1 Singapore, 9 August 2011 – The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) marked National Day in its 50th year as a Labour Movement with a tribute to the spirit of working people in Singapore. As an extension of National Day Parade (NDP) 2011’s theme, Majulah! The Singapore Spirit, the theme for Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day 2011 is Majulah! U & Me. The theme signifies the indefatigable spirit of the working people in Singapore as they stand, united as one – in the unshakeable bond the Labour Movement has built with each individual, membership community and tripartite partners – behind the growth and development of Singapore.
Tribute to Singapore and the Spirit of her working people
2 A 13,000-strong crowd of all collars, ages and nationalities converged at the Padang today, joining in a celebration that mirrors the Labour Movement’s support for the country with a programme synchronised with NDP 2011. The line-up featured an exciting blend of pre-parade activities and signature events with ‘live’ screenings from NDP 2011.
3 The highlight of the day was when Young NTUC broke its own Singapore record for the largest depiction of the Singapore flag with a 13-000 strong flag this year – its previous record, set in 2008, was 11,500. The flag was formed through the efforts of all the celebrants at the Padang. Mingling in the crowd were familiar faces: Ong Ye Kung, Deputy Secretary-General for NTUC and Mentor for Young NTUC, Patrick Tay, Director for PMEs for NTUC, as well as 30 Team Singapore athletes including Rainer Ng (swimming), Cherie Tan (bowling) and Lim Heem Wei (gymnastics).
4 “Our stakeholders – individual workers, membership communities and tripartite partners – have once again joined hands and achieved something phenomenal. The new record represents our commitment to stand united behind Singapore, and support our country to rise to greater heights,” said Steve Tan, Executive Secretary, Young NTUC, who led his fifth Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day event today.
5 In honour of the spirit of the working people in Singapore, a candle-lighting ceremony was held during the pledge moment. The strength of the 13,000-strong flame shone a beacon of hope to the night sky. The kinship among the candle-holders was keenly felt as they shared the flame, and took care to rekindle the flame of those around them when their candles went out. The spirit of the working people in Singapore is similarly inextinguishable, and the symbolism of the moment, in representing the commitment of the working people to rally behind Singapore in unity and strength, was clear.
6 NTUC is organising a range of activities this month to celebrate the nation’s 46th birthday. A series of 21 cluster-based, theme-based, and company-based National Day Observance Ceremonies, which kicked off on 4 August, will be conducted. NTUC also pledged its commitment to the Singapore spirit and to fly the nation’s flag with pride through its marching contingent’s participation in NDP 2011 today.
