Good Evening, Town Councillors, grassroots leaders, residents, ladies and gentlemen.

I am very glad to see so many of you this evening, all geared up for today�s tree planting event.

Today�s event is a joint effort by the Pasir Ris Town Council, and the various grassroots organisations such as the CCC, CCMC and RCs. More importantly, we have the support and active participation from our residents.

It is important that the various grassroots organizations and residents work together to build community bonding to achieve our common goal of a more gracious society.

I am proud to announce that Pasir Ris GRC is one of the Gold Award winners of this year�s Island-wide Cleanest Precinct Competition. Winning this award involved a great deal of effort from the RC residents and Town Council. The estate has to be litter-free, clean and free from vandalism and obstruction.

Winners are selected based on the residents� efforts to keep the precinct clean. The precincts are assessed based on the physical condition (70%) and the social dimension (30%). In both areas, we have scored well.

It is also very heartwarming to know that our residents have put in a lot of effort and time to maintain the estate. They participate in the block washing campaigns organized by the RC and Town Council. They also make attempts to use the recycling bins placed in the estate and keep the common corridors obstruction free.

The civic-mindedness displayed by our residents is indeed commendable. I believe that through this exercise, residents will make this effort part of their routine and habits.

Treating the common areas as part of our extended home will make living more pleasant for everyone. Thus, I hope everyone will play their part in the maintenance of the estate. In this way, we hope to keep the cost of maintenance as low as possible.

Pasir Ris GRC has chosen its own theme to complement the national theme. Our theme is "Creating a Safe, Clean and Pleasant Living Environment : How Residents Can Help". It is a very appropriate theme and it further strengthens our message - that we are all one family working towards keeping our estate and environment safe, clean and green.

Good habits have to start from young. The Children�s Art Competition is a great way of exercising the children�s creativity and creating awareness in them about the green environment.

Each and everyone of us has a responsibility towards the cleanliness and greenery of our estate. The "Island-wide Cleanest Precinct Competition" and "Clean & Green Week" were held to reinforce our awareness and cultivate good habits in keeping the environment clean and green.

Be a proud resident of Pasir Ris GRC and set a good example for others to follow. Although it is a "Clean and Green Week", please practice keeping our environment clean and green throughout the year.

Every Little Effort Counts in Keeping Our Neighbourhood Clean and Pleasant. We can make a difference to our neighbourhood by exercising some care and responsibility in our actions.

CONCLUSION

I wish all Hindu residents "Happy Deepavali"; and I thank every one of you for being here today.

I count on everyone to play a part for our neighbourhood. Together we can make Pasir Ris Our Best Home. Have a great holiday.

Thank you.