SINGAPORE – More than 2,000 beneficiaries, including seniors and persons with disabilities, are slated to attend the National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsals in the weeks ahead and the actual event on Aug 9, with an army of young volunteers helping to look after them.
Innyria Gangataram, who uses a wheelchair, was at the National Stadium on July 18 for the National Education (NE) preview, a full-dress rehearsal of this year’s parade.
The 77-year-old was elated to experience her first NDP rehearsal. “It was my first time attending the parade and also going to the National Stadium. It was so nice seeing all the children perform,” she said.
The Republic will celebrate its 61st year of independence at the National Stadium, with volunteers like Komal Bhandari keeping a close watch on the spectators.
The 20-year-old, who received her Singapore citizenship in July, was among those who helped the beneficiaries get to their assigned sectors at the NE preview and kept an eye out for them.
The Nanyang Technological University student, who has volunteered at various events for the past three years, said: “Volunteering has been such a meaningful experience and I see it as a way to contribute to the community.
“Being at the parade for the first time was so exciting.”
The NDP 2026 outreach and engagement committee partnered with the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre and the National Council of Social Service to invite beneficiaries from over 50 organisations, including social service agencies and community organisations.
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