For the reason that inaugural Nationwide Day Parade (NDP) in 1966, each ninth of August is well known with a significantly large present in Singapore—bar 2021, when the pandemic meant that the NDP was postponed two weeks from the precise day.
In some ways, the yearly affair, which incorporates aerial shows, army parades, multicultural performances and fireworks, has come to indicate as the primary occasion that the majority Singaporeans count on when celebrating the nation’s birthday.
This 12 months’s NDP is the final time that the present will probably be held at Marina Bay, as it will likely be heading to The Padang in 2023.
After two years of scaled-down reveals on a by-invite-only foundation as a result of Covid-19 pandemic, this 12 months’s parade marks the return of a centralised present that’s open to the general public, with an estimated 25,000 spectators anticipated to refill the Marina Bay floating platform. The Nationwide Training reveals, the place Major 5 pupils across the island are assured an invite to look at a preview of NDP, in addition to the full-scale preview reveals additionally made their respective returns.
Within the lead as much as the August 9 birthday bash, I attended the second—and ultimate—preview present for NDP 2022, and was struck by a way of nostalgia. The final time that I watched the parade dwell was practically 13 years in the past, once I was a Major 5 pupil attending the obligatory Nationwide Training present. Because it seems, experiencing the NDP present dwell via the eyes of an grownup as in comparison with a pre-teen has its variations.
For one, I’ve way more appreciation, albeit much less pleasure, for the NDP packs, given yearly to folks attending the dwell reveals. The funpack for the NDP 2009 present that I beforehand attended was some of the well-liked editions that got here within the type of a messenger bag. So far as I can recall, the one merchandise of curiosity again then have been the momentary tattoos and the snacks.
This 12 months’s NDP pack, which options 22 different designs by folks with disabilities, positively held extra of an curiosity (and usefulness) to grownup me. I liked the foldable fan, which I totally utilised by fanning myself vigorously whereas ready for the present to start out underneath the scorching solar; the hand sanitiser was extremely helpful; and whereas I do miss flipping via the voucher booklet, the e-vouchers accessed by way of a QR code in addition to the boxed NEWater carton are each indications of the small strides towards sustainability.
As an grownup, the whole defence section additionally proved to be extra enthralling. Once I was youthful, the aerial show, for instance, was only a bunch of planes flying round. Very cool, however not very fascinating for an 11-year-old lady who was extra preoccupied with chatting along with her associates and gorging on free snacks from the NDP pack (I used to be a grasping youngster, I do know).
Now, I perceive the influence of the excessive g-force (gravitational pressure equal) that the pilots must undergo (thanks, Prime Gun: Maverick) and positively have much more appreciation for the six F-16 fighter jet pilots as they carry out troublesome manoeuvres. I additionally felt a rush of satisfaction when it was introduced that for the primary time ever, the F-16s will probably be led by a feminine officer, Senior Lieutenant-Colonel (SLTC) Lee Meiyi, the commanding officer of RSAF’s 140 Squadron.
This 12 months’s present additionally consists of dispatching naval divers into the waters of Marina Bay from a helicopter and the primary time that the SAF will stage a hostage rescue demonstration from a “hijacked” public transport bus.
The efficiency section can also be much more immersive as an grownup. Expertise has improved by leaps and bounds over the previous 13 years, and this 12 months’s present, which tells the story of how Singapore battled the pandemic and emerged from it via 5 chapters, was spectacular with its massive display and particular lighting results.
It positively additionally helped that grownup me truly knew who have been key performers, which embody DJ Tinc, singer Aisyah Aziz, and hip-hop artist Shigga Shay, in addition to the hosts radio presenters Joakim Gomez and Sonia Chew, theatre actress Siti Khalijah, and comic Rishi Budhrani.
That’s to not say that all the expertise is totally totally different. Simply as I did once I was youthful, I cheered arduous for the show jumps by the Pink Lions parachute workforce, and I sang my coronary heart out when iconic Nationwide Day songs have been performed. I used to be additionally equally fascinated by the fireworks show that lit up the Marina Bay skyline (though now, I can commemorate the second eternally with my Apple iPhone whereas again then, all I might do was seize the second with my eyes as my Nokia brick telephone was less than customary).
Unusually sufficient, the 2009 NDP present was held when the nation was grappling with the H1N1 pandemic outbreak, whereas the 2022 NDP present will probably be held because the nation is battling the tail-end of the present Covid-19 an infection wave, which has been pushed by the Omicron variant BA.5. One other frequent thread between the 2 reveals that I watched at various ages is the show of the steely power and decided resilience of our small nation.
Whereas attending the NDP present as a pre-teen and as an grownup has its variations, the celebratory environment of the in-person present additionally positively solidifies our nationwide spirit—whether or not younger or previous.
Completely happy 57th birthday, Singapore!
Supply: Her World
