National Day Attracts Even The Blind And The Special Kids

Bandar Seri Begawan – Being blind has never been a barrier for Awang Ibrahim bin Chuchu from the Brunei Darussalam's National Association of the Blind to join the National Day celebration ever year.

He, like many other residents of Brunei, never misses the annual celebration.

He comes every year accompanied by his children.

Even though he is visually challenged, his high spirit of patriotism encourages him to participate in the event.

This is how each year, the National Day celebration is attracting a wide cross-section of people in the Sultanate as spectators, both young and old, from far and near.

Some are so enthusiastic that they come to the celebration year after year.

The country’s Special children also took part in the gathering yesterday.

They were involved in the march past in front of the royal dais together with other participants.

They came as early as 6am accompanied by their parents.

Leading the parade was a group carrying a giant national flag.

Prior to the official event, 30 personnel of the Penanjong Garrison Training Institute practised hard at marching while carrying the flag.

Students from both Primary and Secondary schools from Kampong Ayer also showed their patriotism by joining in the mass gathering.

Some of them participated in the field display.

Primary students from the Sungai Kebun Primary School waved their mini flags excitedly even before the gathering started.

A retired Second Warrant Officer of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Awang Haji Hamdani bin Omar, has never missed a National Day gathering since 1984.

Moments before the event started, restaurants were crowded with participants and the public taking their breakfast.

Some people arrived as early as 5am.

Some of the young participants even made last minute rehearsals while waiting for the event to begin.

One of the participants, who was dressed up as a butterfly, had expressed his dissatisfaction on the materials of the costume, which he said was unsuitable for the hot weather and suggested for a change in next year's costume.

The young girls were a bit grumpy as they did not have a good view of the field and the heat, yet they still persisted to stay and watch the colourful proceedings.

Tourists and expatriates were impressed with Brunei's 21st National Day event. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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