MM Lee Kuan Yew at the Indian New Year Celebrations (Apr 2010)

I am happy to participate in this joyous occasion. This is the first time different Indian communities in Singapore (Tamils, Telugus, Ceylon Tamils, Malayalees, Punjabis, Gujaratis, Kannadigas, Marathis, Sindhis and Bengalis) are coming together to celebrate the Indian New Year.

Singapore’s economy is also in a celebratory mood after facing a difficult period last year. A few days ago, the Ministry of Trade and Industry upgraded the growth forecast for 2010 to between 7% and 9%, up from its earlier estimates of “4.5% to 6.5%”. This is a big turnaround from our most difficult period in early 2009, when the economy was expected to shrink by 9%. The outlook for the global economy has become brighter, with the growing US economy and labour market. Growth is robust in Asia, led by strong demand from China and India. The two integrated resorts at Sentosa and Marina Bay will give our economy additional boosts, creating many jobs.

To sustain Singapore’s long-term growth, we need to grow as an attractive hub for international trade, investment and talent. That was how we grew from a fishing village to a trading post under the British, and now a vibrant metropolis. We benefitted from being open to immigrants from around the world, especially China, India and the region.

The Indian migrants first came to Singapore in the early 19th century. They were mostly labourers from Madras who were brought over by the British to build roads and railways. Later, we attracted merchants from South India like the Chettiars and Chulias. One of these early Indian traders was Narayana Pillai who helped to build Singapore’s oldest Hindu Temple, the Sri Mariamman, in 1827. Singapore also became home to migrants from other parts of India, including the Sikhs who were brought in by the East India Company to augment Singapore’s police and military forces.

Throughout history, Singapore has welcomed migrants. When I first took office, we had 62,000 babies every year from a population of 2 million. Today, Singapore citizens produce only 32,000 babies in a year when we should have 60,000 just to replace our population.

You can see many Indian temples now in Singapore, all refurbished and expanded with artisans from India. They look elegant and colourful. A new temple, “Sri Sivan Temple”,previously in Orchard Road, is now relocated in Geylang with a new and attractive architecture, combining elements of both North Indian and South Indian Temples. It has been built by the Hindu Endowments Board.

Our immigration policies have brought in better educated and wealthy Indians who have made that qualitative difference to our lives. Their support of these temples has resulted in this transformation, reflecting the transformation that is taking place throughout Singapore.

The government understands the concerns of Singaporeans over new immigrants and foreign workers. We have taken steps to moderate the inflow and to widen the differentiation between citizens and non-citizens. However, people must recognise that with Singapore’s declining population, we need more educated immigrants, including those who have studied or worked in the US and Europe. The majority of the new PRs and citizens are skilled workers and professionals in finance, IT and R&D. They bring new skills, global connections and a strong drive to create better lives for their families. They make us more competitive and dynamic.

Shyam Srinivasan came from Chennai at age 14, and went to Geylang Methodist Secondary School and Victoria Junior College. He took up citizenship and obtained a teaching scholarship from the Public Service Commission. Last year, he graduated top of his class in Physics at Oxford University. He is now doing his Masters in Applied Physics at Columbia University. He will come back and complete his NS. He will educate and inspire the next generation of Singaporeans.

Our challenge is to integrate the newcomers into Singapore society. It is difficult for the first generation of new immigrants to quickly change their social habits and accents. But their children attending our schools will grow up totally as Singaporeans. We have set up the National Integration Council to facilitate the integration. Their initiatives are supported by the grassroots leaders under People’s Association and community groups like the Hindu Endowments Board. They bring the different communities together through activities and events. A good example is this New Year celebration which is jointly organized by the different Indian communities.

We must encourage more of such activities that promote a sense of togetherness, while maintaining mutual respect for one another’s different languages and culture. The qualities that made us successful are a strong government, a hardworking people, a meritocratic system governed by rule of law, a clean and green living environment, a cohesive society, plus highly skilled and educated immigrants. We must increase our productivity and the quality of our workforce. We can make Singapore one of Asia’s most vibrant and beautiful cities.