Where gone our National Day Spirit ?

Dear my princess,

OUR NATIONAL DAY HAS COME AGAIN silently. If Armed Force Day is belong to all soldiers, National Day is belong to all citizens. It is one of an important day in our country's history but it is effectively ignored. It is more than just a holiday to all citizens. We dearly miss this special day spirit for so many years now. You will never know how much we enjoyed this special day unless I tell you now. It doesn't matter how old are we, it is powerful to attract all level of ages. Every Divisions and States are planning to hold a sport related activities on this day so that residents become closer and familiar through a fair game. Usually the game comes by group in order to participate by all ages from school child to an elder people. Mostly are traditional games such as pillow hitting, climbing a slip pole, etc while main sports include olympic athlete games. Today, younger generation will find it hard to experience as we enjoyed in past.

The government will broadcast the song of unity and people will follow the music. Early morning the sport timing is transmitted to make people active and gather out on the road. There are so many flags here and there on the road and on the walls of house. I don't know where people get the flag. But it's beautiful to see a lot of flag waving on the air. It is really graceful and never satisfy to see. On the other words, it can make people more unity and portrait to country. Loyalty always come from portrait-ism. So it is bad younger generation miss such a chance now.

Now, most of people will easily forget the spirit of this day and just enjoy public holiday at home and some might go pagoda. It's pity to spend an important day like this. Just take a look at other regional countries. In Vietnam, their people would love to go Ho Chi Minh Memorial Square to honour thier national hero's bravery to liberate their country. In India, people will visit to Gandhi memorial to pay their respect. Even in the small country like Singapore, they'll alert people to gather at the national square/ floating platform to show their spirit. They make their national day evening with a spectacular parade from all department of government office. Their army will show the power of them so that the people can proud of army. They'll show their latest acquisition of new technology. I am praised to see four helicopters carry a huge flag of Singapore through the city. People are shouting their national song while leading celebrities make them active. They compose a new song for national day event and all the people are singing on the evening. The event will be concluded by the speech of their president and Prime Minister. Those who cannot attend the square will enjoy on live television and listen their PM speech carefully. By this way, they are making their national day a meaningful day. They don't have a long history like our country possess. But they know how to organize people and make them love their country.

I always ask myself for failing to maintain our already existing spirit for this special day.
Why not we have something special while our neighbour countries have something to celebrate?
Why don't we have our national hero memorial to visit and pay respect?
Why don't we have a national day speech by our leader to listen?
Why don't we hear our national song on this day?
Why don't we miss our national day games?
I hope I can tell you the answer of these queries one day you have grown up.

War makes people suffer

NOW KOREAN peninsular is on the brink of nuclear war and have been world's head news for few days. US and S-Korea are playing war game to show their power of getting ready while N-Korea deployed its surface to surface & surface to air missiles to the boarder line. They must be come from the same generation and live on the same island and then what made them arch enemies between them? The last case was initiated by N-Korea that claimed 4 people dead and destroyed some building on the island. S-Korean defense minister is heavily criticized for its respond to invasion. I want to stress here is that the south korea president apologizes to its people for failing to protect its people from other country's attack.

He said, he feels responsible for failing to protect its people suffering from war. It might not strange to Korean people and westerners but strange to us especially people who come from a communist background countries, I think. Because I never heard such practice despite there are some civil war between ethnic soldiers and government troops. It there is some fight, it's sure either side had been wrong and responsible for those who flees due to war. It's not good to anybody because of war. So we, all people, are protecting wars around the world regardless of size. It doesn't matter how small or big it is, the outcome is always negative.

Our country has a lot of ethnic rebels who are attacking government since independence for specific purpose. It's one of the reasons why our country failed to develop despite rich of natural resources. Currently DKBA and government army are fighting for some discrepancy between them. Who benefit from it? Nobody for sure. Only residents of war area fleeing across the river to Thailand. As a result, Myanmar's image has been affected and people are deeply fallen into plight. We all should protect such manner and wish the authority to meet with all ethnic people to get common ground. Hopefully the next government will find a best solution to make our country peaceful land.

Leadership

"WE STRONGLY NEED A RIGHT LEADER", this is highlighted from a speech of PAP general meeting few days ago. What's PAP ? Singapore's ruling party called "People Action Party"that was founded by MM Lee if I am not wrong. Anyway, I want to highlight from this is if even like a Singapore needs a right leadership than how about a developing country like Myanmar. It's not me who judge my country as a developing country. I just refer to recent news citing Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao & Myanmar as a developing country among ASEAN countries. Nevertheless, we cannot deny that every country will definitely need a right and strong leadership for their respective country regardless of developed or developing country.

Some expert would say that it's much more difficult to maintain the momentum of developing among developed countries compare to improving the status of existing situation among developing countries. Concurrently, our country just finished much awaited election and its main purpose is searching people's party to rule country's future. It doesn't matter how people respond to result of this election, USDP already won this election and will take 80% of Myanmar's upcoming new Parliament seats. Nobody can deny that. The future president would be selected by Army Chief in which he will draw a short list of suitable presidency. I just simply can't consider who can be eligible for this hot seat.

Meanwhile I am not sure if USDP has enough experience in proper ruling the country and so does president elect. I know how smart our army is in administrative since it ruled for 20 years time without any difficulties. But I am disappointed to learn the way the authorities manage in some situation especially in emergency case such as Nargis Cyclone, etc. My country used to surface when something unusual happened to our land. But luckily Myanmar can avoid international attention as something else always come out to overshadow Myanmar's case. Let me draw some points.

When Nargis was world's head news, it just long for few days I think because world attention changed to Sichun Equake News from China that was considered more important. Again, this time election cannot be put under highlight for long enough as the Korea penisular war tense is more crucial to the world community. What a lucky escape is it? Can we call it just coincidence? Anyway, Myanmar's generals are able to relief from some pressure by such ways. I don't know about politic but I can sense the right and wrong. I think it is why we needed to study in life. Above all, we have to make right decision to judge our future and it's much more important not to betray our own brains.

May my country get a good leadership who can really change the image of golden land sooner or later.

A Christmas promise

Dear my baby,

When I was young, I didn't understand why we are poor despite we are one of the richest countries. I hope the same question you may bring along to me and ask me for answer. As you know, I grown up in a village of central Burma where there is no media access. Also there is no library and book shops around me since we don't have that practice and people seems don't bother on it. Traditionally we are used to that and spend our time in making some things that survive us in life. In fact, life is not only just for survive but for exploring our brain as much as possible. But there is no choice for a child who was born in such environment. It's also likely not to find a proper person to be asked our queries. Luckily, your grand-father, my dad was so patient in answering my continuous questions as good as possible. I am grateful for that and I'ld like to become a dutiful father like your grand-father when you start questioning.

Our life are so simple and we used to eat our time by playing and studying when we are school age. We don't know what is our level and not interested in other concern. So no wonder our brain developed within a particular limit. It's great to be simple in life but I think it's not always right. I am really concern on it when you are coming my life. I have started my own survey on where should I send you to study when you reach school age. Of course, being a father, I want to give you world-class education. But be remember there are side effects on the other hand, my baby. You may want to accuse for making you confuse. One simple no good, another one advance with side effects. Sorry if you have confused on this, I'll explain you deeper till you understand well.

As a result of poor education system, our country's graduates become less quality and mostly are not market ready people after their campus days. Moreover, the copy education made them worse to already weaken system. I remember my college days that I can't hire books from library. Then you might want to ask why there for library, ok, it's just for virtual to fulfill the facilities of a college/ university. As a result, students go to cafe shops rather than visiting a good and meaningful places like a library. No wonder our graduates cannot compete with our counterparts from other regional countries. I don't compare to western graduates the gap is so huge between ours and theirs. There are continuous abuse to my fellow citizen for our poor background and more importantly lack of English language efficiency. We are trying to survive in the broken places so as to assist our family behind. We swallow all troubles and problems in favour of their (our relatives) goodness. We mostly don't let them know how are we struggling here. This is in fact the victim of a bad system. Those coming here to work are actually at least one degree holder but still not good enough to do lower ranking job due to our poor education system. In fact, we are standing here by fighting with our hard working spirit, honesty and cheap wages among others. We are losing our future as we all don't know when we can go back home exactly and the situation here is never stable for migrant workers like us. That's why we, migrant workers, want our country change more than those who are living and working domestic.

During the last two decades, our education system goes from bad to worse under administration of Junta, I believe. I have come across the various stages of political and had witnessed the outcome of bad systems. Luckily I had a chance to have a neighbour who was book-worm and love to buy and share books weekly and monthly from a big cities. I benefit from it and my reading hobby initiated from that point. So I want to create a similar situation unless I able to bring you here. Being a father, I felt that I am responsible for leaving you alone in my home town now. I promise you, baby, I'll try to raise you as high as possible.

Recently, our country made a 20 years awaited election and finished with a disappointing result that were not recognized by UN and international communities. We hope some changes from this election and of course we wanted to see some improvements after that. But people are distraught after election and so do we. I also sincerely expect changing education system and let you study locally so that you don't need to learn Myanmar's long and deep cultural in foreign country. I oftenly read a lot of shock news related to school girls here and it make me hard to make decision. I might have been too worry for you, but I have to insist it as it is good for you. I can't afford to decide simply if I want you to relax in long term. But I am confident that I can find a proper solution by the time you reach pre-school age.

Wish you a happy Christmas, baby.

Myanmar wins 2 golds on last day

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, my wife and I were watching opening ceremony of 16th Asia Game held in Guangzhou, China. After impressive performance by hundreds of performer, the ceremony ended, as usual, by introducing each participating country to the attendance and each country come out with the fullest smiles and carried their national flag as wave as possible to draw people's attention.

It's first time for my wife and me to view our brand new national flag outside Myanmar to represent our country. Some powerful sport countries such as china, japan, south korea and even thailand and singapore are boasting their contingent when their turn come to upfront. I don't wonder to see big contingent on china, japan and south korea but I really impressed to see significantly big team from Thailang and Singapore. My wife and I were eagerly waiting for our very own country's team and end up with disappointed. WHY..? They come out only about 12 players including management team. It's pity for a country of over 60 million country when a 5-million Singapore is sending over 300 athletes.

Once Thailand's contingent come out, also over 300 athletes are coming together and the media highlighted the attendance of their Prime Minister's attendence. What a great encouragement for their team? Singapore sent the chairman of olympic council and DPM if I am not wrong to cheer their team. They continuously publish their team's ambition upon this Asia Game and they at some point set daring target to grab.

During the game, I keep reading the news of compitition and notice that the host country, China, is outperforming the rest countries of the Asia. They took 197, 117 & 98 on Gold, Silver and Bronze while their closest rival, second place, south korea took 75, 63 & 91 each. Meanwhile ambitious Singapore managed to bring back 4,7 & 6 home and I never found my country's result on the Medal tally table until final day.

It's surprise to see "Myanmar wins 2 golds on last day" on the web page of straits times news. I quickly read the news and understood that myanmar won 2 golds within 2 hours interval time of last day in Goungzhou. The gold came from Sepak takraw competition and one gold from men's competition against south korea (2:0) and another one came from women double competition against host country, china (2:1). What an amazing performance is it? I never ever hope to see my fellow country player will get gold medal from this asia game. But they did surprise to all including me of course. I am sure the super sport power countries both china and south korea will suffer from losing these gold medal to minnow country like Myanmar.

Since anything can happen in sport, we should appreciate and reward to these players who made our country proud in 16th Asia game with tremendous welcoming so that the junior can praise them and want to duplicate like them. Historically Myanmar had only won a gold medal from 1998 Bangkok Asia Game in Women Regu. So this success is very much to our country to boost our country's image. I sincerely hope the authorities will make this success as a stepping stone in improving our country's sport activities.

Today news paper published the Asian Games payout table issued by Singapore's Sport Council as follow:

Individual

Gold : $200,000 (2nd gold $70,000)

Silver : $100,000

Bronze : $50,000

Team event (total for team)

Gold : $320,000

Silver: $160,000

Bronze: $80,000

Singapore's gold medalist from 50m butterfly swimmer Tao Li lead top prize money makers table with $300,000 because she won gold individually and silver as a team. The country's media compose a song and honour to her and team Singapore through local media. What a great feeling to be known being backed by whole conutry? I think it's some area to improve in my country to improve our sport level among regional countries. We can't say the golden period of past and satisfy ourselves, we should try to see present situation and make necessary action to improve.

What a good driving force for a participating athlete? I am not sure if our country's sport ministry has similar rewarding system to boost player's moral in making country proud by doing their best effort. Unless we have previously, we should learn something good from Singapore's authority has done for its athletes.

I wish our players able to deserve the honour for what they had done for country's image among international communities as well as their own goodness.

My Graduation Day

TODAY IS PLEASANT DAY for me and my fellow graduates as we have to attend our graduation ceremony at BCA Academy. This is first time for me to attend such convocation despite I have gotten two degree and one diploma in my native land. I failed to attend my previous graduation ceremonies because I had already working in oversea by the time it come true. We, students, don't know how long does it take to come after finishing their final exam. It makes students out of timing and push them to stay away from such well deserve ceremony.

I am not sure if I can put this day in the list of important days such as wedding day, novice day, etc in life. But I think it's a much anticipated day for most students because it signal them and show a life's true corner. I means students can end their long educational journey and enter the journey of their working life. So it can make a student happy and meaningful day in life.

Being a part time student, I don't have much exciting for this since I already in the working industry and no longer a young man. I took this specialist diploma course with the prospect of improving my skill related to my current job as well as making myself more marketability. I paid SGD 4,066 for this course by myself and it's huge amount for any foreign worker like me. But nothing could stop me to register this course and I have to thank my wife for encouraging to fulfill my dream.

But there was one thing that made me surprise today. I finished my 2nd semester final exam on Oct 11, 2010 and the results are yet to come out. So I don't know my exam situation despite I receive the invitation for graduation ceremony. But I relief myself that it proof I am at least pass in the last exam. When I went to registration counter for registeration, the staff told me that I am merit and need to go another counter that serves to award winning students. I was very surprise to hear that as I didn't expect to get any award in this ceremony. I thought award winning students might have been informed by school administration in advance.

Anyway, it's great honour to my hard studying during last whole year. Being merit award winning student, I am given the seat number 'A11' that is the last row and intended to go first to stage. Today the guest of honour was Ms. Grace Fu who is the senior minister of state developement and education and she presented certificates to all award winning students. I am pretty happy to receive my cert from her as the ordinary graduate's certs were passed by school's principal.

The graduation ceremony starts at 12:15pm and finished on 1:55pm and followed by buffet lunch served by BCAA. We took a lot photos with our friends as well as family members. We all are of course keep smiling and made this day a special and proud day. I sincerely hope this achievement could able to make us a better player in our respective industries and get success with our best endeavours.

May all graduates possess a successful career in future.

Christmas Letter to my baby girl

IT'S JUST OVER 3 WEEKS we've been missing you, but your mum and I may have thought it over a year. What a powerful influence are you, to us? My dear, you are doubtlessly our world. Don't be angry for being left by us as we are hard working here for your better and safer future. We always discuss on how we can unite quickly and explore on the possible way to fulfill our dream. It doesn't matter we'll have to come back to native land to join you. We are not still sure on where we allow you to grow up. We know there is no much time to determine as time goes by and you have changed visibly during these 3 weeks time.

Oh my dear, we owe you everything we own in this life. It's our most desire to hear you are fine and not a problematic baby to all babysitters around you. We understand how important is the parental love is for you. But we have no choice if we want to maintain our oversea job and we tried to swallow all incoming pains due to leaving you so far. I'll never the day we apart in life as we are almost motionless when time come to depart. Your mum and I were crying overnight on the bus and unfortunately there was a baby sitting behind us and oftenly made a cry that made us remember you so much.

We encourage to each other and try to brave up in the sake of your goodness. When your mum cry, I try to console her and vice versa. Please do not blame on us for leaving you so early in search of money. It seems money is more important to us than you. It really doesn't mean like that, baby as we can't afford to stay long enough with you for certain circumstances. I hope I can get a chance to explain you one day you grown up. I opted to work alone here and let your mum take care of you. But I found that working alone here will delay our reunion in future. So we decided to work both and minimize the working time here and build a quality family time with you wherever possible.

Now Christmas is at the corner and I think upper burmese's winter already break in. Since you prefer cool environment than hot, I hope you'll love to live in my native town. Meanwhile we are worrying about you for changing weather and called and ask about your situation via your aunty. I am pretty sure that your Aunties will take double care due to your situation. Since your mum and I were good at our families respectively, we believe you would be taken care by them while we are absent. We have to thanks to technology for enabling us to keep in touch with you through telephone and internet. It's our main source to relief our wound hearts. We'll try to come back to see you, I promise.

I have uploaded your beautiful photos in our facebook and our friends comment on it. We are of course happy to receive their positive comments and your mother seems so proud of you. Luckily we are given a healthy and clever baby and we'll try to do our best in making you grow in life. We can't beat our remembrance of you by the time we see some childs or babies on the road. Your mum always expressed me for when we can unite. I currently have no accurate answer but I have to answer I'll try. Thanks again my dear for not giving us problems since you were born. Lets pray together for a day to come soonest possible.

Wish you happy a Christmas, my princess!

SMRT lesson

"BE CONSIDERATE"
The sign board we used to see around public area in the lion city. It's good practice to remind people who forget to do so timely I think. I never seen such notice before in my life but we used to see "keep your campus clean" around the premise of our hostels during our campus life in our country. I have to say the latter is not comprehensive as it merely attention to cleanliness of the area.

My room is one and half hour traveling distance from my office. So everyday I have to ride SMRT train service as well as bus. So I can get opportunity to learn people how they behave in daily life. I am interest in learning people regardless of age or rank. Rush hour is always crowd in public transport and people squeeze tightly side by side. It's understandable that dark blue color seats are reserved for a particular commuters such as old people, pregnant people, disable people, etc. But some of people seems don't bother to comply that despite there are so many reminder notices. I understand that it can be achieved by complying heartily and everybody should do their part so that our community become better place to live.

When I saw some young people gave up their seats for those who need more than them, I am glad and thought it's really graceful. One particular fine day of few week back, a young man is sitting on the reserve seat and playing game with his laptop on the train. There is one pregnant woman sanding just beside him and he didn't give up the seat. I am infront of him and other people are also seeing the situation. But this is up to him to give up or remain. I also can neglect the matter and continue reading my newspaper.

Meanwhile, one western lady asked the woman if she is pregnant or not and she replied 'yes'. As soon as she, western lady, clarify that, she straight away approach to sitting man and touch his shoulder as a signal. Once the man's chin up, she showed him pregnant woman by touching woman's tummy. The man immediately gave up the seat and move away as he seems ashamed for his inconsiderate manner. I was happy to see situation and continue to start thinking.

Why we, easterner, are not stand for right? Probably our cultural and background silently teach us silent on public. Or it's likely due to flawed educational system. I praised these westerner woman for her brave action for a right thing. There are so many locals around me and they keep quiet including me. We should have alerted him for a proper manner. He might be either pretend to play or didn't see at all. If he pretend to do so, the surrounding people should take some movement to make it right. I since then took extra care once I am sitting on the reserved seat when I am traveling.

May our society be a peaceful and better place to live in.

Post Election Feeling

AS THE WHOLE WORLD expected, the government back party USDP won the recent election by land slide. No wonder the result come out like this since there were so many unfair stories circulated through local and international media. Our election is not transparent and fair to public. Since our people are very much used to living under that environment, they seems no aggressive to result despite they are not happy.

In general, the winning party should have conquered the hearts of our people. But the strange is people are not happy upon the result. Nowaday people are able to access media through different ways and also media are made easier to distribute news by the advantage of technology. No matter how educated they (people) are, they at least have widen their ears and eyes compare to 2 decades ago. Unfair and tightly grip made people more curious in the poverty country.

These days, Myanmar's election related news are taking head line news in all paper in island state. I took extra care so as not to leave any article or news regarding to my country. It doesn't matter which paper press, the same tone they intend to highlight is unfair, unstable, injustice, etc. I tried not to interest in this election but failed to do so. In fact, I, being a citizen who paid income tax to my government faithfully, lost my vote in this election. I don't know why I am not eligible to vote and also don't know where does it go. Most likely to go to winning party because I understood from some news that official union commission is taking into consideration for oversea vote when they count on vote. Again I don't know who are included in those oversea vote.

As a middle age man, I prospect of changing from this election as I don't want to work in oversea for long term. To fulfill my dream, there must be political changes inside my country. I believe there won't be have significant improvement unless there is major changes at the top level. We needs a mighty party that can lead our country to a greater high. We need a leader who loves country really and wants to pull our people out of poverty. I am so sad whenever I read in paper that my country is one of the poorest countries in the world. What else worse? There might be sure but I don't know how to tag.

In realistic, no other country own natural resources like my country does. I think the whole world will agree that. I read oftenly about the huge contract especially in gas and oil related sites. Since they are worth at billion dollars, it should be used in aware of people's health-care, education, etc. But I see my country remain unchanged within decade. I just write to console my soul as I can do nothing about politic. I myself felt embarrassed for being layman in this field. Hopefully we can able to see some positive change during my generation.

Please wake up, Myanmar.......our neighboring countries are already passed up.

Election thought

The much anticipated day of Myanmar within 2 decades finally arrived and it's crystal clear that people are not interested in it due to unfair circumstances that they can see around. The foreign media keep airing about this election and even urged people to boycott this shum election. I don't understand about politic and don't know the depth of its complexity. But I am sure that I want to see some changes after this election. No matter which party wins in this competition as long as the winning party take care of people's life. I am sure most of my fellow citizen would have the same feeling as I thought.

I asked myself if I am a considerate person for my mother land or not. I felt sorry for unable to vote in this election despite I'm old enough to vote. I don't know why does it happened to us like this. I have read about several election stories of some countries through media and they all seems quite comfortable to participate their own election. Why does seems so difficult to us? I think it's not much difficult to arrange if the authority are honest and serious in making our country real changes to the right track of developing.

I more carefully read about our election on newspaper and all I can read carry the negative news. I am very upset to read our news. In fact, my country's news rarely come out in foreign media and once come out, it used to be a bad news rather than a good. No wonder we are being pressed in oversea since our leaders movements are not creditable. In my generation, I have come acrossed some historical moment of my country. It's lucky to encounter such important parts of country during life time. But it drain away cheaply when we are not allowed to participate or do in something we can do.

Everybody eager to know the outcome of Nov-7 election and the result is yet to come 1 day after election day. The whole world is losing patient and rating this election as unfair and unfreedom. Meanwhile the rebels are complaining several things and now DKBA and Govt soldiers are fighting in the city of Myawaddy that is a boarder city with Thailand. I am very worry to witness it from media because it can be initiator of civil war. No civil war will produce a good outcome. Now about few thousands fleed to Thailand to avoid intercity war. What a shameful thing for an independent country especially in the period of election time? I am so sad to see the plight of refugees but I can't do anything for them.

I myself is working an ocean away from my 3.5 month old daughter and I felt I am responsible for that. My family cannot live together due to several reason. My wife and I are working in oversea so that we can save some money for our better life and future. Last time, we are single or married without child, the life seems no problem and things go right. Now, after getting our first ever child, the value of life and theme of our thinking began to change. We are not happy to stay in oversea despite getting money. My wife is still crying for missing her daughter. My daughter become a victim of system. We are working here because we can't find a proper job domestically. What made us go and work oversea? Exactly bcz of lacking enough jobs within our land.

That's why we all want to see a good change/ result from this election. In view of all reports and preparation, the election is not supposed to be reliable and we are advised not to expect significant changes. We expect something special although we have already known the result of this shum election. No matter who made this election fair play, we all people will appreciate it and remember for life. But in realistic, it looks like mission impossible and finally our dream would be dumped for unlimited year. Only the God will know when will it be our time...

May my country have a good leaders who are willing to take care of people sooner or later.