Singapore Sikhs organise tea reception for President Nathan

It was a working day. Yet, close to 400 Sikhs took time off their busy schedule to be at Meritus Mandarin on 7 November 2005. It was no surprise really for this was a special occasion – an opportunity to have tea with HE Mr S. R. Nathan, President of Singapore, and Mrs Nathan.

In an event coordinated by Young Sikh Association (Singapore), members of the Sikh community took the opportunity to meet, interact and engage President Nathan and Mrs Nathan. It was also an opportunity for the Sikhs to show their appreciation and gratitude to President Nathan as well as to extend their best wishes to him on his second term in office.

In a show of support to the victims of the South Asian earthquake victims, the Sikh community presented a S$51,000 cheque to HE Mr Sajjad Ashraf, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Singapore, and a S$11,000 cheque to HE Mr Alok Prasad, India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, during the event. The money will be credited to the President’s Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims 2005 and the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund respectively. The cheque presentation ceremony was witnessed by President Nathan, and Members of Parliament Mr Davinder Singh and Mr Inderjit Singh.

It was certainly a memorable experience for many among the guests to be up close and personal with President Nathan and Mrs Nathan. And they certainly enjoyed the occasion.

The event was supported by the Lee Foundation and the National Youth Council, through its Youth Development Fund grant.