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NDP 2008 Marching Contingent Rehearsals – Dynamism and Diversity
- by Kelvin Yang
Numerous organisations, infectious enthusiasm, youthful dynamism. Forget the cliché that parades are associated with rigidity. Sure enough, discipline was omnipresent, but from the sights and sounds at Bedok Camp on the 24th of May 2008, the parade segment of NDP 2008 is much more than mere discipline. It was the turn of the Marching Contingent to rehearse, and the scene was nothing short of impressive.
Under the hot sun, representatives of many organisations, from the three services of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to the Police, from school uniform groups to the People’s Action Party (PAP), lined up in formations, periodically moving in between commands to form various positions.
Indeed, there was an element of mobility present throughout the rehearsals that added a human touch to the discipline shown. Various groups of uniformed personnel waited in the stands for their turn, watching the people on the field march to the commands given. It was truly the Singapore Spirit at work, dynamism and diversity showing amidst the unity.
Pride though, is the word for 3SG Vimal, from the Changi Air Base of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). 3SG Vimal says, “There is a feeling of pride as we get to pay compliments to the President and also see him upfront.” And this feeling of pride is intricately linked with the idea of home. For him, the Singapore Spirit is “a sense of belonging”. “Show how much we care”, 3SG Vimal adds with a smile.
As for CPL Joseph Ng, from the 27th Batch of the Naval Diving Unit (NDU), the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), honour is on his mind. “It is an honour to represent my unit and work together with a lot of other units. The country looks on as we stand, and this reminds us of whom we train so hard to protect.” CPL Joseph says. The Singapore Spirit means “respecting every individual, and feeling that everyone has a value to society” to him. Not just in words, but in actions too. CPL Joseph raises examples such as the Yellow Ribbon Project and how the “different age groups” at NDP are well-represented and well-appreciated.
LCP Ang Hui Xue, who has, in his own words, lived overseas almost all his life (he has lived in Shanghai and Hong Kong since he was 4), feels the “patriotism” at work. LCP Ang is from the Combat Support Services Command (CSSCOM) of the Republic of Singapore Army. Having “never gotten the chance to feel this patriotism overseas”, he now feels “a sense of belonging and what it’s like to be Singaporean”. To him, this is a “sense of culture” and how “Singaporeans come together, putting their differences aside”.
SGT Rosdayana, from the National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) of Pei Hwa Secondary School, feels it’s the honour too. “A once in a lifetime experience. Not many people are given the chance!” SGT Rosdayana says, beaming with a smile. “With all Singaporeans working together, I hope that the country prospers and rises to greater heights!”
Looking at the energy present in their eyes, the mind of the author inevitably shifted to the future, clearly as bright as the midday sun up in the sky. “Wealthier”, 3SG Vimal says, epitomising his hopes for Singapore in a single word. CPL Joseph looks at things from a more humanitarian perspective. He hopes that “Singapore brings its values of peace and progress to the world, becoming a main contributor in solving problems like poverty and disease.” LCP Ang’s dreams for Singapore appear to strike a balance between the two. “May Singapore continue to prosper and to help the world, despite its size.” SGT Rosdayana is equally succinct. “A model for other countries”, she says.
As these four enthusiastic participants posed for a shot by the cameras, the author’s eye turned to the field once again. Perhaps there is a marching contingent participant in every one of us – we can surely identify with the discipline required. No less inspiring is the dynamism and diversity shown in the eyes of the participants. The human touch was clearly at work that day. In that, the performance of the Marching Contingent plays its part in celebrating the Singapore Spirit.