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Jermyn Chow
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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.
He also unveiled other details of the Aug 9 party: It will contain 10 segments inspired by lines of the national pledge.
During the parade itself, military contingents will march down City Hall to allow the 150,000 to 200,000 people expected to gather around Marina Bay and the Esplanade to glimpse the action.
Also, the traditional military parade which usually takes place before dusk will begin an hour later and be incorporated into the light and sound show.
The night show, quipped BG Tan, 'will be cooler'.
For thrill seekers, the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team will make a comeback, with its tanks and defence vehicles set to roll down the floating platform to the shrieks of onlookers.
But even outside the parade grounds and before the action begins, BG Tan and his team will be working with the National Council of Social Service to rope in the disabled and less privileged to pack this year's goodie bags, among other things.
After all, he said: 'This is an important occasion to rally people.'
