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Myanmar race stands for all ethnic peoples including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine, Shan who are living in unity

Opening of institutions of higher learning, 200-bed hospital State’s endeavour to enhance Panglong’s glory             

Yangon, 11 Feb — As a gesture hailing the 56th Anniversary Union Day and honouring Panglong Region where Union was conceived, opening ceremonies of Panglong University, Panglong 500-line Digital Auto Exchange, Panglong Government Computer College, Panglong Government Technological College and Loilem District 200-bed People’s Hospital, which were constructed for the development of Panglong and Loilem Districts, took place at respective places this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.

The opening of Panglong University was held at the university at 8 am. Fourteen students formally unveiled the stone plaque of the university. Then, students Sai Myo Aung and Nan Kham Phaung formally opened the main hall of the university.

Next, the Secretary-1 pressed the button to unveil bronze inscription of the university. Afterwards, the Secretary-1, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, ministers, Pro-rector U Tha Oo and Managing Director of Aden Construction Co Ltd U Chit Khaing sprinkled scented water on it. The Secretary-1 and party planted a pine tree, a Thitseint (Terminalia Belerica) tree, a Sethabye tree and an oak tree at respective sites to mark the opening ceremony.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party, together with the pro-rector, the faculty members and students, posed for a documentary photo.

Later, the opening of Panglong University, Panglong Government Technological College and Panglong Government Computer College were held at the Multifunctional Hall of the university.

The Secretary-1 delivered a speech on the occasion. He said Panglong has already owned the dignity as the place of victory for the Union as the national unity reached its zenith during the independence struggle. Opening of the three institutions of higher learning and the 200-bed hospital is an honour for the people living in the whole Panglong region as well as in the entire Loilem District. It is also the commitment of the State to further brighten the glory Panglong has possessed throughout the successive times of history. It is believed that the human resources the three institutions will produce meets the international level, and the youths they will train are patriots imbued with strong national spirit and Union Spirit in accord with the fine traditions of Panglong.

The Loilem District Hospital has been upgraded to a 200-bed facility which possesses all the characteristics of a general hospital. The modern facility will bring health and happiness and fitness to all. Panglong stands as a milestone and victorious place in the course of history leading towards emergence of the Union of Myanmar. To honour Panglong in accord with its significant role in history, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance to designate Panglong as a development zone. The Union of Myanmar has emerged not only at present. It has a firm and long history countable by years in the thousand. Throughout the successive eras of history, the ethnic groups had lived together in the same place for many years before they moved to other places where they could find more water supply and better soil. The Union of Myanmar has come into existence after the national races have settled in different places of the motherland. The Myanmar race stands for all the ethnic peoples including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan who are living in unity.

According to the geographical features, traditions and culture and customs of the national races, and the formation and existence of the national races, the regions the national races have lived throughout the long history has firmly evolved into the 14 states and divisions forming the Union.

Because of the firm history, all the national races have lived in unity and amity, mutual understanding, forgiveness and kindness, relying on each other and warding off all the dangers based on the unity all along the history of the formation of the Union of Myanmar. Therefore, the colonialists, in their attempt to annex the feudalistic Myanmar, had to stage three aggressive wars in a period of 60 years with the use of modern weapons. Even after their occupation of the entire Union, it took them over 10 years to crack down on the patriotic forces who continued fighting against them. There is concrete evidence in the historical records that the colonialist government tried to drive a wedge and sow discord among the national races in order to jeopardize the national unity. Their ultimate intention in doing so was to prolong their rule and, even if they had to give independence to the entire nation, they intended to influence and dominate it again should the occasion arise.

The colonialists divided the Union into different regions and used a different administrative system for each region. They also demarcated border lines between regions so that there could not be any kind whatsoever of contacts between the national people living in various regions, thus bringing about a development gap. Their division between the plains and the hills was to breed suspicions   and discord among the national brethren. All this they did intentionally and systematically. All the national brethren managed to weather the hardships and difficulties which arose out of the machinations of the colonialists and the temptations of their lackeys, and manifested their unity at Panglong. Therefore, the victory of Panglong reflects remarkable national essence and strength. Therefore, the State Peace and Development Council is giving priority to the development of Panglong with the purpose of strengthening the national essence and fervour born out of the Panglong Spirit and traditions. The Government has been making efforts to narrow the gap among the national races and to bring about equitable development in all parts of the nation for perpetuation of the Union. Only when there is equitable development will Union Spirit and the spirit of national unity flourish. With this concept, the Government has laid down plans for development of border areas and national races, the development zones and rural development and implementing them.

In addition, the Government has been building bridges, the Union Highways, the international airports and ports, the communication stations and the TV retransmission stations across the nation to enable the national races to have close contact with one another and to enjoy mutual benefit among them and to do away with the evil legacy of divide-and-rule system.

The socio-economic infrastructure such as dams and reservoirs, electric power plants, universities and colleges, hospitals and dispensaries has been established.

Based on the material development, the Government is to strive together with the entire national people to build the spiritual essence of the Union—nationalism, nationalistic spirit, Union Spirit and spirit of national unity.

The Panglong region has been designated as the special development region in accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. Thus, the State-level officials themselves have made field trips right down to townships to ensure development of 11 townships in Loilem District including Panglong Township and are fulfilling requirements in education, health, economic and social sectors. In addition to ensuring  better transport in Loilem District a special plan is being implemented for providing better transport in Shan State (South) and Shan State (North).

Nowadays, Panglong University, Panglong Government Technological College and Government Computer College have been opened. In health sector also, the 16 bed-hospitals have been upgraded into the 25-bed ones in townships in Loilem District and the Loilem District Hospital has been upgraded into the 200-bed specialist hospital.

Work is well under way to build Maha Ratthabhisa Maggi Pagoda, the replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Panglong region, the victorious soil, in memory of the national race leaders who had made efforts for the emergence of the Union in the history of the independence struggle. Therefore, a magnificent and splendid pagoda will soon emerge in the region.

With the emergence of the good foundation for flourishing of the Sasana in Panglong region, the local people are to make collective and collaborative efforts for prevalence of peace and tranquillity in the nation and for consolidation of Union Spirit and sprit of national unity in accord with Panglong Spirit and Panglong’s fine tradition.

Based on Union Spirit and spirit of national unity, all national races have been in unity in times of emergency in the course of history for perpetuation of the Union. This fine tradition can still be seen up to now. Meanwhile, the colonialists and neo-colonialists are still making attempts to sow discord and hatred among national races to undermine the national unity and to weaken the Union with the use of internal and external destructive elements.

At a time when the Government has been making efforts together with the entire national people in unity for national and regional development such attempts of driving a wedge among national races perpetrated by the anti-government groups became wider and wider, he noted. Realizing the source and intention of the colonialists and neo-colonialists all the national races are to make concerted efforts to safeguard the Union, the independence and sovereignty with a sense of duty. The sound infrastructure for regional development and human resources development has been created  in Panglong region, thereby contributing to further consolidation of national unity. Based on the national unity all the national races will have to make strenuous efforts for national development and for perpetuation of the Union, he said. In conclusion, he called on the national races to further consolidate Panglong Spirit and Panglong tradition, realizing the goodwill of the Government, the significant national objectives and the genuine national essence to equally enjoy the fruitful results of the national development and to safeguard the fine tradition of living together through thick and thin on the same land and drinking water from the same source as long as the world exists.  A documentary video on Panglong University and development of Loilem District was shown.

Next, first year physics major student Ma Nang Paung Hwan said she was glad to see the emergence of Panglong University and thanked the government.

Panglong region is a victorious land where the Union Spirit was conceived based on national solidarity. On 2 March 2002 at the Nawarat Hall in Loilem, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as saying that Panglong land and Panglong region would be honoured one day. His guidance was given after the Tatmadaw had taken up duties of the State.

She expressed her pleasure for implementation of the tasks for development of education, health, economic sectors and the region in accord with the guidance of the Head of State. Establishment of Panglong University in Panglong where independence and the Union Spirit were conceived was an important task of knowledge age. As a student of higher learning, she now has opportunity to apply changing and developing educational methods of various kinds and to pursue higher education.

The government is striving for development of education in accord with the motto— To build a modern developed nation through education. At the same time, establishment of government computer college and technological college aimed at enhancing human resource development.  She spoke on construction of 200-bed specialist hospital and construction of the 135 feet high replica of Shwedagon Pagoda on Vikasini Hill in Union monument ground by the government and the people. She also expressed thanks to the government for its health, education and social measures.

Chairman of Ruby Dragon Co Ltd and Jade Dragon Co Ltd U Nay Win Tun presented K 30 million for Panglong University, technological college, computer college and 200-bed specialist hospital to the Secretary-1.  The Secretary-1 and party signed in the visitors’ book of Panglong University. Next, the Secretary-1 cordially greeted faculty members and national races.  The Secretary-1 inspected the computer room, library, e-Education Learning Centre, e-Education Resource Centre, lecture halls, public telephone booth of Myanma Telecommunications and greeted local people.

A ceremony to open 500-line digital auto-exchange was held at 10.30 am.  Present were the Secretary-1 and party, members of District and Township Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Women’s Affairs Committee, officials of Mercury Corporation of Republic of Korea and Myanmar Daewoo Ltd and local people.

Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Managing Director of Mercury Corporation Mr Chung Ki Hahn formally opened the exchange.  Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Aung Htwe formally unveiled the signboard of the exchange. Managing Director of Myanmar Daewoo Ltd Mr J H Park presented a set of computer to Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw.  The Secretary-1 and party inspected the exchange.

Next, Panglong Computer College was opened at the college. Present were the Secretary-1 and party, local authorities, Principal of the college Daw Yi Yi Pyone, members of USDA, social associations, national traditional dance troupes, local people and students. Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and Minister U Thaung formally opened the college.  Next, the Secretary-1 formally unveiled the bronze plaque and inspected multimedia room and lecture halls.

Next, Panglong Government Technological College was opened at the college. Present were the Secretary-1 and party, local authorities, Principal of the college U Min Min Oo, members of USDA and social associations, traditional dance troupes and local people.

First, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung formally opened Panglong Government Technological College by cutting the ribbon.

Next, the Secretary-1 formally unveiled the bronze plaque of the college. He then inspected the computer room, lecture room, drawing room, workshop and public phone booth.

The opening ceremony of Loilem District People’s Hospital (200-bed) was held at the hospital. Present were National Health Committee Chairman Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and party, district and township Peace and Development Council members departmental, officials, Medical Superintendent Dr Myo Than and specialists, township doctors, members of USDA , MCWA, social organizations, teachers, students and people. Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and Deputy Minister for Health Prof Dr Mya Oo formally opened the hospital by cutting the ribbon. Next, the Secretary-1 formally unveiled the bronze palque of the hospital. The Secretary-1 then inspected the maternity ward and labour room.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party left Loilem by helicopter and arrived at Monghsu at 1.15 pm. They were welcomed there by Col Myint Kyaing of Monghsu Station and Tatmadaw officers, Township PDC Chairman U Myint Hlaing and officials. After that, the Secretary-1 and party went to Monghsu People’s Hospital where Medical Superintendent Dr Myint Thein and nurses welcomed them. The Secretary-1 and party saw over the operation theatre, maternity ward and medical store and gave necessary instructions to officials.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party visited Hanthamuni Pagoda in Monghsu and paid homage to Dhamma Yaungchi Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimala and members of Sangha and presented offertories to them. The Secretary-1 and party offered flowers, lights, water to the pagoda.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party attended the opening of multimedia classroom of Monghsu Basic Education High School at 2 pm. Also present at the ceremony were member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, ministers, the Chief of Staff  (Navy), deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of district and township PDCs, social organizations, the township education officer, the school head, teachers and students. First, Headmaster U Khin Hla and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Saw Seinda formally unveiled the signboard of the multimedia classrooms. The students of the school unveiled the Myanma Education Goal Stone Inscription.

The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the signboard of the classrooms.

The Secretary-1 and party viewed the learning of the students at reading corner, computer skills room and computer aided instruction room. They also inspected the art room, domestic science room, technical room and altar room. Afterwards, the students entertained those present with dances and presented skills demonstration in the art room. The Secretary-1 presented a computer set for the school to Township Education Officer U Kam Khin Han, who presented a certificate of honour to the Secretary1. Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and U Saw Seinda also presented three computers for the school.

Then, PaO National Organization Ruby Dragon and Jade Dragon Co Ltd Chairman U Nay Win Htun donated K 10 million for the construction of Monghsu city hall and K 5 million to the funds of the school. Officials accepted the donation.

U Tun Yin of Lisu national group and U Kun Hlaing-Daw Nan Shwe Ohn donated K 100,000 each for the school through U Kam Khin Han. Then, the Secretary-1 delivered a speech.

The Secretary-1 expressed his thanks to wellwishers for their assistance to open multimedia teaching centre in Mongshu Basic Education High School, Loilem District. He said he found that the students’ intelligence was  high and teaching methods  we systematic and they met the set standard. It was a significant day for Loilem District including Panglong region and Panglong University, Panglong Government  Computer College and Panglong Government Technological College, 200-bed specialist hospital and communication exchange station were opened this morning.

He said the Head of State gave guidance on development of Panglong region where the Union Spirit and independence were conceived. In accord with his guidance, university and colleges would nurture youths from 11 townships in Loilem District to become intellectuals and intelligentsia who would serve the interest of the nation in the future, he said. The youths in the region can now get the opportunity to pursue their higher education. The government created brighter future for the youths and parents in the region, he added.  Moreover, he said, tasks for better transport in Loilem District are being implemented depending on the strength of the Tatmadawmen. Gems are mined in Mongshu gemland. Entrepreneurs enjoyed benefits from mining of gems. They also donated cash to development of Mongshu gemland. He said he hoped that similar wellwishers would emerge.

Although Panglong and Mongshu regions lagged behind in development in the past, the regions would develop in the future, he said.

Based on Panglong where the Union Spirit was conceived, Panglong University, Panglong Colleges were established. The Secretary-1 urged the students to try to become intellectuals and intelligentsia who would serve the national and regional interest.  The Secretary-1 and party had photos taken together with teachers, members of the school board of trustees and students.  The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the evening.

On 10 February, the Secretary-1 arrived backed here form Thandwe, Rakhine State. Then, the Secretary-1, accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, the ministers, the chief of staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, left here for Namsang, Shan State by air and arrived there in the evening. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and senior military officers and officials and members of social organizations.

The Secretary-1 and party went to construction site of Maha Rahta Bhitha Maggi Pagoda on Vikasini Hill in Panglong and inspected progress of earth works and attended to the needs. Then, Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Aungmingala Wantair Monastery. The Secretary-1 paid respects to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Rajinda and inspected renovation of Aungmingala Pagoda and paid homage to ancient pagodas.  In the evening, the Secretary-1 and party went to Yadanasi Monastery in Loilem and paid obeisance to the members of the Sangha led by Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Sila Nanda and presented offertories. USDA Secretary-General U Than Aung, Secretaries U Thaung and Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Central Executive Committee members Col Tin Hlaing, Col Thein Nyunt, Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Big-Gen Maung Maung Thein and Brig-Gen Khin Maung met with Loilem District and Township USDAs secretaries, executives, organizers and members yesterday evening. First, Loilem District USDA Executive U Myo Min Aung reported on tasks being undertaken by the association. Then, Secretary-General U Than Aung urged the USDA members to actively participate in implementation of economic and social tasks as Loilem District is progressing.