» Address by Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, CEO, SINDA, at the SINDA Excellence Awards 2025 on 20 September 2025, at Nanyang Polytechnic

Guest of Honour, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Manpower, Mayor, South East District,

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash;

Members of the SINDA Board of Trustees;

Distinguished guests, family members, award recipients, brothers and sisters.

Opening

I’m very heartened to welcome all of you to the 34^th SINDA Excellence Awards 2025, the pinnacle community award to recognise our students for their excellence. We have come together today to celebrate 846, recipients who have excelled in their respective fields.

To all our awardees, your presence here is the result of your hard work and perseverance — countless hours spent learning, practising, and rising above every challenge. Today, we celebrate you and the unique journeys that brought you here. Well done, all of you! [Applause]

SEA & Excellence

Since 1992, the SINDA Excellence Awards has recognised Indian students who have achieved their best. Each year, these awards remind us that our community is moving forward together. More of our youths are stepping up, pushing limits, and showing what is possible when families, schools and the community come together.

Over the years, we have seen our students shine and thrive across many fields — in academics, the arts and sports. What makes today even more special is seeing so many repeat recipients — young people who continue to raise the bar, year after year.

Special Mentions

Among them are athletes from our Special Mention category and repeat SEA recipients — Thiruben Thana Rajan, Saiesha Ranjan, Naisha Singh, and Laavinia Jaiganth, whose journeys reflect not only consistent effort but also groundbreaking achievements on the world stage. Others, like Marc Brian Louis, are being recognised for the first time — showing us that new talents continue to emerge and inspire us.

SINDA as a Guiding Hand

At SINDA, we believe every young person deserves that same chance to discover their path and pursue it with confidence. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or on stage, we want to walk alongside you, open doors, and be that guiding hand that makes a difference.

Take this year’s valedictorian, Karthikasan S/O Natarajan. I first knew him as a quiet STEP student. He grew up facing financial hardship and carrying family responsibilities from a young age. With encouragement and support — from SINDA’s tuition to Back-to-School kits — he found his confidence, did well in school, and went on to blossom into a leader at Yale-NUS. His journey is a powerful reminder of the difference SINDA can bring to lives.

Today, Karthik gives back with that same spirit of service, — mentoring younger students, empowering youths on the football field, and having served on our Volunteer Management Sub-Committee. At every step, he uplifts others, just as he was once uplifted.

In fact, all your journeys — unique, inspiring, and full of possibilities — remind us that success is not a single moment, but a path of growth and resilience. Meeting many of you today, including familiar faces, reaffirms our commitment to walking this journey with every child and youth.

In 2024 alone, SINDA supported over 12,000 youths, students and children — and I am especially proud that nearly 10% of today’s recipients are SINDA participants and beneficiaries. Their growth, from where they were to now, and their achievements, remind us why our work matters.

This is why SINDA continues to expand and evolve our programmes. Last year, we invested close to 20 million dollars into youth and education programmes.

Through our virtual STEP centres, students can now learn anytime and anywhere, guided by dedicated tutors. We have introduced e-learning platforms, AI tools, and digitally equipped spaces, so that learning is smarter and more engaging for our youths.

Beyond the academics, we also nurture leaders for tomorrow. The SINDA Youth Club’s programmes nurture leadership skills, confidence and community stewardship. Mentorship initiatives such as MentorMe and the SINDA-IBR Corporate Mentorship Programme connect students with industry professionals for real-world guidance. And through Let Her Shine!, we empower young girls and women to dream boldly, pursue their goals and shape their own futures.

At the same time, we recognise that no journey is made alone. For families, we continue to provide a broad range of financial support through vouchers, study grants, and bursaries. All these efforts point to one goal: to ensure that every young person has the chance to step forward with confidence and shape their future.

Conclusion

To all our recipients — remember that your success is shared with your parents, teachers, mentors, and that SINDA’s guiding hand will always be with you, to help you reach higher.

And to everyone supporting these young minds — thank you. Together, we are not just celebrating success; we are shaping a future full of hope and limitless possibilities, for generations to come.