Awarded to students for selfless philanthropy – Tamil Murasu

30th July 2024 • 4 mins read

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Pratip Owshika, 12, and Hasini Senthilnathan, 15, who received Singapore’s Young Silent Heroes student award. Image: Public Corporation Singapore

Organized by non-profit organization Civilians Association Singapore (CAS), the ‘Young Unsung Heroes of Singapore’ awards recognize the contributions of students from primary, high schools and junior colleges. They have demonstrated kindness and commitment to their community.

12-year-old Pratip Ovshika, a sixth-grader, takes immense pleasure in helping the elderly. He would look for ways to help the elderly and contribute to it.

Owshika, who studies at Boon Leh Garden Primary School, has been instrumental in the SPHERE+ Elderly Support Program in collaboration with the Housing Development Corporation for an out-of-school activity called ‘Values in Action’.

Owshika has planned and implemented awareness programs at NTUC Health’s Vibrant Aging Center (Active Aging Centre, Poon Leh).

For his efforts, Owshika was one of 53 youngsters from 24 schools recognized at the second ‘Singapore’s Unknown Young Heroes’ (Young Silent Heroes) Student Awards category held on July 27.

Deputy Minister for Education and Human Resources Khan Siau Huang was the chief guest and presented the awards.

“Kindness blossoms when it inspires others to do good deeds. If we continue to strive to root and blossom kindness in the society, we can create a garden of kindness,” Deputy Minister Khan said in his address.

Many elderly people live alone in Singapore. Ovshika decided to help such people as their children and grandchildren are unable to spend time with them.

“I also wanted to do these activities because I could not spend much time with my grandmother as she was in India,” he said.

Ovshika’s parents are supporting her to continue doing community service.

“My parents encourage me to contribute to society in my spare time. So, I finish my homework early. Then I will try to spend whatever time I have with the elderly,” said Ovshika.

Seeing him, his younger brother also engages in social service. Ovshika was very happy about it.

They shared with Owshika about their youth when they once visited the Jurong estate with the elders. Ovshika knew that today’s generation is enjoying the fruits of their hard work during their youth.

“If you compare my social service with the work done by the elderly then, I am doing little,” he said.

Ovshika, who is currently preparing for her primary school finals, wants to continue serving the elderly even after high school.

Another recipient of the ‘Young Unsung Heroes of Singapore’ award was Hasini Senthilnathan of Raffles Girls School. The 15-year-old received the award for spearheading ‘Project Enjoy’, which supports underprivileged children from social service agency ‘Brighton Connection’.

Along with his team, he supported children in character development and education during school holidays and made an impact on their lives.

“This project was born out of me and my friends thinking that we should be involved in something meaningful,” he said.

Having previously served at a student care center, they decided to develop a long-term relationship with children at another student care center, Hasini said.

Acting as the team liaison with the Brighton Connection staff, Hasini also participates in other community service initiatives at the school and balances her volunteer work with her academic responsibilities.

“I consider talking to children more of a break from school than a chore,” he said.

Hasini said that while she is very happy to receive the award, all her team members share in it.

He believes that if he engages in social service with passion and perseverance, he can definitely make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Hasini wants to do social philanthropy in the long run with ‘Project Enjo’.

Publication

Published originally from: Tamil Murasu

https://www.tamilmurasu.com.sg/community/story20240730-4379894

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Singapore Silent Heroes

The Silent Heroes Award Presentation is an annual ceremony organised by CAS – Civilians Association (Singapore). The aim of the award is to recognise ordinary, everyday Singaporeans and permanent residents for their extraordinary humanity and compassion towards people, causes, and missions.

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