There are number of Indian Organisations that serve to the needs of the people in Singapore in various fields. Here is a series that highlights their objectives, aims, focus which begins with Sree Narayana Mission(Singapore). An interview with Mr S.Devendran, CEO, Sree Narayana Mission(Singapore).
- An introduction on the Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) to our readers please
The Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore), established in 1948, is one of the Nation’s leading charitable organisations and has been providing social and community services to the less privileged in Singapore regardless of race, language or religion in line with the philosophy and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru. Specifically, the Mission runs a nursing home, a welfare home, 2 senior care centres and several community welfare programmes for the less privileged
2. As the CEO, what special plans that You have for its development?
We are determined to play a leading role in the eldercare and social service sectors. To do this we want to grow and are actively seeking new opportunities to run more programmes and services.
3.What are the challenges?
To be able to institute necessary organisational changes as quickly as possible is what I consider as the challenge.
4. What kind of support is needed from public, Government for its enhancement?
We get excellent support from the Government and the Ministries. The public offers us a potential pool of volunteers and we are grateful for all those people who step forward as volunteers. We need more people and organisations to come on board as volunteers. Donations are also always welcome in particular to drive our community programme to help people stay healthy and active and welfare initiatives to help the less privileged. In this regard Mission is an IPC status charity which means all donations attract 2.5 times tax deductibles.
5. How much has Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) impacted society now?
We run a first rate 224 Bed nursing home and 2 senior care centres for the less privileged and are an integral part of the Government’s eldercare ecosystem. We also run a 200 bed welfare home for destitute. Our community and welfare programmes benefit the less privileged in our society. We do our part to ensure a more inclusive society.
6. What immediate changes that you would like to see now?
If you ask me as the immediate change that I would see will be to Create a system which allows all our staffs to be the best that they can be. We also want to put the systems and processes in place to build a first class organisation.
7. In these troubled times Guru Narayana’s message of inter-religious harmony should be heard loud and clear. How can SNM (Singapore) help to spread the Guru’s message.?
Narayana Guru’s timeless messages include:
‘In essence all religions are the same’
‘whichever the religion it suffices if it makes a better man’
‘One in kind, one in faith, one in God is man’
‘Devoid of dividing walls of caste or race or hatred of rival faith this is the model foundation where we all live in brotherhood’
SNM, Singapore is a charity of Indian Origin. Regardless, it’s services and interventions are accessible to all race, language or religion in line with the above messages of Guru Narayana. Two thirds of its Nursing Home and welfare home residents are Chinese.
8. The IRO is planning to spread the message of inter-racial harmony to the Heartland. How can SNM, Singapore help IRO in this mission?
Our racial harmony and religious tolerance are Singapore’s national treasures. SNM(Singapore) by embracing the less privileged, regardless of race or religion can help safeguard these. The Inter Religious Organiisation is expanding its reach to the heartland to spread its message of peace and inter-religious solidarity, In keeping with the teaching of its Guru, Sree Narayana Mission, (Singapore) can explore active collaboration with IRO. I understand that IRO would like to hold an event at the Mission, to bring together all the religious institutions in the Yishun and the surrounding areas. IRO plans to have similar outreach events in different parts of our country and thus help all Singaporeans live as ‘One People, One Nation – regardless of Race and Religion. SNM, Singapore will aspire to be part of this important task and duty of safeguarding our Nation’s, national treasure-our racial harmony and religious tolerance.
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