The Hindu Endowments Board or HEB is a statutory body set up under the Hindu Endowments Act in 1968. The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth appoints prominent figures from the public and private sectors of the Indian community as Board members.
HEB’s primary function is to operate four Hindu endowments placed under its administration. These endowments include the Sri Mariamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Sri Sivan Temple and Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple.
In addition to managing temples, the Board is involved in numerous initiatives that benefit the community. HEB’s broad based community service includes the administration of HEB-Ashram since 1999, a halfway house of IPC status to rehabilitate substance abusers. HEB-Ashram offers its residents guidance and support and equips them with skills to allow them to be gainfully employed. ‘Gift from the Heart’ a programme that provides disadvantaged families with free monthly food rations is also offered through HEB-Ashram.
In 2011, HEB started the HEB-Sivadas Education Fund, a financial assistance initiative meant for tertiary students from ITE, polytechnics and universities, both public and private institutions. The scheme provides bursaries and grants to ensure that Hindu students are not deprived of a further education. Another education assistance scheme, the Rama Arunachalam and AR Mangayarkarasi Achi Fund, was set up to assist dyslexic children. Other major missions of HEB are the cultivation of values and morals in children, and the promotion of health and wellness among its followers. Such activities have elevated HEB from being merely a temple management agency to an active social organisation that cares for and caters to the secular as well as religious needs of the community at large.
HEB undertakes several community support programmes such as food distribution to deserving residents, talks on mental well-being, facilitating Indians towards government schemes such as signing up for Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) amongst several other initiatives. HEB's community service vision is to provide a safety net to those who may be falling through the cracks despite numerous social welfare schemes available through national agencies.
HEB actively supports interfaith activities and is a member of the Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore. While HEB’s mission is to meet the spiritual and welfare needs of the Hindu community, its vision is to foster greater understanding and harmony amongst religions.
For more information, please visit www.heb.org.sg.
