Singaporeans at the heart of this year’s NDP

SINGAPORE — Getting students to train with the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) Red Lions parachute team for a day and bringing back crowd favourites such as Stand Up For Singapore are among the initiatives aimed at getting Singaporeans to take an active part in this year’s National Day Parade (NDP). They also aim to raise the parade’s “emotional core” as the nation celebrates its 49th birthday in August.

“This year, we will make a difference in our NDP by aiming to have our people actively participate in the celebrations. And, importantly, working together to inspire our children,” said Colonel Wong Yu Han, chairman of the NDP 2014 Executive Committee, yesterday.

With Our People, Our Home as the theme of this year’s parade, activities in the run-up to the big day include outreach programmes for children, a pre-parade carnival with games and entertainment and making available small Singapore flags for vehicles.

Instead of a new theme song, NDP 2014 will be ringing with familiar tunes such as Home and Stand Up For Singapore.

And for the first time, under the Junior Red Lions initiative, 18 selected Primary Four and Five students will train with the SAF’s Red Lions for one day at the iFly Singapore and join the parachuting team on stage at the parade on Aug 9.

Col Wong said this year’s theme was inspired by the spirit of the people, past and present, who have built Singapore as a nation. “We want to celebrate the can-do attitude and caring spirit that hold us together and make Singapore our home,” he said.

To be held at The Float@Marina Bay, the parade and ceremony segment will feature traditional items, such as the 21-gun salute and feu de joie. The largest number of non-uniformed contingents — between 12 and 14 — is also set to appear.

The parade will also feature a Heartbeats segment that recognises Singaporeans who have helped to build the nation.

The show segment, directed by Mr Dick Lee, will focus on the everyday challenges and opportunities that Singapore faces.

“We have the platform and we have the spaces to celebrate, but the emotional core of the NDP will depend on you and I co-creating and celebration. So, this year, our exco would like our people to walk together in our celebration,” said Col Wong.