Myanmar: A Lovely Country

- Manju Ratna Sakya
President
Nepal Journalists Association

The Union of Myanmar is a beautiful, lovely and great country. I have visited many many countries of the world. Among them, there are some of the few countries which I would like to visit again and again. Among these countries the Union of Myanmar is one of the country, which I would like to visit again and again.

The Nepal Journalists Association and the Myanmar Journalists Association have the exchange of journalists exchange program since 1992.In this connection, in the capacity of the President of Nepal Journalists Association (NJA), I got the opportunity to visit this lovely country eight times at the kind invitation of the Government of the Union of Myanmar.

Likewise, at the invitation of Nepal Journalists Association, the high level eight members journalists delegation of Myanmar on the leadership of U Maung Maung Nyo, Deputy Director (News) of News and the Periodicals Enterprise has visited Nepal on 16 January 1993. Likewise, the five members high level journalists delegation of Myanmar under the leadership of U Soe Naung, Deputy Chief Editor, News and Periodicals Enterprise has visited Nepal at the invitation of NJA on 19th April 2000. After that, on 13th January 2005, Director of Information & Public Relations Dept. U Tun Min visited Nepal leading the four members high level Myanmar Journalists delegation at the invitation of NJA.

Under the able leadership of Head of State of friendly nation Union of Myanmar H.E. Senior General Than Shwe, the nation is attaining new heights of progress in all areas. The noteworthy achievements recorded in the field of education, health, transport, tourism, agriculture etc. are all the result of the people-oriented policies followed by the Government which is dedicatedly committed to implement its twelve point political, economic and social development objectives. Another noteworthy aspect of these successes is the manner that the entire people of the country are extending their full-fledged support to the measures adopted by the Government. They are all engaged in the execution of the integrated development programs.

The Union of Myanmar is enjoying total political stability. The people are enjoying unrestricted human rights and the concept of independent press is in full swing in practice and complete peace, law and order prevails in the country. In fact, these are all becoming possible because of the able and far-sighted leadership of H.E. Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar.

The ancient capital, Bagan is full of archeological and historic significance has entered into a new phase of development. Everyone among the people feel how Myanmar has entered into in new era from the concrete steps taken by the Myanmar Government in the direction of fulfilling the basic needs of total developments alongwith the construction of roads and bridges etc.

The present leadership of Myanmar has already prepared the outline of the total developments of Myanmar. The public life there is peaceful, serene and secure. The Government is committed to the people’s progress and as a result the people too are extending their integrated cooperation in each and every steps of the Government. The people are intensely willing to turn Myanmar clean, pure, green and attractive. Representing the feelings of the people, the Government is making good use of its sources, resources and skill. Innumerable pagodas, stupas, ancient palaces of archeological and historical significances are under repair and archaeological excavations are going on in full swing, and of special note is the spontaneous cooperation being extended by the people in these activities.

Whatever be the remorse spread by the foreign medias about Myanmar, it will be realized by anyone who visits there how the Myanmar people feel proud of how, in fact, the national self respect has gone high, how national unity has become consolidated and how political stability has been established in the country. All have happily accepted the Government policy of giving a new Dynamism to the peace of promoting the cause of country’s establishing community cohesion, peace and development. National Unity is getting strengthened and consolidated because of the materialization of the values of civil liberty, political stability, human rights and freedom of press, in practice. A new dimension has been given to conventional pattern of production and utilization. Having marched ahead with the objectives of reaching at par with developed nations the present leadership has already determined a definite aim at attaining progress in the political, economic and social areas. The Myanmar Government is committed to achieve these objectives as the people are engaged in the development and construction activities with equally as much spirit of discipline, restraint and dedication. Now in just a few years the Myanmar people will place an example before the world by developing their beloved country into a beautiful, prosperous and strong nation.

The Myanmar is developing fast in all sectors because the relationship between the Government and the people is just like the relations between a fish and water. The Myanmar people are hard working, well-discipline and very honest. The Nepalese community are staying happily in Myanmar. They are grateful to the Government of Union of Myanmar for the kind cooperation and help to them.

Religious Title
The Government of Union of Myanmar has been giving the Dhamma Title every year on the auspicious occasion of New Year. This Title has been given to those Bhikkhus inside Myanmar as well as outside the country who are working for strengthening, propagating and long lasting of Theravada Shasan, evaluating their contribution. The Title is given by celebrating a great ceremony in the “Mahapasan Cave” near the Yangoon City in Myanmar where the Sixth Council of Theravada Buddhism has been occurred.

The Government of Union of Myanmar had given the religious Title “Aggamahapandit” to the late Sangha-Mahanayak Pragyananda Mahathera in 1990. Few years after, the Government of Myanmar had given the Title “Aggamahasaddhammajotikadhaja” to late Sangha-Nayak Shakyananda Mahathera. After that, the same title has given to present Sangha-Nayak Aniruddha Mahathera. The Government of Myanmar has been providing a great contribution and helps to rehabilitate, develop and strengthen the Theravada Shasan. Venerable Late Sangha-Mahanayak Pragyananda Mahathera, Late Sangha-Nayak Shakyananda Mahathera, Present Sangha-Nayak Aniruddha Mahathera, Gyanpumika Mahathera Anagarika Dhammavati etc. all had studied the Buddhism from Myanmar. Till now, many Anagarikas from Nepal are studying Theravada Buddhism in different religious places of Union of Myanmar .

The famous meditation teachers from Myanmar like Taumpulu Sayado, Mahashi Sayado came to visit Nepal to promulgate the teachings of Buddha. The great Meditation Teacher U. Panditaviwansa Sayado is coming here time to time to teach the Vipassana Meditation in the International Buddhist Meditation Center. Which was established by the great contribution of Venerable late Sumangal Mahathera.
Every year, the great Meditation Teacher U. Panditaviwansa Sayado comes here to run meditation retreat of Satipatthan Vipassana. By his goodwill, effort and inspiration, the meditation center, namely “Panditaram” has been established in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, which was also inaugurated by himself in February 1999. In addition to this, he is actively running one month’s meditation retreat.

The Land of Virgins and Restful Nights
Myanmar has long been known as the Land of Pagodas, but very few persons if any seem to be aware of the fact that it has also been a Land of Virgins. It probably is one of the least known facts of their times. The people of Myanmar have always set great store by premarital virginity and that view has remained unchanged to this day when permissiveness and sexual promiscuity are rampant elsewhere .

Abstinence from sex is one of the eight percepts that Buddhists are expected to observe on Sabbath days which occur four times in a month. One fundamental precept is that all practicing Buddhists have to abide by is the samething as the Christian Commandment. ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife ’ I don’t know how many Westerners most of whom are Christians nominally at least still obey that commandment. Myanmar’s still take that precept seriously with result that marital unfaithfulness is considered a heinous social crime in their strait-laced society.

According to a well-known Myanmar saying some things are better kept hidden even if their existence is known and one of them is sex. They look upon it as something to be repressed and all their religious preachers keep dining the idea into their heads. Thus they may qualify as the most undersexed society on earth.

All these things contribute to making virginity the most highly prized possession of women until their marriage. Dating is a definite no-no to their conservative mores. Sure most young people fall in love or they believe they do in their teens and have boy friends or girl friends. But most of them go steady with the same partners until they can tie the knot. Playing the field is never their intention and few couples go all the way before marriage. And do you know what a girl’s typical response will be if a boy makes a pass at her ? She will probably slap his cheek ! making a pass is simply not done here. The usual approach is to pass a letter or to make a verbal declaration over the phone. It possible. They ought to be convinces by now that most of Myanmar’s women remain virgins until their marriage.

One reason why there are so many virgins in Myanmar is that Myanmar girls don’t drink nor do they use drugs. You know that drinking and drug abuse are highways to sex and promiscuity. When a girl neither drinks nor uses drugs, it would be quite a task approaching her and saying “I say, how about it?

Development and progress in Border Areas
In striving for narrowing the development gap among states and divisions of the Union, emphasis is being placed in socio-economic progress of people living in border areas. These endeavours are being made effectively in 22 border area development regions namely Kachin Special Region 1 and 2, Kokang, Wa, Shan, Kachin North East, Palaung, Kengtung East, Homein, Monghtaw Monghta, Mawhpa, Pa-O, Kayah, Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing (Naga), Kabaw Valley, Kayin, Taninthayi, Mon regions including Yangon and Magway Division. In these regions, roads and bridges are being built. The hospitals, clinics and schools are established. Agricultural, forestry and water supply tasks carried out and such services as electricity, post office, telegram and telephone provided as well as TV retransmission stations are opened. As a result, national people living in these areas are enjoying fruits of development.

Border areas lagged behind in development in the past but now full peace and stability prevails in these areas and development infrastructures have been established well. This is due to dispelling the misconception and reconsolidation of national unity and cooperating with the State. As the national people have come to realize the genuine goodwill of the Tatmadaw Government, they are now taking part in regional developments drives hand in hand with the Government. The Tatmadaw Government is throwing all its energies into carrying out the tasks of Three Man National Causes namely: non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty. The "Three Main National Causes" is the correct work programme for national consolidation and perpetuation of the Union. In the past, national brethren living in border areas lagged behind in development due to evil legacy of colonialists, internal strife which was born together with independence and poor transport.

After assuming duties of the State, the Tatmadaw Government first established peace in border areas. Boarder areas development projects have been implemented for socio-economic development of people living in hilly regions. As a result, narrow-minded racial views among national brethren have vanished. National race armed groups have returned to the legal fold and now they are taking part in regional development drives with might and main.

To accelerate the development undertakings in border areas, the Government separately formed Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs in 1992. Moreover, the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races and Work Committees were also formed to carry out development tasks effectively. Tens of billions of money have been spent on border areas development projects. As the saying goes, "actions speak louder than words" prevailing peace in border areas and its development are the tangible proof that the Tatmadaw has been energetically striving for border areas development tasks. It has been paying serious attention to border areas development projects which were unheard of in the past.

The twelve points objectives
The Government of the Union of Myanmar is dedicatedly committed to implement its twelve point political, economic and social objectives. The twelve points objectives are as follows.
Political objectives :
• Stability of the State, community peace and tranquility, prevalence of law and order
• National reconsolidation
• Emergence of a new enduring State Constitution
• Building of a new modern developed nation in accord with the new State Constitution

Economic objectives :
• Development of agriculture as the base and all-round development of other sectors of the economy as well
• Proper evolution of the market-oriented economic system
• Development of the economy, inviting participation in terms of technical know-how and investments from sources inside the country and abroad
• The initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in the hands of the State and the national peoples

Social objectives :
• Uplift the morale and morality of the entire nation
• Uplift of national prestige and integrity and preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national character
• Uplift of dynamism of patriotic spirit
• Uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation

On behalf of NJA,we highly appreciate and sincerely support all these objectives. We have found that the entire people of the country are extending their full-fledged support to the measures adopted by the Government.

Do not exploit Myanmar’s affairs through exaggerations
Western nations and their medias are launching a propaganda campaign saying that Myanmar people and the nation are in a state of bankrupt. But the Myanmar's objective conditions show that the Myanmar's present conditions are hundred times better than it was in 1988. When the Tatmadaw Government took over the state duties, Myanmar's economy was in a state of decline. Developement infrastructures were deteriorating. At that time the Government administrative machinery came to a halt with the breakdown of the transport sector.Now a days, Myanmar affairs have drawn the attention of many countries and foreigners. Among them, many have expressed their happiness for the success achieved thanks to the efforts made in concert by the government, the people and the Tatmadaw in Myanmar that has prospects for development, while some cannot bear to hear or see her significant progress.

Nobody has the right to interfere in the internal part of any country. So the Eastern and Western medias should not exploit Myanmar's affairs through exaggerations. They shoud visit Myanmar first and express after that because seing is believing. Only Myanmar people know the history of their country and they are the only ones who can feel and realize the good or bad consequences of the history of Myanmar. Moreover, only Myanmar people can shape their better future based on the true background history of the nation. After 1988, the entire national people based on Union Spirit and patriotism have been shaping their future. Thus, at present, the fruits of development in political, economic and social sectors can be witnessed vividly.

On the auspicious occasion of 62nd Independence Day of The Union of Myanmar, on behalf of Nepal Journalists Association and Arpan weekly family, I am happy extend warm Greetings, Congratulations and best wishes to H.E. Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of State Peace and Development Council , the Government and the people of the Union of Myanmar.

LONG LIVE NEPAL AND THE UNION OF MYANMAR FRIENDLY RELATIONS.