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Sep 7, 2009
HDB floor parties popular
More than 2,000 held to boost neighbourly bonding in past 2 years
By Ang Yiying
Canberra Citizens Consultative Committee chairman Norman Aw, 50, reaching out to carry birthday boy Navneeth Thangamuthu from his mother, Madam Bharathi Periyaswamy, 23, as Navneeth's father, Mr Thangamuthu Muthukalai, and a friend's daughter, Preethi Jegan, four, look on, during the floor party at Block 492 Admiralty Link. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LEE
SOFTWARE engineer Thangamuthu Muthukalai, a permanent resident from India and the father of a one-year-old boy, has hardly had time to interact with his Singaporean neighbours, the Ngs, since moving into his HDB flat in October last year.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
'Living in flats, we go out in the morning, then come back and close the door. We hardly speak to one another... At least now, we can get to know one another.'
Retiree Hoo Kim Lam, who attended a floor party in June
... more
But on Sunday last week, the two households enjoyed a birthday celebration for their toddlers, who were born a year apart on Sept 1.
The party, organised by Canberra Zone4 Residents' Committee, included neighbours from five of the seven flats on the same floor. They mingled at the area near the lift landing over birthday cake and a simple spread including noodles and spring rolls.
'That day, we talked more,' said Mr Thangamuthu, 31. 'We talked about where they work, what they're doing and the kind of food to give to the baby.'
'Floor parties' for neighbours to get to know one another are catching on.
Sep 7, 2009
HDB floor parties popular
More than 2,000 held to boost neighbourly bonding in past 2 years
By Ang Yiying
Canberra Citizens Consultative Committee chairman Norman Aw, 50, reaching out to carry birthday boy Navneeth Thangamuthu from his mother, Madam Bharathi Periyaswamy, 23, as Navneeth's father, Mr Thangamuthu Muthukalai, and a friend's daughter, Preethi Jegan, four, look on, during the floor party at Block 492 Admiralty Link. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LEE
SOFTWARE engineer Thangamuthu Muthukalai, a permanent resident from India and the father of a one-year-old boy, has hardly had time to interact with his Singaporean neighbours, the Ngs, since moving into his HDB flat in October last year.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
'Living in flats, we go out in the morning, then come back and close the door. We hardly speak to one another... At least now, we can get to know one another.'
Retiree Hoo Kim Lam, who attended a floor party in June
... more
But on Sunday last week, the two households enjoyed a birthday celebration for their toddlers, who were born a year apart on Sept 1.
The party, organised by Canberra Zone4 Residents' Committee, included neighbours from five of the seven flats on the same floor. They mingled at the area near the lift landing over birthday cake and a simple spread including noodles and spring rolls.
'That day, we talked more,' said Mr Thangamuthu, 31. 'We talked about where they work, what they're doing and the kind of food to give to the baby.'
'Floor parties' for neighbours to get to know one another are catching on.
