Call made for all ethnic groups to strengthen nation-building through national unity

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that all citizens have to keep the genuine national spirit in their minds to strive for serving the interests of the State.

The Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA — Central) held a ceremony to present prizes to winners in the 38 Auspicious Blessings and Buddhological Examination to mark the 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of YMBA at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha, Yangon, yesterday morning.

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, and Life Patron of YMBA Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech on the occasion.

First, the Senior General and the party viewed the documentary photo gallery of YMBA.

They all recited Namo Tassa three times and saluted the flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar at the opening of the ceremony.

Ma Thu Thu Than Thar Aung from Mawlamyine of Mon State, who won a silver medal in the old/modern song contest of the 26th Traditional Myanmar Cultural Performing Arts Competition, performed a song entitled “Three Colours”.

Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that all citizens have to keep the genuine national spirit in their minds to strive for serving the interests of the State.

He highlighted that at the present time, the YMBA continues its activities related to language and literature. Likewise, the Government is also working from various angles to further enhance and elevate Myanmar literature as well as the country’s existing indigenous languages.

He noted that it is not only in the present day that we live in an era of learning; since the beginning of the world, human society has been built on the foundation of knowledge. At present, the State has set KG+9 as the minimum compulsory education goal and is implementing an education system to ensure the emergence of strong and capable human resources.

The Senior General stressed that the country’s education system is designed to provide a complete pathway from school education to practical skills and knowledge. Only strong human resources equipped with such skills and knowledge can support the nation’s development and ensure its long-term stability and sustainability.

He highlighted that based on the people’s enduring patriotic spirit and the challenges they have faced, the nation has had to navigate various difficult stages. Therefore, by drawing lessons from past historical events, it is important for everyone to firmly understand that this year’s National Victory Day motto — “Let’s march towards a new golden nation in unity” — reflects the country’s genuine need for a strong and healthy sense of national spirit at present.

He stressed that when recounting the history of the YMBA, one inevitably comes across the history of Myanmar’s struggle for independence. The YMBA was the earliest national organization to lead efforts for independence and national politics in Myanmar. Founded in 1906, the association has now turned 119.

Subsequently, the Senior General continued that the YMBA was formed, and through its young members, it was possible to establish the Thirty-Comrades and, through that, the Burma Independence Army, which ultimately helped the country regain its independence. The association provided the solid foundational principles that made this possible. It can be said that the history of Tatmadaw started from BIA’s establishment as well, and the origins of patriotic spirit can be traced back to the YMBA.

He recounted that since 1949, the YMBA has led the organization of examinations on the Thirty-Eight Blessings (Mangala Sutta) and Buddhology. This year marks the 75th anniversary of these examinations, now celebrated as the Diamond Jubilee.

He underlined that a distinctive feature of this year, unlike previous years, is that candidates were able to take the examinations not only in the Myanmar language but also in ethnic languages such as Mon and Pa-O. It is necessary to work towards enabling candidates in the coming years to take the exams in these and other ethnic languages as well.

He emphasized that all ethnic nationalities living within the country should participate in nation-building efforts with a sense of personal responsibility, guided by a spirit of love for the nationality, respect for language, dedication to preserving the religion, and a commitment to promoting education.

YMBA Chairman U Ye Tun handed over a historically architectural mason trowel used in laying down the cornerstone of the YBMA building in Pazundaung Township of Yangon Region on 4 April 1952, Friday, 10th Waxing of Tagu, 1313 ME, donated to the Defence Services Museum to Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Director of the Public Relations and Psychological Warfare of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army).

Pa-O and Mon traditional cultural dance troupes performed traditional dances.

The Senior General presented first prizes to winners in the Myanmar language (senior), Pa-O language (senior) and Mon language (junior) of the 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) 38 Blessings and Buddhism Examination organized by YMBA.

Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi, and Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein gave prizes to winners in the 38 Blessings and Buddhism Examination.

Students recited the 38 Auspicious Blessings and sang the Zartiman song. The Senior General and attendees enjoyed their singing activities.

After the ceremony, the Senior General cordially greeted the attendees and had lunch together with the prize winners and attendees.

MNA/TTA

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