Keeping the NUS spirit ablaze

By Chen Mingli

Chemical Engineering graduate 2008

ORGANISING NUSSU Rag and Flag has been the highlight of my days in the Union, and I am really thankful for being given such an opportunity, not once but twice. Having headed two Rag and Flags, at the Padang and within the school compound, the screaming euphoria, soaring energy levels, unwavering passion and blazing spirit of the students remains undaunted.

I have always been amazed by how such colorful and beautiful creations could be products of scrap materials ranging from the usual recycled tin cans and cardboards, even to tangerine peels or rambutan shells, the choice of raw materials is only limited by the imagination. To me, it is truly a feat for the participating bodies to conceptualize and put into reality their ideas.

Acting President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan sharing the joy at the occasion.

One of the greatest challenges of the organising committee is being that of the ‘middlemen’ between the participating bodies and the school administration. More often than not, one is often stuck between the many rules and regulations as well as empathy for the float builders. This feeling of being ‘caught in the middle’ was especially evident in our previous expedition out to the Padang.

Nonetheless, seeing the progress of the construction of the floats to their final performance makes it all worthwhile. It gives me great pride to be able to be part of the organisation that provides a platform for our students to showcase our talent, creativity and spirit that is unique to NUS only.

Chen Mingli (extreme right) with Deputy President (Academic Affairs) Prof Tan Eng Chye (centre) and NUSSU leader, Donald Koh (extreme left) at the grandstand.)

As for Flag, the past two years have been amazing, for we were able to raise more than half a million for our beneficiaries which is certainly a feat. This would not have been achievable without our passionate and enthusiastic students who went all out to raise funds.

Indeed, through Rag and Flag, the NUS identity is amplified, the NUS experience is made different, and this I feel, is truly what make us NUS. Now that both Rag Day and Flag Day have celebrated their 50th birthdays this year and last year respectively, I look forward to more wonderful years to this longstanding tradition to come.

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