Happy 50th Birthday, Singapore!

Singapore has just ended her birthday celebrations with much fanfare but it was no birthday like any other for it is her 50th - her Golden Jubilee birthday. Fifty years since our separation from Malaysia, our progress is evident for all to see.

It was no mean feat though, as our forefathers paved the way for us - their future generations - with sweat, blood and tears. 

It was a big blow to us then, when we were chased out of the door with nothing to our names and had to fend for ourselves. But one very brave man took charge and lead us to a brighter future. He is Mr Lee Kuan Yew.


This year's National Day Parade evoked many memories for Singaporeans. It was very meaningful that the parade was held at the Padang, the very same place where our first National Day Parade was held. We were reminded of the many challenges Singapore faced when we first became independent and how Singaporeans overcame these challenges together to get to where we are today. We built a beautiful country where people of diverse beliefs and cultures live, work and play together.

Alhough the parade is over, the celebration of our nation's progress and unity continues. We must not be complacent and take any of this for granted. We must continue to work hard at building our ties and relations with one another so that Singapore will thrive as a nation in the next 50 years and beyond.

This is the first year that Mr Lee is absent from our National Day Parade thus before the parade begins, a moving tribute dedicated to the man is in order.