The Singapore Malayalee Association (SMA) joined hands with the Clementi Community Club Indian Activity Executive Committee (IAEC) to celebrate Mother’s Day with a special community event titled Together We Shine at Clementi Community Club on May 9.
Blending wellness, empowerment, culture and family activities, the event brought together women, children and families for an afternoon dedicated to recognising the role of mothers and encouraging women to prioritise their health, wellbeing and aspirations.
The guest of honour was Mr David Hoe, adviser to Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC Grassroots Organisations (Clementi), who praised the collaboration between the two organisations and the strong community response.
The programme opened with a welcome address by SMA president Sunu Shivadasan-Ghani, who highlighted the importance of creating spaces where women feel supported, valued, and empowered.
“Women should always recognise their worth – their health, voice, dreams, and happiness matter too,” she said.
“While caring for others, it is equally important to care for themselves with the same love, respect and compassion. A confident and healthy woman strengthens not only her family, but the entire community.”
Mr Gopalakrishnan Ramesh, president of the Clementi IAEC, also welcomed participants and emphasised the value of community partnerships in bringing residents together through meaningful social and cultural programmes.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was a mental wellness session conducted by mindset coach Seena Pereira. An ICF-certified coach specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and neuroscience-based techniques, she spoke about managing stress, emotional resilience, and the importance of self-awareness. She also introduced journaling as a practical tool for reflection and clarity.
The focus then shifted to physical well-being with a health and fitness talk by fitness coach Ranjeetha Henry, who encouraged women to adopt sustainable lifestyle habits and simple fitness routines to regain strength and energy.
The event also featured cultural performances, including a lively group dance by the EBCD Shararat Squad and a musical presentation that added a celebratory atmosphere to the programme.
A major attraction was the panel discussion titled Women Who Spark Change, moderated by law student and SMA youth wing member Dhanush Anilkumarapillai. The discussion brought together accomplished women from different professional fields who shared personal insights on balancing careers, family responsibilities, and social contribution.
The panellists included Dr Lakshmi Nair, founder of Ayurlife Ayurvedic and Ayurlux Skin & Beauty; Ms Bindu Sukumaran, Assistant Director and Senior Digital Services Manager at SkillsFuture Singapore; and Dr Vidhya Pillay, founder and medical director of Pillay Family Clinic.
The speakers discussed leadership, women’s health, caregiving, technology, and the importance of resilience and lifelong learning, inspiring many in the audience.
Children were not left out of the celebrations. Parallel art and craft activities saw them creating models of Kerala’s traditional Vallam Kali snake boats, introducing younger participants to Malayalee cultural heritage in an engaging way.
In his address, Mr Hoe commended the SMA Women’s Wing and Clementi IAEC for organising an event that combined empowerment, education and culture.
He also noted that through the children’s snake boat creations, he learnt more about Kerala’s iconic boat race tradition, describing it as a meaningful glimpse into Malayalee culture.
santosh@sph.com.sg
