Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor and the Chairperson of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races, attended a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of Shan State Day in Taunggyi yesterday.
The ceremony began with Shan State Chief Minister Dr. Lin Htut reading a message from the President.
Afterwards, the State Counsellor gave a speech and said the Shan State Day honors the day when the Union was born. Quoting the President’s message, she said, it is the duty of all the people to achieve the dream and hopes of the leaders who fought for our independence.
The State Counsellor urged all ethnic people to make a commitment to turn the dreams and hopes expressed by the country’s leaders 72 years ago in Panglong into a reality. She also reiterated the objectives of the incumbent government when it took office: rule of law, socioeconomic development, internal peace and national reconciliation, and drafting a State Constitution which can guarantee a genuine democratic Federal Union. The objectives are interrelated as peace, stability, political ethics, and development are inseparable, she added.
“Only when we achieve peace can development work be carried out for the people. To gain peace, we need a State constitution which is accepted by all the people. It is very important to ensure reconciliation among the people. We have the same ambitions and goals, but sometimes we have different ideas about how to march towards our goals. In fact, this is not a problem we cannot solve if we have a genuine goodwill for our country,” said the State Counsellor.
“All are ready to negotiate. If our main goal is to build a prosperous and peaceful Union, there will be no difficulties negotiating through diverse opinions. It is important for all people from different ethnic nationalities of the Union to think about our country as they join hands. In today’s world, there is unity and diversity. Whether to move towards unity or diversity is the decision of each individual citizen of a country and each individual country.
“If we make the right decision this time, it will be a valuable deed for our next generation. Today, we have been living in an independent and sovereign nation for 72 years thanks to the efforts of leaders who fought for our independence. It is our duty not only to continue to live in this independent and sovereign nation but also to achieve prosperity. Our country has gained such an opportunity. Our country has changed gradually and we have witnessed the 21st Century Panglong Conference which attracted all ethnic nationalities. And, the government elected by the people is taking on administrative duties.”
“As you all know, we have not yet reached our goal of a genuine democratic federal Union. It is our duty to march towards and reach the goal, and that is the historic duty of our generation. Every generation has its own historic duty. In our history, some generations have been dutiful and some not.”
She continued to say that the leaders of the country who struggled for the independence are have been dutiful and she, as a member of the current generation, expressed her commitment to becoming the ones who are dutiful.
To become historic dutiful generation, it is important for the people to participate in making endeavours for the development of the country because the government could not do it alone, she said.
Every state day of the country can be called the Union Day though the Union Day falls on 12 February because every state day supports the Union Day.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has called on all ethnic peoples to perform deeds which can lead to strengthening the Union to enjoy the fruits of a genuine democratic federal Union. She also stressed the need to supporting the people from the political, social and economic points of view to develop their good abilities and to keep abreast with other nations as the world has been changed a lot over a span of 72 years.
She said the three objectives set by the incumbent government are aimed at bringing peace, stability and security to the successive generations of the Union.
She continued to say that it is important to enjoy development, progress, peace and national reconciliation, and also the constitution which can guarantee a genuine democratic federal Union.
“As all of you know, to build a genuine democratic federal Union, we have recently taken steps to amend the constitution at the Hluttaw. We are trying to keep the promises given to the people as much as we can.”
“But, we cannot perform it alone. In successfully tackling important issues of a country, its people play an important role.”
In conclusion, the State Counsellor called on all ethnic national peoples to make commitment on the auspicious day to turn the dream of a genuine democratic federal Union inspired by all into reality.
Afterwards, the State Counsellor formally opened the Ethnics Traditional Cultural Exhibition and booths of governmental departments together with Union Minister Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, Shan State Chief Minister Dr. Lin Htut, Speaker of Shan State Hluttaw U Sai Lone Hsai, Parton of Shan national U Sai Nwe Taung, MPs U Sai Khin Maung Nyunt and Daw Nan Khin Htar Yi.
The State Counsellor and entourage enjoyed the performance of the Shan ethnic literature and cultural troupe.
Afterwards, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Union ministers and dignitaries have the documentary photos taken together with ethnic peoples.
In the evening, the State Counsellor and party attended a dinner to mark the 72nd Anniversary Shan State Day hosted by the Shan State Government.
MNA
(Translated by GNLM)
