Stories of Integration 30 Singaporeans Who Made an Impact

The history of Singapore has been closely intertwined with immigration. Most Singaporean’s forefathers were immigrants. Till today, they continue to come, enticed by the strong governance, transparent work culture, equal job opportunities, safe environment and cohesive social structure that Singapore is known for. Singaporeans both, ‘old’ and ‘new’ have worked hand in hand to make the Little Red Dot an economic power to reckon with in the world. Singapore’s ability to attract the best talent and use it to its competitive advantage has been the hallmark of this nimble nation which is quick to adapt to changing situations. This book endeavours to showcase the journey of 30 naturalized Singaporeans, who come endowed with skills and talents that have benefitted the country. They have adapted to the social and religious fabric of Singapore, nurtured respect for its culture and traditions and honoured its history while forging connections within the community. They have thus made their journey to becoming Singaporean a meaningful one.

Vandana Aggarwal is an educator, archivist, and published author. She writes on topics of cultural and historical interest and is well known for her series of articles showcasing various Indian communities who have made Singapore their home. As a volunteer transcriber for the National Archives of Singapore, she has transcribed over 11,000 pages of the Straits Settlement Records, thus playing a part in saving these fragile historical records for posterity. Prakash K Hetamsaria came to Singapore over 25 years ago and became a citizen in 1999. He has been involved in various grassroots organizations and immigrant associations This has made him conscious of the need to give back to the community. He has helmed several projects and been a part of various committees, all with the aim to serve the community and foster meaningful integration between the locals and newcomers in Singapore.