WHEN 30-year-old Lina Chong was diagnosed with pre-cancer of the womb last August, she told her doctor to hold off surgery for the time being. The assistant manager of leadership and personal development at Nanyang Polytechnic's students affairs office wanted to first complete the 10 youth projects she had on her plate.

On Sunday, she was one of six people to receive the annual Singapore Youth Award from Senior Minister Professor S. Jayakumar at the Istana.

The award - established in 1975 and presented by the National Youth Council, the national coordinating body of youth affairs in Singapore - honours those 35 and below for their contributions and excellence in five categories: arts and culture; community and youth services; entrepreneurship; science and technology; and sports and adventure.

Film-maker Ho Tzu Nyen, 33, and Mandopop singer JJ Lin, 28, won in the arts and culture category. Mr Clinton Ang, 35, who has a successful family wine business, won in the entrepreneurship category.

Dr Tong Joo Chuan, 31, who specialises in computational applications in life sciences, won in the science and technology category, and national sailor Koh Seng Leong, 26, won in the sports and adventure category.

The winners hope their awards will inspire the youth to pursue their own passions and to serve society.

Read the full report in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.