Making kindness a norm in Singapore

Mr Koh Poh Tiong,
Chairman of the Singapore Kindness Movement,

Dr William Wan
General Secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. A very good evening to all of you. Like William, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you here for making Singapore such a beautiful society, a beautiful country.
   

Kindness builds a caring community

2. I was greeted by beautiful daisies today as I approach this venue and I was told that these was told that the yellow Gerbera daisies used in this installation were folded by people who have been touched by kindness and as a sign of their appreciation and gratitude, to the people who have shown kindness to them. And I was just imagining in my mind that as each one of these daisies were being folded, there is a reflection. A reflection that kindness has been bestowed on a person and also a sign of appreciation, taking a step back from our very, very hurried daily lives to mark a special thanks to someone beside us. I thought that this is a very meaningful activity because indeed this is what Kindness Day should be. It is a time for reflection and recollection of the acts of kindness that have been bestowed upon us and for us to express our gratitude for them. It is also a time to resolve and take action to make acts of kindness really an everyday affair.

3. This is what a successful country should be – one that is defined by how we treat one another, the values that we represent, and how we treat the less fortunate and needy among us. A successful society is where each Singaporean feels responsible and committed to other Singaporeans.

4. This remains a goal for us because I don't think we are not there yet. Today, in our very fast-paced lives, as we glue our faces to our mobile phones or digital devices, we focus on ourselves and sometimes we risk not thinking about the needs of others. As a result, our indifference may sometimes leave people with needs unnoticed; our quick, of-the cuff remarks may inadvertently hurt others; our rush to our destinations may sometimes cause inconvenience to others.

5. This is why it is important to have a movement – an unmistakable call to remind us to make graciousness our norm. This year's theme of 'Kindness. It's Up to Us' reminds us of our role in building a caring society. We, every one of us, must take the initiative. Every kind act, no matter how small, has the potential to make a great impact. And when you receive kindness, or when you witness act of kindness, affirm it, encourage it. It will create a virtuous cycle of kindness.
   

Recognising Ground-up Movements

6. Kindness cannot be prescribed. It comes from our hearts and through our daily actions. Kindness that starts from our acts as individuals will connect and bring us together as one community. When many of us do the same, it becomes a movement, it becomes a norm. This is why the work of the Ground-up Movements (GUMS) is so important. It is a catalyst to a movement that has the potential to become something even big than what we have today.

7. An example is Dipa Swaminathan who started “It'sRainingRaincoats”. She was out driving one day when she noticed some construction workers shivering in the rain without proper raingear. She stopped, took them to her house, and gave them coffee and dry clothes. How many of us would do that? So we should give Dipa a round of applause. Dipa started keeping raincoats in her car, and whenever it rained, she would give these raincoats to the workers she see on the road.

8. Dipa wanted to do more and founded “It'sRainingRaincoats”, an initiative to spread kindness to construction workers. Others who were inspired by her, started to donate items like shoes and medicine. With her sustained effort, the movement has expanded with more volunteers joining her in distributing daily essentials to our construction workers. Dipa has also begun speaking to employers on improving the care for their employees.

9. I am happy to be here to recognise “ItsRainingRaincoats” and the eight other GUMS tonight. We will be inducting them into the Singapore Kindness Movement's “Kindred Spirit Circle”. And I hope that they will continue to buttress our efforts and inspire more Singaporeans to join the kindness movement.
   

Conclusion

10. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the good work of the team, Mr. Koh Poh Tiong, Dr. William Wan, in leading the Singapore Kindness Movement. Through many of your initiatives, including the Kindness Day, Singaporeans are reminded that our success is not defined by how much we have, but by how well we treat each  other and those with less than we do. Through recognising the GUMS championing important causes, and through encouraging people to express their appreciation for acts of kindness, you are moving us towards a kind and caring society.

11. Together we must make kindness the norm in Singapore and make Singapore a caring and gracious society. Thank you for being a part of this movement.