Singapore’s largest newspaper will make history this month by joining forces with Prince William-launched environmental award, the Earthshot Prize. This month’s awards ceremony and activations program will take place here, providing opportunities to engage winners and finalists alike.
On Monday night at Raffles Hotel, The President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2024 honored 13 individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves to making an impactful difference. Winners in various categories such as People of Good, Leaders of Good and Organizations of Good included foodbanks to social enterprises whose efforts have strengthened communities while building resilience.
Khir Johari’s The Food of the Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago was awarded with the triennial NUS Singapore History Prize by its judges who noted its exceptional combination of personal, political, sociocultural, and historical themes in an exquisitely cohesive work.
Professor Emeritus Peter Ellinger, at 91 one of the oldest winners ever of this prize, won in English non-fiction for Down Memory Lane: A Memoir which recounted his life intertwined with many major historical events and earned special commendation from judges due to its excellent writing style.
Ms Pan Xi won the People of Good Award in 2019 as a Leaders of Good, having established Access Singapore – an initiative which helps disadvantaged students catch up academically by offering English lessons and character development classes – creating pathways to socioeconomic mobility while championing inclusivity in her community from an early age, volunteering her services by volunteering with an elderly nursing home.
Singtel earned praise for its dedication to inclusivity through initiatives like its Touching Lives Fund and efforts to provide employment for people living with disabilities or mental health conditions. Furthermore, Singtel partners with schools and charities to offer free broadband internet connectivity that empowers students with knowledge to access knowledge and develop new skills.
Akshita Nanda of Straits Times journalist Akshita Nanda won English fiction with her novel Nimita’s Place; Ng Yi-Sheng’s short story collection Lion City won Chinese fiction; while Kian Kok by Chia Joo Ming and Wong Koi Tet won Chinese creative non-fiction. A total of 43 writers from Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English competed for this year’s prizes; each will receive a cash award of $3,000 plus a trophy; four winners from consumer choice category will win book purchase vouchers worth $50 each. Find more details here.