page_title: NUSSU Rag and Flag
section_title: Inception
hierarchical_section_title: NUSSU Rag and Flag / History / Inception
caption_attribution_description: English: A float created for the NUSSU Rag and Flag float day.
context_page_description: NUSSU Rag and Flag is an annual charity project featured prominently in the National University of Singapore Students' Union Freshmen Orientation Programme. The project comprises two separate but related events: students taking to the streets asking the public for donations on Flag Day and, subsequently, a procession of thematic floats that will perform within the university grounds on Rag Day.
context_section_description: In 1957, during tensions between the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) and the British Regime, Emergency was the order of the day in Singapore. An ongoing secret revolution amongst workers unions and Chinese medium schools reached into the hearts of students at Bukit Timah Campus where then University of Malaya resided. It was during this time that 9th Student Union Elections were being held and the new Executive Committee was being selected. During the election rallies, then-Presidential-nominee, Frederick Samuel, spoke fervently of the challenges facing the country and the need for the student body to do something positive for the disadvantaged in society. Under pressure by the student body to deliver on his promise when he was eventually elected, Frederick and his team brainstormed ideas for a meaningful project that can bring all students together for a common charitable cause.
  The Executive committee finally settled on the plan to organise the First Students Welfare Week scheduled for November 1957. The Patron for this welfare week was then Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, Tunku Abdur Rahman. The Welfare week provided a forum on University Student's role in society, a blood donation campaign, a mega concert, a Flag Day and a procession of Floats through the city. Proceeds from Flag Day went to the Singapore Association for the Deaf and Dumb, the Marymount Vocational School for Girls and the Johor State Welfare Committee's Project for Crippled Children. This evolved into what is the NUSSU Rag and Flag today.
caption: A Float from Rag and Flag 2009.
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