Sociology Student Tan Si Min’s Internship Journey Featured by President Tharman
On 5 September 2024, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, shared a LinkedIn post highlighting a notable achievement by one of our Sociology students, Tan Si Min. From May to August this year, Tan Si Min served as a Diversity and Inclusion Intern at Tata Steel Foundation, a role facilitated by a programme organized by Enterprise Singapore, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). (Photo credit: Lim Sin Thai, MDDI).
"Singapore-India relations are revving up, and both countries will be better for it.
But more Singaporeans should also get to know India - in all its fascinating colour and opportunities.
Andy Lim is an inspiring example. He decided as a fresh polytechnic graduate several years ago to begin his career in India, and was assigned to build up sales for a Singapore company. Andy based himself in a small town in Tamil Nadu, far from the basic comforts he was used to. He learnt quickly, did well and eventually set up his own firm in India, with several offices. And along the way, he picked up conversational Tamil (his workers rate him 8 upon 10!!) and a sprinkling of Hindi.
NTU student Tan Si Min (that’s her in the photo) recently did a three-month stint with Tata Steel Foundation under the India Ready Talent Programme*. She was immersed in a project to enhance job opportunities for persons with disabilities in a city in the eastern state of Jharkand. Si Min found the experience invaluable, and a unique learning opportunity.
We need many more young people like Andy and Si Min. Let’s build that spirit of adventure and learning.
I was delighted to see Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi again, when he was here at PM Wong’s invitation. Our two countries are embarking on major new areas of cooperation."
One of India’s most important achievements over the last ten years has been to uplift hundreds of millions of people. Many had been left out of development for decades.
They are now seeing better maternal and child health, and have access to electricity, water and sanitation. And they have gained digital identities and banking, enabling them to receive monies and transact without going through middlemen.
A dramatic story of human development. With more to come."