Should RAG Day be held off-campus?

Saw a friend posted about voting Rag to be held in SRC permanently (and not outside of NUS).

Replied to the post, and thought of sharing my thoughts here too.

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The original idea of RAG is to show appreciation to the public for donating. If its held internally, only NUS students knows about it, then it defeats the purpose of "thanking public" in the form of celebrations and performances.

As for the performances, each float has its own message to convey, sometimes not just to NUS students, but to everyone.

The cost of the floats are so high (comparable to Chingay floats). Judging from the feedbacks (in terms of resources and manpower) from all participation bodies (PB) over recent years, I think this "tradition" will not be able to sustain any longer, if its going to be just "another NUS-internal event". Even this year, if its not a combined effort, how many halls actually agreed to take part.

People generally think that RAG a waste of resources. Its more saddening when those words came from NUS students or the students who participated in the event themselves. They don't seem to appreciate the art behind of float creation, the performances, the dances, the technical details of building float...

I think its worth the effort to push this event out to the public. So more people can appreciate it.

NUS held RAG Day outside twice (the last was at Padang, 2007). If those 2 experiences tells us that its not worth it, and the logistic cost is really so huge that its not justifiable, then yeah, then the PBs should strongly suggest to NUSSU to stop holding it outside.

I actually noticed that there are a lot of tourists (I know they are tourist! Haha!) and exchange students, stayed and cheered till the end. I don't think they know the original purpose of the event. But looks like they enjoyed the performance, as much as I do.

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Side note: Ah, I should remind myself that I've already left NUS and stop worrying about the sustainability of RAG. Just let the younger ppl, who are still involved to decide whats best for them, and RAG. If its going to be transformed, or gone, just let it be. Time changes, people changes.