Speech by Grassroots Adviser, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Pongalo Pongal 2012 on SUN, 5 Feb 2012, Loyang Tua Pek Kong, 10 am

Synopsis

Joint activities such as holding the Pongal Festival celebration at a Chinese temple can promote better understanding and appreciation of different cultures and religions, and build strong bonds between the different races and religions in Singapore, said DPM Teo Chee Hean.

Good Morning

Mr Anthony Joseph

Organising Chairman of Pongalo Pongal

Mr George Peh

Chairman, Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple

Grassroots Leaders

Residents of Pasir Ris-Punggol

I am happy to join all of you this morning at Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple to celebrate the Pongal or Rice Harvest Festival, here in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a traditional harvest festival, which signals the end of the traditional farming season.

Entire villages gather for a community feast to share their crops, and to thank the Sun God, the Earth and the cattle for a bountiful harvest. In fact, Pongal comes from the word 'ponga', which means boil or boil over. In a non farming country like Singapore, Pongal marks the start of the auspicious month of Thai, a time where Tamil Indians give thanks for the blessings of the past year. The term Pongal also refers to the sweetened rice porridge which is normally cooked on Pongal day. This Pongal rice has an important meaning to the Indian community.

If it boils well, the family can look forward to happiness and blessings, and a good year ahead.

In multi-racial, multi-religious Singapore, celebrations like this Pongal Festival have an additional benefit of enhancing cross-cultural understanding, and adding vibrancy to our lives. I think it is probably unique to Singapore, that we are celebrating an Indian rice festival in a Chinese temple. This is truly a reflection of our rich multi-cultural heritage.

Indeed, it is through joint activities like these, that we better understand and appreciate the different cultures and religions, and build strong bonds between the different races and religions in Singapore.

This in turn contributes to the social cohesiveness that holds Singaporeans together, regardless of race, language or religion.

I hope all of us will continue to embrace the diversity and cultural heritage that makes Singapore such a special place.

Let me congratulate the Organising Committee for bringing together our residents in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC for this joyous celebration.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple for supporting this meaningful event.

Thank you, and I hope you all enjoy yourselves today.

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