The Hindi Society Singapore (HSS) celebrated the academic excellence of its students at its annual Award Ceremony on July 4, recognising outstanding performances in the 2025 national examinations while reaffirming the importance of preserving the Hindi language and cultural heritage in Singapore’s multicultural society.
Held at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Convention Centre, the ceremony was attended by parents, teachers, volunteers and community leaders, with Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng as the Guest of Honour.
The ceremony recognised students who excelled in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), GCE O and N Levels and GCE A-Level Hindi examinations.
Among the highlights were the impressive distinction rates achieved by HSS students, with 52 per cent of PSLE candidates, 24 per cent of O-Level students and 38 per cent of A-Level students earning an A grade.
Overall, 40 PSLE students attained AL1, 29 students scored A1 in the GCE O and N Levels, while 94 students achieved an A grade at the A-Level examinations.
Adding colour to the evening, students also presented traditional cultural dance performances, showcasing the Society’s emphasis on nurturing both language proficiency and cultural appreciation.
In his address, Mr Seah highlighted the important role the Hindi Society plays in Singapore’s education landscape, supporting more than 4,000 students through 54 schools, eight weekend centres and four Vidyajyoti Centres.
“Singapore’s multicultural and multilingual identity is one of our greatest strengths,” he said. “Our mother tongue languages are more than subjects taught in school – they connect us to our heritage, shape our identity and enable us to pass our values and traditions from one generation to the next.”
He congratulated the award recipients and thanked parents, teachers and volunteers for helping students become “the best versions of themselves”.
HSS President Mahendra Prasad Rai described the annual ceremony as much more than an awards presentation.
“The Award Ceremony is much more than a prize-giving event; it is a celebration of effort, identity and community,” he said. “Every certificate tells a story of a student who chose to embrace a language that connects generations and cultures.”
During his speech, Mr Rai also congratulated HSS treasurer Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari on his appointment as a Nominated Member of Parliament earlier this year, describing it as a proud milestone for Singapore’s Hindi-speaking community.
The president also highlighted the Society’s continued growth since its establishment, noting that around 180 teachers now support over 4,000 students across Singapore. Beyond classroom teaching, HSS organises competitions, cultural programmes, excursions and performances that encourage students to use Hindi in everyday settings and strengthen their connection to their heritage.
HSS Principal Archana Mishra said the Society’s mission extends beyond academic excellence.
“Beyond academic excellence, the Hindi Society aims to nurture confident, compassionate and culturally grounded individuals,” she said. “Learning Hindi is not just about mastering a language; it is about developing communication skills, building character and fostering a strong sense of cultural identity.”
She acknowledged that English remains the dominant language for many young Singaporeans, making it challenging to sustain interest in Hindi. To address this, the Society has embraced digital learning platforms, multimedia resources, project-based learning and interactive activities to make lessons more engaging for today’s students.
Looking ahead, Mr Rai said the Society will continue strengthening the quality of Hindi education while expanding opportunities for students to use the language beyond examinations through technology, creative programmes and stronger partnerships with schools, parents and community organisations.
“Our message to families is simple,” he said. “Give children the gift of an additional language and an additional world. Learning Hindi may begin with homework, but it often ends with discovering another part of yourself.”
