Jubilee welcome for babies born on National Day

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Two families welcomed their newborns at the stroke of midnight on Sunday (Aug 9) as the nation marked 50 years of Independence. PHOTO: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Minister Grace Fu at KK Hospital visiting Ms Angeline Lim, 35, and her jubilee baby boy Ryker Jedd Ng. Ms Lim's husband Mr Ng Ming Jay, 45, is also present. PHOTO: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Pioneer Mrs A. Prasad presented a hand-knitted pair of SG50 booties that she made to the parents. PHOTO: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

SINGAPORE- The nation welcomed the birth of several babies on the stroke of midnight as it turned 50 on Sunday.

It was a pleasant surprise for two couples, who did not expect their babies to share the same birthday as Singapore.

Mr Ng Ming Jay and Ms Angeline Lim said their baby boy Ryker Jedd Ng, who arrived at midnight, had his original due date scheduled for Aug 11.

"We're still in disbelief," said Ms Lim, 35. "It's a very pleasant surprise."

The other Jubilee baby is Low Yu Qing, who was likewise born on the stroke of midnight to proud parents Ms Jeissy Foo and Mr Kelvin Low.

"It was a smooth delivery thanks to our doctor. We didn't expect it to be exactly on 12 midnight," said Mr Low, 35, who works as a private tutor.

Both babies were delivered at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).

To congratulate the families on their bundles of joy, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Grace Fu and Professor Kenneth Kwek,chief executive of KKH, visited the newborns and their families on Sunday to present the SG50 Baby Jubilee Gift and the hospital's commemorative gifts.

Also given out were hand-knitted pairs of SG50 booties made by 78-year-old Mrs A. Prasad in support of the SG50 Baby Jubilee Gift Community Initiative.

Said Mrs Prasad who joined in the visit this morning: "This is the only service I can do as a pioneer for our future generations. They are the future of the world."

Over at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, baby Brandon Nair also arrived at the stroke of midnight on Sunday weighing 3490 grams. His father, Dr Suresh Nair, 56, is a doctor at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Hospital, while mother Maureen Castro, 35, is not working.

Adam Hafiz Bin Azmi was, too, born on the stroke of midnight to Mr Azmi Bin Ahmad, 39, and Ms Lam Phuy Hong Hao, 26. Their baby boy arrived weighing 3398 grams and was delivered at Parkway East Hospital.

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