Goodbye, Mr Lee Kuan Yew: The final send-off on the streets of S'pore
It was a fitting final send-off for Singapore's founding Prime Minister.
On Sunday (March 29), tens of thousands of Singaporeans lined the route from Parliament House to the University Cultural Centre to bid a final farewell to Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
They remained at their spots even as rain started coming down in torrents in certain areas.
"He has done a lot for Singapore ... we feel the need to stay on," said Madam Hannidah Hanim, 51, who had been waiting at St Andrew's Road with her husband and two children since 7.30am and remained in the line even as the rain poured.
They were not the only ones who braved the weather to pay tribute to Mr Lee.
BEFORE THE PROCESSION
The crowds started filing in from early in the day.
Those coming in from City Hall MRT were handed small flags to wave
People started to choose their place...
By the Padang...
One worker from Chennai said he woke early to create his banner. That was before 3.15am when he set off from Serangoon Gardens on foot. He arrived at St Andrews Road at 5am.
He made the banner because of the kindness he has found during his 15 years here. Something he believes is thanks to Lee Kuan Yew
People showed their appreciation for Mr Lee's legacy in different ways. These women, originally from China and now Singapore citizens, decided to give away 1,000 balloons at Dover MRT.
Eventually, the rain started.
But people were undeterred.
A brief respite from the rain saw flag waving at the Padang.
But the skies were not clear for long. Not that it changed anyone's attitude.
Mr Soh Swan Fong, Head of Facilities at NTUC Centre, stood throughout the downpour holding the Singapore flag.
The community spirit was in full swing as umbrellas were shared. Others found more resourceful ways to help those around them take shelter
Along Jalan Bukit Merah, Ms Josephine Lim, 60, handed out flowers to the crowd
THE STATE FUNERAL PROCESSION
As the cortege moved off from Parliament House to University Cultural Centre, crowds waved flags and chanted Mr Lee's name. Some wept.
Crowds in Tanjong Pagar GRC, Mr Lee's ward since 1955, cheered loudly amid the downpour.
In front of Police Cantonment Complex, bagpipers from the Singapore Police Force Band played Auld Lang Syne as Home Team officers paid their final respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew
As the cortege passed throught Bukit Merah, folks lined by the roads threw flower petals.
There were chants of "Lee Kuan Yew" as the cortege passed through Queenstown as well.
As the cortege passed by Singapore Polytechnic,the crowd broke into the song We Are Singapore.
The cortege finally arrived at the University Cultural Centre, where the State Funeral was to be held.
EULOGIES
During the State Funeral, moving eulogies were offered by Mr Lee's eldest son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Mr Lee's younger son, Mr Lee Hsien Yang, among others.
Goodbye, Mr Lee.
More stories, tributes and videos at tnp.sg/leekuanyew
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now