NAY PYI TAW November 3
All strived for development of Myanmar in respective sectors in the history of Myanmar. United strength and united courage are based on faith and generosity. Strength of the nation lies within. Only then, can unity bring about peace and stability, unity and development which are actual needs of today’s country that the Myanmar society longs for, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the honorary dinner in commemoration of the Deepawali Day which is the noblest Hindu traditional festival.
The honorary dinner was hosted by the Indian Embassy to Myanmar and the Myanmar-Indian International Business Federation at Wyndham Grand Hotel in Mingala Taungnyunt Township of Yangon this evening, attended by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla together with Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief,officials of Yangon Region Government, the commander of Yangon Command and wife, Ambassadors and diplomats from the foreign missions in Myanmar, Chairman of All Interfaith Unity Central Group U Thaung Htike, Chairman of All Myanmar Hindu Central Organization U Nanda, Chairman of Myanmar-India International Business Federation U Zaw Zaw Naing and officials, international traders, Hindu traditional dance troupes and guests.
First, the Senior General, wife and party arrived at Wyndham Grand Hotel where the honorary dinner would be hosted, and they were welcomed by the chairman of the organizing committee for Hindu traditional Deepawali festival and officials.
On the agenda, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, Chairman of Myanmar-India International Business Federation U Zaw Zaw Naing and wife, and Chairman of Thanantana Dhamma Palaka (Hindu) Association U Bhajan Ramlalsharama cut the ribbon to open the dinner. Then, the Senior General and wife, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and wife, the Commander-in-Chief (Air) and wife, the chairman of Myanmar-India International Business Federation and wife, the chairman of All Myanmar Hindu Central Organization and Daw Mee Mee ignited the oil lights in commemoration of Deepawali and posed for documentary photos. Then, Chairman of Myanmar-India International Business Federation U Zaw Zaw Naing extended greetings while Chairman of Hindu Medical Association retired surgeon Dr Min Lwin and former Chairman of Myanmar Gurkha Association U Kyaw Lay explained facts about Deepawali Day.
In his honorary speech, the Senior General prayed may all attendees to the honorary dinner to mark the Deepawali Day be mental wellbeing due to advice of respective religions and may they disperse Metta as genuine siblings. Whatever all humans believe in any religions or faiths, advice of all religions urge humans to disperse Metta, trust to each other and serve the interests of others. These were advice kept for humans to mentally, physically and soulfully serve the interests of the world as well as humans.
He continued to say that he had noted that generosity is courage and the belief is courage. He expressed his firm belief that unity causes delightedness in accord with the Pali word “Samagganam Tapo Sukho”. Whatever all differ from faiths, they have been living in Myanmar in unity since yore through thick and thin. They resided in the same land, drank the same water and breathed same air and have been doing so till today. At that juncture,all need to forge the spirit that all are Myanmar. We did our bits for the development of the country in the history of Myanmar. Belief and generosity result in strength of unity, united courage. Only with unity can bring about peace, stability, consolidation and development, the current requirements of today’s country Myanma society longs for.
Every sector of the country needs unity. Unity means the state of working together and being joined together. The cause of unity means organizing. Organizing means forming a group of people with a shared aim. Trust and attachment I mentioned above are needed between individuals, groups and teams. Trust and attachment can be attained by keeping in touch with each other. National cultural characters of the country we live should be valued collaborative measures. Everybody knows that some cultures of Myanmar are linked to those of Hinduism. Agreement ensures stoutness. The strength of the country lies within only. We should join hands with other brotherhood religious people. We are fulfilling the most basic requirement as much as we can. Only when we are united, will the country develop. Only when the country develops, will different religions exist perpetually.
Deepawali festival is derived from the word of “Dipaawali”. Deepa means oil lamps and Awali means procession. Oil lamps are to be worshipped in unison. Oil lamps can penetrate darkness and bring about light. I would like all those present on the occasion of such significant day to bring about the light of Myanma human society by igniting oil lamps of unity to serve Myanma interests.
Afterwards, Hindu traditional cultural troupe from Indian embassy presented variety of dances while Myanmar damsels performed dances of oil lamps.
After the entertainment programmes, the deputy head of Indian Embassy and the Russian Ambassador to Myanmar made speeches. Deputy Head of Indian Embassy Dr.Sumit Septh expressed his special thanks to those who organized the Deepawali festival. Myanmar and India sharing borders in the east and the west are mainly common in relations and policies. Further cementing of bilateral relations will be better for peoples of both countries. Russian Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Dr. Nikolay LISTOPADOV heartily and warmly honoured all attendees.
He has been discharging duty in Myanmar for many years. He has experienced his assignments in India and Nepal. He sees Buddhism and Hinduism are flourishing in all three countries. He said he disperses Metta that may the people who believe in these religions in these three countries be peaceful in the future. Deepawali festival is important, and he spoke words of honour for it as sustain the love, shorten the hate. He dispersed may all attendees be physical and mental wellbeing.
Then, U Zaw Zaw Naing, Chairman of Myanmar-India International Business Federation, spoke words of thanks.
Next, the Senior General and wife presented commemorative flower baskets to Hindu traditional cultural troupe, had a documentary photo taken together with them and enjoyed the dinner.
