Singapore Sets up 5-year Panel to Boost the Indian Community

A pivotal moment has arrived for Singapore’s Indian community, as a newly formed Singapore Indian Community Committee steps up to drive progress, inclusion, and support for the next five years. Officially announced on August 7 by Minister for Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security, K. Shanmugam, the committee represents a significant renewal of leadership and strategic direction.

Co-chaired by two dynamic political figures — Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Law, and Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower and Culture, Community and Youth — the Singapore Indian Community Committee is envisioned as a collaborative body that will address evolving needs while building on decades of achievements.

Singapore: Purpose-Driven Leadership for a Growing Community

Minister Shanmugam, speaking at a community leaders’ reception hosted by the People’s Association’s Indian Activity Executive Committees Council at HomeTeamNS in Khatib, described this initiative as “the start of a new phase.”

“The community is in a good place. It’s ready for a further take-off,” he said, reflecting on the growth and resilience of the Indian community in recent years.

With a strong focus on inclusivity, upliftment, and policy engagement, the committee’s core mandate includes identifying areas where Indian Singaporeans — especially the less advantaged — can receive greater support. Working closely with government agencies and community stakeholders, the group will also explore new platforms for better outreach and alignment of government policies.

Community Progress: From Strength to Strength

Shanmugam highlighted major strides already made by the Indian community:

• Education: University graduate rates among Indians have risen from 1 in 6 in 2000 to around 40% today, a remarkable transformation in just two decades.

• Income Growth: Indians have experienced the fastest rise in incomes among Singapore’s main ethnic groups.

• Home Ownership: The community has consistently made gains in home ownership, underscoring economic stability and progress.

Notably, the Indian community’s contribution to Singapore’s political landscape is also growing. 17% of Cabinet ministers are of Indian origin, a significant representation considering Indians make up about 7% of the population.

“This perspective is important,” Shanmugam said. “There are still challenges, including casual racism, but Singapore offers pathways to address such issues. The Indian community’s position is strong — perhaps stronger than in many other countries.”

Singapore: A Broad-Based, Inclusive Approach

The committee will receive additional support from prominent Indian-origin political leaders including Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Education.

According to co-chair Murali Pillai, the next step will be a deep consultation process involving Indian organisations and grassroots groups. “Ultimately, it’s to galvanise the community together and there are a number of issues we want to tackle collaboratively,” he noted.

Fellow co-chair Dinesh Vasu Dash emphasized the need for inclusive engagement across the Indian community’s diverse backgrounds. “We inherit many micro-cultures from the subcontinent — linguistically, religiously, and culturally. Our approach will be to unite this diversity through shared purpose and coordinated action.”

He added that one of the committee’s tasks would be to better align government messaging with community needs, ensuring that policies are communicated in ways that resonate deeply with different groups.

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