On 21 September 2025, the Indian Hall of Fame Singapore (IHFS) held a special SG60 awards ceremony at Raffles Town Club to mark Singapore’s 60th National Day. Sixteen distinguished individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame, representing the wide range of achievements of Indian Singaporeans in diplomacy, economics, law, medicine, music, sports, community service and interfaith work.
Established in 2019, IHFS has already honoured more than 120 achievers, and this SG60 edition was described as an “off-cycle but special” ceremony to coincide with the nation’s milestone year.
One of the foremost names in the 2025 list was Kishore Mahbubani. A veteran diplomat, academic and author, he served twice as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and became well known internationally for his writings on Asia’s rise and the shifting balance of global power.
His later work as dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy cemented his influence as a teacher and thinker, encouraging new generations to see international relations through a broader lens.
The late Shirin Fozdar was remembered posthumously for her pioneering work in women’s rights. Born in India in 1905, she moved to Singapore in 1950 and quickly became a leading campaigner for legal reforms. She founded the Singapore Council of Women and pushed for laws to protect women against polygamy and unfair divorce. Her advocacy was instrumental in the creation of the Syariah Court and in the introduction of the Women’s Charter in 1961.
Ravi Menon, who stepped down as Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2023, was honoured for his leadership in public service and finance. During his 12 years at MAS, he steered the central bank through global financial uncertainty, championed digital innovation in banking, and built Singapore’s reputation as a stable and forward-looking financial hub.
Ambassador Jayalekshmi Mohideen was recognised as Singapore’s first female career ambassador and the first Indian woman to serve in that role. Her diplomatic postings included Belgium, the Netherlands, the European Union, and later Finland, where she received national honours for her work in strengthening bilateral ties. She also served in senior positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and contributed to economic development initiatives after her return to Singapore.
S. Chandra Das, a former Member of Parliament, was honoured for his long service in politics, business, and the labour movement. He was Singapore’s first trade representative to the USSR in the early 1970s, later chaired NTUC FairPrice, and served as Non-Resident Ambassador to Turkey and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. His work across government, business and community organisations has left a strong imprint on Singapore’s growth.
The late Daisy Vaithilingam was remembered for her pioneering role in medical social service. As one of Singapore’s first social workers, she developed schemes for foster care, support for the mentally disabled, and the creation of the Singapore Association of Social Workers. Her career spanned decades of advocacy for the elderly, children, and the disadvantaged, and she also lectured in social work at the National University of Singapore.
The late Daisy Devan, known as Singapore’s “Mother of Music”, was honoured for her role in nurturing the country’s music industry in the 1950s and 1960s. As the first Asian woman to head EMI in Southeast Asia, she discovered and promoted local talent including The Quests, and played a key part in recording Singapore’s national anthem after independence. Her vision gave Singapore a vibrant recording industry and brought local music to the mainstream.
Vikram Nair, Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC since 2011, was recognised for his community service. He has been active in promoting social cohesion, supporting education and youth development, and engaging closely with his constituents. His efforts to celebrate Indian cultural heritage while also fostering integration across communities reflect his wider role in public life.
Professor P. Gopalakrishnakone, Emeritus Professor at the National University of Singapore, was honoured for his global standing in medical research. A specialist in venom and toxin studies, he has led major international collaborations, advised the World Health Organization on snakebite treatment, and trained a generation of scientists. His research has opened new paths in toxicology, including the development of biosensors and antimicrobial agents.
Ameerali Abdeali was recognised for his decades of inter-religious and community service. He worked more than 30 years in the Ministry of Manpower, strengthening Singapore’s frameworks on occupational safety. As President of the Muslim Kidney Action Association, he expanded support for patients and families across races and faiths. As a long-time council member of the Inter-Religious Organisation, he has helped build understanding among Singapore’s diverse faith communities.
Janet Jesudason was celebrated as Singapore’s first Indian female Olympian. She represented the nation in the 100-metre sprint at the 1956 Melbourne Games and later went on to win gold at the 1957 Merdeka Games. After retiring from athletics, she pursued a career in education and continued to contribute to community and cultural life in Singapore and abroad.
The late Khatijun Nissa Siraj was remembered as a Muslim women’s rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s. She co-founded the Young Women’s Muslim Association, became the first woman counsellor at the Syariah Court, and later established the Muslim Women’s Welfare Council. Her work helped create fairer divorce processes and greater social protections for Muslim women.
Satinder Singh Gill, an entrepreneur, was honoured with a special SG60 Patron award for his long-standing support of IHFS. Along with him, K Tamil Marren, President of the Singapore Tamil Association, was recognised for his community leadership, and Rozita Hasinar, former honorary secretary of IHFS, was acknowledged for her dedicated service to the organisation. The late K Sujata, who served as honorary treasurer, was also honoured posthumously for her role in sustaining the work of IHFS.
The 2025 SG60 induction brought together honourees from different eras, some from Singapore’s earliest decades of independence and others still active today. Together, their stories underline the breadth of contributions made by the Indian community to Singapore’s development. IHFS announced that its next regular ceremony will be held in 2026, continuing its mission to document and celebrate the achievements of Singapore Indians across generations.
