The Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA) ushered in a new chapter of leadership following the election of its Management Committee for the 2026–2028 term at its Annual General Meeting on July 12.
While Chairman Regunarth Siva continues to lead the association, the committee has seen changes to three key office-bearer positions, reflecting LISHA’s commitment to leadership renewal and long-term succession planning.
“Young individuals dream bigger, serve better and lead with confidence,” said Mr Siva, adding that the incoming office bearers bring fresh perspectives from the arts, food and beverage, and jewellery sectors.
Among them is First Vice Chairman Ms Gayathri G Sharma, 40, Director of Gayathri Dance Academy, who has been chairing LISHA’s Youth Wing since 2023. With experience engaging youth through the arts, she hopes to encourage greater participation among youth in Little India.
“The youth have their own way of refashioning the old with the new. I’m working more actively with them to understand their viewpoints, and as a dance practitioner, it’s always a give-and-take; we learn from each other,” she noted.
Second Vice Chairman Mr Keerthi Rajendran, 40, owner of Gandhi Restaurant, believes his experience as both a food and beverage business owner and Assistant Secretary of the Indian Restaurants Association Singapore gives him a strong understanding of the challenges faced by merchants in the precinct.
“Our committee is determined to tackle critical issues like the manpower crunch, high rental costs, and footfall, while rallying greater support from locals to help Little India thrive,” Mr Keerthi said.
Joining the leadership team as Assistant Honorary Secretary is Mr Palaniappan Ramanathan, 49, owner of Abhirami Popular Jewellers, well known as Mr Ramu.
According to Mr Siva, he is positioned to bring vibrant perspectives to the secretariat as veteran members prepare to hand over the reins to new leaders.
The governing board also introduces a wealth of diverse and dynamic perspectives. Board member Ms Soon Wen Pin Vivienne, a real estate developer and Chairperson of RiverOne, brings an invaluable non-Indian presence to the association, contributing innovative concepts adopted from other successful heritage precincts.
Complementing this cross-precinct insight is a wave of next-generation leadership, represented by young professionals like Ms Mahisha Ramalingam, 26, CEO of Sri Murugan Trading.
The newly minted committee has set clear goals for the next two years. A top priority is introducing fresh lifestyle concepts and heritage trails into the precinct to win back youth and boost overall footfall.
Concurrently, LISHA is working with the Ministry of Manpower to address severe manpower shortages and protect disappearing heritage trades like flower tying and traditional goldsmithing. The association will soon host a dedicated forum bringing together political officeholders and local stakeholders to bridge grassroots operational challenges with policy solutions.
As the new two-year term begins, LISHA’s leadership promises an open-door policy for merchants and the public alike.
“We look into everything from A to Z in Little India – whether it is a business issue or precinct infrastructure,” Mr Siva noted. “Help from LISHA is just a call away.”
