Saturday, October 18, 2025

People of all faiths urged to uphold four Cardinal Virtues

Aceremony to mark the Hindu festival of Deepavali jointly organized by the Myanmar India Friendship Association (MIFA) and Hindu communities residing in Myanmar, took place at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Road in Dagon Township yesterday evening, attended by Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

 Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla were welcomed by officials. Next, the Yangon Region Chief Minister, the Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Indian Embassy to Myanmar and those from the Hindu communities cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Mingala archway of the Deepavali festival. They then played Hindu traditional music and released hot-air balloons.

The Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman and his wife were welcomed with the Hindu traditional oil lamps and fragrance, and those from the ceremony prayed the Pur Kumbham of Hindu traditions. The Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman launched the ceremony.

They visited the Myanmar-India friendship and business booths and booths of the Hindu communities.

At the second session of the ceremony, the Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman and his wife, the Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Indian Embassy and his wife, and officials ignited the oil lamps to mark the Deepavali festival. The Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Indian Embassy and his wife decorated the Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman and his wife with the Mingala shawl and garlands. The Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman and the Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of the Indian Embassy exchanged commemorative gifts and had documentary photos taken.

The Secretary of Myanmar-India Friendship Association and his wife also decorated the Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Indian Embassy and his wife with the Mingala shawl and garlands.

Speaking on the occasion, the Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman expressed the purpose of attending the Deepavali festival of Hindu traditions. He said that Deepavali is a traditional festival of lights highly revered by Hindus. The term “Deepavali” combines the words “Deepa”, meaning light, and “Avali”, meaning row or line; thus, Deepavali signifies “a row of lights”, symbolizing the lighting of oil lamps in worship and celebration. Beginning new ventures or closing old accounts and opening new ones on this day will bring success as expected. They also hold the belief that the celebration of this Deepavali festival of lights will usher in better conditions and greater prosperity for the country from this time onward.

Myanmar is a nation where various ethnic groups and diverse religious beliefs coexist. According to the Constitution, all citizens residing in the country are granted equal rights and the freedom to profess and practise their respective religions.

Therefore, it is very important that people celebrate their religious festivals meaningfully in accordance with their faith and traditions. People of different religions should live together in harmony by upholding the four cardinal virtues. In accordance with the saying “Unity brings strength,” it is important for followers of all religions to live together peacefully with mutual respect. Those who suffer due to religious or social conflicts should be helped and cared for, and any religious-related grievances should be resolved in accordance with the law.

Since all people have grown up together on the same motherland, everyone should respect one another’s religion and beliefs. Regardless of race or faith, as all citizens equally share and live on this land, water, and air of Myanmar, they should nurture the spirit of the Union and live in unity. Based on this spirit, all need to foster mutual friendship and cooperation for the collective benefit of the nation.

For the sake of the State and all ethnic people, efforts are being made to enable the country to return to the path of a multiparty democratic system desired by the people. Starting from 28 December, a free and fair multiparty democratic general election will be held. Afterwards, the State responsibilities will be handed over to the government that emerges from the election results, in accordance with democratic standards. To ensure the success of the election, it was also emphasized that all organizations should act with the national interest as their priority.

He also conveyed his best wishes that, starting from this Deepavali festival, all citizens should share love, respect, understanding, and forgiveness toward one another, leaving behind the negative things of the past, and work together to bring about peace and prosperity in the nation and throughout the world.

The Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Indian Embassy and the Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the ceremony, and the Chairman of the Myanmar-India Friendship Association spoke words of thanks.

The Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman and his wife, and attendees  enjoyed Hindu traditional cultural dances, ethnic dances and Myanmar traditional dances presented by the Myanmar-India traditional cultural dance troupe, the Hindu traditional cultural dance troupe and the cultural troupes from the National University of Arts and Culture. After the entertainment, the Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman and his wife, the Charged’ Affaires ad interim of the Indian Embassy and his wife, presented flower baskets to the cultural dance troupes.

After the ceremony, the Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman, his wife and party cordially greeted those from the Hindu communities and Hindu traditional dance troupes.

The Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and SSPC Chairman and his wife and the attendees had dinner in honour of the Deepavali festival.

Also, present at the ceremony were Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo and his wife, commission members, Union ministers and their wives, ambassadors from foreign embassies to Myanmar, heads of embassies, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Yangon Command, officials from associations, people from Hindu communities, Hindu traditional cultural troupes and guests.

— MNA/TTA

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