An SAF static display at the heartland celebrations in Buona Vista. - Photo: ST
SINGAPORE: National Day celebrations continued in the heartland on Saturday (Aug 10), with over 160,000 residents across five districts treated to activity booths, live performances and fireworks displays.
The celebrations kicked off at 4pm, with each district having its own unique theme and featuring static displays of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force vehicles.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrived at the Central district celebrations in Bishan at around 7.25pm to loud cheers.
Also at the event were Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah.
They were accompanied by MPs from group representation constituencies in the central area. The crowd, which had gathered at the open field opposite Bishan Circle Line MRT station, surged towards them, eager for wefies and to shake their hands.
Greeting residents in both English and Mandarin, SM Lee said: “We’ve come a very long way since 1965. Singapore has changed, people have changed, two younger generations have grown up.
“Now, we are in a country that is safe, secure, prosperous, stable and united, and as long as we remain that way, Singapore will continue to progress and do well.
“Continue to make Singapore something special, the little red dot shining away for many years to come.”
Alex Wong, 43, had travelled from Lavender to enjoy the festivities with his wife, Shirley Tan, 41, and their two daughters, aged 11 and eight.
“It’s so crowded, but it’s such a happy atmosphere,” said Tan, an administrative executive.
“I’m happy to bring my girls here for them to enjoy the activities, and to see everyone in the community celebrate National Day together.”
She said her family feels most connected to Singapore at events like these.
Ganga Nirmal Kumar, 40, who was there with her husband and two daughters, said she felt proud to be a Singaporean.
“We have really come a long way,” she added. “I am happy to have my daughters grow up here, because despite challenges, this is home.”
Institute of Technical Education student Aisy Ukail was beaming as he soaked in the atmosphere with his parents and older brother, as well as other Singaporeans.
“Everyone here could have celebrated National Day alone or in their own way, but they chose to come here and celebrate together,” said the 19-year-old. “I think that is special.”
The heartland celebrations, organised by the People’s Association in partnership with the National Day Parade (NDP) executive committee, took place at four other locations across the island.
They were held in the areas next to Waterway Point in Punggol (north-east district), next to the FutsalArena @ Yishun (north-west district), next to Paya Lebar Quarter 1 (south-east district), and next to Buona Vista MRT station (south-west district).
In Buona Vista, many families made a beeline for the carnival rides and games, while others opted to try their hand at painting bear keychains and making clay art.
Keisha Xaviera, 34, and her family were attending their first NDP celebrations.
Originally from Indonesia, the supply chain planner said she hoped such events would let her children, aged three and five, learn about the different cultures in Singapore, and also those in Indonesia.
Her husband and children are Singaporeans.
The permanent resident said she wants her children to celebrate both countries’ national days, adding that such celebrations are “good for families”.
Saroja Kunarappan, 58, said the heartland event was a good alternative to watching the actual NDP show, as her five-year-old grandnephew got to enjoy the games and rides at the carnival.
Sim Ling Fong, 43, his wife, and two children were excited to get up close to the SAF vehicles.
He said it was “meaningful” for his 10-year-old son En Jun, as the boy can better understand what he will be experiencing during national service.
En Jun took a liking to the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Spyder air defence system as it can launch missiles.
At the event, attendees visited a booth where they wrote wishes for Singapore’s Olympics athletes.
They also spent time at another set up by Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School West, where residents experienced the learning aids commonly used by people with cerebral palsy.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong joined the celebrations in Buona Vista in the evening, together with Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu, National Development Minister Desmond Lee, and 14 other political leaders.
Welcomed by cheers and the crowd requesting to take wefies with him, DPM Gan toured the activity booths and chatted with residents for close to an hour, stopping to take photos with families on the SAF vehicles.
Addressing residents, he said the journey of nation-building over the past 59 years has been a long one, but Singapore is not done nation-building yet.
He added: “Once we stay together as one united people, we can overcome all challenges, and create new miracles for Singapore and Singaporeans.”
As the night drew to a close, fireworks lit up the five districts as a final cheer for this year’s National Day celebrations. - The Straits Times/ANN
