Indian Singaporeans

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Indian Singaporeans
Indo-Mauritians, Indo-Fijians

Indian Singaporeans are Singaporeans of

ethnic group in Singapore.[2]

While contact with ancient India left a deep impact on Singapore's indigenous Malay culture, the mass settlement of Indians on the island began with the founding of modern Singapore by the British Empire in 1819. Initially, the Indian population was transient, mainly comprising young men who came as workers and soldiers. By the mid-20th century, a settled community had emerged, with a more balanced gender ratio and a better spread of age groups.

Indian Singaporeans are linguistically and religiously diverse, with ethnic Tamils forming a plurality – although there are significant amounts of Singaporeans of South Asian descent that do not identify with the former, most notably the Sikhs. The Indo–Singaporean culture has endured and evolved over 200 years. By the late 20th century, it had grown distinct from contemporary South Asian cultures, with Indian Singaporean elements becoming diffused within a broader Singaporean culture that includes other ethnic groups.

Prominent individuals of South Asian descent have long made a mark in Singapore as leaders of various fields in national life. Indian Singaporeans are also collectively well represented, in areas such as

law
and sports, among others.

Definitions of Indian Singaporeans

An Indian couple in Singapore, circa 1890.
Main article: Race in Singapore

The

Malayalis, Punjabis, Bengalis, Sinhalese etc."[3][4]

Indians 'in Singapore' may be further defined in terms of nationality and residency status. Most ethnic Indians are Singapore citizens, known in local parlance as 'Singaporean Indians', or 'local Indians'. They are usually the locally-born and nativised second, third, fourth or even fifth generation descendants of settlers from the Indian subcontinent, many with little to no connection left with the latter. In addition, there are also many ethnic Indian

immigrant workers in Singapore. Foreign citizens of the Republic of India are called 'Indian nationals', or even 'Indian Indians'.[5]
Foreign Indians may be distinguished in terms of residency status.

Well educated professionals or entrepreneurs with a high earning capacity may be granted renewable Employment Passes. These entitle the holder's spouse, children and parents to Dependents Passes. Students may enter on Students Passes. Pass holders may apply for Permanent Residence, which lets them live in Singapore on a long term-basis on a five-year renewal term. As part of Singaporean nationality law, they are also eligible to apply for Singapore Citizenship although acceptance have been stringent since the 2010s. In contrast, unskilled foreign workers enter Singapore with Work Permits. They are rarely allowed to stay in Singapore for more than two years and are never allowed to bring dependents with them. Nor are they eligible to apply for either Permanent Residence or Citizenship.

Demographic statistics are generally restricted to 'Singapore residents', defined as both Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents. Many of the statistics about Indians in Singapore in this article are restricted to this group. Scholars have noted "(o)fficial figures for workers on temporary contracts are difficult to obtain because the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore considers the information sensitive."

Non Resident Indian
or NRI, which the government of the Republic of India uses to describe its citizens living abroad. In Singapore, an NRI may be statistically non-resident (in the case of work permit or pass holders) or he/she may be considered a Singapore resident (in the case of permanent residents).

Ethno-linguistic profile of Indian Singaporeans

Main article:
Indian languages in Singapore

Indian Singaporean are grouped according to their respective ethnolinguistic backgrounds in the Indian subcontinent or 'dialect group'. Most Indians in Singapore have ancestral links to Southern India and Sri Lanka, with substantial groups from Northern India and Western India accounting for most of the remainder. These are generally the descendants of both free and indentured settlers from India during the 19th and early half of the 20th century.

In 2010, the Singapore census categorised 237,473 Singaporeans and 110,646 permanent residents into a number of 'dialect' groups. However, these groups included Sikhs, who are a religious rather than linguistic group. Virtually all of the Sikhs are Punjabi, which was also captured as a separate 'dialect' category (comprising mainly Hindu Punjabis). Given their small absolute and relative numbers, the following table adapts the 2010 census data by combining the 'Sikh' (12,952) and 'Punjabi' (5,672) category under 'Punjabi'.

The percentages in the table refer to the proportion of each language group within the larger Resident Indian community in Singapore.

PunjabSindhGujaratGoaLakshadweepKeralaSri LankaTamil NaduPuducherryPuducherryAndhra PradeshTelanganaBengalIndia
This clickable map depicts the ethno-linguistic backgrounds of the majority of Indian Singaporeans. Click on the regional subdivisions to see the name of a state, province or region.[Note 1][Note 2]
Population Profile of Singapore Indian Dialect Groups
(Residential population; Singaporeans and permanent residents)[7]
Ethno-linguistic background Ancestral origin 2010 census Percentage
Tamil Tamil Nadu
Sri Lanka
Puducherry 		188,591 54.18%
Malayali
 Kerala
Lakshadweep 		26,348 7.57%
Punjabi
Punjab
 18,624 5.35%
Gujarati Gujarat 4,124 1.18%
Sindhi Sindh 3,971 1.14%
Sinhalese Sri Lanka 3,140 0.90%
Parsi
Other or Mixed[Note 3]
 Andhra Pradesh
Telangana
Bengal
Goa
Various 		103,321 29.68%
348,119 100%
  1. ^ This map depicts India as an undivided entity before the partition in 1947, because some Indian Singaporeans trace their roots to regions that now fall outside the Republic of India.
  2. ^ The map also includes other countries in the Indian Subcontinent, as 'Indian Singaporean' a broad term that encompasses various South Asian ethnicities that fall outside India proper, like the Sri Lankan Tamils.
  3. ^ Singaporeans of heritage must identify with their paternal ethnic group under Singaporean law.

The Singaporean Indian demographic is characterised by an ethnic

Hindustanis
, the Malay colloquial term for Hindi-speaking Indians), or ethnically mixed Singaporeans with paternal Indian ancestry.

History

Main article: History of Singaporean Indians

Pre-colonial period

Main article: Greater India
Indic script
, c 10th to 13th century.

Ancient

wars and other forms of contact. Pre-colonial Singapore was part of 'Indianised Kingdoms' like Srivijaya and the Majapahit, which formed part of a cultural region known as Greater India.[8]

Prior to the spread of Islam, Singapore and the rest of the Malay world, was Hindu-Buddhist. One of the most extensive and enduring Indian influence in Malay culture is the vast number of Indian loan words in the Malay language.

Indian influence is also seen in symbols and mythology associated with ancient Singapore. The

Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals describe the Indian prince who founded Singapore – Sang Nila Utama – as being a descendant of Alexander the Great and an Indian Princess.[9] Meanwhile, the royal and sacred associations of Fort Canning Hill, the seat of ancient rulers, are related to the Hindu Mount Meru concept.[10]

Archaeological digs have unearthed Hindu-Buddhist artefacts from the pre-colonial period. In 1822,

Indic script and a gold armlet bearing the motif of a Hindu 'kala' head.[12]

Colonial period: 1820s–1950s

Hindu
temple.

Migration and settlement

Following the Portuguese colonisation of

India and Singapore were under British colonial rule. Unlike earlier forms of contact, this led to mass migration and, eventually, the formation of a large, settled and distinct population. By 1824, Singapore's first census counted 756 Indian residents, or about 7% of the total population.[13] In 1826, official figures give a total population of 13,750, of which 1,021 are Indians – 244 from Bengal and 777 from the Coromandel Coast, most of whom were males.[14]

Initially, Indian immigrants were predominantly adult men who came from India to find work, serve military duties or prison sentences for several years before returning home. There was a constant flow of Indians in and out of the city, keeping the local community fairly transient.[15][16] A minority of Indians were also wealthy merchants who settled in Singapore and built local commercial and social institutions. Best known amongst them was Naraina Pillai, the earliest Indian community leader and the island's first building contractor. In 1827, he also founded the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore oldest Hindu place of worship.

The influx of Indians in the half century after 1819 led to a brief period when Indians, for the only time, overtook the Malays to become the second largest ethnic group. In 1860, they formed 16% of the population.[17] However, their number then fell from 13,000 that year to 12,000 in 1880, or 8.7% of the population.[18] Following this, Indians slowly began to settle permanently in greater numbers and the relative size of the community in colonial Singapore became stable, fluctuating between 7.7% and 9.4%.

Social characteristics

An Indian-Muslim couple in Singapore, circa 1890.

Scholars have characterised the Indian community in colonial times as being diverse and highly stratified along class lines. According to Dr Rajesh Rai, the social hierarchy comprised four main groups: the educated professional elite (over 0.5% of the Indian community), mercantile groups (under 10%), the white collar middle class (5–7%) and the uneducated labourers (over 80%).[19]

Economic class and job functions were also aligned with the ethnic origins of immigrants. For example,

sepoys in the Bengal Native Infantry and a 'bazaar contingent' of washermen, servants and others who came with Stamford Raffles on his first visit in 1819. Throughout the colonial period, military personnel came from all over India. Most returned home after their service without settling in Singapore.[20][21]

Finally, there were the convicts. In the 19th century, the British shipped Indian convicts to Singapore to relieve overcrowded Indian jails. These men (and some women) were used as labour to build public buildings and roads in Singapore. Like the sepoys, they came from all parts of India. While some returned to India, several settled in Singapore after serving their sentences.[22][23][24]

Social reform movements

Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore.

From the 19th century,

Hindu caste system. These movements spread to overseas Indian communities, including Singapore. Groups like the Ramakrishna Mission, Arya Samaj and Sree Narayana Mission were active conduits of this reform movement. Traditional religious practices, especially among lower caste Hindus, centred around various rural folk traditions, esoteric rituals and superstitions. In contrast, the new movement appealed to better educated urban Hindus, by conducting religious education classes for children and adults, and interpreting the values, concepts and principals behind the religion for lay people. These groups also encouraged a more direct relationship with God, unmediated by Brahmin priests and rituals, through individual devotion (stemming from the Bhakti movement), chanting Bhajans, or hymns, as well as through yoga
. Charitable service was also promoted. The Ramakrishna Mission in Singapore set up a home for boys from troubled homes, while the Sree Narayana Mission set up a home of the destitute elderly.

Another social reform movement was the

Dravidian people, and especially Adi Dravidas and lower caste Tamils from what was seen as Brahmin oppression. This movement sought inspiration from Tamil history and culture. In Singapore, groups like the Tamil Reform Association were inspired by this movement. They imported publications from India that promoted the movement, and they also hosted visiting leaders of the Self-Respect Movement from Tamil Nadu when they visited Singapore. The Singapore groups focussed on moral, social and religious reform. For example, they campaigned against caste distinctions and alcohol abuse. These groups also promoted the use of the Tamil language, and the development of Tamil literature in Singapore, through the establishment of Tamil newspapers and schools. They were also involved in the union activism, especially in those work sectors dominated by Tamils. Tamil-educated journalists and teachers were at the forefront of this movement. Leaders like Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani were especially instrumental in championing the rights of Tamils and Indians, by encouraging Indians to register for Singapore citizenship in the 1950s and by campaigning to make Tamil one of Singapore's official languages.[25]

1915 Singapore Mutiny

Main article: 1915 Singapore Mutiny
Sepoy mutineers awaiting execution in 1915.

The

Indian Mutiny of 1857). The predominantly Muslim soldiers mutinied because they believed they were being sent to fight against Islamic Ottoman Empire as part of the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I. This mutiny lasted nearly seven days, and resulted in the deaths of 47 soldiers and civilians at the hands of the mutineers, who were subsequently arrested and court-martialled; those who were found guilty of capital crimes were executed by the Singapore Volunteer Corps. In general, the mutiny was restricted to Muslim soldiers, and did not involve the wider Indian population in Singapore. While the mutiny was a significant event in Singaporean history, and one of the most important ones specifically involving the Indian diaspora, it was somewhat distinct from the mainstream development of nationalist sentiments among the Indian population in Singapore, which emerged most prominently around the time of the Second World War.[citation needed
]

Political movements

See also: Indian National Army in Singapore
Indian troops in Singapore, 1941.

Nationalist movements in India established branch organisations in Singapore to draw on local Indian support for Indian independence. The

Second World War
.

The

Japanese
assistance. Many Indian soldiers and civilians were recruited in Singapore and Malaya to join the INA during the Japanese occupation. Many of them died fighting alongside the Japanese against the British in Burma during the war.

Indian nationalist sentiments in Singapore and Malaya were paralleled by the rise of Chinese nationalism amongst the overseas Chinese in these territories. As these colonies progressed towards independence, Indians and Chinese in Malaya organised themselves along the lines of ethnic political parties. For instance, the Indian Association in Singapore, today a social and recreational club, was one of a network of such clubs in early 20th century Malaya which came together to form what would become the

Barisan National
coalition government. Unlike Malaysia's delicate ethno-demographic balance, Singapore had a large Chinese majority. This rendered ethnic-based politics less viable, and tended to support class-based politics instead. For example, several Indian professionals supported the more conservative pro-British parties, as they had been beneficiaries of the colonial system. In contrast, the ruling
S. Rajaratnam
was one of the founding members of the PAP, and he worked to define and champion its vision of a multi-racial country, in contrast to the Malaysian model.

More left-leaning Indian leaders and intellectuals, such as

C.V. Devan Nair and James Puthucheary initially supported more radically left-wing groups. They had been imprisoned by the British for their radical union activism. Later, some of these men join the more moderate wing of the PAP. Devan Nair went on to build the modern trades union movement in Singapore, the National Trades Union Congress
. Consequently, Indians in Singapore tended to align themselves, both individually and as groups, with parties advocating specific political or economic ideologies, rather than along purely racial lines. This basic difference between the Indian communities of Singapore and Malaysia has endured to the present day.

Post-colonial history: 1960s – present

Immediate post-colonial period: 1960s – 1980s

Scholars have identified two phases in the development of the Indian community after Singaporean independence in 1965.[26] The first phase, from 1965 to the early 1990s, saw a decline in the proportion of the community from 9% in 1957 to a low of 6.4% in 1980. One reason was the withdrawal of British military forces in the early 1970s, which led to the repatriation of many Indian base workers. Another factor was the retirement of older men, who chose to return to families in India. Meanwhile, post-1965 immigration restrictions ended new migration from India. Furthermore, there was a rise in the emigration of Indian Singaporeans to the West in the late 1980s. During this time, the Indian population continued to grow in absolute terms due to natural increase. Even as it grew proportionally smaller, the community also became more settled, with several new generations born locally. A historical novel titled 'Sembawang: A Novel' explores this notion as well traces the lives of Indian migrants who lived in an Indian enclave outside the HM Naval Base in the 1960s.[27]

From the 1960s to 1980s, the People's Action Party government tried to cultivate a shared national identity and to end the historical tendency of Singaporeans to identify with the national – and often nationalistic – politics of their ancestral homelands. While different ethnic groups were allowed and sometimes encouraged to retain their cultural identities, they were also pushed to integrate socially, politically and economically across ethnic lines. The government pursued policies to integrate the races in public housing estates and national schools. Young men underwent two years of compulsory national service in ethnically mixed military or police camps. Traditional family businesses were superseded by government agencies or foreign multi-national corporations, which hired multi-ethnic workforces on the basis of meritocratic ability rather than kinship or ethnicity. Consequently, "the cultivation of a Singaporean identity has been largely successful in converting Indian migrants into Indian-Singaporeans."[26] In general, Indian social patterns and political activities became aligned and integrated within the national mainstream from the 1960s.

Although the Singapore government championed public policies and a political discourse of racial integration and national identity, it came to recognise that important differences in the socio-economic profiles of the three main races continued to endure in the post-colonial period. Initially, it had set up Mendaki, a quasi-autonomous Malay community self-help group to promote educational advancement within that community to address underperformance by Malay students. In the 1980s, this approach – which was initially seen as an exceptional measure taken in the case of the Malay community – became entwined with the rhetoric of Asian values, which saw the promotion of a greater consciousness and pride in each citizen's own ethnic heritage, as a bulwark against the supposedly negative influence of Western culture. Consequently, the government established the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) in 1991 to address the educational and social problems of the Indian community. Shortly after, a similar body was set up for the majority Chinese community.

Apart from ethnic self-help groups like SINDA (which remain controversial in Singapore), the government has in the main pursued policies emphasising racial integration and national identity. It is against this backdrop that immigration policies were liberalised in the 1990s, leading to an influx of foreigners in Singapore, particularly Indian nationals. This led to a new phase in the history of the Indian community in Singapore.

Contemporary period: 1990s – present

Foreign construction workers at Little India.

A second phase began in the early 1990s, when immigration policies were liberalised to attract foreign professionals to boost the size and skills of the local workforce. The government was keen to draw in well educated migrants from Asian countries who, it was hoped, would be both keen and able to settle permanently. This also addressed the problem of Singapore's extremely low fertility rates. In addition to these professionals, unskilled foreign workers were recruited as low cost manual labour for construction sites and the cleaning sector, albeit without the prospect of permanent settlement. As a result of these policies, the Indian population grew faster than other groups. The proportion of Indian citizens and permanent residents rose from 6.4% in 1980 to 9.23% in 2010. This was mainly due to rapid growth in the number of Indian nationals who acquired Singapore citizenship or permanent residency.

For some years now, the Department of Statistics has stopped providing ethnic data about the short-term or 'non-resident' foreign citizens living in Singapore (i.e. those without Singapore Permanent Residence). As of end June 2007, there were 1,005,500 such persons, or 21.5% of the total population.[28] This group includes two-year work permit holders as well as those holding renewable Employment, Dependant and Student Passes.[29] In 2005, Dr Rajesh Rai from the National University of Singapore has observed that "independent surveys approximate the number of South Asians on work permits to be… approximately 90,000–100,000."[6] In November 2007, a cabinet minister said "more than 20,000 Indian professionals had set up home" in Singapore, although it is unclear if this referred only to Employment Pass holders, or if it included Permanent Residents, Student Pass and/or Dependant Pass holders.[30] Based on these figures, the number of short-term or 'non-resident' Indians in Singapore in 2007 is likely to be in the region of 100,000. As such, the proportion of Indians in the total population is likely to range from 9% to 10% (suggesting 89,000 to 135,000 'non-resident' Indians).

The advance release figures from Singapore's 2010 Census show, for the first time, the number of ethnic Indian Singapore citizens, and ethnic Indian Singapore Permanent Residents, separately – instead of combining the two. As of 2010, there were 237,473 Indian Singapore citizens, or 7.35% of the citizen population. There were 110,646 Indian PRs, or 20.45% of the PR population. In total, ethnic Indians formed 348,119, or 9.23% of the 'resident' population of citizens and PRs.

In-depth studies

Several in-depth studies have been conducted and published in the recent years on the Indian communities in Singapore such as Rajesh Rai's, Indians in Singapore, 1819–1945: Diaspora in the Colonial Port City, Anitha Devi Pillai's, From Kerala to Singapore: Voices from the Singapore Malayalee Community,[31] Mathew Mathews, The Singapore Ethnic Mosaic,[32] S A Nathanji's Singapore: Nation Building and Indians' Legacy amongst others.[32]

Demographics

Income and education

DPS International School Singapore
.

Alongside other ethnic groups, Indians from all social backgrounds have achieved significant advances in their educational levels, income, life expectancy and other social indicators. Singapore's extraordinary economic growth from the 1960s to 1990s lifted many out of poverty and created a broad middle class. In the process, many Indians experienced upward social mobility for the first time. Despite this progress, Indians remain somewhat stratified in terms of class relative to other ethnic groups. With the influx of highly qualified Indian Permanent Residents, the socio-economic indicators of the Indian community have improved, arguably masking the under-achievement of some Indians. In 2005, both the average and median monthly income for Indian Residents (S$3,660 and $2,480 respectively) exceeded those for all Residents (S$3,500 and S$2,410 respectively). In the same year, 25% of Indian Residents had a

university degree as their highest qualification attained. In contrast the national average was only 17%.[33]

Other educations statistics are less positive. In 2004, 73% of Indians among the

Singaporean GCE 'O' Level examinations, compared with 86.5% of Chinese students and 59.3% of Malays.[34] Given their performance in the 'O' level examinations, it would appear Indians would have been under represented among students who sat for the 'A' level examination. However, those Indians who did reach the 'A' level and sat for this exam marginally outperformed the national average. 93% of Indians received 2 'A' and 2 'AO' level passes, compared with 92.6% among Chinese students, and 92.3% nationally.[34] The socio-economic problems, and especially educational under-performance, facing Singapore Indians is addressed by the community through Singapore Indian Development Association
(SINDA), the national self-help group for the Indian community.

Singapore has the following international schools for expatriate Indians:

  • Global Indian International School Singapore
  • DPS International School Singapore
  • National Public School Singapore

Languages

official languages: English, Chinese (in Traditional Script), Tamil, and Malay
.
Main articles:
Indian languages in Singapore

The official languages of Singapore are English,

Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil.[35] The national language of Singapore is Malay for historical reasons,[35] and it is used in the national anthem, "Majulah Singapura".[36]

Persons of

Sindhis, Gujaratis, Sinhalese, and Hindi-speaking people, among others.[37] In terms of actual daily language use, 39% of Indian residents speak mainly English at home, and a similar number use Tamil. The remainder speak either Malay (11%) or other languages, including other Indian languages and Kristang (11%).There are about 3000 families which speak Marathi at home.[33]

3.1% of all Singapore residents speak mainly Tamil at home[33] and it is one of the country's four official languages.[38] Tamil is taught as a second language in most public schools. Tamil content (produced locally or abroad) is available on free-to-air and cable television as well as radio channels, and in libraries, cinemas, theatres and bookshops. Tamil is used in temples, mosques and churches catering to the community. Some business and non-profit groups, especially those in the Little India neighbourhood, use Tamil on a daily basis.

Many Indian loan words are found in Malay, and, to a lesser extent, in English. The influence of Indian vocabulary, syntax and pronunciation are also found in Singlish, the local English dialect.[39] At the same time, Singapore Tamil is slightly distinct from the versions spoken in India and Sri Lanka, with its closest cousin being the Malaysian Tamil spoken across the border. Local usage includes some words from English, Malay and other languages. Meanwhile, certain Tamil words or phrases that are archaic in India and Sri Lanka are still used in Singapore.

Religions

Main articles: Religion in Singapore and Indian-origin religions
Depictions of Dravidian Hindu art on the gopuram (entrance tower) of Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore, dedicated to the Hindu goddess of rain; Mariamman.

Religion of Indian Singaporeans (2020)[40]

  
Roman Catholicism (7.3%)
  Protestantism and other non-Catholic (5.3%)
  Sikhism and other religion (3.9%)
  No Religion (2.2%)
  Buddhism
(0.7%)

Majority of the Indian Singaporeans are Hindus. The proportion of Indians following Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are relatively higher as the census include Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and other South Asian ethnic groups under the category of "Indians".[41][42]

According to the latest 2020 Census, 57.3% of Singapore's Indian population declared themselves as Hindus, including 23.4% Muslims, 12.6% Christians, 4.6% other religions and 2.2% non-religious, as stated in the following statistics.

Origin of religion Religion Number
(2020) 		Percentage
Dharmic religions
 Hinduism 171,326 57.3%
Sikhism 10,265 3.4%
Buddhism 2,031 0.7%
Other (most Jainism) 1,420 0.5%
Subtotal of Indian-origin religions 185,042 61.9%
Abrahamic religions Islam 69,964 23.4%
Christianity 37,605 12.6%
Roman Catholicism
 21,853 7.3%
Protestantism and other Christians 15,752 5.3%
Subtotal of Abrahamic religions 107,569 36%
No religion 6,443 2.1%
Grand total of all religions 299,054 100%

Hinduism in Singapore

Main article: Hinduism in Singapore

Based on the latest 2020 Census, 5.0% of the resident population aged above 15 years, were Hindu. Almost all Hindus in Singapore were ethnic Indians (99%), with the majority of Singapore's ethnic Indians (57.3%) being Hindu.

There are approximately

National Monuments of Singapore
.

A Thaipusam participant.

Although temples may be historically associated with certain communities, Hindu temples in Singapore are open to all regardless or language, caste or religion (non-Hindus may visit the temples). A unique feature of Hinduism in Singapore is the fact that a noticeable number of non-Indians, usually Buddhist Chinese, do participate in a variety of Hindu activities, including praying to Hindu deities, donating money to the temple funds and participating in Hindu festivals like the

fire-walking ceremony, and Thaipusam
.

The most visible Hindu festivals in Singapore are

Deepavali
is a national public holiday in Singapore. For a month before it, the Little India district is decorated with ornamental fairy lights. Bazaars are held in different parts of the district, with stalls selling religious paraphenilia, greeting cards, food, decorations, clothes, etc. Deepavali day itself is marked with a ritual bath and prayers in the morning, followed by feasting and visits to family and friends.

Thaipusam is celebrated prominently in Singapore, Malaysia and other countries with large Tamil populations. As a penance, participants carry 'kavadis' along a processional route. Some men carry kavadis attached to their bodies via hooks and spears that pierce their skin. Thaipusam is the only time when major Singapore roads are closed for a religious procession. The festival is a major religious and urban event, drawing thousands of devotees, supporters and onlookers.

Other religions

Established in 1912, the Central Sikh Temple was the first gurdwara in Singapore.

Singapore's approximately 10,000 Indian Sikhs formed 3.4% of the Indian Singaporean population aged above 15 years. Most Sikhs in Singapore are of Indian Origin(accounting to 80-90% of Sikhs). There is a smaller Jain community consisting of a few thousand in population.

Among over 15% Muslim Singapore Residents, approximately 13% were Indian, with most of the remainder being Malay (82%), including some Chinese (2.2%) and other ethnicity (2.8%); Indian Muslim Singaporeans easily intermarried with Malays. predate the Islamic period (c. 570-632 AD), or the birth of Islam. In reality, Indonesians and Malays came to know about Islam through the merchants of South India and not through Arab missionaries. Among Christian Singapore Residents, about 5.8% were Indian, with most of the remainder being Chinese (86%), including small Malay (0.4%) and other ethnicity (7.8%). Within the Christian community, Indians formed 10.3% of

Protestants
).

Within the wider Muslim and Christian communities, Indians have established their own places of worship, where sermons, services and prayers are conducted in Indian languages. Consequently, there are a substantial number of 'Indian' churches, mosques and Buddhist temples in Singapore. For example, the

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Singapore's oldest Tamil Catholic Church, as well as a National Monument. The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is a Theravada temple, built in a mix of Chinese, Indian, Sri Lankan and Thai styles, and is quite different from most Chinese Buddhist Mahayana temples in Singapore. The small Indian Buddhist community (mainly Sri Lankan Sinhalese
) in Singapore often frequents this temple, which is located in Little India.

Culture

See also: Mama shop

Cuisine

Main article:
Indian cuisine in Singapore
Indian rojak.

The great variety of Singapore food includes

roti prata and teh tarik
.

Other dishes were popular during the colonial period, when Indian ingredients and other culinary influences spread with the Empire to places like Singapore. Many of them endure in some homes and restaurants. Some of these dishes include

Mutton chop
.

There are also many other Indian foods that are less widely available foods, but which can still be found in several areas serving a more specifically Indian clientele, especially in and around

paayasam and gulab jamun
.

Indian Singaporean eateries during the 1990s.[43]

Little India

Deepavali light-up of Little India
in 2006.

The Indian imprint on Singapore's urban landscape can be seen most prominently in the form of the

architectural conservation in Singapore, this area was gazetted for conservation, which makes its buildings legally protected from unauthorised modifications and demolition. Bounded by Serangoon Road, Sungei Road and Jalan Besar, the area is recognised as the hub of the Indian community in Singapore. It contains mainly two-storey shophouses of the Early, Transitional, Late and Art Deco Shophouse Styles, as well as several places of worship for different faiths.[44] Apart from serving the social, cultural and commercial needs of the Indian community, the area is established as one of the more historic urban districts in Singapore, with a colourful personality that makes it an indelible part of the national landscape and identity. In 2004, it was also Singapore's third most popular free-access tourist attraction, after Orchard Road and Chinatown.[45]

Naming conventions

The Indian Heritage Centre in Little India, Singapore
Main article:
Indian names

Because of their linguistic and religious diversity, Singapore Indians use a variety of

Malay
Muslims, who use the connector 'bin' (son of) or 'binte / bte' (daughter of) instead). Likewise, a Tamil Christian name might be Daryl s/o David. The use of these connectors arose during the colonial period. However, this format is somewhat rare today.

Often, an individual will reduce their father's name to an initial, hence 'G. Ravi'. This approach is popular among many Singapore politicians, as it simplifies names that, to non-Indian Singaporeans, can be very long, complicated and difficult to pronounce. Thus, the late Senior Minister Sinnathamby Rajaratnam was known as

S.R. Nathan. Likewise, other prominent Indians include S. Dhanabalan, S. Jayakumar and J. B. Jeyaretnam (also known simply as 'JBJ'). Likewise, Tamil Muslims and Christians also use initials in a similar way. This convention is regularly used in South India
.

Another popular approach is to omit the 's/o' or 'd/o' connector altogether, e.g. 'Ravi Govindasamy'. While the name appears to conform to a Western format, the last name (Govindasamy) technically remains the father's name, and is not the family surname. As such, the individual should properly be addressed as 'Mr Ravi', rather than 'Mr Govindasamy'. However, some people use their father's name as a surname, i.e. Ravi calls himself 'Mr Govindasamy' and uses it as a surname for his children. Instead of naming his son 'Arun (s/o) Ravi', he would name him 'Arun Govindasamy' (or even 'Arun Govind'). This approach is also adopted among several Tamil Christians. Some new surnames have been created in this way.

Several

Menon (Malayalee). While Telugu people use caste as the middle name Reddy/Naidu
and family name as surname.

Some Tamil Christian families have retained Indian names (as given names or 'family' names), generally alongside or in place of Western or Christian names, e.g. Vivian Balakrishnan.

Some

Sikh men invariably adopt 'Singh' as their surname, while Sikh women adopt 'Kaur', as is their traditional practice. However, some Sikhs have also re-introduced supplementary family or clan
names, thus instead of simply 'Charanjit Singh', an individual might adopt the name 'Charanjit Singh Siddhu' for himself or his son.

Contribution

Indian institutions

Main article: List of Indian organisations in Singapore

Many of the clubs and associations established by and for Indians in Singapore are defined along narrower linguistic, religious or other sub-ethnic lines. The following groups are among the more important national Indian organisations in Singapore that cater to all Indians, regardless or cultural background.

Indian Association building in Singapore.
  • Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) – SINDA was set up in 1991 to address educational under-performance in the Indian community. It also deals with other social and economic problems faced by Indians.
  • Singapore Indian Association (IA) – The IA was set up in 1923 by Singapore's Indian elite to promote the social, physical, intellectual, cultural and the general welfare of its members. While the association initially focussed on social and political issues faced by the Indian community, it has evolved into a private sports and recreation members-only club.[46][47]
  • Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) – Established first in 1924 as the Indian Merchants Association, the SICCI is an independent, non-profit organisation with over 500 members.[48]
  • Society of Indian Students (SOIS) – Established first in 1999 in the National University of Singapore, the primary objective of SOIS is to provide a framework for students to interact with and to assist one another; Virtually all Indian students at NUS are directly or indirectly linked to SOIS.

Participation in national life

S.R. Nathan at an Istana
open day.
Main article: List of Singaporean Indians

Indian Singaporeans have made their mark nationally and even internationally in a variety of arenas.

Bharatnatyam
, a form of classical Indian dance.

Notable Indian Singaporeans

Main articles: List of Indians in Singapore and List of Singaporeans
Full Name
also known as 		Birth Death Ethnolinguistic Heritage Religion Occupation(s) Contributions Namesake Streets/Institutions
Naraina Pillai
Narayana Pillay 		c.1765;
259 years ago (1765)		 Unknown Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Entrepreneur, Philanthropist First Indian to set foot in modern Singapore (not counting established Indian Peranakans) with Stamford Raffles on the ship Indiana in 1819. Established the first Hindu temple in modern Singapore, the Sri Mariamman Temple (not counting Malay-built Hindu temples that existed on Fort Canning during the Hindu-Buddhist Malay era). First-ever building contractor in Singapore.[51] Pillai Road in Paya Lebar.
Arumugam Annamalai Pillai
Namly 		1839;
185 years ago (1839)		 1924;
100 years ago (1924)		 Tamil (Ceylonese) Hinduism Civil Servant, Land Surveyor, Landlord Third prominent Ceylonese Tamil to arrive in Singapore. Surveyor-General of the Colony of Singapore; surveyed and mapped the vast majority of the island of Singapore. One of the largest landowners in colonial Singapore; owned large tracts of land in Katong, Siglap, Tanglin, and Bukit Timah. Personally named the Bukit Timah roads of King's Road, Queen's Road, Duchess Road, Coronation Road, Prince of Wales Road, and Victoria Park.[52][53] The British named the Bukit Timah roads of Namely Ave, Namely Close, Namely Crescent, Namely Drive, Namely Garden, Namely Grove, Namely Hill, Namely Place, Namely Rise and Namely View after Pillai, as he formerly owned the lands bounded by these roads.
Hunmah Somapah 1870;
154 years ago (1870)		 1919;
105 years ago (1919)
Kannadigan
 Hinduism Landlord Largest Indian landlord in colonial Singapore. Owned land in Punggol, Serangoon, Tampines, Paya Lebar, and Changi. Owned a total of 108 houses, shophouses, shops, and 4 plantations at the time of his demise. Part of the Hindu delegation that lobbied the British to make
Deepavali a public holiday in colonial Singapore.[54]
 Kampong Somapah, Somapah Bus Interchange (1982–1989), Somapah Road in
East West MRT Line (now Expo) and Somapah station on the Downtown MRT line (Now Upper Changi).[55][56]
Navroji Rastomji Mistri OBE
Noel R. Mistri 		3 June 1885;
138 years ago (1885-06-03)		 29 October 1953;
70 years ago (1953-10-29)		 Parsi Zoroastrianism Entrepreneur, Landlord, Philanthropist First prominent Parsi to arrive in Singapore. Established the Phoenix Aerated Water Company. Recipient of the
Japanese Occupation of Singapore
.		 Mistri Road and Parsi Road in Tanjong Pagar; Mistri Wing of the Singapore General Hospital.
P. Govindasamy Pillai 1887;
137 years ago (1887)		 21 July 1980;
43 years ago (1980-07-21)		 Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Entrepreneur, Philanthropist Established a chain of Indian general stores in Singapore.
Donated money to build the gopuram of Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.[57]
Rajabali Jumabhoy 16 January 1898;
126 years ago (1898-01-16)		 26 November 1998;
25 years ago (1998-11-26)		 Gujarati Islam (Bohra Ismaili Shiism) Entrepreneur, Landlord Founder of Scotts Holdings, now known as The Ascott Limited. Formerly one of the richest Singaporeans, with a maximum recorded net worth of almost 1 billion Singapore dollars.[58][59]
Choor Singh Sidhu 19 January 1911;
113 years ago (1911-01-19)		 31 March 2009;
15 years ago (2009-03-31)		 Punjabi Sikhism Judge Former Judge of the
trial by jury
in Singapore.
Sinnathamby Rajaratnam
S. Rajaratnam 		25 February 1915;
109 years ago (1915-02-25)		 22 February 2006;
18 years ago (2006-02-22)		 Tamil (Ceylonese) Hinduism Politician Author of the
Singapore pledge, First Foreign Minister of Singapore, Third Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore (1980–85).[60]
 S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University; S. Rajaratnam Block at Raffles Institution.
M. Bala Subramanion 5 March 1917;
107 years ago (1917-03-05)		 3 February 2021;
3 years ago (2021-02-03)		 Tamil (Indian) Civil servant The country's first Asian
postmaster-general. He was also an Indian community leader who was a member of community groups including Singapore Indian Association, Singapore Indian Education Trust and Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society
.
Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam 2 April 1921;
103 years ago (1921-04-02)		 28 July 2018;
5 years ago (2018-07-28)		 Tamil (Ceylonese) Hinduism Pathologist Father of Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Devan Nair Chengara Veetil
C. V. Devan Nair 		6 August 1923;
100 years ago (1923-08-06)		 6 December 2005;
18 years ago (2005-12-06)
Malayali
 Hinduism Politician Third President of Singapore and commander-in-chief of the Singapore Armed Forces (1981–85).[61]
Sellapan Ramanathan
S. R. Nathan 		3 July 1924;
99 years ago (1924-07-03)		 22 August 2016;
7 years ago (2016-08-22)		 Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Politician Sixth and longest-serving President of Singapore (1999–2011).[62]
Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam
J. B. Jeyaretnam 		5 January 1926;
98 years ago (1926-01-05)		 30 September 2008;
15 years ago (2008-09-30)		 Tamil (Ceylonese) Christianity (Anglican Protestantism) Lawyer, Politician First opposition politician to be elected to Parliament.[63]
Kartar Singh Thakral 22 September 1933;
90 years ago (1933-09-22)		   Punjabi Sikhism Entrepreneur
Joseph Yuvaraj Pillay
J. Y. Pillay 		30 March 1934;
90 years ago (1934-03-30)		   Tamil (Indian-Ceylonese) Christianity Civil servant Chairman of Malaysia–Singapore Airlines (1971–72), Founding Chairman of Singapore Airlines after its establishment as an independent carrier in 1972 (1972–1996).[64]
Suppiah Dhanabalan
S. Dhanabalan 		8 August 1937;
86 years ago (1937-08-08)		   Tamil (Indian) Christianity (Brethrenism) Politician
Shunmugam Jayakumar
S. Jayakumar 		12 August 1939;
84 years ago (1939-08-12)		   Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Lawyer, Politician, Diplomat 7th Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore (2004–2009).
Sivakant Tiwari
S. Tiwari 		20 December 1945;
78 years ago (1945-12-20)		 26 July 2010;
13 years ago (2010-07-26)		 Hindustani Hinduism Lawyer
Subhas Anandan 25 December 1946;
77 years ago (1946-12-25)		 7 January 2015;
9 years ago (2015-01-07)		 Malayali Hinduism Lawyer
Kishore Mahbubani 24 October 1948;
75 years ago (1948-10-24)		   Sindhi Hinduism Diplomat, Professor First Singaporean President of the United Nations Security Council (2001–2), Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1984–89; 1998–2004).[65]
Mustaq Ahmad 8 June 1951;
72 years ago (1951-06-08)		   Hindustani Islam Entrepreneur Founder of Mustafa Centre.[66]
Bilahari Kim Hee Papanasam Setlur Kausikan 1954;
70 years ago (1954)		   Chindian; Tamil (Indian)-
Peranakan Chinese
   Diplomat
Balaji Sadasivan 11 July 1955;
68 years ago (1955-07-11)		 27 September 2010;
13 years ago (2010-09-27)		 Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Politician
Vijaya Kumar Rajah
V. K. Rajah 		14 January 1957;
67 years ago (1957-01-14)		   Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Lawyer 8th Attorney-General of Singapore
Tharman Shanmugaratnam 25 February 1957;
67 years ago (1957-02-25)		   Tamil (Ceylonese) Hinduism Politician 9th President of Singapore (Incumbent, 2023–present), 10th Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore (2011–2019).
Davinder Singh Sachdev 1 September 1957;
66 years ago (1957-09-01)		   Punjabi Sikhism Lawyer, Politician
Jacintha Abisheganaden 3 October 1957;
66 years ago (1957-10-03)		  
Chindian
; Tamil (Indian)-Chinese		 Christianity Singer, Actress
Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam
K. Shanmugam 		26 March 1959;
65 years ago (1959-03-26)		   Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Lawyer, Politician Minister for Law, Minister for Home Affairs
Inderjit Singh Dhaliwal 5 June 1960;
63 years ago (1960-06-05)		   Punjabi Sikhism Politician
Indranee Thurai Rajah 12 April 1963;
61 years ago (1963-04-12)		   Chindian; Tamil (Indian)-Chinese Christianity (Anglican Protestantism) Lawyer, Politician
Xenonamandar Jegahusiee Singh
Joseph Prince 		15 May 1963;
60 years ago (1963-05-15)		   Chindian; Punjabi-Chinese Christianity (Pentecostal Protestantism) Pastor Co-founder and senior pastor of New Creation Megachurch
Paul Tambyah 5 February 1965;
59 years ago (1965-02-05)		   Tamil Medical Professor of Medicine and infectious diseases expert.
Gurmit Ottawan Singh 24 March 1965;
59 years ago (1965-03-24)		   Chindian; Punjabi-Chinese Christianity Actor Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd sitcom.
Varadaraju Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy 		October 6, 1965;
58 years ago (1965-10-06)		   Tamil (Indian) Hinduism Sportsman
Sharanjit Leyl 15 February 1973;
51 years ago (1973-02-15)		   Punjabi Sikhism Reporter, Journalist BBC News Reporter.
Gurmit Kaur Campbell     Punjabi Sikhism Model First Singaporean supermodel,[67] first Singaporean to be featured on the cover of Vogue. Modelled for Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, and Karl Lagerfeld.
Murli Kewalram Chanrai     Sindhi Hinduism Entrepreneur
Ravinder Singh     Punjabi Sikhism Military Army General, Major-General of the Singapore Army (2011–14).
Pritam Singh     Punjabi Sikhism Lawyer and Politician First Leader of the Opposition

Media

Television

Channel Frequency Name
LCN
 Language Picture format Type Broadcast area Transmitter site 24-hours Multiplex Opening date
31 554MHz Vasantham[a] 5HD Tamil
16:9
)
General entertainment
 Singapore
Johor Bahru/Johor Bahru District (Malaysia)
Batam/Batam Islands, Riau Islands (Indonesia) 		Bukit Batok Transmission Centre No MUX2 Mediacorp Bukit Batok Transmission Centre 19 October 2008; 15 years ago (19 October 2008)

Radio

All the frequencies below can be heard in the Johor Bahru/Johor Bahru District, Singapore and Batam City/Batam Islands.

Frequency (Johor Bahru/Johor Bahru District, Singapore and Batam City/Batam Islands) TRP (kW) Station RDS Language Genre Broadcast area Transmitter site Opening date
96.8 MHz (Johor Bahru/Johor Bahru District, Singapore and Batam City/Batam Islands) 10 OLI 968 OLI_968_ Tamil
Adult contemporary
Infotainment
 Singapore
Johor Bahru/Johor Bahru District (Malaysia)
Batam/Batam Islands, Riau Islands (Indonesia)		 Bukit Batok Transmission Centre 1 March 1937; 87 years ago (1 March 1937) as Radio Singapore and Tamil Service (under British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation)

Daily newspaper

Newspaper Language Format Slogan, Motto, Tagline & Theme Founded Average daily circulation Position (Rank)
Tamil Murasu (தமிழ் முரசு) Tamil Tamil oldest daily broadsheet
Singapore's #1 Tamil daily newspaper 		Singapore's #1 Tamil Daily Newspaper 2 May 1936; 87 years ago (2 May 1936) 999,995,991 (print + digital) #1

Notes

  1. ^ replacing Vasantham Central formerly by Central

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ "Singapore Census 2020" (PDF). Singapore Government. p. 43.
  2. ^ a b "Singapore in Figures 2018" (PDF). Singapore Government. January 2018. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Census of Population 2010 Statistical Release 1: Demographic Characteristics, Education, Language and Religion" (PDF). Department of Statistics, Singapore. 2010. p. 185. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2017.
  4. ^ Leow, p.16.
  5. ^ In his 2006 National Day Rally, Singapore's Prime Minister said "A Chinese Chinese is different from a Singapore Chinese. An Indian Indian is different from a Singapore Indian. In fact, when I met Mr. Koizumi last year and I told him, you know, we are bringing in Chinese Chinese, Indian Indians, he looked at me, he said, "Chinese Chinese?" I had to explain, "Ya, indeed, they come from China. Singapore Chinese come from Singapore. We are different." "Transcript of PM's Rally Speech in English: Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong's NDR 2006 (English speech): Singapore--Our Future, Our Home". singaporeangle.com. 21 August 2006. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
  6. ^ a b Lal, p. 176.
  7. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ Hall, pp. 12–24
  9. ^ Low, Cheryl-Ann Mei Gek, 'Singapore from the 14th to 19th Century' in Miksic & Low (2004) p.14
  10. ^ Low, Cheryl-Ann Mei Gek, 'Singapore from the 14th to 19th Century' in Miksic & Low (2004) p.15
  11. ^ Low, Cheryl-Ann Mei Gek, 'Singapore from the 14th to 19th Century' in Miksic & Low (2004) p.16
  12. ^ Lim, Wei Chean (31 January 2006). "Singapore's Treasures". The Straits Times.
  13. ^ Turnbull, p.27.
  14. ^ Wright, Arnold; Cartwright, H.A., eds. (1907). Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources. p. 37.
  15. ^ Turnbull, p.37.
  16. ^ Lal, p.179.
  17. ^ Turnbull, pp.36–37.
  18. ^ Turnbull, p.96.
  19. ^ Lal, p.180.
  20. ^ Netto, p.14-17.
  21. ^ Lal, p.178-179.
  22. ^ Turnbull, p.56.
  23. ^ Lal, p.177.
  24. ^ Netto, p.13.
  25. ^ Lal, p.181.
  26. ^ a b Lal, p.185.
  27. ISBN 978-9814893282
    .
  28. ^ http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/reference/mdsmar10.pdf [permanent dead link]
  29. ^ "Work passes and permits". Ministry of Manpower. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  30. ^ 'Leeway for DBS' Indian expansion' by Ravi Velloor in The Straits Times 5 Nov 2007
  31. OCLC 962741080
    .
  32. ^
    OCLC 1012427552.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link
    )
  33. ^ a b c "KEY INDICATORS OF THE RESIDENT POPULATION" (PDF). 19 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  34. ^ a b c "Table 33: Percentage of pupils with at least 5 'O' level passes by ethnic group" (PDF). Education Statistics Digest. Ministry of Education (Singapore). 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2007.
  35. ^ a b "Republic of Singapore Independence Act". Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  36. ^ Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act (Cap. 296, 1985 Rev. Ed.)
  37. ^ Leow, Bee Geok (2001). Census of Population 2000: Demographic Characteristics. p.47-49.
  38. ^ "Singapore Infomap". Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2007.
  39. ^ Brown, p. viii
  40. ^ "20% of Singapore residents have no religion, an increase from the last population census". Channel News Asia. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  41. ^ "Full report of 2021 Census" (PDF). p. 213. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  42. ^ ""Religion by Ethnic in Singapore 2020"". Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  43. ^ Pakiam, Geoffrey K. "Milo Dinosaur. The life and times of a Southeast Asian national beverage | IIAS". www.iias.asia. International Institute for Asian Studies. Retrieved 3 November 2021. Milo Dinosaur's name appears to have originated in Singapore-based Indian-Muslim eateries during the mid-1990s. Eateries claiming credit include A&A Muslim Restaurant, Al-Ameen Eating House, and Al-Azhar Eating Restaurant, all popular with youth and young adults.
  44. ^ "Little India Conservation Area". Urban Redevelopment Authority. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  45. ^ "Annual Report on Tourism Statistics 2004" (PDF). Singapore Tourism Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  46. ^ "Anonym Technology Ptd Ltd". Ia.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  47. ^ Netto, p.31-33.
  48. ^ "Sicci". Sicci.com. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  49. ^ a b c d "Singapore Government Directory Interactive". Government of Singapore.
  50. ^ "Singapore's 40 Richest". Forbes. 24 August 2006.
  51. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Naraina Pillai - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  52. ^ "He saved thousands The Story of JMJ Supramaniam" (PDF).
  53. ^ "Meet Hajijah and Boon Tat: 10 Singapore roads named after someone's grandmother or grandfather". The Straits Times. 25 May 2017.
  54. ^ "Somapah | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  55. ^ "Somapah Road by Pang Yang Huei". 7 February 2018.
  56. ISBN 9789814484749
    .
  57. ^ "NewspaperSG - Terms and Conditions". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  58. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Rajabali Jumabhoy - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  59. ^ Karmali, Naazneen. "Jumabhoys Got The Jump". Forbes.
  60. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "S. Rajaratnam - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  61. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Devan Nair - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  62. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "S. R. Nathan - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  63. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  64. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Singapore Airlines - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  65. ^ "Portrait of Mr. Kishore Mahbubani, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Singapore to the United Nations - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  66. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Mustaq Ahmad - Infopedia". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  67. ^ "GURMIT: REDEFINING BEAUTY". Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.

Citations

Further reading

External links

Library resources about
Indian Singaporeans
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_Singaporeans&oldid=1218508640"