Mr Lim Hng Kiang at Deepavali Light-Up Switch-On Ceremony, 18 Sep 09

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.