Seniors share stories as part of project focusing on nation's founding generation

On the morning of Aug 9, 1965, Mr Dileep Nair was with his family at his aunt's home, a day after her wedding.

- Ng Keng Gene

That day, at 10am, the proclamation of Singapore's independence was announced on the radio, bringing to an end a turbulent union with Malaysia, and resulting in the birth of a new nation.

Later that day, Mr Nair—then 15—watched with his family as founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew broke down during a televised press conference where he addressed Singapore's separation from Malaysia.

Mr Nair, 75, said the telecast was paused for some time after Mr Lee broke down.

He said: "It was a very significant thing at that point in time, but maybe the import was more on the older generations. (They wondered) whether job security was going to be there, whether there was going to be food on the table, and all these other matters...it was certainly something that will always be remembered by me all my life."

Stories like Mr Nair's are being collected as part of a year-long Founders' Memorial initiative that focuses on Singapore's founding generation.

The initiative, called Project Citizens—The First Million, which started in April, has three parts: a programme to engage seniors and collect their stories; pop-up installations; and an exhibition that will open in October.

The stories that are being collected under Project Citizens may be showcased at the Founders' Memorial, an institution that commemorates the values and ideals exemplified by Singapore's first-generation leaders, slated to open in Gardens by the Bay's Bay East Garden in 2028.