The Singapore Indian Association was formed in 1923 with its main premises at Short Street.1 The Association was very active in sports.2 Cricket and hockey were its fortes in the late 1950s, with many of its members representing Singapore in regional and international competitions.3 However, its membership and coffers began declining in the 1960s.4 The late 20th century witnessed attempts by its leaders to turn things around and they appear to have succeeded, with massive changes to the Association.5
Formation of the Association
In the early 20th century, it was felt that Indian youngsters needed a place where they could meet socially and engage in sporting activities.6 The Indian Association was thus formed in 1923 by a group of Indians including Rajabali Jumabhoy and Bashir Mallal, both prominent Indians of the time.7 Its main goal was to promote the welfare of Indians and provide the community with opportunities for leisure activities.8 Its main premises were at Short Street but it also acquired land on Balestier Plain for use as an open playing field.9 It later moved its premises from Short Street to Owen Road10 and then to Race Course Road,11 while retaining the Balestier site.12
Pioneers in Indian Education
The Singapore Indian Association opened its first night school in mid-1927 at 107 Rowell Road.13 The education was offered free with the aim to educate illiterate Indians (mainly labourers) under the employ of the Municipality.14 Lessons were conducted five days weekly, in English or Tamil, on subjects such as arithmetic, reading, writing, conversation as well as letter-writing.15 Talks on alcohol abstinence and personal cleanliness were also conducted and extra-curricular activities such as dramas and debates were later added.16 The school was moved to Norris Road as the student intake mushroomed and thereafter to the Ramakrishna Mission.17 In the late 1930s, the association also received regular financial aid from the British Government for its efforts to provide education for the disadvantaged.18
Club for Indian Women
An off-shoot of the Singapore Indian Association, the Indian and Ceylonese Ladies Club was formed in 1931, with office bearers comprising the wives of current and past presidents, office bearers and members of the Singapore Indian Association.19 As club membership was opened to Malays, Arabs, Persians and other nationalities, the name was later changed to Lotus Club and by February 1937, there were 90 members.20 In June 1950, the club had another name change to Kamala Club, at the suggestion of the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.21
New Clubhouse and Permanent Premises
Immediately following the end of World War II, the association began raising funds for the construction of a club house at 69 Balestier Road and a Building Fund Committee was set-up, spearheaded by the association’s president, Dr M. Abraham and a committee member, Sardar Hardial Singh.22 The contract for the construction of the club house was signed on 12 January 1950 and work commenced two days later.23
Thanks to the donations received, the necessary building funds were raised and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India, was invited to lay the foundation stone for the clubhouse at Balestier Plain on 17 June 1950.24 In attendance at the foundation laying ceremony were Nehru’s daughter, Indira Gandhi, and the Rt. Honourable Malcolm MacDonald, United Kingdom Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia.25
A year after the laying of the foundation stone, the two-storey structure, constructed at a cost of $159,586, was completed and the clubhouse was officially declared open by Commissioner-General Malcolm MacDonald on 21 July 1951.26
This place became the fourth and permanent premises of the Association.27
Thereafter, more funds were raised for an extension to the clubhouse.28 The foundation stone for the extension was laid on 12 August 1954 by Nehru’s sister, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, who was then the president of the United Nations General Assembly.29
Turning Point in the 1960s
In the 1950s, the Association was kept busy organising social and cultural activities for families and promoting sporting activities among the young in the Indian community.30 But in the 1960s, Singapore’s separation from the Federation of Malaysia had serious consequences for the Association.31 The close relationship it had with the Indian Association in Malaya came to an end and it had to cease participation in the All-Malayan Association and the Malayan Indian Congress.32 The birth of Singapore as an independent and sovereign nation in 1965 was thus a major turning point for the Indian Association.33 With Singapore’s independence came new responsibilities.34 Nation building became a priority and there was a need to instil in everyone a Singaporean consciousness and a sense of loyalty.35
Decline and Revival of the Association – 1970s and 1980s
However, the efforts of the Association, although diligent and valiant in many respects, especially in its attempts to establish itself as the premier Indian organisation, gradually began to wither.36 It was unable to connect with the new generation of young Indians and failed to attract most of the professionals in the Indian community.37
By 1988, when a new management committee took over, its finances were greatly depleted.38 It had accumulated considerable debts and did not appear to have the means to repay them.39 Membership was at an all-time low and many members were in arrears on their subscription.40 The management committee, with the help of some members, sought to boost membership numbers by using sporting activities such as hockey, cricket, darts, billiards and tennis as the main attraction.41 Within a few years, the number of members increased to over 1,000, up from a low of 300.42 The return of social events also enlivened the Association.43
1990s and A New Era
The 1990s witnessed the beginning of a new era for the Indian Association.44 It had a new lease of life and plans to maintain the momentum.45 The management committee spelt out the three main aims of the Association: (1) increase membership; (2) increase family patronage; and (3) youth participation in the Association’s activities, especially sports.46
After an amendment to its constitution in 1993, the Association introduced a new category of membership – the Lady membership.47 It also created a Ladies’ Sub-committee to encourage and promote family activities as well as activities for young children and youths.48 Its aim was also to help bring together women with activities just for them.49
While the Indian Association was the main organisation for the Indian community at one time, the community today has access to a variety of organisations (such as the Singapore Indian Development Association or SINDA) that might cater to its needs.50 The Indian Association believes in working with other such organisations to promote Indian social and cultural activities and sporting and educational endeavours.51
Author
Jeanne Louise Conceicao
References
1. Tommy Koh et al., eds., Singapore: The Encyclopedia (Singapore: Editions Didier Millet and National Heritage Board, 2006), 491. (Call no. RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS])
2. Koh et al., Singapore: The Encyclopedia, 492; Leslie Netto, Passage of Indians, 1923–2003 (Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, 2003), 55. (Call no. RSING 369.25957 NET)
3. Netto, Passage of Indians, 138–40.
4. Netto, Passage of Indians, 193.
5. Netto, Passage of Indians, 200.
6. Netto, Passage of Indians, 31.
7. Koh et al., Singapore: The Encyclopedia, 491.
8. Koh et al., Singapore: The Encyclopedia, 492.
9. Koh et al., Singapore: The Encyclopedia, 492; Netto, Passage of Indians, 33, 103, 105.
10. Netto, Passage of Indians, 37, 97.
11. Netto, Passage of Indians, 97.
12. Netto, Passage of Indians, 103.
13. Netto, Passage of Indians, 48.
14. Netto, Passage of Indians, 48.
15. Netto, Passage of Indians, 48.
16. Netto, Passage of Indians, 48.
17. Netto, Passage of Indians, 48–50.
18. Netto, Passage of Indians, 50.
19. Netto, Passage of Indians, 60–61.
20. Netto, Passage of Indians, 63.
21. Netto, Passage of Indians, 147.
22. Netto, Passage of Indians, 119–20.
23. Netto, Passage of Indians, 120–1.
24. Netto, Passage of Indians, 120–3.
25. Netto, Passage of Indians, 120–1.
26. “Indian Assn's New Club,” Singapore Free Press, 21 July 1951, 5 (From NewspaperSG); Netto, Passage of Indians, 128.
27. Netto, Passage of Indians, 112.
28. Netto, Passage of Indians, 134.
29. Netto, Passage of Indians, 133, 135.
30. Netto, Passage of Indians, 138–40, 150.
31. Netto, Passage of Indians, 193.
32. Netto, Passage of Indians, 193.
33. Netto, Passage of Indians, 193.
34. Netto, Passage of Indians, 161.
35. Netto, Passage of Indians, 161.
36. Netto, Passage of Indians, 193.
37. Netto, Passage of Indians, 193.
38. Netto, Passage of Indians, 194.
39. Netto, Passage of Indians, 194.
40. Netto, Passage of Indians, 194.
41. Netto, Passage of Indians, 195.
42. Netto, Passage of Indians, 194.
43. Netto, Passage of Indians, 198.
44. Netto, Passage of Indians, 200.
45. Netto, Passage of Indians, 200.
46. Netto, Passage of Indians, 200.
47. Netto, Passage of Indians, 201.
48. Netto, Passage of Indians, 202.
49. Netto, Passage of Indians, 209.
50. Netto, Passage of Indians, 222, 231.
51. Netto, Passage of Indians, 226, 231.
Further resources
“$130,000 Clubhouse Ready By April,” Straits Times, 1 February 1951, 12. (From NewspaperSG)
A. Latif, “Multiracialism and Meritocracy: Romance of Nationalism,” in A Place in the Sun: Tribute to Lee Kuan Yew, ed. E. Sukumar, S. Prema and Sree Kumar (Singapore: Singapore Indian Development Association, 1992), 11–16. (Call no. RSING 305.89141105957 PLA)
“I. A. Clubhouse Ready Soon,” Straits Times, 15 May 1951, 7. (From NewspaperSG)
Singapore Indian Association, I. A. News 1, no. 1 (April–May 1990). (Call no. RGEN 369.25957 IAN)
Singapore Indian Association, Krida: The Official Newsletter of the Singapore Indian Association 4, no. 1 (January–February 1994). (Call no. RSING 369.25957 K)
“The Indian Association,” Straits Times, 2 March 1923, 10. (From NewspaperSG)
“The Indian Association,” Straits Times, 8 August 1923, 10. (From NewspaperSG)
Y. B. G. Yeo, “The Way Ahead for the Indian Community,” Speeches (Singapore) (14 August 1993). (Call no. RSING 354.5957035 S)
The information in this article is valid as of 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
1. Koh, T., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Singapore: The encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet; National Heritage Board, p. 491. (Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS])
2. Koh, T., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Singapore: The encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet; National Heritage Board, p. 492. (Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS])
(Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS]); Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 55. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
3. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 138–140. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
4. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 193. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
5. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 200. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
6. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 31. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
7. Koh, T., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Singapore: The encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet; National Heritage Board, p. 491. (Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS])
8. Koh, T., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Singapore: The encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet; National Heritage Board, p. 492. (Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS])
9. Koh, T., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Singapore: The encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet; National Heritage Board, p. 492. (Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS]); Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 33, 103, 105. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
10. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 37, 97. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
11. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 97. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
12. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 103. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
13. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 48. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
14. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 48. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
15. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 48. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
16. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 48. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
17. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 48–50. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
18. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 50. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
19. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 60–61. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
20. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 63. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
21. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 147. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
22. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 119–120. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
23. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 120–121. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
24. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 120–123. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
25. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 120–121. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
26. Indian Assn's new club. (1951, July 21). The Singapore Free Press, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 128. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
27. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 112. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
28. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 134. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
29. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 133, 135. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
30. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 138–140, 150. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
31. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 193. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
32. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 193. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
33. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 193. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
34. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 161. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
35. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 161. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
36. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 193. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
37. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 193. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
38. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 194. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
39. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 194. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
40. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 194. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
41. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 195. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
42. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 194. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
43. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 198. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
44. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 200. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
45. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 200. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
46. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 200. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
47. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 201. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
48. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 202. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
49. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, p. 209. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
50. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 222, 231. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
51. Netto, L. (2003). Passage of Indians, 1923–2003. Singapore: Singapore Indian Association, pp. 226, 231. (Call no.: RSING 369.25957 NET)
Further resources
$130,000 Clubhouse ready By April. (1951, February 1). The Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
I. A. clubhouse ready soon. (1951, May 15). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
I. A. news. (1990). Singapore: Singapore Indian Association.
(Call no: RGEN 369.25957 IAN)
Krida: the official newsletter of the Singapore Indian Association. (1994). Singapore: The Association.
(Call no: RSING 369.25957 K)
Latif, A. (1992). Multiracialism and meritocracy: Romance of nationalism. In E. Sukumar, S. Prema, & Sree Kumar (Eds.), A place in the sun: Tribute to Lee Kuan Yew. (Singapore: Singapore Indian Development Association, pp. 11–16.
(Call no.: RSING 305.89141105957 PLA)
The Indian Association. (1923, March 2). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
The Indian Association. (1923, August 8). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
Yeo, Y.B. G. (1993, August 14). The way ahead for the Indian community. In Speeches (Singapore). Singapore: Publicity Division, Ministry of Culture.
(Call no.: RSING 354.5957035 S)
The information in this article is valid as at 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
The information on this page and any images that appear here may be used for private research and study purposes only. They may not be copied, altered or amended in any way without first gaining the permission of the copyright holder.
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