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SINGAPORE: Saturday was a special day for 155 new citizens of Singapore.
They received their citizenship certificates from Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng at the National Citizenship Ceremony.
It was the first time such a ceremony was done at a national level.
The event was witnessed by about 400 people, including friends and relatives of the new citizens, grassroots advisers and leaders.
For the Medina family, the joy came in three as father, son and daughter became Singapore citizens.
Mr Larry Medina said: "One of the main reasons for us becoming Singaporeans is that it's a great place for them to grow up. When we got our citizenship, they asked if the children wanted to attend the ceremony. I thought it was really important for them to do that. That way, they could understand what it means to be Singaporean."
"This has given me greater motivation to come back and serve Singapore and give back to the society that has given me so much. I'm very happy I have got my citizenship and now I can officially be part of this country and be one with everyone else here," said new Singapore citizen Suhas Malhotra.
These new citizens came from different lands and speak different languages.
Minister Wong told the new citizens that they will now add to Singapore's economic, cultural and social milieu in making the country more vibrant.
But citizenship also carries with it an obligation, said Mr Wong.
And that is, a commitment to making Singapore their special home.
"One of the founding fathers of modern Singapore, the late S Rajaratnam, once said that being a Singaporean was not a matter of ancestry but a matter of conviction and choice. Indeed it is," said Mr Wong.
"Whether you are born in Singapore, or a naturalised citizen, what truly defines all Singaporeans is that we continue to choose to be Singaporeans, and that we want to carry on with the Singaporean way of life," he added.
Because Singapore is also an open and diverse society, Mr Wong urged everyone to remain united regardless of who they are.
He said that he believes the 'kampung' spirit can still thrive in modern Singapore if all Singaporeans reach out to other races.
Going forward, Mr Wong said that every new citizen, along with other Singaporeans, must recognise their lives and destinies are now inter-dependent.
It is the common vision of a successful Singapore for future generations that will spur the country to greater heights, he said. - CNA/ir
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