When you go out to buy your seventh cup of bubble tea for breakfast on 9 August, you might see this on your way to the boba shop.
After which you’ll drop your sixth cup of bubble tea, because battle tanks aren’t exactly a common sight on the streets of Singapore.
There’s nothing to fear, of course. This is just the Mobile Column that takes place during every National Day Parade (NDP).
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This year, the Mobile Column will be returning to the heartlands.
Everything About NDP 2020 Mobile Column as It’ll be in More Heartland Areas
For this year’s NDP, the Mobile Column will travel along five routes across Singapore to cover more heartland estates, covering 200km in total.
In the north and northeast part of the country, residents of Sengkang, Tampines, and for some reason, Yishun, will be able to see these battle tanks and other cool vehicles glide along their roads.
Though one could argue that these tanks should stay for a bit at Yishun, with all the murderers and horses roaming around.
The Mobile Column will also cover Bishan, Queenstown, Paya Lebar, and Marine Parade on its south and southeast routes, and places like Jurong West and Bukit Batok on its western route.
According to CNA, a total of 66 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be displayed, a number that might alarm Joanna Theng.
This includes the Singapore Army’s Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle and SPF’s next-generation Fast Response Car.
Heartlanders will be able to see these huge tanks up close from 10am to 1pm on National Day.
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A Tribute to Frontline Workers
While we’re guzzling concerning amounts of bubble tea at home while complaining about not being able to travel, healthcare workers are risking infection every day to treat ailing patients.
That’s why this year’s Mobile Column will pay tribute to frontline and essential workers combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around 100 of these workers will be onboard the mobile column’s vehicles as they cover the streets of Singapore.
These workers are from various groups such as healthcare, essential industries, and the social services sector, reported CNA.
The mobile column will also travel past Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hopsital, and Singapore Expo, where it will perform a salute to all healthcare workers.
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Other Things to Look Forward to On National Day
In case you haven’t heard, this year’s NDP is going to be a little different.
Since large gatherings are not permitted, the parade will be brought into each and every home across the country, in what is described as a “digitalised and immersive experience”.
There will also be a series of home engagement activities that people at home can participate in.
This includes:
- NDP-themed cooking activity
- NDP-themed workout
- Art and craft workshop
Reader: What the heck is a NDP-themed cooking activity?
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No one knows, but everyone’s intrigued.
Several popular NDP acts will also be brought closer to residents in the heartlands, like the Red Lions, traditional State Flag Flypast, and Roar of Unity.
You can read more about NDP2020 here.
The coronavirus may have taken many things away from us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the nation’s 55th birthday in style.
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