SINGAPORE - The Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda) gave out excellence awards to some 466 students on Saturday (Sept 24), the largest number in 25 years.

This year also had more award recipients from the post-secondary categories, said Sinda president Indranee Rajah. This shows that more Indian students are now pursuing education beyond secondary school.

Sixteen years ago, only three quarters of Indian students were eligible to enrol in post-secondary institutions, she added. In 2014, this went up to 95 per cent.

Many winners also got awards for non-academic achievements, such as excellence in the arts or sports.

"The awards reflect the fact that there is a much broader definition of success, by recognising excellence in areas other than pure academic performance," Ms Indranee said.

She presented awards along with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is also chairman of Sinda.