By Fawwaz Baktee and Shukry Rashid
While our sunny island bristles in anticipation of our nation’s 51st Birthday, a contingent of our very own union leaders and representatives has been putting their best foot forward – all in the name of Singapore. We capture their toil and sweat, but also moments of pure joy and happiness in the ensuing spread.
#LMByUrSide #NDP2016
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Since day one, the NTUC contingent has had a faithful presence with them as they go about their drills and training. He’s no other than Chief Trainer 1WO A.S Nagaratnam from the Singapore Armed Forces!
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It’s the attention to details here that matter. Hands at side; flag flying high. Precision is the name of our game…
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With training taking up almost half a day each session, one can imagine the blistering heat conditions our contingent braves each week. Thankfully, they’re given appropriate and sufficient breaks to re-hydrate.
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It’s not all marching and drills over here. The contingent bonds over the occasional break and shared laughs.
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But don’t be mistaken. All smiles and laughs give way to fierce determination and utmost concentration on the square at Nee Soon camp.
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Meet Evlyn Chan, who at 28 years of age, is one of the youngest deputy contingent commanders NTUC has ever had. When asked on why she decided to participate,
she says: “I volunteered to be part of the parade as I believe everyone should dedicate their time to participate at least once in their lifetime and I am proud to be a Singaporean.” -
62-year-old Kalimuthu Manoharan, a member of the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees is fondly known as one of the veterans of the NTUC contingent. After all, this is his 9th time participating and marching for our nation!
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Cutting sharp angles at the edges, the NTUC Contingent is picture proof of hours and hours of practice.
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This year, the NTUC contingent will be led by Mr Yeo Chun Fing, who is both NTUC Assistant Secretary for Financial Affairs and General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees.
Of the experience so far, he says: “I’m a little rusty with the foot drills, but it’s a skill that, once you have, can be brushed up on quite quickly. The trainers have been very helpful in fine tuning our marching.
I believe when the actual day comes, we will all be ready.”