The spirit of Deepavali shone bright at the Penjuru Recreation Centre on Nov 1 as ITSCommunityCare (ITSCC) hosted its annual Deepavali Carnival for migrant workers, celebrating light, gratitude, and togetherness.
Over 1,500 workers joined the evening of performances, festive meals, and joyful interactions – a heartfelt expression of appreciation for their contributions to Singapore’s growth.
The Guest of Honour was Ms Gho Sze Kee, Member of Parliament for Mountbatten SMC, who lauded the dedication and resilience of Singapore’s migrant workforce.
“Our migrant workers play a vital role in building our homes, roads, and communities. Celebrating Deepavali with them is a meaningful reminder that Singapore’s success is built on collective effort,” she said, commending organisers and volunteers for creating “a space of dignity, warmth, and belonging.”
Also present was Mr Arvind Srivastava, Second Secretary (Commerce & Visa) at the High Commission of India, who joined in applauding ITSCC’s volunteers for their service and inclusivity.
From traditional dance and music to wellness activities and lucky draws, the carnival offered a vibrant cultural experience.
Guests enjoyed Indian snacks, festive meals, and engaging performances that reflected the diversity of Singapore’s migrant community.
Each worker received a bento meal, steel tiffin box, foldable bag, clothing items, and a Deepavali goodie pack – small tokens symbolising gratitude for their invaluable contributions.
Behind the cheerful evening was months of preparation by ITSCC, a volunteer-driven non-profit that has been championing social inclusion and community welfare since 2020.
Supported by over 50 volunteers, the organisation runs initiatives for migrant workers, lower-income families, and seniors, while also promoting sustainability and youth engagement through “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” projects and home visits to eldercare facilities.
Founder and President Prakash Kumar Hetamsaria described the annual carnival as a labour of love.
“Organising this event fills me with immense pride and gratitude. It’s our humble way of saying thank you to our migrant brothers whose hard work builds Singapore every day. Seeing their smiles gives Deepavali its truest meaning,” he said.
Long-time volunteer Anjani Kumar Choudhary, an IT professional, echoed the sentiment: “I look forward to this event every year. Spending time with our migrant brothers, who work so hard away from home, is deeply fulfilling. Their joy makes all our efforts worthwhile.”
This year’s carnival was made possible through the generosity of sponsors and partners, including Shabestan, Sunshine Trust, BiJhar (Singapore), Marwari Mitra Mandal, DVK Resources, Sudima International, Rotary Club of Suntec City, Mr Harsh Wardhan Modi, Mr Amit Gupta, and IIMB Alumni members.
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23 Oct 2025 15:48
