Stirring and Galvanising a nation

The formal ceremony began when the Singapore flag was borne by a march-in party comprising students from Peicai Secondary School. The military band, also from Peicai ,got ready and from the conductor's signal played the marching tune. As soon as I heard the first few notes..I recognised this song or rather anthem immediately. Unk Dicko and those of my generation have sung this anthem as school boys when Singapore was still a British colony...in the 1950's.
The anthem is "Land of Hope and Glory", a very majestic, truly uplifting and stirring tune...compared to the more staid " God Save The Queen".
As everyone present stood up in readiness for the flag raising, I took a side glance at my grand kids to see how they were reacting to all this pomp and pageant before them. They looked serious! Kids often mirror adults, I guess.

As the band continued to play, I was thinking aloud whether the members of the band knew the history and great significance of this anthem. Later, during the " makan" time, I asked a number of the grassroot leaders who were in their 40's and early 50's if they were aware what tune was played by the band. None had the answer! I recounted briefly the history of this anthem and how unk Dicko used to sing it. Till this day...I still know the lyrics by heart!
But after the event was over, it got me thinking very hard. How come Singapore does not have such stirring and majestic anthems since we are already 44 years old?
Yes, we have our NDP songs...and they are lovely to sing along to. But those are of a different genre, more like jingles.
And our Majullah Singapura is very good and proper as the National anthem for serious, official functions.


I was thinking along the lines of an anthem such as mentioned," Land of Hope and Glory". Surely in our midst there must be some talent who can create stirring tunes such as that...for Singapore.
Every single occasion that I heard this majestic tune played, my mind goes back in time...images filled with power and glory and majesty of the once mighty British Empire.
I hope our government and other agencies can develop this idea further.
We definitely need more than the usual NDP songs to stir and galvanise a nation of people.

44th National Day Observance Ceremony

On the morning of Sunday 9 August 2009...my Serangoon kampong had a very meaningful ceremony right in the heartlands. Last year, we had it at the Serangoon North area and ended at the CC.
However, the site for this year's ceremony was in a beautiful park that had a small outdoor forum. With the shade of the surrounding trees and the pavillions set up...the stage was set for a carnival-like atmosphere.
Doting grandma D2 and I decided we will bring our 3 older grandchildren along to experience for themselves what such a special day felt like...as citizens of Singapore.


They had to wake up earlier than usual, dressed up in striking red outfits, have their breakfast before we ventured out.
There were easily more than a thousand people at the venue, most are residents of Kampong Serangoon.
The morning's programme began with a short, leisurely walk ending at the forum where goodie bags were issued to all participants.
Minister in the PMO and MP for Serangoon Gardens, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua and her grassroot leaders were in attendance.


Photo:
D2, Minister Lim Hwee Hua, J, Y, T and family maid A, unk Dicko.

The background looks empty as everyone went to collect their goodie bags. Soon, the stands will be filled to the brim when the next part of the ceremony began....the march-in of the National flag and hoisting the flag, followed by the National Anthem and the taking of the Pledge.

A sea of red was what I saw around me...to my left, right and all around. We Singaporeans may be shy socially or in public...but not on a day which was our nation's 44th birthday. In many homes all over the island, our citizens proudly display the S'pore flag. This is all good and proper. It helps to create a common sense of togetherness, of identity, of oneness as a people regardless of race, language or religion. ( Does that sound familiar? You bet! )
More about the history of that in my next post!