MMM e-Connect

Marwari Mitra Mandal (Singapore) Registered with Registry of Societies ROS 1025/2005

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Issue 5 Member’s News Letter 31st December, 2015

(For Private Circulation Only) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome We are pleased to present you this Fifth edition of MMM e-CONNECT. The objective of newsletters is to keep the members informed of the activities in the Mandal, recent developments and future programs. A feedback and suggestion from the members is always welcome.

From President’s Desk Friends,

This edition of news letter is covering activities of Mandal undertaken in last 6 months as we were not able to bring out September edition due to some technical issues. Will try our best to be regular in future.

Year 2015 was very special for all of us. Mandal celebrated its 10th Anniversary while Singapore Celebrated 50th year of independence. I take this opportunity to thank all members for their active participation in the Mandal Activities. Thanks to Management Team members, who has worked hard and put all the possible efforts to make it a memorable and successful year for Mandal.

Mandal published MMM Souvenir 2015, which was unveiled on 7th of November 2015 by Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

This book provides information on Marwaris, History of Marwaris in Singapore, 10-year activities of Mandal as well as write-ups from the members. Thanks to all the Members who contributed for this book with their valuable write-ups as well as with advertisements. My thanks are due to the members of the publication committee who made it possible. Wishing You all a HAPPY & PROSPEROUS YEAR 2016.

Santosh Kr. Tibarewala

Diwali Light up at Katong Community Club on 31st October 2015 Diwali Light up was done by Katong CC on 31st October 2015. President Mr. Santosh Kr. Tibarewala and Vice President Kamal Kishore joined Member of Parliament Mr. Lim Biow Chuan in Lighting of the Lamp.

Teej and Saavan Mela

Teej - Saavan Mela, an evening filled with Family Fun and Entertainment was organized by Ladies Wing of Mandal on 8th August 2015 at Grand Ball Room of Singapore Swimming Club. Program was well participated by members and their families. Antakshari, Mehandi, Games, Food Stalls and Cultural Program were attraction of the event.

Family Picnic & Fun Day

Family Picnic was organized by Mandal at St John’s Island on 6th September 2015. It was a fun filled day for members and their families full of fun ‘n’ frolic, games, food and interaction.

MMM Souvenir 2015 and Directory 2015-16 has been mailed to all members who did not collect them on Diwali Ball 2015. If any one has not received the same, please contact Mr. Soham Agrawal on 90261500.

SG50, MMM 10th Year Celebrations and Diwali Ball 2015 Marwari Mitra Mandal (Singapore) celebrated Diwali Ball and its 10th Anniversary on 7th of November 2015 at Marina Bay Sands which was well participated by members, their families as well as their guests with a gathering of about 550 persons. Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the Guest of Honor. Speaking at the program, DPM Tharman said: “The story of Singapore is the story of many communities from China, from India, from Yemen and of course from South East Asia. Some were very small communities but in a very interesting way our smallest communities have made significant contributions to Singapore over the years and this is something that we take great pride in Singapore. No matter how small is the community; it can make the contribution to the larger community. The majority community provides seats for the smaller communities and the smaller communities try to contribute beyond their weight and that is one must continue in Singapore and it will happen that way. Firstly we interact with each other and secondly if we try take part in each other’s activities, if we talk about Deepavali or Diwali, it is something that all Singaporeans understand and in their own way, they take part in it. It is not just a public holiday but is something that ever one appreciates and tries to learn a little bit about and

likewise all other festivals. Life in Singapore is interesting and meaningful not only because we coexist, not only because we leave in safe society in a peaceful way. It is more than that because we also trying to take part in each other activities develop a real interest and respect for each other its own way and that must deepen even further in future. We have to deepen our multiracialism and multiculturalism, not just accept the fact that we leave together peacefully. That itself is not good enough. We must deepen it. Each of us have our own ethnic cultures, we have our own families and our community but there is something more than that,

something that is the part of Singapore Community, that is the part of us as individuals. It makes life so much more meaningful. There are many examples amongst you of individuals who already think that way and feel that way and Mr. Santosh Kumar is an example. He is very active in the community and the Grassroots organizations. Some of you contribute in other ways. So no matter how simple the activity may be, it may be blood donations or it may be some weekly activity or monthly activity. It makes life much more fulfilling and that way we are all able to contribute and each of our communities can contribute beyond their weight. That is how Singapore keeps prospering, keeps progressing and that is how we set example for the rest of the world. I really want to thank the Marwaris for your contributions. Let us deepen our interactions; let us deepen the concept of multiracial. Let us all play our part as individuals, as families and as communities to make this in this small island of ours.” Welcoming the Guest of Honour, Mr. Santosh Kumar Tibarewala, President of Marwari Mitra Mandal (Singapore) briefed the history of Marwari in Singapore. He said: “Marwaris, also widely known as business community, originating from Rajasthan of India, in-course of time, migrated to other regions with-in India as well as to various other Countries. To what we understand, history of Marwari’s in Singapore starts since 1930 when Shree Makhanlall Mahawar, a Marwari born in Alwar, Rajasthan came to Malaya and started business of Betel Nuts and spices. Migration has been ongoing since then. Marwaris are well known for their Entrepreneurship & business Acumen. “Business means Risk and risk is both interesting and rewarding”. To be master of their own business has been their successful motto. Being influenced by rule of law, multiracial society, and opportunities available in Singapore, more families with mixed culture and values migrated to Singapore in due course of time. They are involved in various sectors, be it Trading, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Education, Finance, Information Technology or Services; generating

employment as well as revenue. They have been successful to establish Global business relationship. As our commitment to society, we are also involved in community services through various Community Centers. When we migrate leaving our country to a new country, trying to establish ourselves for better future and prospect, we leave behind our extended family, our society and also at time our immediate family for the initial days. The family & society must have been missed by the early migrants especially when they look forward to celebrate any Indian festival. Today to much an extent, a migrant does not completely misses his family & society as Marwari Mitra Mandal is an extended family & society to many. The first formal gathering to celebrate Deepawali took place in early 1980’s at Maryland Park, with participation of 10-15 families. By time the participation kept increasing and the society decided to have a formal registered society, with objective to bring the migrating Marwari’s together, integrating them with other societies on social as well as cultural level and to contribute to social welfare of Singapore. He assured DPM Tharman, that Singaporean Marwaris will be together with fellow Singaporeans with their contribution from their respective fields.”

MMM Excellence Awards 2015

DPM Tharman gave away MMM Excellence awards to 5 Students for their achievement in Education and Sports. Recipients of awards were Juhi Agarwal, Swastik Agarwal, Pramesh Singhavi, Rishab A.Jain and Hansul Deep Singhania.

MMM 10th Anniversary Souvenir

DPM also unveiled the MMM Souvenir 2015, First Magazine of Marwari Mitra Mandal which is showcasing history of Marwaris and Mandal in Singapore.

To Mark its 10th Anniversary, Marwari Mitra Mandal donated SGD 21,000 to Singapore Children’s Society. Cheque was received by Ms. Michelle Too on behalf of Children’s Society.

Earlier, MP Mr. Lim Biow Chuan, Lighted the Lamp.

He gave Mementos to the founding committee members in recognition of their services to the Mandal. Mr. D.D Gupta, Mr. Manak Maheshwari, Mr. Pawan Kumar Khaitan, Mr. B. K. Maheshwari, Mr. Arun Kumar Shroff, Mr. Ashok R Khetan, Mr. Mahesh Kumar Patodia, Mr. Mahesh Kumar Goenka, Mr. Rajan Bagaria, Mr. Subhash Chandra Sharma and Late Dalpat Chand Dhariwal are the members of founding Committee.

Indian High Commission was represented by First Secretary Dr. Nitish Birdi. Dignities present include, SINDA CEO Mr. K Barathan, Past President of SICCI Mr. Narayan Mohan.Presidents of Singapore Gujarati Society, Singapore Sindhi Association, Maharastra Mandal Singapore, Bijhar Group and Nepal Society represented their Societies. In-house show “Uniquely Singwari “ was presented by the youths of Mandal which was appreciated by all. Thanks to all the participants of this show which was showcasing Marwari Activities in Singapore To mark SG50 and MMM10 couples who had completed 50 years and 10 years of their wedding, as well as children who are 10years old were identified and recognized. 50 years couple: Mr. Shiv Shanker Agarwal & Mrs. Puspa Agarwal, Mr. Ram K Gupta & Mrs. Nirmal Gupta and Mr. Rajendra Prashad Singhania & Mrs. Pushpa Singhania.

10 years couple: Mr. Anuj Goel & Mrs. Ekta Goel, Mr. Rahul and Mrs. Shruti, Mr. & Mrs. Shiv Barsia and Mr. & Mrs. Piyush Chaplot. 10 years Child: Rahul Saxena, Tanisha Banshal, Khushi Lath, Anaya Sharma, Aria Fafat, Parth Gupta and Vaatsal Tibarewala.

Telecast on Vasantham Central Diwali Ball and 10th Year Celebrations of Mandal was telecasted on VASNTHAM Channel on 4th December 2015.

Those who have missed it can view it on the below link:- http://video.toggle.sg/en/series/indian-beat-s6/ep36/350840

Member Integration night with Diwali ki Rama Rami & Movie PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO DIWALI KI RAM RAM – SNEH MILAN was organized by Mandal on 14th November 2015 followed by Movie Show “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Program was well attended by Members and their families. Thanks to Mr. Kamal Kishore and Mr. Balwant Jain for their support to this program.

Condolences Smt. Roopa Gupta, Mother of Shri Sneh Kant Gupta passed away on Friday, 3rd July 2015. Deepest Condolences from the members of Marwari Mitra Mandal (Singapore). May her Soul rest in peace.

News In the Media

Participation by Mandal Representatives in Meetings and Programs

Members of Ladies Wing of Mandal participated in One Community Walk 2015 - Marine Parade Cluster on August 30, 2015

Janamashtmi Celebration by Singapore Sindi Association along with Mount Batten CC Our Vice-resident Mr. Kamal Kishore represented MMM to the function.

SINDA Excellence Award on 26th September 2015 SINDA Excellence Award program was attended by President Santosh Kumar Tibarewala with Treasurer Mr. Krishna Bagaria. Guest of Honor was Mr.Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health.

Blood Donation Drives Blood Donation drive was done on July 5, 2015 in association with Singapore Sindhi Association, Amber Neighborhood Committee, Singapore Gujarati Society and Maharastra Mandal Singapore. Members of all participating organizations supported the noble cause by donating blood. Another Blood Donation drive was held on 4th October 2015 in association with Singapore Sindhi Association, Singapore Guajarati Society and Amber Neighborhood Committee. Blood Donation Drive is held on first Sunday every 4th Month. All members are requested to come forward for this noble cause. Your Blood can save Life. Please contact us for further details.

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi homage to the Indian National Army. President Mr. Santosh Kr. Tibarewala Participated in the program organized by Indian High Commission at INA marker, Esplanade Park on 24th where Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi paid homage to the Indian National Army.

Our Forth Coming Events:

Members Interaction & Networking Night

Holika Dahan on 22 March 2016

Holi Mela 2016 (Festival of Colors) on 25 March 2016

Marwari Mitra Mandal (Singapore)

Wishes

All the Members

A Very Happy New Year