Youth campaign to show patriotism ahead of Aug 9

SINGAPORE - From singing national songs at kopitiams to taking pictures of iconic Singapore places where they want to be, the young people of the People's Association (PA) have come up with novel ways to show their patriotism this National Day.

Over 6,000 of them have come up with 102 activities to show their love and loyalty, as part of a two-month campaign by the PA's Youth Movement (PAYM) in the lead-up to National Day.

The initiative, known as "PAYM Loves Red" and launched yesterday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, goes beyond celebrating National Day, said PA chief executive director Ang Hak Seng.

"It is a ground-up initiative where youths connect with fellow youths, express their passion and convey their appreciation and aspirations for Singapore in their own creative and unique ways."

Many of the activities - like a bread run for the needy organised by students from the Singapore Management University - have a community outreach bent, which shows their desire to "make a meaningful impact", said Mr Ang.

Others are more whimsical, like a "book spine poetry" competition by the Serangoon Youth Executive Committee.

Participants are to stack book spines together for their titles to make up a poem, with at least one book by a Singaporean author to be included.

Yesterday, PM Lee toured contributions by the PA youth in his Teck Ghee ward: a photo exhibition showcasing the faces of the neighbourhood - from "Teck Ghee's Oldest Man", a 104-year-old resident, to "Basketball Ah Ma", an elderly woman who shoots the hoops at the local basketball court.