50 YEARS OF NDP

Geared up and ready to roll

A contingent bearing a model of the MRT, a symbol of progress, at the parade in 1985. The massive transport project, green-lighted by the Government in 1982 after years of study, began operations in November 1987. Above: A vintage Austin 7 chugging p
A vintage Austin 7 chugging past a stand packed with spectators at the Ang Mo Kio parade centre in 1983. ST PHOTO: SIMON KER
A contingent bearing a model of the MRT, a symbol of progress, at the parade in 1985. The massive transport project, green-lighted by the Government in 1982 after years of study, began operations in November 1987. Above: A vintage Austin 7 chugging p
Early birds perching on bollards along Kallang Road while waiting for the parade contingents to come around in 1985. ST PHOTO: DAVID TAN
A contingent bearing a model of the MRT, a symbol of progress, at the parade in 1985. The massive transport project, green-lighted by the Government in 1982 after years of study, began operations in November 1987. Above: A vintage Austin 7 chugging p
A contingent bearing a model of the MRT, a symbol of progress, at the parade in 1985. The massive transport project, green-lighted by the Government in 1982 after years of study, began operations in November 1987. ST PHOTO: STEVEN LEE
Members of the MacPherson Community Centre acrobatic troupe at Victoria School in 1983, the year of the last decentralised parade. ST PHOTO: YAP YEW PIANG
Parade-goers creating a wave of orange and green at the National Stadium in 1989. The outsized PVC gloves were worn by everyone, from toddlers to Cabinet ministers, and symbolised the link between the nation and its people. The giant hands were conceived by the SAF and sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSO CHAN
Waving a mini-flag, 10-month-old Giam Seow Hooi awaited the passage of colourful floats at the People’s Association in Kallang in 1985. Her father had wheeled her all the way from their Beach Road home in her stroller to catch the procession as it emerged from the National Stadium. ST PHOTO: JACKIE HO
Clockwise from left: The Republic of Singapore Air Force drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd in Guillemard Road in 1985; 200 men from the Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association forming a five-level human tower at Jalan Besar Stadium in 1981; a child cheekily playing with the headgear of a member of a Chinese cultural troupe before the performance at Jurong Stadium in 1983; 10 pint-sized trishaws were specially made for children at the National Day carnival, but four-year-old Melvin Lee preferred the passenger seat, leaving his dad Simon Lee to pedal the mini-bike around the practice track at the National Stadium in 1987. ST PHOTOS: NGHAI CHEE WAH, CHRISTOPHER LOH, MICHAEL LIEW, YAP YEW PIANG
Updated
Aug 09, 2016, 05:00 AM
Published
Aug 09, 2016, 05:00 AM

The 1980s were a time of big changes and technological advancements. The achievements were reflected at the NDP.

No goodie bags back then

I was an accounts assistant and was part of the DBS Bank marching contingent in the 1983 decentralised NDP celebration in Toa Payoh. It was held in the morning. I was 30 years old, and that will probably be the only parade I take part in.

We practised in Dempsey Road with army personnel. During that time we just enjoyed the experience and opportunity to celebrate the nation's birthday. NDP goodie bags were unheard of at the time.

  • MADAM RAMLAH IDROS, 63

  • ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

    • Retiree

    • NDP 1983: Participant with the DBS Bank contingent in Toa Payoh.

Our contingent wore red T-shirts. The women wore grey skirts and the men wore grey pants. Also, the women carried yellow orchids and waved the flowers at the VIP stand before marching onto the streets with the crowd cheering.

MADAM RAMLAH IDROS, a retiree, who marched in the NDP in 1983 with the contingent from DBS Bank.

A lost child in tears as a police officer tried to comfort him during the 1985 parade at the National Stadium. With a 60,000-strong crowd, reuniting lost children with their families was a major challenge. ST PHOTO: MAZLAN BADRON

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 09, 2016, with the headline Geared up and ready to roll. Subscribe

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