SINGAPORE — “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because that’s the beauty of being young,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday (July 3) in a message to youths on Youth Day.

In a Facebook post, Mr Lee wished the “young and young at heart” a happy Youth Day.

“Your dreams today can become your passions tomorrow,” he said. “You can experiment, try things out and discover what you can be. The future often looks daunting, but go forth and create your own!”

He also posted a “jump shot” photo of himself, his wife Ho Ching, Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Transport) Josephine Teo and Minister of State (National Development and Trade and Industry) Koh Poh Koon.

Mr Lee said the photo was taken in Moscow, where he went in May for his first bilateral visit to Russia.

Within seven hours of putting the post up, it had gone viral with over 1,850 shares and 750 comments. Many Facebook users also contributed their jump shots, taken in Singapore or overseas.

“It’s true that through mistakes we become wiser, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes being young and old too. The journey of learning (is) from young to old until our last breath,” said netizen Philip Ng. “That’s the (wonder) and beauty of learning.”

“Importantly, (those who) fall down must get up again and never give up. (Perseverance) is the way of life for the youth and those young at heart,” said Mr Meng Tuck Ma.

Ms Vivian Tan, who contributed a family photo taken in Sydney, said: “As a Singaporean, I am grateful for a passport that can bring us almost everywhere in the world.”

Ms June Wang felt that local youths were fortunate: “Some (youths) in other countries cannot study and have to go out to work at a young age to feed the family. Singapore youths don’t have to do that because we put education first relentlessly.”

In a more humourous vein, Lionel Chick urged Mr Lee against jumping: “I’m afraid you might sprain your ankle (because you’re) so old already ... Do take care.”

That earned the following rebuttal from Mandy Lim Beitler: “That’s the mentality that makes people old long before their time. Thankfully, our PM has a young heart.”