Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 80

Issue 13: Community Work for Tamils by Tamils
Pre-Panel Discussion
1. What are some of the common issues that the Indian/Tamil community faces?
• Education: Indians are always lagging when compared to the national averages, but the gaps
have narrowed over the past two decades.
• Overrepresentation of Indians in Normal Academic/Normal Technical streams. Those who
are doing well in school tend to be students from expatriate families.
• Unconducive Family Environment: Domestic violence is the spark that produces youths who
engage in violence (e.g. gangs) and crimes. Students from violent families tend to manifest
these behaviours in school, resulting in disciplinary issues and poorer academic
performance.
• Alcoholism - This is a very common phenomenon seen in many Indian families, and tends to
lead to incoherent families or financial issues.
• Comparisons made between siblings and cousins, resulting in increased pressure on
children.
• Financial Issues: This is a very prevalent issue, where both parents or single parent are
unable to support the family financially. Despite the median and mean salary reflection of
the Indian community in general, many Indians of the lower income group are in dire need
of financial help.
2. Is the Tamil Indian community adequately united?
• The main divide the youths saw was that between the Singaporean Tamils and expatriate
Tamils. They felt that the Singaporean Tamils tend to have a sense of complacency in terms
of education and work, and that they are also unwilling to come forth to receive help. On
the other hand, the expatriate Tamils are deemed to be more well-to-do and are naturally
more competitive in their new country.
• Most of the youths felt that community work is a unifying platform to integrate the
Singapore Tamils and migrant Tamils if both parties have a common objective in mind.
3. What are some of the common notions about volunteerism and self-help organisations?
• Some Tamil families have a very traditional mindset and feel that they should not be
accepting help from an external party to solve their own family issues.
• Some youths felt that SINDA provides educational and monetary support but are unsure if
enough has been done to address the root causes of family problems e.g. alcoholism,
domestic violence.
• Not all SINDA volunteers are keen in serving the community; some are just passing time and
making new friends.
• Currently, there are many youth-initiated or youth-led programmes e.g. peer mentoring,
tuition programmes, which are heavily focused on education. There is a lack of initiatives
that expose the youths to various community needs and the need for community work.
• A youth group that exemplifies the needs and requirements of the community is a necessity.
• Some youths do not involve themselves in community work as they do not see any tangible
personal benefit, thus not making time for it. Also, they feel that individuals are not
sufficient to make such an impact. On the other hand, some youths feel that community
work should begin from individuals, who will then rally support from fellow youths and form
a network to effect community change.
Issue 13: Community Work for Tamils by Tamils
PAGE 80