Even though dark clouds still hangs over the economy, the
National Day Parade celebrations this year will be a good and
meaningful one.
Speaking at the first NDP 2009 media briefing, chairman of the
executive committee Brigadier General Tan Chuan Jin promises it
will still be a solid show for Singaporeans to enjoy.
Saifulbahri Ismail with this report :
It will not be a 'cheap' NDP show that Singapore will see on the
9th of August.
While keeping mum on the cost of this year's parade, BG Tan
indicated that it wouldn't be something down to 'bare bones'.
Still, the committee is aware of the difficult economic
situation and will be prudent and measured in managing costs.
BG Tan underlined that the NDP celebration is another
opportunity to rally Singaporeans in a time of crisis :
"Singapore deserves to have a good and meaningful NDP
celebrations. I think that we should not stop because we have an
economic crisis. It's important for us to ask ourselves, what price
to you attach to your independence, what price do you attach to
your celebrations. This is a celebration for our people, and it's
important that it's meaningful for our people, and that's something
we're commited to doing."
To make the celebrations more meaningful, the theme for this
year's NDP 'Come Together - Reaching Out, Reaching Up' revolves
around the Pledge.
It's a testimony of the spirit and character of all
Singaporeans.
According to BG Tan, the focal point of the celebration will be
the Pledge Moment :
"For all Singaporeans at that point on national day itself,
after the parade and show winds down to a close, at that point when
we take our pledge, I think it can be quite a special and magical
moment for us to do that."
For the first time, the NDP committee is also looking at
revamping the parade and show format.
Without letting the cat out of the bag, here's what BG Tan said
the public can expect :
"This year the show and parade is integrated as one show, where
the show will actually commence and then the parade will come in
and then the rest of it will unfold. The presidential gun salute
also, I won't talk about how it's going to be done, but it's
definitely in a way which has never been done before and I think
that will be quite impressive."
The NDP Parade and show will also start an hour later at 6 pm,
so that more lighting effects can be used.
Also, the committee will be using the new media in a big
way.
The NDP website was launched today, where the public can
register online to customise their own NDP Homepage.
It will also use other platforms such as Facebook, Flickr and
YouTube.
--938Live
