Navigators

Our country’s democratization process has been opening up reforms in multiple sectors throughout its non-stop, high-rate evolution for more than four years from the start to this date, calling for both hard work and efficiency of the citizens who actually wish national progress through changes and democracy in a peaceful and stable atmosphere.

Our people want democracy as they believe the system will bring progress and prosperity our nation needs. Actually, democracy can be assumed the best political system human beings have ever invented in the service of mankind. But it also has advantages and disadvantages like all other things and systems of the planet. Besides, a system alone cannot ensure progress and prosperity of a nation or even a community. In fact, human beings are the key players as they are navigators in directing the course of mother country towards a better future while the system serves as a road-map.

Here people need proficiency, vision and wisdom both in navigation job and in map reading work to reach the aspired destination, or else they will get lost in the middle of the journey. So, high efficiency or high intellectual level, good judgment, morals and insight of the people is a must in building a true democratic state that guarantees peace, prosperity and progress everyone loves.

People need reasoning power to distinguish between right and wrong, efficiency to compete with international counterparts for national progress, ethics to stay away  from corruption and bribery the worst enemy of democracy, vision to stay united and forge national consolidation, experience to do the right job at the right time and knowledge to practice democracy correctly.

As democracy has its own pros and cons like all other systems of the world, people in a democratic society must have more than the given abilities as they themselves are the navigators finding the right path towards their aspired goal. 

Maung Than Weik

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

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Beware of dam failures

Beware of dam failures

Recently, downpours caused floods in some parts of Myanmar, especially in the places where rain is normally very few this unusual weather phenomenon was generating inundations to the level that had never reached before. Hence, broad-range rescue efforts are underway to save the victims in time. Uninterrupted torrents pushed towards forced opening of vaults at Minmyin Dam lying in the area between Kanbalu and Kyunhla townships in Kanbalu District, Sagaing Region, to prevent dam breakdown that might be even more disastrous if occurred. Anyhow, the released water had already triggered landslides and terrible floods in the nearby areas. Moreover, continuous downpours broke up about a 150 feet long section of Thitkhe creek dam near Kaukkyin village, Butalin township. Kawlin township and parts of Shwebo- Myitkyina highway were not free from inundations.

Because of heavy rains in many parts of the country including in arid zones, 12 overfl owing reservoirs – Yaybok dam, Kintat dam, Theinyin dam, Razagyo dam, Minmyin dam, South Nawin dam, Mann dam, Kyeeon-Kyeewa dam, Pyaing creek dam, Banbwegon dam, ZarmaniInn dam, and Kanyin dam -- had to release water from their vaults as an emergency measure. Relevant government departments, Tatmadaw members and social organizations were conveying the victims and their belongings to safer places or higher grounds and providing them with necessary aids. As Kanbalu- Kyunhla-Kawlin motor road and Mandalay-Myintkyina railroad came to a halt due to floods, helicopters and boats were used for rescue operations and transporting first aids, medicines, food, water and other emergency aids to the flood hit areas. Tatmadaw members were repairing the broken parts of the damaged dams.

On 21 July, President U Thein Sein visited the flooded areas, warmly met with victims, looked into their requirements and comforted them.

Crops were also damaged in the areas. Locals had to leave their homes and are staying at the refugee camps. One important thing rescue teams aware of is the health problems that usually follow after the floods had receded. So they will have to take preventive measures against possible health problems, especially the ones carried by waterborne diseases. In addition to the relevant government departments, Tatmadaw members, and social organizations, the citizens of Myanmar should also render assistance for the flood victims, as their participation is of vital importance in restoring the flood-hit areas and the lives of flood victims who in reality are the countrymen and countrywomen like them.

As the monsoon is still strong in the Bay of Bengal, it may trigger another round of continuous downpours as well as floods in some parts of Myanmar. Here people of the Irrigation Department have become the most important players, as dam failures when occur can cause immense damage and loss of life. The department should make sure that their irrigation facilities are watched round the clock. It should also check the durability of the dams, install a system to alarm the staff before the rising water level reach the danger point, adopt emergency plans, and assign enough staff at each facility so that natural disasters generated by torrents and inundations will not grow into mega catastrophes because of the dam failures.

Maung Than Weik

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

#Themyawadydaily

Heart to heart

= Maung Than Weik =

Thanks to the cell phones young sweethearts as well as married couples can contact each other for having heart-to-heart talks at any time from almost any place however far they are from one another. In the past when there were no cell phones if your beloved one was not near you, you found it very difficult to contact with him or her. Sometimes and in some places, contacts can be made only through mail as line telephones were not widely a vailable. Besides phone charges were rather high and trunk calls were difficult or unclear.

Because of their occupation or business, sometimes married couples live separately. In some cases, the husband or the wife is away from home travelling on business or working in a faraway place. Sometimes both are away from home working in different places miles and miles afar. In such situation couples especially married pairs could not talk to each other or even know about one another for long months. It was an annoying and frustrating situation both for the husband and wife as they might have urgent cases, important matters, personal problems, family affairs, financial issues or business concerns to discuss in time.

But now, cell phones have made everything possible. These gadgets have almost solved all the above mentioned problems. More than that, couples nowadays can check or spy each other through surprise calls at unexpected times or through frequent calls. They can know what the other is doing by contacting friends. They can consult an important matter and make fi nal decisions through the mobile phones.What’s more they can argue or debate or even quarrel over and over again on air. Arguing is one of the common practices of nearly all the married couples. Without this married life is not complete. Married couples, especially the ones with older married lives, trend to make arguments, debates or disputes even on minor issues. Although couples had chosen each

other as the correct soulmates guaranteed by their many many bilateral promises of mutual concessions and indulgences, they actually have diverse views, opposite perspectives, different likes all hidden under the powerful force called “love” during their days as sweethearts, and till the early married life. As time goes by, this powerful force gradually wanes becoming weaker and weaker and could no longer conceal these differences. So,the honeymoon is over as their true nature appears. The husband would go his own way in dealing a problem while the wife chooses another way, insisting that hers is better. Although their goal is the same, their approaching methods are different leading towards arguments on who can better handle this matter. Some of the couples, especially husbands, avoid having long conversations with their spouses because the longer a conversation is the higher the possibilities are for an argument or a disagreement. In the past couples living apart for economic or occupational reasons normally had fewer chances for an argument or a dispute. But now it has become a thing of the past thanks to the cell phones that have become our everyday life. Wives who are keen on disagreeing with their husbands love making long or frequent phone calls with their yeobo (spouse).

With the help of mobile phones, a housewife can also detect her husband whether he is with another woman, or at a bar, or playing cards or gambling, or having a good time with his friends. As a result the progress in the utility of these tiny devices has extensively widened the wife’s reconnaissance power and area while drastically shrinking the husband’s screen. So, these gadgets teach husbands the way to have a heart-to-heart with their wives!

#Themyawadydaily

A collection of ancient pagodas

= Nadi Nain =

Shan State itself in reality is a visitors’ paradise where natural wonders like Mamsang falls and Pindaya caves, ancient pagodas such as Indain pagodas and Bawgyo Pagoda, historic landmarks like Pin Lon monument and Gokhtaik viaduct, beautiful towns as Kalaw and Pindaya, unique cultural regions like Inle and tribal areas, can be found together with many other interesting places.

The largest province in Myanmar also has many hidden secrets, and Kakku pagodas are one of them as they were rediscovered not long ago compared to their age which according to some documents is over 800 years. Lying in the area 33 miles from regional capital Taunggyi, a splendid collection of pagodas of various sizes and shapes numbering over 2000 are well preserved and kept hidden by Pa-O people living in the area. These pagodas also bear witness to the religious devotion of Pa-O people one the ethnic minorities of Myanmar. Mostly farmers Pa-O are not only religious Buddhists, but they in some cases are also incomparable in generosity, always willing to donate half of their income for the promotion, perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana.

Some ancient treatises even say that the story of Kakku pagodas begins in the 3th century B.C during the reign of Emperor Ashoka of India; and that they linked with the 84000 pagodas the great Indian king had built along with 84000 wells and 84000 water supplying and storing lakes in his mission for the promotion and propagation of Buddhism in India and beyond. Another legend says that King Alaungsithu, a powerful king of Bagan dynasty of Myanmar built a pagoda during his visit to the area in the 12th century A.D. It is now called the Phaung Daw Saik Pagoda or the main stupa. It also said that local Pa-O people added more pagodas at the place in the later years making it a religious ground where a collection of stupas can be found in a single venue that is roughly one square kilometer in area.

For many Kakku pagodas their outer adornment is uncomplicated, almost sparse as the original builders might have concentrated only on pure grace and form for effect. But there are also pagodas with decorations of intricate patterns of arabesques and stems. A number of figures carved in stucco and apparently originally brightly painted are attractive. Many of the pagodas contain antique Buddha images, celestial beings, musicians, dancers all shaped with great artistic talent.

Their location which is in a remote place of southern Shan State and the nature of sincere and conservative locals who in general wish to live in peace away from outsiders have helped preserve these ancient pagodas and their priceless sculptures and artistic works for a very long time. Thanks to the locals we can now visit Kakku an invaluable heritage our forefathers had created with greater creativity and vision.

As Kakku pagodas have become one of the most visited sites of Shan State, the income of Mwaytaw village where they are located and its surrounding areas are also rising thanks to the direct and indirect earnings from new businesses prospering in the region. A large number of pilgrims come to pay obeisance to the pagodas in mid March during their annual festival.

As these collection of pagodas have lived for centuries thanks to local Pa-O people who have been caring and keeping the religious ground for many years, and till now, a surge of visitors to this religious ground may have some negative impacts like garbage problems, wear and tear problems, other environmental and pollution problems and even theft.

Moreover Kakku pagodas are also included in the many ancient heritages our country have. So, we must always take into account their perpetuation which must be done through active conservation movements, careful restoration and renovation programs, safer protection measures, broader public awareness campaigns, pragmatic plans for regional economic development, and effective support for locals taking care of the stupas.

#Themyawadydaily

How to cope with traffic jams

= Maung Than Weik =

The biggest problem in Yangon today is the mega traffic jams the whole commercial city is facing almost every day. Except on the Myanmar New Year Day (on which only the famous pagodas are crowded with a very large number of Buddhist pilgrims) and one or two days afterwards, Yangon streets have become driver-friendly and parking-friendly again like they were ten or more years ago. Traveling on these two or three days in the city is a dream both for drivers and passengers.

But nowadays we will have to concede that traffic jams have become the symbol or everyday life of Yangon. Taxi drivers charge more as these jumbo traffic jams eat up most of their precious money-making hours. As for city bus drivers and ticket collectors it is an irritating situation making them rude and short tempered that commuters have to take these public transport vehicles at their mercy. Most of the commuters have become early birds riding these overcrowded slow moving vehicles for long hours while exercising total restraint all along their journey from the start to the end. So, some jokingly say that taking the public transport enhances power of forbearance. In many cases passengers are pulled into the bus and push out of the bus by ticket collectors before the vehicle actually stops which make bus-riding something like a theme-park adventure!

As for the private cars finding a place to park is the most difficult thing that is even harder than the work of driving on the congested thoroughfares where some cars, especially commuter buses and taxis practice racing or aggressive driving. Because of such acts and traffic violations to reach the destination fastest Yangon is prone to road accidents that make comprehensive motor vehicle insurance the most popular business of the insurance industry.

Surprisingly Yangon has worse traffic snarl-ups than Tokyo or Seoul yet the number of registered cars in the Myanmar’s commercial city is much fewer than those two mega metropolises of the Asian economic giants.

So what is happening in Yangon? What is the cause of these mega traffic jams of Yangon that is not a mega city yet?

One thing is that Yangon has not many or no specific parking areas as the work of building special places for keeping cars is just in its planning stage. So, most of the cars have to park on the roadside platforms shrinking the area of traffic lanes of thoroughfares or leaving only a small area for cars rolling on the narrow streets. This expands the volume of traffic jams and lengthens their existence. Another problem is the lack of discipline among many drivers. Some even don’t know the traffic rules thoroughly although they are holding a driving license.

One of the main contributors towards these mammoth jams is the plummeting automobile prices that many in Yangon now can own a car despite the scarcity of parking places. Although authorities are building flyovers with the participation of private companies they are not the real answer to the problem. For example, Hledan junction is still crowded with cars despite the emergence of an overpass. The regional government has some gigantic Yangon extension plans that may alleviate traffic jams. But they are not clear maybe because of the lack transparency.

One possible reason is that the company concerned may not want to release any information before the start of the project. In many cases people are confused, so they turn to unverified information or rumors about a company or companies that win a certain project with the help of some under the table dealings. In the absence of clear official announcements such unconfirmed news may be the only source of information for the people to rely on or believe.

Some Yangonites dream of underground tubes that are reducing the number of cars on roads even in the cities like Bangkok notorious for their traffic congestion. As the cost of building a city subway system is very high and the work is much sophisticated we may need financial and technical assistance from international community to have one in Yangon city.

International financial bodies like World Bank, IMF, Asia Development Bank are working together with Myanmar in some infrastructure development projects, but we still need more if we are going to launch a gigantic infrastructure project like a city subway system.

The best is not come yet. But we can start with what is within our capacity.

For example, building multistory car parks, improving the existing city circular railway system, extending the roads where and when possible, enforcing traffic rules and completing the renovation works of underground conduits and cables that involve parts of roads in time can also do the job.

#Themyawadydaily

Street kids in need of care

Street kids in need of care

= Hnin Thet =

The problem does not seem serious here, but it still needs to be dealt with for it is concerned with the children who will shape the future of the country.

You can see scruffy children in tattered clothes at bus stops, roadside tea shops or eateries or train stations in the commercial capital Yangon, begging for pennies. Some of them may be as young as five while many are around ten. Some people would give them money without second thought at their request, but does it help?

Abandoned or compelled by genuine financial hardship of their families, children have come out onto streets in search of something for survival and become street kids. While some resort to begging, most of them eke out a living, scavenging through municipal dump sites and dumps piled behind shops and factories, to find something or anything to sell for money.

The negative view of street children is that they are public nuisance and risk to security of general public. This view is usually held by governments and although some governments have carried 

out programs to deal with street children, the general solution still includes sending them to orphanages, juvenile homes and correctional institutions and the objective of this is to help keep them away from a life of crime.

The positive thing is that street kids who have a home are secondary earners of their families. Though the money they did out of the dump may be very small amount, still it is a big contribution to their families who usually are internal migrants and lead a hand-to-mouth existence.

On the fringes of the society, street children are largely excluded from government provided education and social safety net. Although the government has put compulsory primary education in place, poor parents cannot afford to send their children to school because doing so would mean a serious blow to their income needed to sustain their lives.

Illiteracy coupled with bad influences on the streets, street kids are often swayed to live a life of crime while the younger ones are particularly vulnerable to abuse. In some cases, homeless and/or abandoned children are fostered and exploited by the minder, who himself has grown on the streets, though such cases are rare here.

Again, left unattended by their parents, street kids tend to marry young, which often leads to early and unplanned pregnancy. This creates a vicious circle, worsening ever. 

Meanwhile, there have been reported cases of missing children on media and social network. Fortunately, the fact that child beggars here have complete body parts indicates that the country does not have gangs that kidnap children and force them to be beggars.

Giving them a few pennies may help alleviate some suffering for a day in the life of a street kid, but what about when those pennies are spent? Again, people view child beggars as part of organized groups, headed by criminals and thus face a moral dilemma over whether to give some money to them for fear that it would indirectly encourage those driving child-begging business. 

Here is the answer. Just give them foods, but not the coins so that they will not be exploited. 

While the act of sharing makes the world beautiful, it is not the real solution to the problem. These destitute kids deserve a long-term solution that tackles the root-cause of the problem.

#Themyawadydaily

" A simple and perfect exercise "

A simple and perfect exercise

= Maung Than Weik =

Normally, jogging is running slowly which is benefi cialespecially to older people as running for long hours may hurt their joints. Jogging, in fact, is an exercise whose benefits are far more than the financial cost.

Another advantage for senior citizens is that jogging needs lesser efforts when compared with running. It is really simple and most suitable for many especially the deskbound people. Regular jogging can make the heart stronger, control body weight, build stamina, decrease stress, and decelerate aging. Although it uses energy and needs efforts, jogging can make people feel physically  vigilant and can keep their spirit up in their daily work.

As muscles are using more oxygen while running slowly and steadily, jogging improves strength or endurance. Better endurance is attained when the lungs are able to take in more oxygen for the blood to pump.

Apart from keeping mental problems including anxiety, depression and stress at bay, jogging can also prevent dreadful syndromes as diabetes, hypertension and heart attack, and also obesity which actually is their source.

A comprehensive knowledge of jogging is that it has the power of significantly reducing stress and clearing worries.

As jogging or running relieves stress which is one of the causes of cancers, some research reports even say that it can prevent cancer risks mainly breast cancer.

Other cancer risks like lung cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer can also be reduced through jogging.

So, nothing in this world will be more beneficial for us than refreshing ourselves with a revitalizing jogging in the morning or evening.

#Themyawadydaily

" A Good Legacy "

" A Good Legacy "

= Maung Than Weik =

Since taking office, the government has been endeavouring to fulfill two main wishes of the entire people. Of course, the people want to live in peace and stability, and that is their first wish. With this public wish in mind, the government has been giving priority to political process for national reconsolidation and eternal peace.

Placing people’s wish in the fore, it has paved the way for all the stakeholders to have a place in the political process with national reconsolidation and eternal peace as the core. Accordingly, it has adopted the “all-inclusive political process” in the interest of the Union and the people. Thanks to this political process we can now see the domestic forces in all spheres of the Union trying with enthusiasm to serve the interest of the country and the people as per the democratic principles within the framework of the Constitution.

Moreover, the government’s sincere peace initiatives are showing sound results as many of the armed national races groups are now at different levels of peace process.

After peace and stability, what else? It’s the prosperity people also want. However, the country cannot enjoy prosperity without robust national economic growth. Consequently, the government is introducing economic reforms to fulfill the second wish of the people – national development couple with healthy economy.

The reforms cover the emergence of a market economic system suitable to the nation’s objective conditions. Besides, short- and long-term projects have been adopted for fl ourishing of macroeconomy.  Meanwhile, the government is trying to increase the population of middle class the key force behind economic and democratic reforms apart from creating a sound economic environment by inviting technical knowhow, financial investment, expertise and management internally and internationally. The purpose is to improve per capita income of the grassroots, create more job opportunities and develop the whole national economic structure in various sectors.

The government understands well that the degree of stability and durability of its reform process will become the legacy for the future successive governments.

Accordingly, sine qua non of the government’s reform process is to fulfill the people’s wishes and to leave behind a good legacy for the posterity.

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" Better places to live in or visit "

" Better places to live in or visit "

* Maung Than Weik *

Tourism as we know is a smokeless industry, but it too has negative impacts on the environment, social lives of the people and the destinations themselves. In some cases large numbers of visitors cause damage, contamination or even threats of destruction to the ancient edifices, artifacts, paintings and murals which in reality are invaluable heritages of the host country.

As tourism is a promising and lucrative business, no country can refuse the financial profits offered by this industry. Instead, countries around the world are vying with each other for a larger share in the global market minimizing the ill effects and maximizing the benefits for national interest through the best possible means of protecting the environment, the way of life and the destinations.

The bottom-line here is the sustainable development covering economic growth, environmental conservation and social and cultural values. Finally, the industry has found a new way of travelling which is about respecting and benefiting the destinations, artifacts, local people and the environment.

Responsible tourism as it is called today is the best way global countries have found at present for sightseeing, recreation, fulfillment, discovery, adventure or any other kind of tourism. It eases harmful economic, environmental and social impacts while generating superior economic benefits for local people and enhancing the well being of host communities.

Actually, responsible tourism can help a visitor know more about local cultures and environments through the active involvement of local people. It encourages the traveler to buy local products, hire local guides, make contributions for local projects, stay away from buying products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artifacts, respect local sacred places and traditions and cultures, use public transport, and understand the views and concept of locals. 

As we are aiming to become a major tourist destination in the Asian region adopting a road-map to welcome eight million visitors by the year 2020, we should also take into account the adoption of this type of business for the sustainable development of the whole tourism industry of the country.

Hence, we hope that through the responsible tourism we will be able to offer better places for people to live in and better places to visit.

#Themyawadydaily

" The land of smiling people "

= Maung Than Weik =

Because of their openness, morality and helpfulness Myanmar people are renowned for their sincere smiles in many countries. Moreover, they under the teachings of their Buddhist faith have strong humanitarian spirit and sense of generosity the main driving force behind the establishment of civil society organizations or CSOs the country needs for its democratization process.

Despite having all these sincere smiles and philanthropic spirit, our people still need to change their mindsets and behavior as old thoughts, ideas and actions are no longer adaptable to our current efforts to step forward into globalization and implement democratic transition with might and main. If we all want to make our democratic reforms stronger and faster and our country become more adaptable to globalization, we all must leave behind all the old habits such as laziness, perfunctory, incompetence, corruption, bribery and selfishness and move forward with new habits including perseverance, obligation, efficiency, honesty, morality and altruism till reaching the goal. In fact, we need the forces that push our country forward and fulfill the people’s aspirations.

But this is easier said than done as in certain cases old habits die hard and some people find it difficult to adapt to the changes. And there may be some persons sticking to their old ways of short sighted worrying that changes might ruin their situation. But we all must understand that these old habits that had delayed the national economic development for a long time must be stopped at the earliest possible time. We must launch educative campaigns and awareness programs that help people discard such bad habits and thoughts and accept changes and new habits and visions that will bring benefits to the country and community. The enforcement of the rule of law is another effective means to curb all kinds of misconducts and improve public behavior.

So let us all try to replace old habits, mindsets and behaviors with new ways of thinking and working in this New Year so there will be more joy and prosperity for the land of smiling people in the coming years. Or else the land of smiles will become the land of cries.

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" Myanmar traditional water festival "

= Dr. Aung Than Win (Oriental Studies) =

eople in every country around the world celebrate their new year in accordance with their own style and traditions and customs. Myanmar people also have their own traditional New Year apart from observing another New Year according to Gregorian calendar. 

Myanmar New Year is also called Thingyan during which we pour water on each other with the pious deed of cooling and purifying both the body and soul. The Myanmar term “Thingyan” originates from Sanskrit word “Sankranta”: which means “move, shift and change”. Myanmar New Year is also the period of change between Pisces and Aries. Seasonal symbol is two yellow fishes and asterism is Rewati similar to a fish-trap. 

Constellation is Cassiopeia and the seasonal fl owers are Kant Kaw, Tharaphi, Yinkhet and Patauk. We the Myanmar people value Patauk as Thingyan flower and it is also the lord of the fl owers of the Myanmar month Tankhu (April).

The earliest known stone inscription that mentioned the word “Thingyan” can be found at Saw Hla Wun Pagoda dated ME 653 or AD 1291. So it can be said that Myanmar traditional Thingyan festival began during Bagan period.

In the olden days, Myanmar people mixed cool and clean water with some fragrance in a large silver bowl and sprinkled one another with sprigs of Eugenia in a polite and modest manner.

But nowadays, some people, both the youths and adults, are using water cannons in pouring water especially on young ladies which in fact is against the Myanmar culture. So everyone should avoid doing such horrible things that may harm others.

On the other hand, some people both young and old of both genders go to monasteries and keep Sabbath, to pagodas and do meritorious deeds, or to mediation centres and practice vipassana. Some men and boys ordain into temporary monkhood while girls and women into temporary nun-hood during Thingyan.

Thingyan actually is the time we purify our mind and body and do pious deeds for a better tomorrow. So let’s welcome the New Year 1377 with heart and soul.

#Themyawadydaily

" Favourable economic environment "

= Maung Than Weik =

Nations around the world have different ideas, systems, methods, policies and practical ways for development as without it, they will face a lot of problems and diffi culties in bringing prosperity and making their peoples happy and contented.

In this context, we all need development in serving our people which in fact is one of the vital objectives of the government in offi ce. Normally development depends on economy whose growth and healthiness lays foundation for progress of multiple fields towards the rapid advancement of the country in this highly competitive world. 

Accordingly, we need a robust economy enjoying sustainable progress as we see a number of countries around the world with high annual economic growth acting as the main driving force or the engines of growth. These engines are helping other countries overcome global depression, economic crisis or meltdowns apart from serving their own interest well.

Here creating an environment helpful to rapid economic growth plays a vital role in generating development for every sector. The basic requirement for a favourable economic environment in fact is peace and stability. Without it, we cannot expect anything good for us, and with it we can have everything and besides, our future will be brighter than ever. Confi dently, the incumbent government is gaining more ground in the national peace process as almost all the ethnic armed groups have come to the negotiation table or already made peace with it.

Nowadays, the emergence of genuine democracy, the correct use of democracy according to its essence, national reconsolidation and restoration of ethnical unity are crucial factors which in reality are our common ground or in other words the national interest of Myanmar to create a favourable economic environment that guarantees multiple-sector development.

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" You Better Be Good During Thingyan "

= Hpone Thant =

When Thagyar Min or King of the Celestials comes to visit the Abode of Humans during the Thingyan (Myanmar New Year) holidays and that is one important assignment he has given himself.

Thingyan would mean many things to many people. For the pious and the elderly it would mean going to the monasteries and observing the Sabbath for the duration, listening to the monks recite the Holy Words from the Buddhist texts and meditation. Others would take these holidays to go on vacation. But many, especially the younger generation, would tour the town and just enjoy the festival.

But whatever the style of one’s mode of spending the auspicious Myanmar New Year there is one unseen person who is watching one’s every move.

Children are told to be extra good during this time. No more getting grumpy or ignoring your elders’ words this time. If Mom says enough water splashing today they need to obey her. If Dad says its time you go to bed and so you go. All must be well behaved. Stay well behaved, give respect to the elders.

And all this because Thagyar Min is in town. Like Santa Claus he is making a list, checking it twice to see who’s naughty and nice. He is said to have two kinds of parchments--one of gold and another of dog skin. For the good children he will put their names on the gold parchment but the bad ones will be on the dog skin one. Anybody wants his name to be on the dog skin parchment? Of course not! So every child is well behaved during this time. And that was the story we all heard when we were young and still tell it to our children even these days as it is such a wonderful tale.

But with so much wickedness and cruelty in the world these days, maybe Thagyar Min should include the grownups in his survey too and be ready to put them on the dog skin parchment!

SO GUYS BETTER BE GOOD DURING THINGYAN!

#Themyawadydaily

Competition and cohesion

Maung Than Weik

In this age of IT, the world really is a tough place in which global countries are vying with one another for economic, technological and military superiority. And at the same time, they are relying on each other to overcome challenges the age is constantly generating in environmental, social, health, education and many other sectors.

Truly, no country can live alone in this world as connections at regional and global levels are easier and quicker than ever before thanks to the world-wide electronic communication networks like the G-mail or Internet that are making the world a fully wired village. So global countries search common ground to work on mutual interest and live in cohesion making this earth a safer and more secure place for them. Peaceful co-existence in fact is the best way for perpetual existence of the countries and the world they are in.

Like the international community human society has its own rules, rivalries, limits, opportunities and benefi ts. Men compete with one another for opportunities and benefi ts while living by their own rules within the limits of their capacity. But they need social contacts and dealings as they cannot live in isolation. Men need to work together with others, live in communities, and rely on each other for their own benefit. Keeping oneself aloof from others invites detriment rather than benefi ts.

More often than not, competition is the source of success for men. Human community makes progresses through the competitions between its own members. Besides, it is the competition that generates inventions, innovations, changes and developments, helping human society face and overcome many challenges throughout the successive periods.

Without doubt, competition is an essential part of human race. But competition alone cannot build a stronger human society. It is the unity that strengthens the bonds of mankind. In consequence, human race must live in harmony and cohesion understanding the importance of every individual while making fair and constructive competitions for its progress and perpetuity.

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#ျမ၀တီေန႔စဥ္

" Just 30 Minutes "

" Just 30 Minutes "

Tin Maung Than

People do not need to spare so much time for doing exercise to obtain maximum benefits. Generally, an adult may need just about 30 minutes of moderate exercise no less than five days per week as physical activity will make him feel better, gain extra energy and perhaps even enjoy longevity.

To stay healthy, a person needs regular exercise because physical activity can help him maintain a healthy weight, a vitally important factor for today’s desk-bound people. According to medical surveys, exercise can prevent dreadful diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart problems and even some cancers. What’s more, people who are leading an active life live longer and happier.

The main point here is that a person needs to find the most suitable exercise for him. Normally, brisk walking, hiking or even stair-climbing are the kind of exercises he can do without much difficulty. He can also choose dancing, swimming or gardening and there are other options such as jogging, running, bicycling and rowing. He can also join with his friends in team sports like soccer, volleyball and sepaktakraw or go to the fitness classes and centres. 

If a person wants to lose more weight or meet specific fitness goals, he may need to exercise more. But the amount of physical activity he needs to do every day is fixed by his own age. He can also take some advice from his family doctor or other physician to choose the best exercise for him and the amount of time and activity he needs.

Another bonanza is that exercise and physical activity can provide an opportunity to relax, enjoy the open-air and natural scenery or spend an enjoyable time.

A day has 1,440 minutes and a person needs only 30 of them to enjoy all the benefits of physical activity.

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