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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Art exhibition by mental health charity showcases over 100 works by seniors
Ms Padmini Naidu beside a watercolour artwork she did under Brahm Centre's art programmes. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG SINGAPORE – When she lost her beloved chihuahua in 2019, Ms Padmini Naidu suffered from anxiety and depression. Through her engagement in more than forty art courses at Brahm Centre , the co-owner of an IT hardware business has since been able to discover a new sense of purpose and joy. 'I met a lot of great friends with similar interests and got to experience a very fun school life,' said the 52-year-old, who attends up to three or four art lessons a week at the mental health charity's Newton branch. She is among the more than 4,000 seniors who have benefited from the art courses held by Brahm Centre at its five locations across Singapore. On June 5 , Brahm Centre and partner Goldbell Group launched an exhibition at Goldbell Towers in Scotts Road featuring more than 100 artworks done by course participants , including Ms Naidu's Peranakan-inspired watercolour painting . Called An Uplifting Journey, the exhibition runs till June 7 and celebrates the resilience, creativity and emotional growth of seniors who have embraced art as a path to wellness and self-discovery. In her opening speech, Brahm Centre chief executive Angie Chew t alked about the risk of loneliness among older adults as they encounter life events like retirement, health changes, and loss of loved ones. Such transitions can shrink social circles and increase isolation, she said. 'In times of loneliness, art offers not just beauty, but healing and hope,' Ms Chew said , adding that investing in art is a way to reconnect with others and ourselves. Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash , who was guest of honour at the event, underlined the role of art as a unifier, allowing people to celebrate together and keeping seniors active. Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash watching seniors make art on June 5. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How, who was also a guest of honour, attributed Singapore's transformation to the 'sacrifices and dedication' of the Pioneer Generation and emphasised the need to care for them 'in the community and in our families'. He added: 'The Government cannot do this alone. We have to work with partners. And organisations like Brahm Centre are very good partners to support us and our seniors... to age well and be happy.' Another senior who exhibited her works at the show, Ms Desiree Chan, 65, said she had gained 'a very great appreciation for art '. The retiree, who has attended 22 courses at Brahm Centre , added that: 'As we grow older, and there are so many stresses and challenges of our world, art is a wonderful respite.' Ms Desiree Chan, 65, said she had gained 'a very great appreciation for art'. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Three of Ms Chan's works are being showcased: two watercolour paintings depicting sliced peaches and a burger, and a fashion ink cutout of c heongsam designs completed during the Chinese New Year season. Brahm Centre said it has seen the demand for its art courses grow over the years, with 3,700 sign-ups in 2024, up 34 per cent from 2023. The centre offers courses in watercolour painting, pencil sketching, Chinese brush painting and Chinese calligraphy, among others. The courses are subsidised under the SkillsFuture scheme and the National Silver Academy. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
7 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
In-store navigation and personalised recommendations: FairPrice trials smart trolleys in pilot plan to integrate AI, Singapore News
FairPrice Group (FPG) has revealed plans for a large-scale technology overhaul with its Store of Tomorrow programme that aims to revolutionise the retail experience for customers at their supermarket outlets. According to a press release on Tuesday (June 3), FPG has already begun piloting various digital solutions, such as Smart Carts and digital price cards at one of its FairPrice Finest outlets. "The last few years of global disruption have shown that the only certainty in retail is how quickly consumer needs, tastes, and preferences evolve," said Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FPG, adding that FPG aims to trial more than 20 new digital solutions within the next three years. The new initiatives will be launched in FPG's Punggol Digital District FairPrice Finest outlet, set to open in August 2025. They will then be gradually rolled out to FPG's 164 FairPrice supermarkets, and eventually, across the Group's wider network of over 570 touchpoints. Smart Carts Currently piloted at FairPrice Finest Sengkang Grand Mall, Smart Carts are shopping carts with built-in displays that can support customers with in-store navigation and highlight promotions for nearby products. Smart Carts can also provide product recommendations and feature scanners that customers can use to scan and pay for products as they go. To use a Smart Cart, customers will have to scan the Pay/Earn QR code on their FPG App. Customers can then use the Smart Cart's display function to search for specific products, which will yield a map and directions to guide them to the product's location in-store. Shoppers can also use the built-in scanner on the trolley's handlebar to add items to their digital checkout basket. Smart Carts will also have their own designated checkout area, where customers can apply relevant vouchers and make payment through the FPG app. MyInfo integration & biometric payment FPG also aims to streamline the checkout process by integrating the FPG app with the government MyInfo database on citizens and permanent residents. By doing so, customers eligible for discount schemes — CHAS Blue/Orange, Seniors, Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation — will have their discounts applied automatically to their purchases. Eliminating the need for physical card verification simplifies the checkout process and helps reduce time spent by staff on verifying customer details. FPG is also attempting to further enhance the checkout process by implementing biometric payment. By scanning and registering their palm prints to the FPG app, customers will eventually be able to make payment and earn LinkPoints by scanning their palms at checkout counters. Digital price cards Also being piloted at FairPrice Finest Sengkang Grand Mall are digital price cards which remove the need for physical labels and are part of FPG's wider sustainability efforts. At the same time, digital labels automatically update themselves with any changes to pricing or promotions, reducing the need for manual work, allowing staff to focus on other tasks. If successful, FPG will roll out digital price cards across all supermarket touchpoints within the next three years. FPG is also looking to launch other AI-enabled initiatives focused on improving workflow for staff and customers, such as Vision AI which incorporates data analytics. Vision AI "leverages existing in-store CCTV infrastructure and advanced video analytics to provide real-time updates to staff on where support or intervention is required throughout the store", according to the press release. For example, it can detect potential safety hazards such as spills or obstructions to facilitate a safer shopping environment. The queue management feature is also able to monitor and analyse queue wait times, alerting staff when more manpower is needed to manage the high volume of shoppers at checkout. "Through our Store of Tomorrow programme, we want to re-imagine how innovation and technologies like Gen AI and data analytics can make things easier on the wallet and experience for both physical and digital retail formats," said Chawla. [[nid:718264]]
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Forum: Much to be grateful for this election period
Forum: Much to be grateful for this election period T he period from Nomination Day to Polling Day gave us Singaporeans much to think about, more to be thankful for and also some laughs along the way. While Gen Z voters might think differently from Pioneer Generation voters before stamping their X on their ballot paper, it was heartening to know that most Singaporeans voted wisely for credible candidates for the near and distant future. Political parties may engage in 'negative politics' but we should be thankful that it went only as far as 'the pot calling the kettle black' here, and did not sink to the below-the-belt blows and us-versus-them politics seen elsewhere. There are many ways to bring issues up, whether hot-button or bread-and-butter. There are constructive, feasible and pragmatic suggestions to solve these issues, and there are destructive, impractical and fear-mongering ones that are made simply to stir up resentment. Perhaps that is why there were high winning percentages in the 70s and even 80s versus below 1 per cent vote shares, a clear indication that substance matters. It was reassuring that all political parties came out to give a resounding response that Singapore's future is for Singapore and Singaporeans to decide. Foreign entities should not try to drive a wedge into our decades-long striving for racial and religious harmony. It was good to see candidates and their leaders swiftly rejecting the use of derogatory language with racial and sexist innuendos, apologising for insensitivity and condemning ignorance. As the dust settles after this gruelling period, let Singapore and Singaporeans embrace a new hope for our accidental city-state in this crazy, turbulent world, and may wisdom trump ignorance always. Julian Teo Eng Keat More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
26-04-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
NTUC Union and Link members to enjoy 50 cents hot kopi or teh in May, plus ongoing 50% off essentials
SINGAPORE: NTUC Union and Link members will be able to get a hot cup of kopi (coffee) or teh (tea) for just 50 cents throughout May at 70 Kopitiam outlets across Singapore. FairPrice Group announced the promotion on Thursday (Apr 24), in partnership with Kopitiam, as part of its May Day and SG60 campaign this year. To get the 50-cent kopi or teh, members must show their physical silver NTUC Union card or use an e-voucher. Payment has to be made through the FairPrice app at checkout. Members can also get a 50% discount on a new essential item each Thursday for four weeks, in-store and online. However, members can only purchase two units per item per member per day, while stocks last. The first-week deal, which runs from Apr 24 to 27, is for Milo Ready To Drink Tetra Packet Drink 4 × (5s + 1s) 200 ml, now just S$7.80, down from the usual S$15.60. The next three weekly offers will be announced on May 1, May 8, and May 15. To get the discount, members just need to show their physical Link Rewards or NTUC Union card at checkout or pay using the FairPrice app. FairPrice Group said it has committed over S$5 million worth of savings and discounts this year, the largest amount it has committed for its annual May Day campaign. FairPrice also stated that the May Day discounts can be combined with 'FPG's regular weekly discounts for Seniors, Merdeka or Pioneer Generation individuals, and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue or Orange cardholders.' The group said this year's SG60 initiatives also include discounts on its house brand items and return vouchers to supplement the government's Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers . Caryn Lim, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and NTUC May Day Committee Chairperson, said, 'We strongly encourage all members to take full advantage of these discounts throughout the May Day campaign period.' Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FairPrice Group, added, 'Our discounts are a way of giving back, ensuring that all in Singapore can access daily essentials and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.' /TISG Read also: FairPrice to deliver fresh eggs to over 46,000 low-income families, seniors, and migrant workers in 2025 under S$1M Protein Pledge
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
FairPrice rolls out 50 cents coffee at Kopitiam outlets, 50% discounts for members till May 31
To enjoy the discounts, customers will need to show their physical Link Rewards or NTUC Union card at the checkout, or pay via FairPrice Group's app. PHOTO: FAIRPRICE GROUP FairPrice rolls out 50 cents coffee at Kopitiam outlets, 50% discounts for members till May 31 SINGAPORE - NTUC Union members and Link members are set to enjoy savings across FairPrice's Group of supermarkets and selected Kopitiam outlets from April 24 to May 31. The move is to mark the upcoming May Day celebrations, and Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60), as well as to honour all workers in the country, the group said in an April 24 statement. May Day falls on May 1. FairPrice Group said it has committed over $5 million in savings for members in 2025, adding that it is the largest amount committed by the group for its annual May Day campaign. Throughout the campaign period, Singaporeans will be able to stretch their dollars with 50 per cent discounts on daily essentials and deals on staple beverages at selected Kopitiam outlets. 'Customers can further enhance their savings by combining May Day discounts with FairPrice Group's regular weekly discounts for Seniors, Merdeka or Pioneer Generation individuals, and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue or Orange cardholders,' the group said. From April 24, NTUC Union and Link members get 50 per cent discount on a new essential item every Thursday for four weeks, both in store and online. The first week's deal, available from April 24 to 27, will be on the popular Milo Ready To Drink Tetra packet drink (24 x 200ml), at a special price of $7.80, as opposed to its normal price of $15.60. However, it will be limited to two units per item per member per day. To enjoy the discounts, customers will need to show their physical Link Rewards or NTUC Union card at the checkout, or pay via FairPrice Group's app. 'Subsequent May Day deals will be announced on May 1, May 8 and May 15,' the group said. Meanwhile, FairPrice Foundation is partnering Kopitiam to bring back their popular 50 cents hot kopi or teh deal at 70 Kopitiam outlets islandwide from May 1 to 31. To enjoy the deal, customers will need to present their physical silver NTUC Union card or use the e-voucher and make payment via the FairPrice Group's app at checkout. FairPrice Group chief executive Vipul Chawla said the group remained dedicated to its mission of keeping daily essentials within reach for all. 'This May Day, we want to especially recognise the hard work of Singapore's workers and frontliners. Our discounts are a way of giving back, ensuring that all in Singapore can access daily essentials and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives,' he said. NTUC assistant secretary-general and May Day committee chairperson Caryn Lim encouraged members to take full advantage of the discounts as it will help to ease their daily expenses. Since the beginning of 2025, FairPrice Group has launched a series of SG60 initiatives designed to help Singaporeans stretch their dollar. The initiatives include discounts on popular FairPrice Housebrand products, doubling discounts for CHAS Blue and Orange cardholders for the first 60 days of the year, freezing prices on popular produce during the Chinese New Year season, and the introduction of FairPrice Return Vouchers to supplement the government's CDC Vouchers Scheme. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
