the hurdles in their lives with fortitude.

On behalf of the HEB, Mr N Prushuathamun received the token of appreciation from the Guest of Honour – a glass painted depiction of Lord Ganesha. This painting was done by one of the members of Project SMILE, who will also be training women in this art form.

HEB will continue its journey in furthering the efforts of Project SMILE and wishes it the very best!

Mr Prush receiving a token of appreciation from Dr Balakrishnan on behalf of the HEB for their support of Project SMILE as Mrs Uma Balji (Chairwoman of Project SMILE) looks on

Multi-faith WalK-a-jog

The Chettiar’s Temple Society organised their 12th walk-a-jog on 22 September 2013. Around 600 people participated

in the event which included people from other faiths as well. At the event, the Temple also donated automated wheelchairs to the Handicap Welfare Association.

Participants of the walk-a-jog warming up at the event

MeDiCal health fair 2013

Around 350 people attended the Medical Health Fair on 25 August 13. Held at the Sri Sivan Temple, the Fair was organised by the Hindu Endowments Board’s Medical Support Services team. Professor P

Satkunanantham, PPA (Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health) was the Special Guest.

Many free health services were provided including eye, ear and colon screening, diabetes check and dementia awareness, among others.

For the first time, a mammogram bus for on-site breast cancer screening formed an integral part of the Fair. The breast cancer screening, which usually costs up to $50 per person, was fully subsidised. This proved to be very popular. Next year, the Medical Support Services team hopes to include lung and chest screening as well.

1. Participants getting their eye check-up done by a doctor from the Singapore National Eye Centre2. On-site breast cancer screening centre formed an integral part of the health fair for the first time

1

2

eveNts

HINDU NEWS – 5

ashraM as beNefiCiarY of Keppel CharitY golf 2013

HEB-Ashram was identified as one of the ten beneficiaries for the Keppel Charity Golf 2013 for its outstanding efforts and

practices in rehabilitating and reintegrating offenders and ex-offenders. During the Charity event held on 5 and 6 October 2013, HEB-Ashram received $88 000.

Ashram was also given the opportunity to create awareness of i ts capabil i t ies, programmes and best practices among the golfers during the event.

Assoc. Prof. N Ganapathy, Chairman of HEB-Ashram Halfway House, received the cheque on behalf of Ashram

exeMplarY Mother aWarDs 2013

Jamiyah’s 21st Annual Exemplary Mother Awards presentation event was held on 29 September 2013. This year, the nominations were open to

both working and non-working mothers, with the aim of celebrating their sacrifices and achievements as mothers.

There were four runners up that included Mdm Kumari Devi, a working mother with three children. Mdm Kumari Devi is also an active member of Project SMILE, which is supported by HEB.

In his speech, Mr S Iswaran commended recipients of Jamiyah’s Exemplary Mother award as fine role models for parents and they exemplify how with sheer determination and strong will they were able to seize every opportunity to raise their children as successful individuals while reaching out to others.Mdm Kumari Devi receiving her award from Mr Iswaran

projeCt bhaKti WorKshop 2013

Sri Sivan Temple was abuzz with activity on 29 September 2013 during the Project Bhakti Workshop when children

came dressed in traditional attire. The gloomy morning weather did not dampen the spirits of the little ones who came to the Temple as early as 8.30am! The full day programme comprised activities such as a talk by Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES), art ‘n’ craft activities, an ‘Amazing Race’, ‘Maathru pooja’ and a drama presentation. Representatives from the various temples where the classes are held were invited to hand out certificates to the children attending classes at their Temples.

For more details on Project Bhakti, log on to our website www.heb.gov.sg or visit facebook.com/projectbhakti. Students performing ‘Maathru pooja’ for their mothers

sKg aND sDMKg holD joiNt graDuatioN CereMoNY

On 26 October 2013, a joint graduation ceremony for 85 students from Saraswathy Kindergarten (SKG) and Saraswathy Darma Muneeswaran Kindergarten (SDMKG) was held at the Sri Sivan Temple. The graduating students put up colourful performances to the delight of their parents and invited guests.

In his speech, Dr T Tamilselvan, Chairman of the Kindergartens’ Management Committee, said, “The HEB subsidises the operation cost of the two kindergartens to a tune of $150 000 annually. In addition, together with the Sivadas-HEB Trust Fund that it operates, award bursaries to needy children. This year, 22 students from the two kindergartens received a total of $65 000 in bursary to pursue their pre-school education.”

SKG and SDMKG strive to provide quality pre-school education by recruiting and retaining good and qualified teachers. This year, the Ministry of Education awarded eight teachers from the kindergartens with the Good Practice Award.

This year was also a milestone year for the kindergartens. The graduating cohort of students included the pioneer batch of students who joined the kindergartens’ pre-nursery classes, which started four years ago.

Preparations for the graduation concert start weeks before, with the students preparing handmade props

SKG students’ presentation was on the theme of “The world of enchantment”

A total of 12 students received swimming trophies for their swimming feat

Students hard at work, preparing the stage props for their concert

SDMKG students presented performances with the theme “History of Singapore”

Outstanding Teacher Awards were presented to 2 teachers – Ms Lavannia d/o Shelvam (from SKG) and Mrs Nanthakumar (from SDMKG)

6 – HINDU NEWS

eveNts

HINDU NEWS – 7

eveNts

svKt faMilY DaY 2013

Date: Sunday, 22 December 2013 Venue: Pasir Ris Park Carpark A (Aloha and Costa Lawn)Time: 8.00am to 6.00pm

Tickets: $15 per person (includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, lucky draw, goodie bags and souvenirs) Admission is free for children below 12 years old Tickets available at Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple office (2001 Lorong 8, Toa Payoh, Singapore 319259, Tel: 6259 5238)

Activities include: • Indoor / outdoor games • Children’s colouring competition• Rangoli competition • Song, dance and comedy performances

Bus Pick-up Points:• Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple: 8.00am• Pasir Ris MRT Station: 8.00am (Feeder service)

teMple staff luNCh

Temple staff from Sri Mariamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Sri Sivan Temple and Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple got together to celebrate Deepavali

on 27 October 2013 at the Sri Sivan Temple. After lunch, staff from the Temples staged several performances and received goodie bags from their respective Temple Chairmen.

A performance by temple staff

loNgest thoraNaM – a NeW siNgapore reCorD

The longest thoranam (a string of coconut and mango l e a v e s a n d flowers used

for auspicious Hindu events) measuring 371m in length was created in Singapore b y t h e C h e t t i a r Temple Society at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. Nearly 150 adults and children participated in the event. The Chettiar Te m p l e S o c i e t y received a certificate from the Singapore Book of Records for their feat.

The certificate was presented by the Singapore Book of Records to the Chettiar Temple Society

sri veeraMaKaliaMMaN teMple’s CoNseCratioN CereMoNY 2014

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple at Serangoon Road has earned the name of being the ‘Jewel of Little India’. The Temple is currently undergoing renovations as part of

the twelve year cycle to conduct consecration ceremonies for Hindu Temples. And as part of the renovations a brand new six storey multi-purpose hall with wedding hall facilities is being constructed too. A ceremony to lay the ‘crowning brick’ to complete the infrastructure work for the complex was held on 27 October 2013. The Temple has fixed the Mahakumbabishegam date for 22 June 2014 (Sunday) and it will take place during the auspicious time of 9.01am to 9.56am that day.

Rajagopuram of Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

festivals

CelebratiNg lorD gaNesha’s birthDaY

CroWDs throNg sspt DuriNg purattasi

Vinayagar Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. In conjunction with the festival this year, the Sri Sivan Temple teamed up with Project Bhakti to come up with a

unique programme featuring an exhibition, a games day and a children’s best dressed competition.

The 10-day long exhibition featured various forms of Lord Ganesha found in the Ganesha Purana and worshipped around Asia. On 8 September 2013, a games day was organised in the Temple featuring Ganesha-themed craft and activities. More than 100 children participated in it.

On the evening of 9 September 2013, the Temple hosted a Ganesha look-alike contest where more than 50 children aged 3 to 12 years old took part. The little ‘Ganeshas’ also participated in the Temple’s deity procession. The top three best dressed ‘Ganeshas’ cut the cake to the tune of ‘Happy Birthday’ as the other participants and their parents cheered on.

Managing the thousands of devotees during the four Purattasi Saturdays of 2013 was a huge challenge for the Management Committee of Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (SSPT). With the wedding hall undergoing a major makeover, space was a constraint for devotee movement and in particular, for the serving of annathanam (free

blessed meal) for the thousands of devotees who thronged the Temple from 6.00am for the Suprabatham seva.A large tent was erected at the adjoining car park, making full use of all the available space for the serving of prasadam

and meals. Around 50 000 devotees thronged SSPT over the four Saturdays to pay homage to Lord Srinivasa Perumal and received the blessed prasadam.

8 – HINDU NEWS

Huge crowds gathered at SSPT for the morning Suprabatham seva Volunteers serving food to the devotees

Little ‘Ganeshas’ pose for a photo

Children playing a game of tossing a large ‘modakam’ with good values inscribed on it

A child making Ganesha-themed craft with lentils

The highlight of the celebrations was the cake cutting ceremony

festivals

Saraswathi Pooja was celebrated with great fervour across most Hindu Temples in Singapore on 13 October 2013. The temples administered by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) celebrated the festival in a grand manner and in their own unique ways. Here, we present an insight to the celebrations at the temples.

HINDU NEWS – 9

sri MariaMMaN teMple (sMt)

HEB Chief Priest, Sri Balachander Sivachariar, performing the prayers in the SMT admin office

Children participating in the Saraswathi Pooja at SMT received blessed dictionaries

sri sivaN teMple (sst)

The Temple hosted 400 children who participated in art, fancy dress and singing competitions as well as tele matches

In the fancy dress segment of the competitions, the children were dressed as various Hindu Gods and Goddesses

sri vairaviMaDa KaliaMMaN teMple (svKt)

Children performing ‘Maathru pooja’ for their mothers as part of the Saraswathi Pooja celebrations in SVKT

‘Ayudha pooja’ forms part of the Saraswathi Pooja whereby the items used in daily temple rituals such as musical instruments, pooja articles and vahanams (vehicles of the deities) are worshipped

sarasWathi pooja

festivals

10 – HINDU NEWS

fire WalKiNg festival 2013

Every year, the Fire Walking Festival or Theemithi is celebrated with religious fervour at the Sri Mariamman Temple. This year, the festival was held on 20 October 2013. Here, we present a photo essay of the key events associated with the festival which began earlier in August this year.

1. Periyachi Amman Pooja is conducted to seek the blessings of the Goddess2. Sri Drowpathai Amman Kodiyetram (flag raising ceremony) marks the official start of the festival3. Thirukalyanam (wedding ceremony) of Sri Drowpathai Amman and Sri Arjunan4. Arjunan Thabasu – Arjuna worships Lord Shiva to beget divine weapons for the Mahabharata war5. Aravan Pooja and Aravan Kalapali – The sacrifice of Aravan before the beginning of the Mahabharata war6. Angaprathachanam (circumbalating the temple by rolling on the ground; for men) being performed around the Temple7. Goddess Mariamman’s chariot procession goes into the heartlands to bless devotees8. Fire pit preparation9. The holy karagam (a decorated sacred vessel containing auspicious items) is ready and set to leave Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple10. Chief Pandaram carrying the holy karagam crosses the fire pit first, followed by the devotees11. Goddess Drowpathai Amman’s ‘victory’ procession after the Fire Walking Festival12. Closure of the fire pit

1 2 3

4 5

7 8 9

11 12

6

10

KIDS zone

Lord Rama killed the evil demon king, Ravana, and rescued his wife, Sita, from Lanka. Join the dots to complete the picture. Colour the picture to give it a complete look.

HINDU NEWS – 11

Category 1 (Age group: 5–8 years)Name:Age:Contact number:Address:

Send in your entries, complete with details by 31 December 2013 to:

The Editor, Hindu NewsHindu Endowments Board

Singapore 218123

Winners will be notified by post.

Category 2 (Age group: 9–12 years)Name:Age:Contact number:Address:

Send in your entries, complete with details by 31 December 2013 to:

The Editor, Hindu NewsHindu Endowments Board

Singapore 218123

Winners will be notified by post.

Here are the winners of the Kids Zone activities from Hindu News Issue 02/2013:Category 1 prize winners:

1st prize: Shivesh s/o Sivaperakas2nd prize: T. R. Sammyukta3rd prize: Jayashree

Category 2 prize winners:

1st prize: Laxshan2nd prize: R. Sreenath3rd prize: Shree Durgashini

Congratulations to all of you!

KIDS zoneDuring festive seasons such as Deepavali, intricate and colouful rangolis and kolams can be seen at the entrances of homes. Such patterns are drawn for auspiciousness. In the space below, draw a colourful rangoli or kolam design.

12 – HINDU NEWS