The British have played a historical role in locating today's prosperous Indian and Chinese diaspora, Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said.
"...In a sense it was part of a colonial design," Balakrishnan said of the Indian and Chinese community mix in major cities in Africa, Southeast and North Asia.
He was speaking at the Integration Night gala dinner, held last night to promote integration between new Indian immigrants and natives, whose forefathers came here as early settlers.
Balakrishnan said migration has transformed the early 18th century Temasek, a fishing village then, into Singapore, the metropolis of today.
He highlighted the hard work of early settlers, how they came to Singapore as migrants, stayed on longer than intended, established families, saved, invested and their children and grandchildren continued to contribute to the city-state.
He assured that Singapore would provide security and recognition to the locals while staying open on migration.
He cited the importance of building relationships between the new immigrants and native Singaporeans through events such as the annual Integration Night, which also has a day-long golf tourney, charitable events to raise funds for Singapore Indian Education Trust that supports needy children here through financial aid and mentorship.
Some 300 Indian expatriates and local businessmen attended the dinner and about 100 participated in the golf game organised by Singapore Press Holdings' vernacular Tamil Murasu, Golf Digest and Tabla!, an English weekly focussed on Indian socio-economy in Singapore and India.
