Should National Day celebration be community based?

qpicanto SG

In communities across the island, Singaporeans will celebrate from the streets to parks and backyards to commemorate independent day , there will fireworks in every major town centres, to honour our people, heritage, diversity and freedom.

Since it is not a political event , political party members might want to attend the NDP not wearing their party uniform. It helps greatly in separating the party from the State.

Parade should be community based, voluntary participation should be greatly encouraged.

This could be the Singapore many want to see.

robertteh SG

When does a people become a community or a nation ?

Does a people become a community or nation when its government only pay their own ministers and MPs super-scale salaries benchmarked to a few lucky CEOs in the private sector when the majority (80%) of citizens are struggling to make ends meet with dropping wages, ever rising taxes and profiteering by all the GLCs and the doors are thrown wide open to all foreign talents and a system of taxing the highest direct and indirect taxes in the world.

Rock^Star SG

I agree with the seperation of politics from the celebration but not the military display.

The military display is a show of our strength. If any of our neighbours think they can muscle us into submission, they had better think twice.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Hmm... fireworks... I would prefer it to be at a few locations, rather than at major town centres. The feelings are not as great when they are all over Singapore.

I remembered when I volunteered for NDP 2005, there are fireworks at a few locations, and man, the feeling was high. All people gathered, doing the Kallang wave together, despite not being near together...

Same for 2006, although it's a tad squeezier than other years...

This is what I called real happiness, without care of status.

In various locations, some RCs and CCs do hold their own celebrations. Feelings wise, not as happy as in the parade, but still felt good enough.

qpicanto SG

In Israeli Independence Day is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a webpage dedicated to the celebration and a brief history of Statehood.

".... The ceremony is held under the auspices of the speaker of the Knesset and begins with the recital of the Yizkor Remembrance prayer, in memory of the fallen of the Israel Defense Forces. Torches are then lit by 12 citizens from all walks of life in Israel, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The torchbearers are chosen to represent phases in the nations struggle for statehood and survival. This is followed by the raising of the national flag; a speech by the speaker of the Knesset; the ceremonial handing-over of the standards of the IDF and a march-past; presentations by dance groups; the singing of Hatikvah, the national anthem; and fireworks...

.Army bases are opened to the public; IDF museums provide special shows free of charge; and air force fly-bys, as well as naval displays, take place.Many citizens tour the countryside, traveling to battlefields of the War of Independence, visiting memorials to the fallen, going on nature hikes and, in general, spending the day outdoors picnicking and preparing barbecues "

Rock^Star SG

Alright, you are saying?

qpicanto SG

NSmen be given a day off Laughing

LazerLordz SG

I would like to see our government attend the celebrations WITHOUT party affiliation too. It should be a national event, not a time to dick around and wear party colours.

Singapore is far bigger than the PAP. Never forget that.

Ito_^ SG

Laughing the day it happens, singapore will snow.

Rock^Star SG

It's already a holiday on Aug 9. Laughing Unless you want another one.

LazerLordz SG

those lazy buggers. Laughing

qpicanto SG

Citizens/NSmen could be freed from duties, so they go back and watch the fireworks with their families. Laughing

qpicanto SG

Anyway, military strength can exhibited in more than one way, nothing more effective than a Youtube video these days.

Xtrider SG

i believe people are more interest in getting more holiday...

maybe extend by 7 X 7 = 49 days Laughing

qpicanto SG

wa choi ! Laughing

qpicanto SG

RC,CC ? Rolling Eyes

robertteh SG

Snow ! Rolling Eyes

ndmmxiaomayi SG

RC - Residential Committee

CC - Community Centre

And the question is?

qpicanto SG

So what is the difference between its participation (a corporate member) and that of individual member of the political party attending the NDP in party colour?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Yeah... you are right...

But I attended it not because it's part of PAP, it's because I belong to Singapore.

It doesn't matter what colours are worn, I know where my heart belongs.