By TWA

MYANMAR will com­memorate the 75^th Martyrs’ Day in re­membrance of the fallen heroes on 19 July. Martyrs’ day is annu­ally observed to pay tribute to the national heroes by the dif­ferent governments throughout the years.

The wreath-laying and sa­luting ceremony by high-ranking officials at Martyrs’ Mausoleum, the flag hoisting at half-mast cer­emony at the Ministers’ Office (former secretariat) and alms giving in memorial of the fall­en heroes ceremony in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw are to be held, said Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, in his capacity as the chair of Martyrs’ Day organizing central committee.

Preparations by the minis­tries concerned are in full swing one month ahead of the Martyrs’ Day at the historical sites; Mar­tyrs’ Mausoleum, the Ministers’ Office and Bogyoke Museum. State-level preparations for the ceremonies include hosting the family members of the fallen heroes and taking preventive measures for the people in pay­ing tribute to the national heroes at the wreath-laying ceremony in line with the COVID-19 health protocols.

“Preparations at Martyrs’ Mausoleum including drainage work, graphic boards and resto­ration of the fence kicked off on 1 June and all three works are totally completed at present,” said an official of Yangon City Development Committee’s Engi­neering Department (Building).

Preparations at the mauso­leum included restora­tion and cleaning activities on the floor a n d paint­ing the mausoleum. Union Minister U Ko Ko highlighted to ensure the compliance with the guidelines related to the COVID-19 and to take security measures while hosting the Martyrs’ Day cer­emony.

“As it is the state-level cer­emony with high-ranking offi­cials, the Union Minister himself asked the police force to boost security,” a police officer told the Global New Light of Myan­mar daily.

“The preparations are sys­tematically made for the Mar­tyrs’ Day. The Bogyoke Muse­um, the Martyrs’ Mausoleum and the Secretariat will be ob­served. I visited those places last year. The preparations are undertaken in unique design every year. This annual event marks a debt of gratitude to our honourable fallen heroes. I will pay my respects to the martyrs on the Martyrs’ Day and will visit the museum and the ministers’ office after that day,” Ko Lin Tun, a company staff member living in Tamway Township, told the GNLM.

The preparations were car­ried out starting from 25 June. Bogyoke museums will host spe­cial exhibitions in Yangon and Natmauk cities. People can visit the museums free of charge.

The alternative routes will be used and some roads will be temporarily closed near the mausoleum, the ministers’ office and the museum starting from 4 a.m. to the closing time of the ceremony.

“The drivers have been no­tified to swift to the alternative routes to avoid the unnecessary traffic congestion. So, we can take alternative routes on Mar­tyrs’ Day,” Arkar Soe Htut, a taxi driver told the GNLM.

Visitors are not allowed to carry mobile phones, pens, flags, cameras, wreaths, bouquets, flowers, vinyl, bottles, matches, sticks and plastic and steel pipes to enter the Mausoleum, the Ministers’ Office and Bogyoke Museum. Furthermore, remote­ly piloted drones are prohibited as well.

It is mandatory to wear the masks. The visitors are to strictly adhere to the preventive measures for the COVID-19.

“The unnecessary items are prohibited to carry in certain areas for security concerns as per no­t i ­f i ­cation. We must take care of that,” said Ma Aye Lwin, a resident in Kyauk­tada Township.

Furthermore, the new COV­ID-19 case has risen in recent days. Therefore, the elderly per­sons, those persons with chronic diseases and persons with cer­tain symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue and short of breath) are not allowed to visit Bogyoke mu­seum and the Ministers’ Office which will be opened between 19 and 21 July as preventive measures.

If people have those symp­toms, they are advised to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health.

“Our township has trans­portation service to Martyrs’ Mausoleum, Bogyoke Muse­um and the Ministers’ Office. We want the youths to pay trib­ute to the heroes to remember the fallen heroes on Martyrs’ Day as it is customary to mark that ceremony every year,” Ko Win Thein from Dagon Myothit (East) Township told the GNLM.

Temperature of attendees will be measured. Their names, citizenship scrutiny card and ad­dresses will be listed. So, they are notified to hold the identifi­cation card such as citizenship scrutiny card, staff identification card, etc.

“The Ministers’ Office is also decorated with new de­signs in the previous years. The room where the martyrs were assassinated was converted to a Buddhist shrine last year. The documentary films and photos are displayed at the Ministers’ Office. I must observe the new settings this year. I visit the Min­isters’ Office every year when it is officially opened for the pub­lic,” said Daw San San Lwin from Botahtaung Township.