INDIAN HERITAGE CENTRE HONOURS COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS AT ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER
The Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) celebrated a decade of legacy on the 14th November 2025 by honouring the community contributions that have helped showcase and promote Indian and South Asian history, heritage, and culture. The contributions have been instrumental in increasing awareness and appreciation of Singapore’s Indian and South Asian heritage among Singaporeans and foreign visitors, since its opening in May 2015. The anniversary dinner celebration was attended by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong earlier in the evening. Notably, Prime Minister Wong was also present at the Centre 10 years ago as the then-Minister for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) to commemorate the opening of the new Heritage Institution.
A Heritage Institution of ten Years of Working with the Community
Over the past ten years, IHC has grown into a vibrant community space for not just Singapore’s Indian and South Asian communities, but also for other Singaporeans and foreign visitors alike. Through the Centre’s celebration of major Indian festivals like Pongal, Indian New Year and Deepavali, community co-curated exhibitions, Museum-based learning programmes where Primary 5 students visit IHC as part of the school curriculum, and more, the Centre has created and continues to create meaningful opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to engage with and appreciate Indian and South Asian heritage in Singapore and beyond.
This year, to mark a decade of IHC and SG60, the Centre embarked on its first major artefact rotation at its Permanent Galleries since opening. 60 artefacts, including items from Singapore’s National Collection and loans from community members and organisations, are being showcased in two phases. The first phase saw the installation of 30 artefacts in May this year, with focus on the Early Contact: Interactions between South and Southeast Asia and and Roots and Routes: Origins and Migration galleries on Level 4. Completing the rotation are another 30 artefacts installed in November across the other three galleries – the Roots and Routes: Origins and Migration, Pioneers: Early Indians in Singapore and Malaya, Social and Political Awakening of Indians in Singapore and Malaya and Making of the Nation: Contributions of Indians in Singapore galleries.
This second phase of IHC’s artefact rotation offers a deeper look into the journey and contributions of Singapore’s Indian and South Asian communities across pivotal historical moments. These artefacts highlight the efforts of early pioneers who laid the foundation of trades, associations and schools in the pre-war period, their involvement in the Indian Independence movements, lives and experiences of civilians during the World War II (WWII) and Japanese Occupation, and prominent figures who contributed to Singapore’s nation-building years. Most of the artefacts have been donated by or are on loan from members and organisations of the Singapore Indian and South Asian communities, offering a deeper and more diverse understanding of Singapore’s heritage and our connections with the world.
Beyond artefact donors and lenders, the IHC is also heartened by the strong and generous support of the community in coming together to contribute cash donations amounting to $320,000. The donations were gathered from a variety of donors including community stakeholders, business owners in Little India as well as passionate individuals, who have come together as a mark of support to IHC.
This contribution will go to enhancing IHC’s offerings, allowing the Centre to further its efforts in fostering greater appreciation and understanding of Indian and South Asian heritage among diverse audiences. The IHC is deeply thankful for this community effort and recognises that such overwhelming support reflects the shared commitment in promoting and safeguarding Indian and South Asian heritage in Singapore.
A Heritage Institution of Looking Ahead for IHC
As the IHC enters its second decade, it remains committed to working closely with the community to showcase more stories of Singapore’s Indian and South Asian communities.
The Centre will continue to strengthen its role as a focal point for these communities, while also serving as a springboard for visitors to explore the surrounding Little India precinct, where they can immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions and practices that enrich Singapore’s multicultural landscape.
Information and photos courtesy: National Heritage Board’s Media Release