February
13, 2018
It
was heartening to read the newspaper which read: “The New Mon State Party
(NMSP) and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire
Agreement (NCA) on 13 Februrary 2018”.
As
the news of the signing ceremony came out on 13 February, all the Myanmar
nationals were feeling joyous and happy. This good news is one of the
significant changes in the country and all the national races across the
country are rejoicing to hear this auspicious news. As a result, they can enjoy
the fruitful results of peace which we yearned for a long time has come true
indeed.
A
day of significance
13
February is a day of significance in the history of Myanmar because a boy by
the name of Aung San was born in a village in Magway Region, central Myanmar,
in 1915.
Early
Life
Being
a lawyer, his father provided a comfortable but unremarkable middle class
upbringing and an education that enabled the young man to attend the University
of Yangon.
Young
Aung San received his primary education at a Buddhist monastic school in
Natmauk, and secondary education at Yenangyaung High School. After he entered
Yangon University in 1933, he quickly became a student leader and was elected
to the executive committee of the Yangon University Students’ Union. He then
became editor of the Oway (Peacock’s Call) Magazine.
During
his university days, he was loyal to nothing and no one apart from a
single-minded, immovable dream of an independent Myanmar. In October 1938, Ko
Aung San left his law classes and entered national politics.
When
he entered Dobama Asiayone, the “We Burmans Association”, he acted as its
general secretary until August 1940. While in this role, he helped organise a
series of countrywide strikes that became known as the 1300 Revolution, named
after the Burmese calendar year.
He
was known as a nationalist and the founder of the Tatmadaw as well as an
architect of Myanmar’s Independence due to his unwavering spirit.
Bogyoke
Aung San and the Panglong Agreement
It
was on 12 February, 1947, that Bogyoke Aung San and representatives of ethnic
races, including 23 signatories, signed the Panglong Agreement, with the
determination of living in unity and with equal rights.
Hence,
all indigenous people residing in the union are urged to participate in
building a democratic federal union while valuing our unity as life.
The
Panglong Agreement is the result of the struggle made by Bogyoke Aung San and
ethnic leaders with farsightedness.
With
the Panglong Agreement, Myanmar, with more than 100 ethnic tribes, showed their
unity and strength in regaining independence. Thanks to the unity of all ethnic
peoples, Myanmar became a sovereign independent country on 4 January, 1948.
Making
Sacrifices
Although
Bogyoke Aung San was instrumental in bringing about Myanmar’s independence, he
did not live long enough to see the flag hoisting ceremony of the Independence
Day. Tragically he was assassinated on 19 July, 1947, six months before
Myanmar’s independence. His sudden death at the age of 32 was a great loss to
the country.
70
years after Independence Day
Though
Myanmar gained independence over 70 years ago, some ethnic groups still take up
arms and remain in the past. They are in need of focusing on the present time
in order to set up as a democratic union and a Democratic Federation Republic
that is acceptable to the majority.
Progress
on the Peace Process
After
regaining independence in 1948, Myanmar suffered the consequences of
insurgencies and unrest mainly due to mistrust, hatred and the evil effects of
armed conflicts. Successive governments spoke with ethnic armed groups to halt
the unrest, which lasted for many decades. As a result, the government and
ethnic armed groups agreed to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in
2015.
Unity
is Strength
That
is why every year on the 13th of February, Myanmar nationals all around the
country honour Bogyoke Aung San and celebrate his birthday as if he was still
with us.
As
we march towards National Unity, we need to reduce issues that could cause
disunity and discord among us. Moreover, we need to seek out common points of
agreement that could bring us together and make us more united.
For
the emergence of a Democratic Federal Republic, we ought to stand tall and be
strong amidst the countries of the world, for a bright future for our next
generations.
Ultimate
Aim
The
ultimate aim should be for the next generation to live in a stable, peaceful
and developed nation. It is of crucial importance to set up as a democratic
union and a Democratic Federation Republic that is acceptable to the majority.
Hence,
all indigenous people residing in the union are urged to participate in
building a democratic federal union while valuing our unity as life.
Translated
by
Win
Ko Ko Aung
By
Maung Thaung Win (Ex-Diplomat)
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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