They have been perfecting their marching drills since April as part of the 42-strong NTUC contingent for this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) on 9 August 2018 at the Floating Platform.
The participants come from 20 unions and NTUC’s junior membership arm nEbO.
Participants in the Parade
The youngest is 13 while the oldest is 66. There is also a couple who have been taking part since 2006. The participant with the highest number of parades, Ng Hee Seng from the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) is doing it for the 39th time.
First-timer and contingent commander Thuvinder Singh, the general-secretary of the Union of Telecoms Employees of Singapore (UTES), is all praises for his team.
The Youngest Participant
(Caption: Muhammad Raihan is seen on SG Ng's left)
Making his maiden appearance is Muhammad Raihan Muhammad Rafie,13, a secondary two student from Woodgrove Secondary School and a member of nEbO.
He is no stranger to parade drills as he is with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in his school.
“At home, I always watch my videos of what I have been doing and improve on my mistake.
“Previously, I would take longer than four seconds to carry the NTUC flag and put it into position for the marchpast. Now I can do it by four seconds,” shared Muhammad Rafie.
The Marching Couple
(Caption: Johari on SG Ng's right and Siti on his left)
Husband and wife Johari Arwee, 59, and Siti Sadiah, 57, have been members of the NTUC contingent since 2006.
“During the fasting month, we did feel tired but we are able to manage. That is because when we see people who are older than us and who can manage, we ask ourselves why not us too,” explained Madam Siti.
Post-Operations No Sweat
(Caption: K Manoharan in the middle)
K Manoharan, 64, has been participating in the NDP contingent since 2007 except for last year.
Doctors discovered a tumour in one of his kidneys, which was subsequently removed in November 2017.
“I told my doctor that I would like to take part in the NDP marching contingent this year. After a check-up, he gave me the green light to take part. When I march with the contingent each year, I feel very proud to be a Singaporean,” he said.
