Bells and whistles at NDP 09

[metalslug]

Not again...-_-

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_370577.html

Bells and whistles at NDP
S'pore deserves a good and meaningful birthday bash despite recession: Organiser
By Jermyn Chow

SINGAPORE may be going through its deepest recession yet, but its birthday bash will be no 'cheap show'.

To reporters during a media briefing at the floating platform at Marina Bay, Brigadier-General Tan Chuan-Jin, chairman of this year's organising committee, said costs would be managed, but that 'the bells and whistles will still be there'.

The 44th National Day Parade will be orchestrated by his team - the army's Third Division - to the theme of 'Come Together, Reaching Out, Reaching Up'.

They are managing costs by recycling some props and even trimming the size of the stage.

He said: 'Singapore deserves to have a good and meaningful National Day celebration and should not stop because of the economic crisis.'

They are also trying to engage Singapore's different and diverse communities online to generate hype leading up to the Marina Bay celebrations on Aug 9, by using new media such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

Facebook group, NDPeeps, created by the organisers on April 7, has more than 3,400 members. And the official NDP website, www.ndp.org.sg, launched yesterday, will contain microsites and online forums to get people to post their views.

Organisers are hoping to solicit views and reflections about National Day, in line with this year's parade theme.

'Every voice matters and we are going out in a big way to get everyone to play their part to make the celebrations meaningful,' said BG Tan.

His goal is to get Singaporeans to remember how far the nation has come since its independence in 1965.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.

 

[ahleebabasingaporethief]

BELLS are to be hung around S'poreans' necks just like dogs.

WHISTLES are for them to bring S'poreans to OBEY when they blow them.

Don't you get the message?

They are taunting Singaporeans.

 

[annexa]

KNN. What CUM together?! Where is AWARE and Tio?! Faster cum! Some people spreading ungracious message to entire nation!

 

[metalslug]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/425744/1/.html

No letting up in 2009 N-Day celebrations despite downturn
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 April 2009 1623 hrs

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No letting up in 2009 N-Day celebrations despite downturn


SINGAPORE: Despite the economic downturn, there will be no letting up in this year's National Day celebrations. But at the same time, organisers want Singaporeans to not only focus on an exciting and spectacular National Day Parade but reflect on the country's nationhood.

As such, Singapore's National Pledge will be an anchor idea in this year's celebrations. Organisers also said they would be making contingency plans in case the swine flu situation worsens.

The Black Knights wowed the nation during their aerial display during last year's National Day Parade (NDP) and although they will not be making an appearance this year, organisers said audiences will not be disappointed as there is a slew of exciting performances lined up for them.

This year's parade, which will be held at the floating platform at Marina Bay, will be pushed back by an hour and will offer a more compact show.

Brigadier-General (BG) Tan Chuan-Jin, chairman of exco, National Day Parade Committee, said: "In the past, we have a pre-parade, a parade and then the show starts. But this year, the show and the parade are all integrated in one show."

This year's celebrations – themed "Come Together, Reaching Out, Reaching Up" – will draw inspiration from The Pledge. As such, performances will focus on coming together as "one united people" to reach out to all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion.

BG Tan said: "I think it's an important opportunity for us to rally our people as well - not so much from a perspective of just coming to watch the show, but it's a journey for us to sit back and ask ourselves as a nation, as a people, as we struggle with adversity both personal and at the national level, how do we respond.

"I think for some of us who have been involved - whether through crisis or during the course of the tsunami - look at how Singaporeans responded, the depth of their spirit and the generosity of the way they approach everything. I think it goes to show that Singaporeans are a lot more resilient than sometimes we give ourselves credit for."

"Reaching out" also means raising awareness for less privileged Singaporeans who will be involved in the parade itself. For example, various groups will be helping to pack the NDP fun packs and will personalise them with their own greetings.

Organisers said it is mindful of the economic downturn and that the budget for this year's celebrations is "prudent".

BG Tan said: "There are a lot of different ways that we can manage it. I think recycling is one example. We have some initiatives which we will talk about on another occasion, to bring in some of the recycling efforts.

"We are also looking at managing some of the props we are using - how we can minimise in a more measured manner, how to reuse, how to make some of the props. So there are a lot of little things that we can do."

This year, new media will also be used to involve more Singaporeans. Besides the NDP official website, the event is also making its presence felt through Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.


- CNA/so