Deputy PM Wong was addressing the 75th anniversary celebration dinner of the Sikh Advisory Board
Singapore: Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated the Sikh community who had made significant contributions in Singapore in diverse fields while retaining their culture, faith and unique identity, a PTI report in The Tribune, Chandigarh, says.
He was addressing the 75th anniversary celebration dinner of the Sikh Advisory Board (SAB) on Sunday.
“You have all distinguished yourselves in your chosen professions and made significant contributions in diverse fields…Sikhs have done all this in Singapore while retaining their culture, faith and unique identity,” he told the gathering.
“Whether it is in the civil service or the uniformed services, the judiciary, business, sports or many other professions, Sikhs are well represented, excelling and taking on leadership positions,” he told the community.
“From the government’s perspective, we certainly appreciate and value this very close collaboration with the community. Compared to other communities you may be small in number, but your contribution to Singapore is out of proportion to your number,” the minister added.
The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the Sikh Advisory Board for having been instrumental in advising the state on matters concerning the community, be it religion, customs or overall welfare issues.
He observed that the Board, had always been candid, open and forthcoming in their perspectives and views.
“So, even though you may be an Advisory Board, I assure you the government listens to your advice and takes it very seriously.
“The Board has also been instrumental in mediating disputes as those relating to employment practices to ensure that Sikhs continue to observe the key tenets of their faith,” he underscored.
*******************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com
