Progress must go hand in hand with identity and community: PM Wong
He was speaking at the Tamils Representative Council’s 75th anniversary celebration.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized that the nation’s progress should be grounded in individual identity and community connection at the Tamils Representative Council’s (TRC) 75th anniversary celebration. Wong cited the Tamil proverb "thanai maram thoppaagaathu," meaning "a single tree does not make a grove," to illustrate that Singapore thrives when its people grow together and support one another.
He stressed that understanding one’s heritage, values, and sense of self fosters confidence to engage with the world. TRC, established in 1951, supports Tamil Singaporeans’ educational and economic advancement, representing 42 organizations and over 30,000 individuals. Wong praised the council and its youth wing for nurturing the next generation’s heritage, community ties, and pride in their dual identity.
The council plans to expand the G. Kandasamy Education Trust Fund, which provides up to $500 in bursaries to lower-income Tamil students, increasing support through a partnership with the Singapore Indian Education Trust and raising $500,000. Wong highlighted TRC’s efforts to provide career guidance, internships, and leadership development to empower young people and align with Singapore’s broader goal of enabling all citizens to achieve their potential.
The government will continue to foster community partnerships, such as the Indian Engagement and Development Initiative (INEI), co-chaired by Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash, which aims to strengthen coordination among Indian community and religious organizations. Wong expressed hope that TRC would actively participate in INEI, reinforcing the importance of diverse organizations collaborating while preserving their identities.
TRC President V. Pandiyan thanked Wong and other leaders for condemning racist comments targeting Indians, particularly those alleging Singaporeans were “not our own” during the Nepal floods. Pandiyan emphasized that racism against any community harms all, and standing together fortifies Singapore.
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