By Wai Phyoe Han ( Insein )
“ IF cows go astray, tigers will attack them.” Is a well-known Myanmar proverb. When signs of disintegration are seen, this saying is borrowed to cite as an example. ‘If cows go astray, they will become beef.’ So goes a Shan saying. Even though the meaning is similar, the Shan saying become more vivid than the Myanmar one in our thoughts.
These old sayings would be fit and proper and prevent hindrances and hostilities and having bad blood between people and divisions of groups for unity of purpose among the people. Animals roam in groups unitedly, leaving human beings alone. Disunity among individuals and groups might face dangers by ending in failure.
While a herd of cows crosses in the forest, a tiger is watching for an unguarded moment in a state of hesitation. If cows go astray, the tiger will attack them. If the tiger moves forward, it might be dead by a herd of cows. If a cow or two has strayed out of a herd, a tiger watching for an opportune moment finds to its likes. Even if a tiger daren’t challenge a herd, it is ready to pounce on a cow or two and swallow them easily. That is why if cows go astray, tigers will attack them and if they go astray, they will become beef indeed.
Collective efforts lead to the basis of unity as well as teamwork. A tiny ant is not in a position to challenge an enormous elephant. If ants form a colony in the nest and challenge a huge elephant, the elephant would fall down to the ground heavily. In the same way, the flying kite swoops down on a crab; by collective efforts by crabs would make the kite fall to the beach by tearing of its feathers.
Advantages of collective efforts
We, human beings, should have mutual understanding with one another collectively so that there will no wars in our human societies. It is certain that the fruits of peace will blossom; it is important that people around the world are becoming increasingly interdependent. The reeds will grow depending on the island resulting from the silts; the island too exists due to the reeds. The reeds and the island will have mutual reliance, thus beneficial to each other. According to this principle, we all have to strive to live unitedly on the mutual understanding. The Union of Myanmar, where more than 100 indigenous people live, the unity plays an important role for solidarity and mutual understanding.
The solidarity of ethnic nationals is the lifeblood of the Union of Myanmar. It is important to know the price of valued items. Our leaders who had insight knowledge about the solidarity of indigenous people brought independence to our country by means of the Panglong Agreement.
Only when the price is known, it is worth mentioning
Not knowing the highly-valued solidarity among the ethnic nationals had led to the local armed conflicts. Myanmar has led to the situation of being down and out instead of standing tall preeminently. Natural resources of fruit, vegetables and fish are in abundance in our country; improper and unsystematic uses of natural resources have pushed our country unknowingly. A buffalo is not in a position to listen to the sweet music from the harp. In the same way, much- valued words are of no use to uneducated person. These words lead to a saying in Myanmar: playing a harp near a buffalo. Our country has played a harp for more than 50 years. Myanmar lost the Panglong Spirits given by Bogyoke Aung San and indigenous national leaders. Efforts to revitalize the national spirits are all invain. Now is the time to try to write the new historic records; probable amendments to the Old Constitution have been discussed in the Pyidaundsu Hluttaw. It is time for all nationals to strive for joining hand and hand and unity for the development, peace and solidarity of the Union.
To have a secure and peaceful life for the people
The roots of internal conflicts must be removed; without holding any grudges Panglong spirits-based political discussions should lead to the establishment of the genuine Federal Democratic Union where the security of people’s life should be created with independence and common rights and one’s own fate. It is also time for achieving discussions brought to the peace tables for mutual understanding for problems arising from ethnic nationalities There is a well-known saying: Perseverance as a backbone; diligence as a yoke.
Backbones serve as vital parts of human of human body; you cannot move about with the strength of the backbone. That is why ethnic Jingphaw people have compared the backbone with perseverance. Diligence is similar in importance. It is compared as a yoke; perseverance and diligence would bring good fortune to a family.
The existing Panglong Spirits
The existing Panglong Spirits must be strengthened for the solidarity of our ethnic nationalities, helping them live through weal and woe. During the 21st century, we should strive for the development of our country in a short time without damaging the unity among our nationalities to bring a backward country to catch with developing countries in our region.
In consclusion, nationalities of our country must move forward unitedly without damaging unity and mutual understanding for the brighter future of the country. Thinking of sayings, the strengthening of national spirits must be upgraded. Living on mutual reliance, mutual trust and goodwill among indigenous people must be strengthened. To build a Democratic Union, national reconciliations should be implemented for a brighter Union of Democratic Myanmar. Translated by Arakan Sein
