NDP 2024 to mark 40 years of total defence with warfighting demonstration between the Padang and Marina Bay (2024)

SINGAPORE: This year’s National Day Parade (NDP) will feature a warfighting demonstration between the Padang and Marina Bay to commemorate 40 years of total defence, Singapore’s national defence concept.

The inaugural segment will showcase how the community and government respond to various scenarios such as air and maritime threats as well as civil emergencies and disruptions, the NDP executive committee said on Thursday (May 23).

NDP 2024 will also feature an Onward March at the Padang for the first time, where marching contingents will march onto the spectator stand.

Spectators can also look forward to an immersive 360-degree experience with enhanced multimedia and fireworks effects, the exco said in a news release.

Crowd favourites such as the Red Lions, state flag flypast and presidential gun salute will continue to be part of the NDP and will be broadcast live on television and internet platforms.

Last year's National Day parade was also held at the Padang, the first time since 2020. The Padang was the venue for Singapore's first NDP in 1966. It has also hosted the NDP in years with milestone celebrations, such as SG50 in 2015 and Singapore's bicentennial in 2019.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, exco chairman Brigadier-General (BG) Wilson Low said organisers are expecting 27,000 people at the Padang, similar to previous years.

But there could be a 15 to 20 per cent increase in the number of people gathering at Marina Baydue to activities such as the coordinated warfighting demonstration, he added.

There will be one more National Education show, bringing the total to four, to accommodate theSecondary 3 students who were unable to catch the National Education showwhen they were in Primary 5 due toCOVID-19 restrictions.

Those who will be in Secondary 3 next year will similarly be invited to the National Education Show in 2025.

"TOGETHER, AS ONE UNITED PEOPLE"

The theme for this year’s NDP is "Together, As One United People", which highlights the "collective strength" of Singaporeans and emphasises the importance of every citizen rallying together to shape Singapore’s future and uplift those around them, said the exco.

BG Wilson Lowsaid: "For this year, our theme of 'Together, As One United People' calls upon Singaporeans from all walks of life to come together, to express their love for Singapore, to celebrate the progress of our nation and importantly to show care and concern for others around them."

The logo for NDP 2024 is a play on "SG" and "59" to symbolise Singapore and the country’s 59 years of independence.

The logo also features five stars representing Singapore’s ideal of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality, as well as six ascending strokes to symbolise the pillars of Total Defence -military, civil, economic, social,psychological and digital defence.

The exco added that NDP 2024 continues to build on previous NDP community outreach efforts to promote volunteerism and inclusivity among Singaporeans through campaigns such as #TogetherAsOneSG and #GiveAsOneSG campaigns.

#TogetherAsOneSG aims to encourage Singaporeans to come together to celebrate the nation’s birthday. Meanwhile, #GiveAsOneSG seeks to raise awareness of volunteering and encourage participation in meaningful activities to give back to society.

HOMAGE TO PAST NDP SONGS

This year's theme song, Not Alone, pays homage to past NDP songs by incorporating familiar lyrics which evoke nostalgia and rekindle Singaporeans’ connection to "patriotic sentiments", said the exco.

It added: "The song's progression into an uplifting second half aims to foster a sense of belonging among Singaporeans, transcending barriers and instilling a familial bond."

The song is composed and performed by singer-songwriter Benjamin Kheng, who is in the Singapore band The Sam Willows.

Kheng said on Thursday that the prospect of writing the National Day song is "very exciting and slightly terrifying" for every musician and writer.

"We put all our hopes, our dreams, our feelings about our country into one song that has to work for everyone ... from your primary school boy to your 'kopitiam' aunty. Everyone has to know it and sing it."

He added that the references to past NDP songs were deliberate. "I really wanted to connect Singaporeans back to the meaning and the feeling of these beautiful lyrics that we hear every single year," Kheng added.

"Reflecting the title of the song, Not Alone, the music video celebrates our strong bonds, depicting Singaporeans working, playing, learning, and living together," the exco added.