::  Singapore Malayalee Heritage

AIM:
To establish a Malayalee Heritage Centre in Singapore featuring the history of Singapore Malayalees. The Centre shows the way in which Singapore Malayalees have developed in the known 128 years (or earlier) of its history, so that both residents and visitors are encouraged to gain a better understanding of our unique character and tradition, which should in turn lead to a greater concern for its future.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
The Heritage Center Project relies on expert advice from three Advisors:

Mr. Viswa Sadasivan (CEO, Strategic Moves Pte Ltd.)
Mr. Predeep Menon (CEO, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce), and
Mr. Jaya Prakash (Director, Pandisea Pte Ltd.)

Working very closely with these three Advisors are the Core Group Leaders. The Core Group heads each of the four committees and act as Mentors to the volunteers. The Core Group Leaders:

Dr. Alan Prem Kumar (Principal Investigator, Cancer Research, National University of Singapore) - Project Chairman
Mr. Indu Kumar (Director, E-Globe Solutions) – Project Secretary
Dr. Murali Damodaran (Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University), and
Ms. Lyn Ng (Director, Ralvin Center of Therapy)

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE:
This committee is in charge of all publications, like pamphlets, cookbooks, flyers, and most importantly undertakes putting together the first Singapore Malayalee Coffee Table Book in 2-3 years time. This must-have book will capture the history of our community, and how we contributed to this nation's building. Key Singapore Malayalees will be profiled as well.

STATIC DISPLAY COMMITTEE:
This committee will be responsible for all static displays within the heritage center. Pictures reviving the history of our community in this country, art, dance forms, and also to keep the Heritage Center alive, have a rotation of Kerala culture in the heritage center. This committee would therefore have to liaise with museums and Heritage Centers in Kerala to co-ordinate this.

MULTIMEDIA COMMITTEE:
This committee is in charge of developing a website. Included in this website are, a Virtual Heritage Center with incorporation of 3D animation, a blog, a photo album family tree, etc. The committee is responsible for establishing links from Singapore to malayalee communities outside Singapore. Within the Heritage Center, they will also be responsible for all multimedia-based setups and telecommunications systems.

ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE:
This committee is responsible for organizing heritage-based activities with Kerala. Liaise with airlines for package tours for India to visit us in Singapore. They have to undertake the publicity of our Heritage Center and perhaps sale of the coffee table book both in Singapore and to malayalees overseas.

PHYSICAL SPACE:
In light of the aims mentioned above, we would need at least 750 sq feet for a proper heritage centre. The space can’t be too small as in the long run, we would like to approach the Ministry of Education (MOE) and schools to add this Heritage Centre as a place of must visit during their field trips. Thus, we will move on the fact that the entire ground floor of SMA will be used for establishing the Heritage Centre.

LOGO AND LETTERHEAD:
To identify the Heritage Center as a separate entity, letter heads printed for the Heritage Project will show a separate logo. A competition amongst children will be held later in the project for the design of this logo. The logo would represent both Singapore and Malayalees.

ACCOUNTS:
Heritage Centre will be formed with an idea of self funding so as to meet the expenses of the Center. A separate account will be set up for the Heritage Project in a different bank. It is proposed that if revenue generated from the Heritage Centre exceeds its cost of operation, a certain percentage of the excess can be transferred to SMA’s main fund to offset some of the expenses of the SMA such as maintenance or utilities. Funds from Singapore Heritage Board, individual donations will be managed by the Board of Advisors of the Heritage Project together with the Treasurer of SMA. A separate “Donor Roll” for the Heritage Center is inevitable. For individual/corporate donations to the Heritage Project, please contact Mr. Indu Kumar (Email: indu32@gmail.com).

PROJECT TIME LINE:
A full proposal for this start-up will be submitted to the Singapore Heritage Board for funding of this project. Submission date is tentatively set August 2007. Once funds are in place, an online task management system will be set-up by the Core Group. Online access to this system will be given to all three Advisors, the Core Group Leaders, and all volunteers. The 1st phase of the project is focused on the physical and multimedia set-up of the Heritage Center. The start-up is estimated to take about 1 year to completion (August 2008).

VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers make up the backbone of the Singapore Malayalee Heritage Project. Here is your chance to really make this project a success. As a volunteer you can be involved in this truly amazing project and develop a deeper appreciation of the history of Singapore Malayalees, whilst have a lot of fun. If you would like to volunteer for this Project, please contact: Dr. Alan Prem Kumar (Email:nmiapkv@nus.edu.sg).