On 30 June, SAFRA Choa Chu Kang was abuzz as SAFRA members, national servicemen and their families joined President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Patron of SAFRA, to mark 40 Years of Total Defence (TD40) as the culmination of the two-week long BE@SAFRA event.
The event, designed to raise public awareness on the role everyone plays in Total Defence, was also attended by President Tharman’s spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence and Chairman of SAFRA Board of Governors and Mr Zaqy Mohamad. Senior Minister of State for Defence (SMS) and President of SAFRA.
Learning about the pillars of Total Defence
During his visit, President Tharman visited families and teams engaged in Total Defence (TD) Ready! life-sized board game. The six-sided giant board, each representing one of the six pillars of Total Defence – Military Defence, Economic Defence, Digital Defence, Civil Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence – saw players advancing across the board by rolling two oversized dice. Each move led participants to quests, missions, and tasks that highlighted the essence of Total Defence. The court came alive with excitement and laughter as families bonded over learning and playing together.
One family who participated in the giant board game found themselves diving into a word search puzzle filled with terms related to Psychological Defence. Amid laughter and playful competition, they discovered the importance of mental resilience and unity. Meanwhile, another family tackled a crossword puzzle about Digital Defence, solving clues that highlighted the significance of cybersecurity and staying safe online. Nearby, another family delved into finding terms associated with Economic Defence, discovering key concepts that ensure Singapore’s financial stability. These engaging tasks turned learning into a fun-filled experience, sparking meaningful conversations about the various pillars of Total Defence.
Yet another family took on a hands-on challenge as they learned how to perform a fire evacuation. They skillfully helped an “injured” team member by creating an elevation sling for her arm and bandaging a lower leg fracture. This practical experience underscored the value of Civil Defence, teaching participants crucial first-aid skills while reinforcing the importance of being prepared and working together in emergencies.
President Tharman and his entourage also stopped at the bustling EnergyOne Gym on Level 3. Here, they chatted with national servicemen dedicated to their fitness journeys. Next, they moved to Climb Central on Level 3, where they watched participants scale the rock climbing walls, which showcased the climbers’ spirit of adventure and resilience.
Showing appreciation for NSmen
At NurtureStars Preschool on Level 1, President Tharman and Ms Jane Ittogi joined the little ones in a heartwarming Appreciating NSmen Art Jam, as the children enthusiastically coloured and crafted personalised 3D appreciation cards for their fathers.
Using templates depicting national servicemen from the six Services –Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Digital & Intelligence Service, Singapore Police Force, and Singapore Civil Defence Force, the children coloured, cut, and pasted various elements to create heartfelt messages. This interactive session not only allowed children to express their creativity, but also highlighted their deep appreciation and love for their fathers who serve the nation.
President Tharman also signed on an illustration that captured the essence of Singapore’s Total Defence mission. His pledge symbolised his commitment to fostering unity among Singaporeans. This gesture was part of SAFRA’s ‘I Pledge Total Defence’ campaign, inviting the public to pledge their support for Total Defence.
A song from the heart
Another key event highlight was when 21-year-old singer-songwriter Yong Wen Yen, known as AEONA, delivered an inspiring performance of her song Carry Forth The Fire, written to commemorate 40 years of Total Defence.
Off-stage, President Tharman interacted with the winners of the Appreciating NSmen Video Competition, congratulating them on their creative tributes. He also took time to view the Total Defence exhibition, which showcased Singapore’s multifaceted approach to national security.
Winning videos
For this year’s Appreciating NSmen Video Competition, 233 students from 21 secondary schools and tertiary institutions produced heartfelt videos expressing their gratitude to national servicemen. Senior Minister of State for Defence and President of SAFRA Mr Zaqy Mohamad graced the award ceremony, which was also held on 30 June, where 10 outstanding videos received recognition.
Singapore Management University student Lim Hong Yao clinched both the Gold Award and Best Live Action Award for his inspiring video titled ‘Everyday People, Not So Everyday Things’, while a talented team from Mayflower Secondary School won the Best Animation Award and Young Video Maker Award for their creative piece, ‘Unsung Heroes of Singapore’.
Notably, students from Pathlight School earned a merit award for their excellent video, demonstrating their remarkable creativity and effort. The winning videos, celebrated for their emotional impact and storytelling, will be showcased on social media and screened in public spaces, including SAFRA clubs, from SAF Day on 1 July until 31 August.
At the event, SMS Zaqy announced that over 40,000 pledges had been collected from the public to support NSmen and Total Defence themes, such as multiracialism under social defence. He emphasised the dedication of NSmen in the Army, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Singapore Police Force, and expressed gratitude for their service and the support from their families in safeguarding the nation’s security.
“In a world of evolving threats and challenges, every Singaporean plays a vital part in Total Defence. I am glad that thousands of children from participating preschools will be showing appreciation to their fathers who are NSmen by making cards as part of the Appreciating NSmen Art Jam, and these children will also learn more about Total Defence and the importance of NS as part of their curriculum,” said SMS Zaqy.
Through interactive activities, inspiring performances, and community engagement, the BE@SAFRA Open House at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang helped to raise awareness about the vital role every individual plays in safeguarding Singapore.
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