SPEECH BY
MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT DEEPAVALI
LIGHT-UP SWITCH-ON CEREMONY ON FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2009, 7.30
PM
Mr Rajkumar Chandra, Chairman of the Little India
Shopkeepers & Heritage
Association
Distinguished
Guests
Ladies and
Gentlemen
Good evening to all of
you.
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to join you for this 2009
Deepavali Light-Up Switch-On Ceremony. The 2009 Deepavali Light-Up
marks the 21st year of Deepavali festival celebrations
in Little
India.
Celebrating
Deepavali
.
I am
particularly pleased to see the Little India Deepavali Celebrations
offer a diverse mix of experiences.Indian performance arts and
culture are featured in the Street Parade, whilst pop culture
enthusiasts can look forward to the Deepavali Countdown Concert,
and those seeking to understand more about the Festival of Lights
can experience the Festival Village Heritage Corner which is
located
amongst the festival bazaar at
Campbell
Lane.
Little India’s Deepavali festivities are more than just a
cultural celebration.I am happy to note that the organisers
continue to invite non-profit, charitable and welfare organisations
as partners to the festivities, and help with raising funds for the
less fortunate.This year, $200,000 will be presented by Hindu
temples and organisations, Indian businesses and other well-wishers
to the President’s Challenge.On behalf of the benefiting charities,
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who have
helped to make this generous gift
possible.
Developments in Little
India
Little India has seen numerous changes over the years,
and more enhancements can be expected in future. The setting up of
the first Indian Heritage Centre at Campbell Lane is one of the
developments that we can look forward to.There are also new hotels
and shopping malls springing up in the area, which will contribute
to the buzz and vibrancy of this
precinct.
It is heartening to see the Little India Shopkeepers and
Heritage Association (LISHA) take the lead in working with the
stakeholders in Little India, to enhance the character and vibrancy
of the precinct.I encourage the association and its stakeholders to
continue to generate new ideas for the betterment of the precinct,
so that all who patronise and visit the area can enjoy a heightened
customer experience.
Such efforts are borne out by the continued growth in the
stream of visitors coming to Little India.In 2008, almost 800,000
visitors from India came to Singapore, making them the fourth
largest group of tourists.This is an increase of about 4% from the
previous year.Most of the Indian visitors to Singapore make it a
point to visit Little India, one of Singapore’s key ethnic
precincts.With your efforts, I am certain that the precinct will
continue to attract locals and visitors alike to enjoy the unique
atmosphere of Little India.
Celebrating “OneCity Three Festivals[1]”
With the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the Mid-Autumn
festivities also taking place during this period, I strongly
encourage Singaporeans and visitors to take this opportunity to
visit Little India as well as our other ethnic precincts to
experience Singapore’s unique “One City Three Festivals”
celebrations. Singapore being a multi-racial and multi-cultural
society, this presents an excellent opportunity for one to join in
the celebrations and learn more about the different cultures as
well as the people who celebrate them.
Conclusion
For putting together a very vibrant month of
celebrations, I would like to thank the Little India Shopkeepers
and Heritage Association (LISHA) and the Hindu Endowments Board. In
particular, I applaud your efforts to preserve and enhance your
culture and heritage. I would also like to extend my thanks to the
Singapore Tourism Board and Central Singapore Community Development
Council for their support of the Deepavali festivities – all of
which add vibrancy to Singapore’s very own Little
India.
In conclusion, I would like to wish one and all a
pleasant evening, and to all Hindu Singaporeans and visitors, a
very Happy Deepavali.
Thank
you.
[1]
The “One City Three Festivals” is a
campaign led by STB.This is the 4th year that Singapore is
celebrating this campaign with the three festivals, namely, Hari
Raya Aidilfitri, Mid-Autumn and Deepavali festivals, happening with
close overlap.Next year, Deepavali, in November 2010, will be too
far from the other two festivals and thus STB is likely to continue
with this campaign.