| Speech at the Send-off Ceremony for Project Khwaish IX
Mr Hernaikh Singh, President, Young Sikh Association (Singapore), leaders of the Sikh community, distinguished guests, participants of Project Khwaish 9, ladies and gentlemen.
I am pleased to be here this afternoon for the send-off ceremony for the participants of Porject Khwaish 9, the latest in the Khwaish series of annual community service expeditions that have been organized by the Young Sikh Association (Singapore) since 2003.
I understand that 20 Singaporeans will spend the better part of their December holidays in a village in Punjab. Despite the less than favourable economic climate, YSA and the participants have managed to raise the funds to undertake this project. This is indeed remarkable and I congratulate them on this effort.
As Hernaikh mentioned, they will spend more time developing a library, and sprucing and painting the school. Ladies and gentlemen, whilst the physical contributions of the participants are important as we see the outcome, equally, if not more important is what the participants will gain personally and professionally from the expedition. The project provides an important opportunity for them to learn about the socio-economic developments in India and Punjab. I am sure that this will, in turn, bring them closer to understanding Singapore’s development issues. Second, they will acquire or hone personal and group skills such as confidence, teamwork and leadership. Through it all, I hope they will discover, in themselves, the ability to contribute to the society, making them active citizens, whether in Singapore or abroad. I hope they also learn about their own strengths and weaknesses and how they can continue to grow as individuals, having the right spirit of wanting to be of service to fellow mankind.
I am very pleased to note the unique feature of this expedition – its Singaporean ethnic flavour. The project comprises participants from all the racial and religious groups in Singapore. This is in line with YSA’s efforts to be inclusive and to reach out to young Singaporeans from all walks of lives and backgrounds. My congratulations to YSA for being proactive in its approach of providing platforms for youths of different ethnic groups to come together for one common cause.
Much has been said about how our young are seen as apathetic and myopic in their world view. Such community-based efforts, particularly initiated by our youths, reflect that our youths are far from that. My experience in engaging our youths has convinced me that our youths are passionate and committed to what they do. They want to contribute. They want to be seen. They want to be heard.
Expedition projects such as this provide excellent opportunities for our youths to showcase their leadership and organizational skills. With a multi-ethnic profile, the project provides excellent opportunities for youths from different ethnic groups to work, live and play together, share one common vision, one common value, one common destination.
The participants will spend more than three weeks away from home and from their loved ones. For some, it will be a first experience of Punjab. It is not always easy for parents to let their children to go on a road less traveled, so to speak. I would like to commend the parents of the participants for encouraging and supporting your child’s participation in this community service project. It is only through your support and blessings that your child has the interest and courage to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate in society. You are very much a part of this project as your child.
Before I end, I would like to say something about the Sikh community in Singapore. It is small by size but it is a community that is extremely lively, vibrant and rich in culture, heritage and tradition. It has made tremendous progress over the decades and is an integral part of the multi-ethnic Singapore society. The Sikh community has been able to develop relevant platforms to address its concerns, challenges and needs over the year. YSA is a reflection of that effort, in that it aims to promote the aspirations of the young Sikhs and integrate them into the Sikh community and the larger Singapore society.
YSA has been playing an important role to educate young Singaporeans and to integrate them into the Singapore society. Your selfless efforts to enhance understanding between different ethnic groups through a variety of platforms, including community services, are highly commendable. Consistent with your other undertakings, this project aims to, and will, build better lives. You are guided not by what is hip, sexy or cool, but by what is necessary to improve the lives of others. This is a powerful symbolism of the young endorsing the importance of making time and being of service to the less fortunate and needy in society.
I would like to conclude by wishing YSA and the participants of Project Khwaish 9 the best of luck for the expedition. You are the ambassadors of Singapore. I am confident that you will do Singapore proud through your hard work, commitment and professionalism while in Punjab.
Have a pleasant journey. Thank you.
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