I read with great interest the plans to set up a committee to help hawkers and hawker centres evolve ("Serving up help for hawkers and better hawker centres"; Wednesday).

There has also been recent concern about famous hawkers lacking successors to inherit their culinary craft.

This can be a potential opportunity for the vocational rehabilitation of former offenders.

The Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises or the Yellow Ribbon Project could partner former offenders with interested hawkers for apprenticeships.

The former offenders could also be provided with initial start-up funds for their own hawker stalls.

A successful example is a Western food stall in ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre called Wow Wow West.

The food stall in Jalan Bukit Merah has made a name for itself not just for the quality of its food, but also in the rehabilitation of former offenders through the provision of meaningful employment.

Chan Lai Gwen (Dr)