Change in SINDA Board of Trustees Chairmanship: Minister K Shanmugam Takes Over as New SINDA Chairman
Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, has been appointed as Chairman of the SINDA Board of Trustees. He succeeds Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam who relinquished his position as Chairman of the Board, following his inauguration as President of the Republic of Singapore.
Mr Tharman has been closely involved with SINDA since its founding in 1991. He was a member of the Action Committee on Indian Education (ACIE) report in 1990, which led to the founding of SINDA in 1991. He has been a Life Trustee of SINDA since 2005 and was appointed Chairman in 2008; As Chairman of SINDA over the last 15 years, he provided the leadership and guidance which enabled SINDA to play a significant role in the betterment of the Indian community.
Mr Tharman also oversaw the SINDA Strategic Review in 2011, which shaped SINDA’s strategic thrusts and goals, with a greater focus on education, youth, family services and expanding support to households in need. The recommendations stemming from this Review also saw a focus on early intervention initiatives, holistically supporting youth and family development. These played a major role in contributing to improved academic performance of Indian students in the last decade.
Mr Shanmugam’s association with SINDA spans 32 years since 1991. He served as the organisation’s Advisor from 1991 till 2002, and was President of the Executive Committee (EXCO) from 2002 to 2009. He has been a Life Trustee since 2010.
Mr Shanmugam helmed SINDA’s EXCO during challenging times, such as the economic slowdown and the SARS outbreak in 2003, during which he oversaw SINDA’s work in supporting those in need and introduced initiatives such as career placements and training which benefitted over 2,000 Singaporean Indians at that time. He also led SINDA’s efforts in providing holistic support to students, launching programmes such as the Back To School Festival (BTSF) in 2008, to provide financial support to disadvantaged students and their families.
Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development and President, SINDA said, “Mr Tharman led SINDA with both verve and heart. Under his chairmanship, SINDA transformed as an organisation and expanded its reach and programmes to serve the community better. On behalf of SINDA and the Indian community I wish to thank Mr Tharman for his vision, his leadership and his manifold contributions. Minister K Shanmugam is strongly connected with the Singaporean Indian community, has in-depth knowledge of SINDA and its work and is well-positioned to take SINDA to the next level.
Mr Tharman also relinquishes his post as SINDA’s Life Trustee. The other Life Trustees are:
