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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - SGs and Indian expats bond at event woh</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead vAlign=top><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>kojakbt_89 <NOBR></NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>8:44 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 18) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>31598.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Apr 12, 2010
S'poreans and Indian expats bond at event
Strong turnout at carnival to promote greater integration
<!-- by line -->By Leow Si Wan
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Mrs Kulkarni wrapping popiah under the guidance of Madam Ang Lay Suan (left) and Madam Priscilla Chun of the Tanjong Pagar Women's Executive Committee. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
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http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_513414.html
YESTERDAY saw Mrs Ranjita Kulkarni's maiden attempt at wrapping popiah, five years after she moved here from India.
The 54-year-old housewife - whose banker husband was posted here to work - was trying her hand at wrapping spring rolls at a booth set up by her Chinese friends during a carnival promoting greater integration between Indian expatriates and Singaporeans.
The event was organised by the Indian Women's Association (IWA) - a non-profit organisation open to both local and foreign women with Indian origins - and the People's Association Women's Integration Network (WIN) Council.
The one-day Harmony and Integration Carnival was held at Queenstown Community Centre.
An excited Mrs Kulkarni said: 'It is fun wrapping popiah. I plan to buy popiah skin to make my own soon.'
The mother of two adult sons, both working in the United States, was one of hundreds of participants - Singaporeans and foreigners - who took part in the day's multicultural programmes.
Among the activities was a sari pageant in which women of different races donned the traditional Indian attire.
There were also 45 booths hawking a variety of food, products and services ranging from photography kiosks where people could wear Cantonese opera costumes to those selling Peranakan handicraft.
More than half the booths were set up by Indian nationals and permanent residents.
Integration aside, IWA also sponsored underprivileged children from charity Beyond Social Services to attend the carnival.
IWA president Shalini Sinha explained how the event came about: 'I was interviewed by The Straits Times in October last year, and I spoke about the need for more interaction between new Indians and Singaporeans. WIN expressed its interest, so I contacted it.'
The agencies spent two months organising the carnival. WIN helped out with logistics and manpower, while funding came from IWA, with some support from the National Integration Council.
'We have spent about $15,000 for this event,' said Madam Sinha.
Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Baey Yam Keng, who was the guest of honour, praised the organisers for encouraging all races to be 'proactive in reaching out to welcome others'.
He added that the different races and religions present in Singapore 'will be our strength when we...live in harmony'. But he cautioned that lines of division can be created when these differences are not handled sensitively.
Indian expatriates at the event had nothing but praise for their new home.
Mrs Sunita Sharma, a 42-year-old tutor and freelance writer, said: 'I plan to stay for a long time. The moral values here are good, it is safe, and I can't think of any instance where we were discriminated against. It is a good place to raise our children.'
Singaporeans also said they benefited from the day's activities.
Retiree Low Sing Kam, 75, who wore a sari, said: 'It was quite interesting to put it on. I was also able to speak to more Indians than I would normally.'
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S'poreans and Indian expats bond at event
Strong turnout at carnival to promote greater integration
<!-- by line -->By Leow Si Wan
<!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar -->
<!-- story content : start -->
http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_513414.html
YESTERDAY saw Mrs Ranjita Kulkarni's maiden attempt at wrapping popiah, five years after she moved here from India.
The 54-year-old housewife - whose banker husband was posted here to work - was trying her hand at wrapping spring rolls at a booth set up by her Chinese friends during a carnival promoting greater integration between Indian expatriates and Singaporeans.
The event was organised by the Indian Women's Association (IWA) - a non-profit organisation open to both local and foreign women with Indian origins - and the People's Association Women's Integration Network (WIN) Council.
The one-day Harmony and Integration Carnival was held at Queenstown Community Centre.
An excited Mrs Kulkarni said: 'It is fun wrapping popiah. I plan to buy popiah skin to make my own soon.'
The mother of two adult sons, both working in the United States, was one of hundreds of participants - Singaporeans and foreigners - who took part in the day's multicultural programmes.
Among the activities was a sari pageant in which women of different races donned the traditional Indian attire.
There were also 45 booths hawking a variety of food, products and services ranging from photography kiosks where people could wear Cantonese opera costumes to those selling Peranakan handicraft.
More than half the booths were set up by Indian nationals and permanent residents.
Integration aside, IWA also sponsored underprivileged children from charity Beyond Social Services to attend the carnival.
IWA president Shalini Sinha explained how the event came about: 'I was interviewed by The Straits Times in October last year, and I spoke about the need for more interaction between new Indians and Singaporeans. WIN expressed its interest, so I contacted it.'
The agencies spent two months organising the carnival. WIN helped out with logistics and manpower, while funding came from IWA, with some support from the National Integration Council.
'We have spent about $15,000 for this event,' said Madam Sinha.
Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Baey Yam Keng, who was the guest of honour, praised the organisers for encouraging all races to be 'proactive in reaching out to welcome others'.
He added that the different races and religions present in Singapore 'will be our strength when we...live in harmony'. But he cautioned that lines of division can be created when these differences are not handled sensitively.
Indian expatriates at the event had nothing but praise for their new home.
Mrs Sunita Sharma, a 42-year-old tutor and freelance writer, said: 'I plan to stay for a long time. The moral values here are good, it is safe, and I can't think of any instance where we were discriminated against. It is a good place to raise our children.'
Singaporeans also said they benefited from the day's activities.
Retiree Low Sing Kam, 75, who wore a sari, said: 'It was quite interesting to put it on. I was also able to speak to more Indians than I would normally.'
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