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SINGAPORE – President Halimah Yacob held her first Facebook Live session with the public on Saturday (November 14) as part of Istana’s Deepavali Virtual Open House.
Madame Halimah answered questions about her favorite place in Istana (the gardens) and whether she lives on the sprawling estate (she doesn’t).
A question about what has changed in the residence since taking office led Madame Halimah to point out that she took steps to make Istana more accessible after listening to many Singaporeans, especially the underprivileged, who have not had a chance to to visit.
Their initiatives include programs that allow people to volunteer as gardeners in the field and grant access to groups such as hospice patients or seniors.
He added that the President’s Challenge has also evolved: “We focus a lot on empowering people with disabilities and underprivileged families, that’s very important to us, empowering people.”
Madame Halimah also commented on the theme of next year’s Challenge: “Building a digitally inclusive society”, noting that “with Covid-19 we realized that there is a need to leverage a lot of technology.”
“And what worries us is that disadvantaged people will not be able to do it due to a lack of resources, skills or abilities. But we want them to remain economically and socially connected.”
Istana is open to the public on Chinese New Year, Labor Day, National Day, Hari Raya Puasa, and Deepavali.
This year’s Deepavali event had to take place virtually due to the pandemic, as it was for Hari Raya and National Day.
Saturday’s virtual audience was taken on a tour of Istana by volunteer guide Tan Hui Kheng.
This was the first time that the 61-year-old Tan, who has been offering such tours since they were launched in 2013, had to offer a virtual one: “It’s a new experience talking to the camera instead of visitors.”
Initially, she was uncomfortable with the presence of a camera, but added that it allows viewers to get a close-up view of spaces and elements that site visitors can see only from a distance.
“It is also a fun experience, as I learned another way of delivery of taking the tour directly to the participants,” he said.
The tour was interspersed with many colorful segments, including a virtual presentation by Wildlife Reserves Singapore on the various animals in their zoo and safaris, while Admiralty Primary School students performed an Indian dance and community group Team Fusion performed a musical performance.
Members of the public also had the opportunity to win Istana products by answering questions about the house in a virtual questionnaire.
“I am very happy that despite Covid-19, we are still able, taking advantage of the technology, to grant Singaporeans access to Istana,” said Madam Halimah.
She also thanked Singaporeans for supporting the Government in its efforts to curb Covid-19, noting that her own family had to divide into three groups to visit her during Hari Raya.
“I understand that stress is tremendous for people, but people have done very well … As long as we continue to do our part, I hope we can get through this period together and hopefully we will see an even better situation next year.” . Let’s continue to support each other. “
He closed the session by wishing everyone a happy Deepavali.
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