6 April

The Union of Myanmar is home to different ethnic races which have their own unique language, religion, customs, culture, and traditions. Isn’t the garden of our Union more beautiful with multiple ethnicities of varying hues residing together?

Our Union will be more tranquil and charming if all the ethnic races can live together with friendly relations and unity. To achieve this, everyone must have the same belief that we all belong to one family, which is our Union.

Speaking to the people of Mawlamyine on 4 April, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said a country that is united atheart is magnificent even when the lineages, cultures, languages, and religions of its peopleare different. The State Counsellor spoke these words after noting how the people of Mon State are living in harmony.

Everyone wants to see ethnic nationals coexisting peacefully. But,like the State Counsellor told the people of Mon State, while this aspiration will make our Union a better place to live in, it cannot be achieved with just a burning desire that isn’t backed by action, perseverance, willpower, education, or cooperation from everyone.

Stakeholders across Myanmar are striving to implement a democratic federal system that conformswith the idea of a Union. Just as everyone needs to participate in establishing a Union, we all need to sustain the results we achieve. The nation will develop only when the people improve and use their spirit, education, and diligence to drive national development. A Union is a nation built on the collective strength of the people, and it needs this strength to get things done. Even the richest countries on earth are not free from the challenge of poverty. This is why we need to strive for uniform development. The smaller the gap between the rich and the poor, the greater the peace and stability ina nation. We can see the Union Government acting on this principle, allotting equal tasks for regional development across Myanmar.

The Union Government is doing its best to achieve uniform regional development, which is easier said than done. It cannot be achieved with a single perspective on economic benefit. It must include benefits to the political and social spheres as well. It is important for the people to understand that the Union Government is workingforequitable developmentacross the nation by taking care of issues, one at a time,tackling the many challenges they are facing.

No matter which corner of Myanmar we live in, we must all inculcate the Union Spirit that calls for unity, harmony, and friendship among the ethnic races, and drives the development of the Union.

GNLM