More than 160 leaders from Indian grassroots, religious and sub-ethnic groups attended a forum on Saturday morning organised by the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda) to review the progress made in the community.

In the past year, Sinda has rolled out several new initiatives based on the recommendations from its strategic review two years ago in 2011. These include setting up two new units - the Parents and Children divisions, which look into more targeted outreach to these groups of people.

The group has also stepped up its existing literacy and numeracy programmes.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was the guest of honour at the event, said that "community effort is critical" in helping people to achieve success."We need a spirit of empathy and fellowship amongst us as citizens to help everyone rise together."