HINDU. NEWS It has been 25 years since the Little. Deepavali Greetings. 25 Years WHAT S INSIDE. Issue 03/2013

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1 HINDU NEWS A PUBLICATION OF THE HINDU ENDOWMENTS BOARD, SINGAPORE Issue 03/2013 WHAT S INSIDE Deepavali Light-up Celebrates 1 25 Years Mr S R Nathan Receives 2 Nation s Highest Award Our Condolences HEB Praised for Kampong 3 Spiritedness Book Launch Thaipusam 2014 Deepavali Message from Archbishop of Singapore HEB Honoured at Project 4 SMILE Charity Dinner Medical Health Fair 2013 Multi-faith Walk-a-jog Visit By Commander And Management Team of Cluster C Project Bhakti Workshop Exemplary Mother Awards 2013 Ashram as Beneficiary of Keppel Charity Golf 2013 SKG and SDMKG Hold Joint 6 Graduation Ceremony Temple Staff Lunch 7 Longest Thoranam A New Singapore Record SVKT Family Day 2013 Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple s Consecration Ceremony 2014 Celebrating Lord Ganesha s 8 Birthday Crowds Throng SSPT During Purattasi Saraswathi Pooja 9 Fire Walking Festival Kids Zone 11 The newsletter is published by the Hindu Endowments Board, 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 Tel: , admin@heb.gov.sg Photo credits: T. Kavi Designed & printed by Sun Media Pte Ltd, 20 Kramat Lane, #01-02 United House, Orchard, Singapore Deepavali Greetings We 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 Years 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 Temple, Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Abiraame Jewellers and Little India Shopkeepers Association made monetary contributions totalling $ 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 $ 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. Continued on page 2 >> Hindu News 1

2 NEWS << Continued from page 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 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 Mr S R Nathan 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. 3 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 s 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 2 Hindu News

3 NEWS HEB Praised for Kampong Spiritedness At 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. The book is a tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew who turned 90 this year Thaipusam 2014 Thaipusam 2014 falls on Friday, 17 January 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. Book Launch 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 contributed towards the event. Around 500 copies of the book, which also has English translation of the poems, were given out at the launch. Deepavali Message from Archbishop of Singapore 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 Goh Archbishop of Singapore Msgr Philip Heng Vicar General (Inter-Religious Affairs) Hindu News 3

4 EVENTS 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. 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 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! 1 2 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 Centre 2. On-site breast cancer screening centre formed an integral part of the health fair for the first time Multi-faith Walk-a-jog Participants of the walk-a-jog warming up at the event The Chettiar s Temple Society organised their 12th walk-a-jog on 22 September 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. 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 Commander Cluster C, AC Chiew Hock Meng (back row, second from right), and his Management Team with Ashram staff and his team were also given a tour of Ashram s refurbished facilities. 4 Hindu News

5 EVENTS 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 or visit facebook.com/projectbhakti. Exemplary Mother Awards 2013 Mdm Kumari Devi receiving her award from Mr Iswaran Ashram as Beneficiary of Keppel Charity Golf 2013 Students performing Maathru pooja for their mothers Jamiyah s 21st Annual Exemplary Mother Awards presentation event was held on 29 September 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. 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 $ Ashram was also given the opportunity to create awareness of its capabilities, 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 Hindu News 5

6 EVENTS 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 $ 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 $ 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 Students hard at work, preparing the stage props for their concert SKG students presentation was on the theme of The world of enchantment SDMKG students presented performances with the theme History of Singapore A total of 12 students received swimming trophies for their swimming feat 6 Hindu News Outstanding Teacher Awards were presented to 2 teachers Ms Lavannia d/o Shelvam (from SKG) and Mrs Nanthakumar (from SDMKG)

7 EVENTS 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. Longest Thoranam A New Singapore Record The longest thoranam (a string of coconut and mango leaves and flowers used for auspicious Hindu events) measuring 371m in length was created in Singapore by the Chettiar Temple Society at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. Nearly 150 adults and children participated in the event. The Chettiar Temple Society 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 A performance by temple staff SVKT Family Day 2013 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 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. 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 , Tel: ) 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) Rajagopuram of Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple Hindu News 7

8 FESTIVALS Celebrating Lord Ganesha s Birthday 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. 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 Crowds Throng SSPT During Purattasi 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 devotees thronged SSPT over the four Saturdays to pay homage to Lord Srinivasa Perumal and received the blessed prasadam. Huge crowds gathered at SSPT for the morning Suprabatham seva Volunteers serving food to the devotees 8 Hindu News

9 FESTIVALS SARASWATHI POOJA Saraswathi Pooja was celebrated with great fervour across most Hindu Temples in Singapore on 13 October 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. 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 Hindu News 9

10 FESTIVALS 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 Here, we present a photo essay of the key events associated with the festival which began earlier in August this year Periyachi Amman Pooja is conducted to seek the blessings of the Goddess 2. Sri Drowpathai Amman Kodiyetram (flag raising ceremony) marks the official start of the festival 3. Thirukalyanam (wedding ceremony) of Sri Drowpathai Amman and Sri Arjunan 4. Arjunan Thabasu Arjuna worships Lord Shiva to beget divine weapons for the Mahabharata war 5. Aravan Pooja and Aravan Kalapali The sacrifice of Aravan before the beginning of the Mahabharata war 6. Angaprathachanam (circumbalating the temple by rolling on the ground; for men) being performed around the Temple 7. Goddess Mariamman s chariot procession goes into the heartlands to bless devotees 8. Fire pit preparation 9. The holy karagam (a decorated sacred vessel containing auspicious items) is ready and set to leave Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple 10. Chief Pandaram carrying the holy karagam crosses the fire pit first, followed by the devotees 11. Goddess Drowpathai Amman s victory procession after the Fire Walking Festival 12. Closure of the fire pit 10 Hindu News

11 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. 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 News Hindu Endowments Board Singapore Winners will be notified by post. Hindu News 11

12 KIDS zone During 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. Category 2 (Age group: 9 12 years) Name: Age: Contact number: Address: Here are the winners of the Kids Zone activities from Hindu News Issue 02/2013: Category 1 prize winners: 1st prize: Shivesh s/o Sivaperakas 2nd prize: T. R. Sammyukta 3rd prize: Jayashree Send in your entries, complete with details by 31 December 2013 to: The Editor, Hindu News Hindu Endowments Board Singapore Winners will be notified by post. Category 2 prize winners: 1st prize: Laxshan 2nd prize: R. Sreenath 3rd prize: Shree Durgashini Congratulations to all of you! 12 Hindu News