Thaton 20 February

The 72nd anniversary of the Mon National Day was celebrated on a grand scale in the compound of the Shwemalar Pagoda in Mayangon Village, Thaton Township in Mon State this morning.

The event was held with the aim of preserving history, literature, culture and language of Mon ethnic people, said Nai Tin Ngwe, Chairman of the township Mon Literature and Culture Association. The Mon National Day marks the founding of Mon kingdom, Hantharwady, by the two princes – Samala and Vimala – on the 1st Waning of Tabodwe, 1116 Myanmar Era, according to Mon tradition.

The ceremony began by saluting the National Flag and Mon National Flag by the audiences. Next, the chairman of the township Mon Literature and Culture Association read out the message on the occasion sent by the Chief Minister of Mon State Dr. Aye Zan and a speech by Assistant Commissioner U Ye Tun Zaw followed.

An official also read out the message conveyed by the central committee for organizing the Mon National Day and clarified the emergence of the auspicious day in Mon and Myanmar languages. Members of the organizing committee then donated cash and kind to the senior citizens above 80 years old throughout the township.

The committee members also presented outstanding Mon students who passed the matriculation examination and those present were entertained with song and dance by Mon ethnic cultural troupes.—Thet Oo (Thaton)
Translated by Kyaw Htike Soe