Address by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development and President, SINDA, at the SINDA Excellence Awards 2025 on 20 September 2025, at Nanyang Polytechnic

 

Members of the SINDA Board of Trustees & Executive Committee;

SINDA CEO, Mr Anbarasu Rajendran;

Guests, Award Recipients and Family Members.

 

Opening

1. A very good afternoon to all of you and I am truly delighted to be here today at SINDA Excellence Awards 2025, or SEA.

 

2. Today, we celebrate not just achievements, but your spirit of excellence. Excellence coupled with grounded values and determination that have carried you to where you are today.

 

3. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. You have worked hard, overcome challenges, and today, SINDA celebrates your resilience and the journey you have taken to forge your own path to success. So, well done all of you!

 

4. Even as you have achieved all of this, we must also honour the people behind you – your parents, loved ones, teachers, tutors and mentors. They believed in you, stood by you, and gave you the strength to keep going. I am grateful to all of you for being the bedrock of our students’ success. Lets give all of them a big round of applause.

 

Celebrating Success & Progress of Indian Students

5. This year’s SEA cohort exemplifies the richness of talent and spirit of our community. You have each excelled in your chosen path — whether in academics, the arts, sports, or something else. These accomplishments are actually bigger than your personal milestones. Your success eventually contributes to our collective community progress. The Indian community is proud of you.

 

6. According to the most recent Education Statistics Digest[1] by the Ministry of Education, Indian students are not just doing well — they have been excelling, and their progress has been sustained and significant in the past decade. For example:

 

• • The proportion of Indian students progressing from Primary 1 to post-secondary education rose from 93.2% a decade ago, to 95.6% in 2023.

 

• • At the PSLE level, Indian students continue to perform well, with pass rates across English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue consistently close to or above the 90% range.

 

• • The percentage of students achieving at least five GCE O-Level passes has gone up by 6.4% in the last decade.

 

• • At the GCE N(A) and N(T)-Level, pass rates in core subjects like English, Mathematics and Mother Tongue, remain consistently above 90%.

 

SINDA Excellence Awards – Significance & Growth

7. These statistics reflect not just academic gains, but the strength of community support, family encouragement, and our students’ commitment. This result is clearly seen in the 846 recipients across 20 categories that we celebrate today.

 

8. This year, we are also proud of:

• • An increasing number of students receiving the SEA award for post-secondary and tertiary education — with notable increase in the number of recipients from the A-Level, Higher Nitec, Polytechnic Diploma, LASALLE College of the Arts Degree categories, as well as graduates from overseas universities.

 

• • 50 recipients who are receiving this honour for the second or even third time — a testament to their consistent excellence, resilience, and dedication over the years.

 

• • 5 recipients are receiving special mentions for their exceptional performance in sports.

 

9. For over three decades, the SINDA Excellence Awards have honoured these success stories, a testament to how far we have come, and the promise of how far we can go.

 

Resilience Amidst Adversity – Profiles

10. Our recipients today are not just high performers — many have faced illness, hardship, or personal setbacks. But what truly sets them apart is how they’ve turned those challenges into purpose — not just rising for themselves but lifting others with them. They are changemakers, giving back to the community that they are a part of, even as they forge ahead.

 

11. Let me now share some of their stories. Stories that moved us, and that reflect the strength of our community spirit.

 

12. Among our recipients today is 12-year-old Ryan Bhagyesh Chaubey, a PSLE recipient who embodies resilience, discipline, and compassion beyond his years. Ryan’s world changed at age 10 after fracturing his leg during a floorball match. Shortly after, he developed asthma — a condition that forced him to overhaul his lifestyle. He had to adjust his routines, have his parents assist him with basic tasks, and carefully manage his energy and health. Yet, he didn’t let this setback stop him. With determination, Ryan trained hard and adapted — and today, he is a four-time National School Games gold medallist in floorball.

 

13. During the pandemic, Ryan cycled 20km daily for a month, raising $1,500 for migrant workers. A budding astrophysicist, he scored AL1 in Science and Maths, and dreams of one day exploring the stars. Well done, Ryan!

 

14. Our next recipient is 19-year-old Aditi Athreya, from the NUS High School of Math and Science — a young changemaker whose academic and personal journey is grounded in service. Inspired by her aunt’s late-stage cancer diagnosis, she founded Project Racecar with the Singapore Cancer Society to raise awareness on early screening.

 

15. She also volunteers with SHINE Reading Odyssey and Assisi Hospice, supporting both young children and terminally ill patients. Academically, she shines in biology Olympiads and cancer vaccine research — all while training as a Carnatic vocalist. She is a shining example of how empathy and excellence can go hand in hand. Congratulations, Aditi!

 

16. Finally, we are proud to honour this year’s valedictorian — Prabakaran Sahana, also from NUS High. At 18 years old, Sahana had to face her final exams and medical school interviews, while being diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune illness.

 

17. But in those trying times, Sahana found new purpose. Today, she is pursuing medicine and is giving back through volunteering at hospices and clinics.

 

18. Sahana reminds us that true strength lies in rising to serve others, even in the face of personal adversity. And later, you will hear from Sahana herself — and I have no doubt that her words will inspire us.

 

19. Together, these recipients’ stories show us that success is no longer confined to academic excellence alone. As changemakers, their resilience in the face of challenges, using personal experiences to drive impact, and contributing meaningfully to the lives of others should be an example to us all. Whether it’s Ryan’s compassion, Aditi’s advocacy, or Sahana’s quiet strength — each of them has embraced a broader definition of success, one rooted in purpose, empathy, and a commitment to uplift others.

 

Definitions of Success

20. Today, our definition of success has grown broader and deeper. Success isn’t just about achieving top grades — it’s also about growing as a person, developing new skills, and staying true to good values.

 

21. Our education system offers pathways to support this broader view of success. There’s no single route or fixed destination — every journey is unique. Every individual has the ability to make a difference. What matters most is discovering your strengths and interests, and putting in the effort to grow and excel.

 

22. And for some, success may simply mean rising above your own doubts and challenges. Be bold in imagining what’s possible — for yourself and for Singapore’s future. Stay grounded, keep learning, and keep growing. So don’t limit yourselves.

 

“We First” Mindset

23. This broader view of success also reflects a truth we must always hold close: that success is not only about what we achieve alone — it is also about what we build together.

 

24. As President Tharman said at the recent opening of the 15^th Singapore Parliament, we must adopt a “We First” mindset — placing collective progress before self, focusing on shared responsibility and collective resilience.

 

25. This mindset must begin early. It must be nurtured at home, in our schools, and in our daily choices — shown in how we give, uplift, and grow together.

 

26. And as each of you move forward in your journey, I encourage you to carry this spirit of service with you. Just as others have supported and uplifted you, I urge you to do the same — to reach out to those who may not have had the same opportunities. Volunteer your time. Be a mentor. Share your experiences. Whether it’s through SINDA or your schools or your neighbourhoods, your presence and support can be life-changing for someone else. Giving back is how we turn success into significance.

 

27. And when you’re ready to give back, organisations like SINDA provide the very platform to do so — empowering you to mentor, to support, and to uplift.

 

28. SINDA’s mission has always been clear: to chart the Indian community’s progress through education, empowerment, and collaboration. Over the years, this has meant nurturing young minds through youth programmes, academic support and mentoring — and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the tools and opportunities to thrive.

 

29. This support is made possible by an ecosystem of committed partners, schools, families, and volunteers — individuals like yourselves. By walking alongside SINDA, supporting our youth and championing their aspirations, we can transform success into shared progress, and build a future where no one is left behind and a vibrant Indian community.

 

Closing

30. So recipients, as you step forward, remember — you are never alone. An entire community stands behind you, cheering you on. Your success is shared, and your journey is just beginning.

 

31. At every stage of your journey, may you continue to rise, grow stronger, and be a shining source of pride for your loved ones and to our community and also as an inspiration to others.

 

32. Thank you.