NDP celebrated nation's diversity, vibrancy and inclusivity: President

This year's National Day Parade (NDP) was especially meaningful for the way it highlighted the nation's diversity and vibrancy, and for the effort to make it an inclusive celebration, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

- Gabrielle Chan

NDP 2025 was meaningful in an emotional way, he added, speaking to about 250 parade participants at a thank-you reception held at National Gallery Singapore on Aug 29. Guests included the organising committee, show creatives and some of the show artistes, performers, parade contingents and mobile column participants.

"The performers, the Singaporeans who were profiled in the show, and the team producing it — they exemplify our Singapore story in all its diversity and vibrancy," President Tharman said.

These traits were showcased through veteran singer Ramli Sarip's spoken rendition of the National Anthem, creative director Boo Junfeng's weaving of intergenerational stories, and film clips showcasing Singaporeans past and present.

"From Singapore's first Olympian Lloyd Valberg to social entrepreneur Nuryanee Anisah, drummer Aldrich Jai Kishen, and the families who started life anew after relocating from kampungs to housing estates — all tell a story of our hopes, and the way we draw strength from each other," Mr Tharman said.