Speech by Minister Desmond Lee at the Pongal Festival 2023 Light Up Ceremony on 7 Jan 2023

Jan 7, 2023

Chairman of Little India Shopkeepers & Heritage Association (LISHA), Mr Regunath Siva;
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr P Arunachalam;
Minister Indranee Rajah;
His excellency, High Commissioner of India, Mr P Kumaran;
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good evening.

Vanakkam (welcome)

1.             I am very happy to join you this evening at LISHA’s Pongal Festival 2023 Light Up Ceremony. I’m delighted at how vibrant and colourful Little India looks during this period – it was really a joy to drive through the streets and take in all the sights and sounds! And you’ll agree with me that Little India, with many other parts of Singapore, is a lot more vibrant and exciting after two years of a difficult Covid period. It’s just the energy, the people, the colour, food, culture that brings us altogether.

Significance of Pongal

2.             Pongal is an important occasion, not only for our Tamil community, but also for our larger Indian community.  It is the celebration of a bountiful harvest, and an expression of thanks to everyone who contributed to it – including the farmers, the farm animals and mother nature.

3.             It is also an opportunity for communities of all races and religions to come together and celebrate our diversity.

For instance, during this festival, the Tamil community in Singapore offers a sweet dish, which is also called “sarkarai pongal”, to their friends from other communities to spread joy and happiness. Several community centres all across Singapore will also be organising multi-racial Pongal activities during this period, so that we can all join in the celebrations and build commonalities across our communities.

4.             Though Pongal falls on 15th of January, the celebrations in Little India are starting today - a week earlier - with a month-long street light-up and the very popular cattle display where members of public get to see farm animals such as bulls, cows and goats up close. I had a chance to  do so just now – it is not every day you get to see these animals in the heart of urban Singapore to celebrate a festival like Pongal together!

Businesses in Little India

5.             LISHA has shared with me that with the continued easing of Covid-19 restrictions, there is a significant uptick in the number of locals, as well as tourists visiting Little India, especially during this month.

6.             I am sure this is welcome news for businesses in the precinct, who have gone through challenges during the pandemic, and are now happy to see the crowds steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels.

7.             LISHA is also partnering several organisations, such as Mediacorp, the Indian Heritage Centre and Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) during this season to spread the festive joy.

8.             But Pongal is not just a time for celebration.  It is also a time for us to remember the less fortunate among us.  I am very delighted to hear that LISHA is bringing back the ‘Pongal Sharing initiative’ – there was a short break in the last two years during the pandemic. The initiative brings residents from homes such as Sri Narayana Mission and Sun Love, to visit Little India, enjoy the festivities and give them some gifts.

9.             Thank you LISHA and your partners for supporting these activities and events. I look forward to your continued participation, and I wish one and all a Happy Pongal.