SINGAPORE CELEBRATES 46TH NATIONAL DAY IN STYLE

SINGAPORE, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Singapore Tuesday celebrated its 46th National
Day with a host of activities including a military parade, aerial flypast,
fireworks and heart-warming musical near the Marina Bay waterfront here.

Held amidst this year's theme of "Majulah! (Prosperous) The Singapore
Spirit", the area was jam-packed with people in a celebratory mood.

Colonel Alvin Kek, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the National Day
Parade (NDP) celebrations, said this year's anniversary bash reflected
Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village to its present day
achievements and how its people endeavoured and overcame numerous challenges.

The 2011 NDP's musical was written by Haresh Sharma. The story revolves
around the history of Singapore through the eyes of a mother and her son born in
1965, the same year the country gained full independence, and later through her
grandson, who sees the Singapore of today as well as in the coming future.

In his National Day Message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on
Singaporeans to continue to work together to create a brighter future.


"We are now at a new defining moment in our history. In a globalised world,
we can stay competitive by raising our education levels and productivity. We can
pull ahead by enlarging our talent pool and remaining an open, vibrant society."

Lee, in noting that the new generation of Singapo­reans wanted more
alternative voices, also invited those with ideas and plans to come forward and
help the government get things done in better ways.