*The theme for this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) is “#OneNationTogether”, a rallying call to unite all Singaporeans to stand together and overcome all odds together. ‘One Nation’ is to remind Singaporeans that regardless of origin and background, we belong as one people and one nation. It encourages Singaporeans to harness our diversity and to leave no one behind as we strive towards an even brighter future. ‘Together’ emphasises the importance of unity in times of uncertainty and challenges ahead and represents a call-to-action for all Singaporeans to overcome the odds together.
For the first time in NDP, the hash symbol (#) has been incorporated into an NDP theme, #OneNationTogether, enabling Singaporeans to share the rally call through social media. The “#” also serves as symbols of unity and home. “#” draws a close resemblance to the iconic image of four interlocking arms found in our nation’s first Orchid series $10 note launched in 1967. This symbolizes our nation’s strength in social unity and multicultural harmony. “#” is also a familiar feature in Singaporean home addresses, making “#” synonymous with the idea of home.*
* from https://www.ndp.org.sg/about
In the write-up above, the year 1967 with its associated icons are mentioned.
That was 50 years ago and since then, our country has progressed and developed in the economic and material sense and we are proud to be Singaporeans.
And as a nation we need to keep on growing in unity and integrity, with democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality, which are our country's ideals as symbolised in the country's flag.
Yet all this would not be realised if not for the spiritual dimension of the country. Just as a person has a spiritual dimension, so has a country.
In our multi-racial an multi-religious country, we not only respect other religions and appreciate the religious freedom, we also have a duty to pray for our country to grow and develop spiritually.
So we need to work hard to progress and develop in the economic and material sense. But we, as the Church also need to set our hearts on the Kingdom of God in this country, so that our country will be united in integrity, and progress in democracy, peace, justice and equality.
May our Lord God bless Singapore and may the peace of Christ reign in our country.
