Vice President U Myint Swe, Patron of the 72nd Anniversary Martyrs’ Day Convening Central Committee addressed the second coordination meeting held at the meeting hall of Arzani Beikman (Martyrs’ Mausoleum) management office in Bahan Township, Yangon yesterday morning.

In his speech the Vice President said the meeting was the second coordination meeting of the Central Committee to successfully convene the 72nd Anniversary Martyrs’ Day. For this, the Central Committee, Work Committee, Security Committee and eight sub-committees were formed and all were seen to be cooperating and coordinating for the timely completion of duties and responsibilities.

The first coordination meeting of the Central Committee was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 6 June where 24 decisions were made. To implement the decisions and assigned duties and responsibilities in a timely manner 72nd Anniversary Martyrs’ Day Convening Work Committee and sub-committees meeting led by Work Committee Chairman Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein was held on 20 June and a meeting led by Central Committee Chairman Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko was held on 24 June. Meeting decisions and ongoing works were urged to be completed in time said the Vice President.

Martyrs’ Day ceremonies were held annually so as not to forget the efforts and sacrifices made by the fallen martyrs for Independence. The ceremonies were held to awaken patriotism in the generations to follow and to let them know that Independence was gained only after much blood and sweats were spilt.

Even though Martrys’ Day ceremonies were held annually it was being held year by year with increasing essence and significance. Systematic works need to be done to make the event significant and full of patriotic spirit in every township of the country. Instructions were made to broadcast Bogyoke Aung San’s speeches, songs related to Martyrs’ Day and interviews on July 16, 17, and 18. It was the duty of the Ministry of Information to publish news, information articles, interviews related to Martyrs’ Day, Bogyoke Aung San speeches, songs, record of efforts made for Independence, movies, newspapers, radio and television for the public as it had done in the past years. The Ministry of Education was also instructed to conduct essay writing competition, talks, debates and painting competitions at universities, colleges and basic education schools.

On the 72nd Martyrs’ Day, a ceremony to offer soon (a day meal) to members of the Sangha dedicated to the fallen martyrs would be held both in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon, and respective committees and sub-committees were urged to conduct detailed coordination.

At the Martyrs’ Day ceremony held at the Martyrs’ mausoleum there should be no lapses in greeting and assigning places for families of the Martyrs as well as guests and ceremony attendees. Systematic rehearsals should be conducted so that the entries and exits were on schedule and on time. Furthermore arrangements were to be made to divert traffic to prevent traffic jams on the rehearsal days as well as the actual day and the public was to be informed.

As it was a State-level event, it should be held in accordance with Union-level and diplomatic protocol. And since it was the rainy season, necessary preparations should be made for the convenience of those who were paying their respects. The Vice President also spoke of the importance of informing in advance through television, newspapers and radios on the time to pay respects, and dos and don’ts to the public coming to pay their respects.

To hold the flag raising and saluting ceremony successfully in the Secretariat Building (former Office of the Ministers), dress rehearsals should be systematically conducted. The state parliamentary meeting hall and the room where the Martyrs were assassinated were to be prepared and displayed as last year.

In the same way, arrangements were to be made in Bogyoke Aung San museum in the same way as last year so that visitors could visit it systematically, conveniently and safely.

As it was a State level ceremony special emphasis must be placed towards security and those who were responsible for security were to draw up systematic arrangements according to 12-points security work duties and conduct coordination so that there were no lapses.

In order to successfully convene the 72nd Anniversary Martyrs’ Day with full essence, past years’ experiences were to be reviewed and works systematically conducted with coordination between work committees and sub-committees so that there were no lapses and weaknesses. At this meeting officials from the Central Committee, work committees and sub-committees were to discuss openly about sector wise works completed, future works, difficulties encountered and provide necessary suggestions, said the Vice President.

Next, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, Chairman of the 72nd Anniversary Martyrs’ Day Convening Central Committee, explained about implementation of decisions made, ongoing works and future works.

This was followed by Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Vice Chairman of the 72nd Anniversary Martyrs’ Day Convening Central Committee, who explained about works conducted by work the committee and sub-committees.

Afterwards ceremony organizing work committee Vice Chairman Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Kyi Min explained about coordination done to hold Martyrs’ Day ceremonies in every township of the country and the status of cooperation between committees and sub-committees. Ministry of Home Affairs Myanmar Police Force Police Major General Myo Swe Win and Police Brigadier General Tin Ko Ko also explained about security arrangements while officials from various sub-committees explained about works completed and ongoing works.

Deputy Minister for Defence Rear-Admiral Myint Nwe, Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary U Myo Myint Maung, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General U Min Thein and Col. Than Htoo Zaw from Yangon Command also provided additional explanations where necessary.

The meeting came to a conclusion after Vice President U Myint Swe made necessary comments to ensure coordination based on the discussions and submissions made and delivered a concluding speech.

After the meeting, he went to the Arzani Beikman and inspected the preparations made.

He then continued to the Bogyoke Aung San Museum in Bahan Township, Yangon,and inspected the preparations made for the public to visit the museum.

From there, he went to the Secretariat Building (former Office of the Ministers) in Botahtaung Township and inspected the original flag pole where the Union Jack flag was lowered and the Union of Myanmar flag was raised on Independence Day, historical stone pillar commemorating the Martyrs, parliamentary meeting hall and the meeting room where the Martyrs were assassinated.

The meeting was attended by Chairman of the 72nd Anniversary Martyrs’ Day Convening Central Committee and Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Deputy Ministers Rear-Admiral Myint Nwe and U Kyi Min, Yangon Region Ministers, high ranking Tatmadaw officers, departmental heads and officials. — MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)