Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong last Saturday praised Little India’s numerous stakeholders for making it one of the top travel destinations in the world.
“You have made Little India not just an iconic district in Singapore, but also one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. That’s quite an achievement,” he said at the Deepavali light-up ceremony at Birch Road.
“Our Deepavali celebrations in Singapore extend beyond Little India. Everywhere you go in Singapore, you will feel the Deepavali atmosphere and we will be able to share the beauty of the celebrations with all Singaporeans.
“I am sure you have forgotten about the Covid restrictions, it was like a bad dream. This year, the celebrations will be especially festive.”
Mr Wong added that “Deepavali is an occasion for neighbours and friends of all races and religions to come together”.
“This is the Singapore way – we embrace our diversity by celebrating each other’s cultures and traditions,” he said.
“Deepavali is not just a time for merrymaking. It is also a time for us to offer a hand to those around us”.
The Hindu Endowments Board, Hindu temples and the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (Lisha) jointly presented a cheque of $88,501 to President’s Challenge 2023 at the ceremony.
The Deepavali light-up will run till Dec 3.
Mr Wong said the 35-year-old light-up tradition “reflects our multi-racial diversity and our distinctive Singaporean identity”.
Lisha chairman Ragunath Siva said: “We are expecting more than one million tourists during this period. The elephant mascot Tekka Raja will definitely be one of the top attractions.”
For more information on this year’s Deepavali celebrations, go to deepavali.sg
