STATE Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, accompanied by Union
Ministers Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, Lt-Gen Ye Aung, U Min Thu and U Aung Thu, and other
officials, flew from Nay Pyi Taw to Kalay Township in Sagaing Region yesterday
morning. They were welcomed at the Kalay Airport by Sagaing Region Chief
Minister Dr. Myint Naing, Chin State Chief Minister Salai Lian Lwal, state and
regional ministers, Hluttaw representatives, ethnic traditional and cultural
groups, and other officials.
▲ State Counsellor inspects completed Tikir dam ▲
The State Counsellor and entourage then travelled by military
helicopter to Thantlang Township in Chin State. They were greeted by Vice
President U Henry Van Thio, the state’s Hluttaw Speaker, state ministers,
Hluttaw representatives, ethnic traditional and cultural groups, and officials.
The State Counsellor and entourage arrived in Tikir Dam
project hall where U Kyaw Myint Hlaing, Director-General of the Department of
Irrigation and Water Management, reported on the completed tasks and regional
development performed during the project period.
The State Counsellor then attended the inauguration ceremony
for Tikir Dam, which was built by the Department of Irrigation and Water
Management near Tikir Village in Thantlang Township. The local people sang a
song they had composed for the State Counsellor at the ceremony.
▲ State Counsellor speaks at Tikir Dam inauguration▲
The State Counsellor delivered a speech at the Tikir Dam
inauguration.
“I want to wish good health, prosperity, and blessings to
everyone here in attendance. First, I want to apologize for not being able to
make this wish in the native ethnic language. We are a country with many ethnic
nationals who have diverse languages so of course there will be complications
such as this. But the important thing is for our hearts to be connected.
Even if our languages may differ, if the cetana (goodwill)
and loving-kindness in our hearts are identical then our country will without a
doubt be an immensely joyful and prosperous nation.”
“We were welcomed with a song by the local people. The song
welcomed me as Bogyoke Aung San’s daughter and it re-minded me of a similar
welcome I received last time I was here in Chin State. This is why I have
embedded the loving-kindness and goodwill of the Chin people deep in my heart.
While we can say the ThiKi dam project is relatively small, the benefits it
provides can be compared to a summary of the essential components of our
nation.”
▲ Water is essential, but also a danger ▲
“This project will bring agriculture, drinking water, tap
water, and electricity and based on this it will also improve transportation.
We will be able to build hospitals and schools will improve. This small project
will bring water, electricity, roads, education and healthcare to the local
people. This project reflects the necessary components for our entire country
and by fulfilling these requirements we have shown the extent of benefits they
can bring to our citizens.”
“There are five dangers or enemies in Buddhist belief:
floods, fire, bad rulers, people who do not appreciate you, and thieves. It
won’t be too much of a stretch to say ThiKi dam has shown us the way to
overcome these five dangers. We managed to find a way to acquire water. When
you think about it, having no access to water is a danger in itself too. We
must be victorious on all sides against water, one of the five dangers. We must
have access to sufficient drinking water, tap water, and water for irrigation.
We must also protect ourselves from the dangers of flooding.”
▲ Democracy protects us from corruption ▲
“Light used to be associated solely with burning flames but
now it can refer to electricity and the light produced from it. Providing light
and electricity is also beneficial to the people. Without it, our people’s
developments are greatly impeded.”
“The government are also rulers and a democratic system is
important to prevent tragedies befalling on the citizens. The democratic system
must be based on the people so that there is commitment from the
administration. It is up to each of us to gradually reduce the number of people
that do not appreciate others. People who do not have affection towards you are
your enemies. But we must spread and radiate love and kindness so that we do not
end up as enemies. If all of us have genuine loving-kindness towards each other
then we can abolish this, one of the five dangers.”
“Thieves here does not just refer to common robbers, it can
refer to crooks who steal from the nation and its people. I am of course
referring to corruption. We must be free of corruption to remove those who
would steal the country’s natural resources, and the possessions and wealth of
the people. This is also one of the aims of democracy. Democracy presents us
with opportunities to eradicate corruption. It is also one of the aims of our
Union government.”
“To summarize my points, we want to safeguard our people from
all five dangers. We (the Union government) wish to support the development of
our citizens. In this regard, the involvement and participation of the people
are of critical importance. Without public participation, no project will ever
succeed. Even a small project such as this dam could not be accomplished
without the local people’s participation. It also requires the government’s
cooperation in the centre, in addition to support from experts and helpers as
well. This is why only our collective strength can enable us to implement our
dreams and aspirations.”
▲ Change is inevitable, but we must protect nature ▲
“I always feel content when I come to Chin State. I feel the
warmth and hospitality of the Chin people and see their endurance against the
region’s difficulties. But I wish to request the Chin people one thing though.
Please, try to refrain from cutting down trees. Because, on my way here in the
helicopter, I could see the enormous extent of deforestation in the area. I
just wanted to let you know, I do not intend to compare with anything.”
“When I was recently in Kachin State, I saw the lush green
forests growing strong there. I want Chin State’s forests to be the same.
Each of the local people here has the strength to make that
happen and the responsibility as well. Please make your surroundings green and
healthy. We cannot avoid not changing the natural environment. This dam
project, for example, did not come out of nature, it is man-made. We must
protect the natural environment so that it becomes a better place to live for
the people and other living things in the area.
It is impossible to avoid touching, changing or leaving the
natural environment as it is. We will have to make changes for our development
and for the successive generations.”
“When we make changes, we must watch out for the benefit of
everyone, not just the people but also for the wildlife. We have this
responsibility to the Earth and the land we live on, and to the water we drink
and electricity we use. We must all be accountable to overcome the five dangers
and reap the benefits of our hard work.”
▲ Closing remarks ▲
“As I close my speech, I have an apology to make. We were
late but we have to work in compliance with the weather. This is a lesson for
us. We have not completely mastered the weather yet. We have the technology to
predict it but not to deter it. Thus, we have to make these considerations in
our future plans. We must make preemptive protection. It isn’t easy to fix a
problem after it has happened.
We have to make changes in our plan in accordance with the
weather, and we have to make sure there are no losses on any sides.”
“Our meeting may be short but if we can establish genuine
goodwill and loving-kindness within that period then it will become more
valuable in the long-run. Again, I wish good health, prosperity and great
blessings on all of you. Thank you.”
The State Counsellor then formally opened the Tikir dam with
Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Union Minister Dr. Aung Thu, and the state
Chief Minister by cutting ceremonial ribbons. They then took a documentary
photograph together with the attendees.
▲ Tikir small-scale hydroelectric power station ▲
Next, the State Counsellor and Vice President attended the
inauguration of the Tikir small-scale hydroelectric power station, constructed
by the Department of Irrigation and Water Management. The State Counsellor
unveiled the station’s memorial stone inscription and sprinkled scented water.
Next, the Vice President, union ministers, state Chief Minister, and officials
also sprinkled scented water on the memorial.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Vice President U
Henry Van Thio posed for a documentary photo together with local people who
attended the opening ceremony.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with local people
at the town hall in Thantalan. At the meeting, she said she always felt the
warm welcome of Chin people every time she visited Chin State, and thanked the
Chin people for their ever-lasting memory of her father and valuing her as his
daughter. She then apologized for the delay in arriving to the state due to the
weather condition. She said, “I understand well that some of the ethnic people
came here from faraway villages.” She said she was afraid that the meeting time
would be too short for them. But the main thing was not the duration of a
meeting time, but the understanding and love generated by the event.
She continued to say that she has witnessed the degree of
benefits even a small project could produce for the local people. The most
important thing was to nurture Union spirit. She appreciated the degree of
benefit the whole country could enjoy if the Union spirit was systematically
nurtured. Every time she toured the country, she took lessons from the
prevailing situations she witnessed. The government had been trying to
understand the needs and to find the best means in serving the national people.
Mostly she travelled by helicopter in touring both Kachin and Chin states. But
during the time she was not a government dignitary, she visited Chin State by
car.
She said travelling by road offered the opportunity to meet
with local people all along the route. She could stop at villages and meet with
locals. When she visited Chin State in 2002 Chin villagers and Chin people
repairing the road warmly welcomed her. They even gave her gifts, although they
were poor.
She said the present situation was different from then.
However, she thought that the warmness and cordiality of the people remained
unchanged. Travelling by helicopter gave her good knowledge. Every time a
helicopter landed, it caused some disturbances to the environment. The high
wind triggered by the propelling blades sometimes blew the roofs and fences
away. Every cause has its own good and bad effects. She promised compensation
for the damaged property. They should inform her if compensation was not
received.
The State Counsellor said while the helicopter was
descending, she saw the collapse of the archway. From the sky, she saw the
people waiting for her behind the archway. They were singing and holding her
portrait. Although the archway collapsed, the portrait never fell. This meant
that everything which was under the protection of the people never became
feeble or falls. No government could be successful, without public support. A
government, without any public support, could not truly represent the people or
serve the people.
She said they were welcoming her with a song. She could know
the meaning of the song as its verses were translated to her. The song meant
that they were welcoming her, with trust, as the daughter of Bogyoke. Her
mission was not accomplished even if she ended poverty and the pains of the
people. All must make inclusive efforts to free the entire country from
poverty, worries and pains.
She said the country was now in its early stage of
development. She would refer to one of the post-World War II quotes of her
father, saying, “Our country is reduced to ashes, so if others are walking, we
must run to catch up with them.” Now we must do the same.
She said as the country lagged behind development, all must
run faster than their neighbours and advanced countries to catch up with them.
All the people must have the desire and resolve to run while others were
walking. All must make a resolve to strive hard with endurance. All need power
and capability to realize the resolve.
All the people must combine their strength to generate
energy. No one gained or lost in generating energy, as everyone has his own
value and weaknesses and advantages. All should know this. Pointing a finger at
others’ weaknesses, without realizing his own, is not a good habit. All must
build self-confidence based own their own strength. National development does
mean financial prosperity, it really means the happiness of the people.
She said development of a nation depends only on intellectual
and physical strength and the degree of security felt by the people. Whatever
growth the GDP is gaining and figures are showing, the real indicator is the
degree of happiness and the mental and physical security of the people. A
person must strive for his own happiness as it is not for granted. So, each and
every one of the brethren of the Union has his own duty. They must nurture
themselves. The most important requirement for a government to successfully
serve its duties is to listen to the public voice. It must know the public
desire. People must have trust in the government to express their wishes. If
they think that punishment will come for expressing something that the
government dislikes, they would never voice their feelings again. Right or
wrong, the people should express their wish. Some thought that the government
would do everything, that they are already dutiful just by the casting the vote
in favour of the government. The government as well as every person must be
dutiful.
She said her main wish was to listen to the people’s voices.
So she wanted to hear their voices after her speech. She wanted to hear their
questions, worries, hopes, problems. But she could not settle them all at once.
In fact, public discussion, debates and coordination are the foundation of the
national force. She trusted that the people attended the meeting with the
spirit to serve the country. Fatherly figures of Chin people were also included
in the persons who greeted her before the meeting. She valued their goodwill
and cordiality. Nothing was more valuable than the love and goodwill of the
people. Although Myanmar was rich in natural resources, she placed greater
trust in human resources. The country was formed with citizens. She would give
more time for the public to express their voices and requirements. She would
look into the requirements to the most possible degree. If an immediate
response could be made, she would seek the way to solve it later. They should
present their voices from the bottom of their hearts. They should not present
their voices with the intention of criticizing or hurting others. Discussions
or questions should lead to the betterment of their condition and the
community.
Then local people presented requirements for development.
Union ministers and officials looked into their requirements sector wise.
The State Counsellor presented 100 rice bags and 100 viss of
cooking for the local people through a towns-elder. She also cordially conversed
with the attendees.
At the Pyidaungsu villa in Reedhorda, she presented 100 rice
bags and 100 viss of cooking for the local people through the officials.
Hwangol ethnic people entertained her with a Chin traditional
dance during the visit to Reed Lake in Ward 1. She cordially greeted the ethnic
people.
Reed Lake near Reedhorda in Chin State is located 2997 feet
above the sea level. Its width is about two miles. Discovered in about AD 1500,
the lake is an internationally renowned priceless tourism destination and a
sacred place. At a public meeting in Haka, the State Counsellor explained the
government’s endeavours for national development in detail. The Chief Minister
of the State and officials looked into the sector-wise requirements presented
by towns-elders and local people. She presented 100 rice bags and 100 viss of
cooking for the local people through the officials, and cordially conversed
with locals who attended the meeting.
MNA
PHOTO: MNA
PHOTO: THET AUNG
Translated by TMT, Zaw Htet Oo
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar
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