Our Students, Our Future: A National Commitment to Education

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Soe Khant Lin

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Our Students, Our Future: A National Commitment to Education

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Students are not only an invaluable human resource for the nation’s future but also essential contributors to the country’s continuous and sustainable development. A nation with a low literacy rate will undoubtedly experience constrained development and will inevitably lag behind other countries. For this reason, governments around the world employ various strategies to promote literacy among their citizens. Similarly, in Myanmar, successive governments have made sustained and concerted efforts to advance public literacy since the country regained its independence. Among these national endeavours, the “Ah Thone Lone” campaign stands out as a landmark nationwide initiative. Nevertheless, the literacy rate among the people of Myanmar still requires significant improvement. Recognizing this imperative, the current government, elected by the public, has elevated education to the status of a national priority, a commitment expressly emphasized in President U Min Aung Hlaing’s inaugural address. Furthermore, education has been designated as a priority sector within the government’s 100-day plan.
In Myanmar, the month of June marks the commencement of the academic year. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education is actively urging all school-age children throughout the country to pursue their education, irrespective of ethnicity, language, gender, region, or state. The government has also announced that Placement Tests will be conducted for students across Myanmar who, for a variety of reasons, have been unable to attend school since 2021, thereby enabling them to enrol in grades appropriate to their age. This initiative clearly demonstrates the seriousness of purpose and the genuine goodwill with which the government, under the leadership of President U Min Aung Hlaing, regards the education of the people. The announcement has been met with widespread relief and satisfaction among parents of students throughout Myanmar, and a marked increase in public confidence and trust in the current administration is plainly observable across social circles and on social media platforms. In light of these developments, it is evident that the new government’s 100-day plan has already been set on a successful trajectory within a remarkably short period.
Under the President’s guidance, the Ministry of Education has issued comprehensive directives and guidelines for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. These include essential points for all school principals, teachers, and administrative and support staff to be aware of and to implement diligently, as well as appeals addressed to parents, guardians, and the general public, along with detailed information regarding enrollment procedures in basic education schools. These announcements are of immense practical value. They serve to regulate the conduct of educational personnel, ensuring that they perform their duties free from bias and with full accountability and responsibility. Moreover, specific provisions have been put in place to relieve parents and the public of undue financial burdens concerning their children’s education, regardless of their place of residence, thereby paving the way for every child to become an educated and capable individual. It is also noteworthy that parents are being actively encouraged to provide appropriate guidance to their children, to collaborate closely with teachers, and to cultivate a sustained interest in their children’s educational journey.
Furthermore, these directives promote and encourage the development of collaborative skills among students, nurturing them to become responsible and accountable members of society. They also provide essential corrective guidance to steer young people away from harmful influences. Young students, being naturally youthful and full of curiosity, are carefully guided through these measures to ensure that their spirit of exploration does not lead them down unproductive or dangerous paths. From their earliest school days, they are trained to understand and observe traffic rules and road safety regulations. The government has also considered the need for students to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Concerted efforts are also being undertaken to combat the scourge of gaming addiction, a pursuit that not only leads today’s youth astray but also squanders their invaluable time. All these factors are genuinely conducive to the holistic and positive development of our students.
Therefore, if students actively collaborate and engage wholeheartedly in their studies alongside their parents and teachers, each and every individual student will undoubtedly flourish and make meaningful progress. When such empowered and well-educated youth become abundant across the nation, Myanmar will, without question, emerge as a nation developing at an accelerated and sustainable pace in the years to come. The foundation for that prosperous future is being laid today, in every classroom across the country.

gnlm

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Our Students, Our Future: A National Commitment to Education
Our Students, Our Future: A National Commitment to Education
Students are not only an invaluable human resource for the nation’s future but also essential contributors to the country’s continuous and sustainable development. A nation with a low literacy rate will undoubtedly experience constrained development and will inevitably lag behind other countries. For this reason, governments around the world employ various strategies to promote literacy among their citizens. Similarly, in Myanmar, successive governments have made sustained and concerted efforts to advance public literacy since the country regained its independence. Among these national endeavours, the “Ah Thone Lone” campaign stands out as a landmark nationwide initiative. Nevertheless, the literacy rate among the people of Myanmar still requires significant improvement. Recognizing this imperative, the current government, elected by the public, has elevated education to the status of a national priority, a commitment expressly emphasized in President U Min Aung Hlaing’s inaugural address. Furthermore, education has been designated as a priority sector within the government’s 100-day plan.In Myanmar, the month of June marks the commencement of the academic year. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education is actively urging all school-age children throughout the country to pursue their education, irrespective of ethnicity, language, gender, region, or state. The government has also announced that Placement Tests will be conducted for students across Myanmar who, for a variety of reasons, have been unable to attend school since 2021, thereby enabling them to enrol in grades appropriate to their age. This initiative clearly demonstrates the seriousness of purpose and the genuine goodwill with which the government, under the leadership of President U Min Aung Hlaing, regards the education of the people. The announcement has been met with widespread relief and satisfaction among parents of students throughout Myanmar, and a marked increase in public confidence and trust in the current administration is plainly observable across social circles and on social media platforms. In light of these developments, it is evident that the new government’s 100-day plan has already been set on a successful trajectory within a remarkably short period.Under the President’s guidance, the Ministry of Education has issued comprehensive directives and guidelines for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. These include essential points for all school principals, teachers, and administrative and support staff to be aware of and to implement diligently, as well as appeals addressed to parents, guardians, and the general public, along with detailed information regarding enrollment procedures in basic education schools. These announcements are of immense practical value. They serve to regulate the conduct of educational personnel, ensuring that they perform their duties free from bias and with full accountability and responsibility. Moreover, specific provisions have been put in place to relieve parents and the public of undue financial burdens concerning their children’s education, regardless of their place of residence, thereby paving the way for every child to become an educated and capable individual. It is also noteworthy that parents are being actively encouraged to provide appropriate guidance to their children, to collaborate closely with teachers, and to cultivate a sustained interest in their children’s educational journey.Furthermore, these directives promote and encourage the development of collaborative skills among students, nurturing them to become responsible and accountable members of society. They also provide essential corrective guidance to steer young people away from harmful influences. Young students, being naturally youthful and full of curiosity, are carefully guided through these measures to ensure that their spirit of exploration does not lead them down unproductive or dangerous paths. From their earliest school days, they are trained to understand and observe traffic rules and road safety regulations. The government has also considered the need for students to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Concerted efforts are also being undertaken to combat the scourge of gaming addiction, a pursuit that not only leads today’s youth astray but also squanders their invaluable time. All these factors are genuinely conducive to the holistic and positive development of our students.Therefore, if students actively collaborate and engage wholeheartedly in their studies alongside their parents and teachers, each and every individual student will undoubtedly flourish and make meaningful progress. When such empowered and well-educated youth become abundant across the nation, Myanmar will, without question, emerge as a nation developing at an accelerated and sustainable pace in the years to come. The foundation for that prosperous future is being laid today, in every classroom across the country.gnlm
Unmasking the Appeal: Myanmar’s Comprehensive Approach to Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction
Unmasking the Appeal: Myanmar’s Comprehensive Approach to Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction
1.IntroductionEvery year on 31 May, the world observes World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), a global campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of the devastating health consequences of tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The theme for WNTD 2026 is “Unmasking the Appeal — Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction” — a powerful call to expose the evolving strategies of the tobacco and nicotine industry and to advance policies that protect young people and communities from addiction.The 2026 campaign focuses on three core objectives: exposing the tobacco and nicotine industry’s strategies — including the use of synthetic nicotine, nicotine salts, and analogues designed to enhance addiction potential while being marketed as innovative or less harmful; promoting stronger policy action through bans on flavours, advertising and promotion (including digital and social media), and stricter regulation of packaging and product design that increase youth appeal; and empowering youth and the public by providing knowledge and tools to recognize and resist industry influence, while ensuring access to evidence-based cessation support.Tobacco use remains the world’s single largest preventable cause of death, killing more than eight million people every year. With the global tobacco and nicotine industry aggressively targeting youth through e-cigarettes, flavoured nicotine products, and social media campaigns, countering addiction at its source has never been more urgent.2. What Is Tobacco?Tobacco is a plant-based product that contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance. When tobacco leaves are burned, smoked, chewed, or heated, they release a toxic mixture of more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 250 of which are known to be harmful and more than 70 of which can cause cancer. Tobacco is consumed in many forms — cigarettes, cigars, bidis, pipes, smokeless tobacco (such as chewing tobacco and snuff), heated tobacco products (HTPs), and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or ENDS).Nicotine, the primary addictive chemical in tobacco, activates the brain’s reward system by stimulating the release of dopamine, creating a cycle of dependence. Once addicted, users find it extremely difficult to quit, even when confronted with severe health consequences. This addiction potential is precisely why the tobacco industry has long targeted young people – early initiation leads to lifelong dependency and profit.Electronic cigarettes – battery-powered devices that heat a liquid to produce an aerosol – are the tobacco industry’s newest vehicle for recruiting young users. Marketed as ‘safer’ or as smoking cessation tools, e-cigarettes deliver nicotine along with a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, acrolein, and glycerin decomposition products, many of which are classified as known or probable carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).3.The Global Burden of TobaccoTobacco use is one of the world’s greatest public health challenges. According to the WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic Report 2023, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, accounting for nearly one-sixth of all global deaths. More than 80 per cent of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of tobacco-related disease and economic loss falls most heavily on the poorest and most vulnerable populations.The health consequences of tobacco use are devastating and wide-ranging. Tobacco causes lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, stroke, and numerous other cancers affecting the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, kidney, cervix, and bladder. According to the Myanmar STEPS Survey 2024, 23.3 per cent of adults currently smoke tobacco, with male prevalence (40.9 per cent) far exceeding female prevalence (2.9 per cent). According to the WHO Global Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2016 report, among youths, 30 per cent of boys and 8.5 per cent of girls smoked cigarettes.The global rise of e-cigarette use represents a new and alarming dimension of the tobacco epidemic. The estimated global e-cigarette market attracted 82 million users by 2021, up from 68 million in 2020 — a 20.6 per cent increase in a single year. Market analysts project the global ENDS industry to reach US$55 billion in annual revenue by 2030, driven by aggressive expansion into developing markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Children are being deliberately recruited as the next generation of nicotine-dependent consumers.4. Myanmar’s Tobacco SituationThe most current and comprehensive picture of tobacco use in Myanmar comes from the Myanmar STEPS Survey 2024 — a population-based survey of NCD risk factors conducted from 10 November to 12 December among 8,252 adults aged 18-69 years (response rate 97.9 per cent), carried out by the Ministry of Health, Myanmar. The survey provides updated national estimates across tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and key biometric indicators.Key tobacco findings from the Myanmar STEPS Survey 2024 include:Current tobacco smoking prevalence: 23.3 per cent of adults aged 18-69 years currently smoke tobacco (males 40.9 per cent; females 2.9 per cent), representing a notable reduction from the 2014 STEPS Survey figure of 26 per cent.Daily smoking prevalence: 18.1 per cent of adults smoke tobacco daily (males 31.8 per cent; females 2.2 per cent), with 55.4 per cent of daily smokers using manufactured cigarettes.Mean cigarettes per day: Among daily smokers, the mean number of manufactured cigarettes smoked per day is 2.7 overall (males 2.8; females 1.1) — with urban daily smokers consuming more (3.5 sticks/day) than rural smokers (2.2 sticks/day).Gender disparity: Tobacco smoking remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. Male prevalence (40.9 per cent) is approximately 14 times higher than female prevalence (2.9 per cent), reflecting deeply entrenched social norms around tobacco use.Tobacco types among male daily smokers: Manufactured cigarettes are the most common (mean 2.8/day), followed by hand-rolled cigarettes (mean 0.9/day), cigars/cheroots/cigarillos (mean 2.8/day), and pipes (mean 0.1/day). Shisha use is negligible (0.0 sessions/day).Urban vs rural pattern: Urban male daily smokers consume more manufactured cigarettes (mean 3.5/day) compared to rural counterparts (mean 2.2/day), suggesting higher product availability and marketing exposure in urban settings.While the reduction in overall smoking prevalence from 26 per cent (2014) to 23.3 per cent (2024) reflects positive progress, the absolute burden remains high. The persistently large gender gap – with male smoking rates nearly 14 times higher than female rates — highlights the need for targeted cessation interventions for adult males. The continued use of traditional tobacco products such as hand-rolled cigarettes and cheroots, especially in rural areas, underscores the complexity of Myanmar’s tobacco landscape. E-cigarette use among Myanmar youth, which rose from 6.8 per cent in 2011 to 8.3 per cent in 2016 per the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), is likely to have accelerated further given the global proliferation of cheap disposable vapes before Myanmar’s comprehensive ENDS ban in December 2024.The social and economic costs of tobacco-related illness continue to place a heavy strain on Myanmar’s health system. The STEPS 2024 data provide an essential evidence base for calibrating national tobacco control policies, including the enforcement of the plain packaging mandate and the newly enacted e-cigarette ban, and for directing cessation support where it is most needed.5. Health Risks of Tobacco and E-CigarettesTobacco causes irreversible harm across nearly every organ system in the body. Key health risks include:Lung cancer and other respiratory cancers – tobacco smoke contains at least 70 carcinogens and is the leading cause of lung cancer globally.Cardiovascular disease — smoking accelerates atherosclerosis, greatly increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) — a progressive, incurable lung disease that severely impairs breathing.Brain development impairment in adolescents – nicotine harms the developing brain, reducing concentration and learning abilities.Second-hand smoke exposure — endangers non-smokers, particularly children and pregnant women, causing respiratory illness, ear infections, and sudden infant death.E-cigarette-specific risks — respiratory inflammation (bronchiolitis obliterans/’popcorn lung’), cardiovascular stress, and nicotine addiction leading to regular cigarette use.E-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to conventional cigarettes. While they may produce fewer combustion-related toxins, they still deliver nicotine and numerous harmful chemicals. The WHO and most major health organizations do not recommend e-cigarettes as smoking cessation tools. The flavouring chemicals in e-cigarettes, such as diacetyl, used in buttery flavours, are linked to severe, irreversible obstructive lung disease.6. Previous and Recent Developments in Myanmar’s Tobacco Control6.1 Legislative FoundationMyanmar’s tobacco control journey is built on a strong legislative foundation. The Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Products Law was enacted in May 2006 and subsequently revised in October 2021, introducing comprehensive restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and sale. The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 and mandates prominent pictorial health warnings (PHWs) on tobacco packaging.6.2 From Warnings to Plain Packs: A Landmark JourneyMyanmar has made substantial progress in pictorial health warning (PHW) implementation. Following the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, Myanmar progressively expanded PHW requirements. By 2016, PHWs were mandated to cover 75 per cent of the front and back of tobacco packaging. By September 2025, Myanmar had become the second country in the Asian region to introduce standardized plain packaging, after Australia (2012), Singapore (2019), and Thailand (2019). Plain packaging removes all branding, logos, and attractive design elements from tobacco packaging, replacing them with a standardized drab brown pack featuring large graphic PHWs covering 75 per cent or more of the surface.Evidence from multiple countries shows that plain packaging is highly effective in reducing the appeal of tobacco products, making health warnings more salient, and discouraging youth from smoking initiation. In Thailand and Singapore, plain packaging combined with large PHWs increased the proportion of smokers reporting they wanted to quit by nearly 80 per cent. Myanmar’s adoption of plain packaging in 2025 represents a landmark achievement that positions the country as a regional leader in tobacco control.To Be Continuedgnlm
A few Westerners’ misconceptions about Buddhism: An encapsulated commentary
A few Westerners’ misconceptions about Buddhism: An encapsulated commentary
Vesak Day 2026 has been commemorated mainly in Buddhist-majority countries in recent days.This article deals with a few misunderstandings and misconceptions of certain basic doctrines of Buddhism made by a few Western personages.Father Sangermano’s MisunderstandingFather Vincenzo Sangermano (22 April 1758-28 July 1819) was a Catholic priest who lived in what was then the Kingdom of Burma from 1783 to 1806. His book A Description of the Burmese Empire was published posthumously in Italian and later translated into English. The revised English translation was published in 1883.There are quite a few comments made by Sangermano about Buddhist doctrine. I will mention only a few misstatements that the Barnaby priest made.The first statement Sangermano made was that Gautama Buddha was a ‘God’ (or at least the Burmese Buddhist considered the Buddha as a ‘God’). That is incorrect. In canonical Buddhism, the concept of Creator/God is rejected. Ancient India of 2,500 years ago had religious sects or doctrines which postulated the concept of a Creator. Hinduism also has the Concept of Creator, Preserver and Destroyer.Canonical Buddhism had no such doctrine. The ancient Indian concept of Creator significantly, if not radically, differed from those of the Abrahamic religions of Christianity and Islam, with its ‘only begotten Son’ (Christianity) and ‘Prophet/Prophets’ (Islam as well as aspects of Christianity). The (mis) attribution of the (Abrahamic) concept of ‘God’ in that the Buddhists considered Gautama Buddha as a ‘God’ was a categorical mistake of Sangermano.Sangermano also misstated that Gautama Buddha, after his (His) meditative practices, obtained ‘divinity’. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (9th edition) defines ‘divinity’ (among others) as ‘the quality of being a God or like God: the divinity of Christ’. After six years of ascetic and meditative practice, Gautama Buddha achieved ‘enlightenment’, not ‘divinity’ as stated by Sangermano.Sangermano also wrote that according to the Burmese Doctors (Sangermano’s words: he apparently meant Burmese learned religious scholars of his time in the late 18th and early 19th century), the Buddha went through 410,000 world systems before obtaining enlightenment. Here Sangermano may have underestimated the numerous lives Gautama Buddha or other Buddhas have to go through and the efforts the embryo Buddhas had to make before obtaining enlightenment.The transliterated Burmese phrase lay thin chay hnint kabar ta thein proximately (so to speak) is about four trillion and one hundred thousand world systems. An anthropologist and Burma scholar, Melford Spiro (26 April 1920-14 October 2014) wrote in his book Buddhism and Society: A Great Tradition and its Burmese Vicissitudes that a world system, according to Buddhist metaphysics, lasts much longer than the sun’s death in modern astronomy (about five billion years from the current time)!Sangermano’s statement that the Buddha was a ‘God’ and that the Buddha obtained ‘divinity’ can be described as his misunderstanding of canonical, doctrinal Buddhist doctrines. The 410,000 (sic, as stated by Sangermano) world systems as well as the four trillion and 100,000 world systems (sic), I opine, belong to supposed Buddhist metaphysics and Buddhist folklore.Two critiques (rather than full misstatements) on Buddhism by Lin Yu Tang and Somerset MaughamIn his best seller, but to yours truly overrated, The Importance of Living (first published 1938) the author Lin Yutang (10 October 1895- 26 March 1976) in one of his comments wrote thus:QUOTEThere are several views of mankind: the traditional Christian theological view, the Greek pagan view, and the Chinese-Taoist Confucianist view. (I do not include the Buddhist view because it is so sad.)UNQUOTEThough arguably based on or even if Lin Yutang’s view of the ‘sad Buddhist view’ is a misstatement, it is not as wrong or misconceived as those made by Sangermano. It can perhaps be stated (with some indulgence) that Yutang is entitled to his opinion. With that, I will dismiss Yutang’s dismissive opinion of Buddhism.William Somerset Maugham (25 January 1874-16 December 1965) published The Gentleman in the Parlour: A Record of a Journey from Rangoon to Haiphong in 1930. He had a few comments on Buddhism as well. I do not have a copy of the book currently. From my firm memory, he commented to the effect that ‘just because a rose, in due course, wilts and dies’, why shouldn’t people enjoy the beauty of the rose while it blooms. The implication was: it is true that people (or some people) aged, got sick, and all eventually die, why should they not enjoy the ordinary pleasures of life before sickness, old age, disease and eventually, inevitably death takes place? This, I recall, was Maugham’s critique of (in essence) the Buddhist concept of Dukkha (Pali language: roughly, ‘suffering’, being awry, see below). Again, one should grant that Maugham was entitled to his opinion.Pope John Paul II’s misunderstanding (if not distortion): the statement that Buddhism considers the world as ‘evil’In his Crossing the Threshold of Hope (first published 1994), Pope John Paul II (as he then was, later ‘Saint John Paul II’) (18 May 1920-2 April 2005) stated that ‘Buddhism considers the world as evil’. Like his common co-religionist Sangermano’s remarks of 180 years ago, the Pope was, if not ingloriously wrong then greatly mistaken.Perhaps the misinformed Pope mistook, misinterpreted or perhaps distorted the Pali word Dukkha as ‘evil’. Dukkha has been ‘proximately’ translated as ‘suffering’, and all the English translations use the word ‘suffering’ to connote Dukkha. A former Catholic nun and author, Karen Armstrong (born 14 November 1944), stated in one of her books that Dukkha can also be translated as the state of being ‘awry’. That definition or exposition may also not fully capture the essence of Dukkha.In the first of Four Noble Truths of Buddhism the following sentence (in translation and elaboration) appears: ‘One could wish that the suffering of birth, the suffering of old age, the suffering of physical and mental pain and sickness, the suffering arising from having to part from loved ones, the suffering of having to deal, to stay with unloved, hateful persons should not happen to me but that wish cannot, ought not be fulfilled is also suffering’.In his novel Creation (first published 1981), Gore Vidal (3 October 1925-31 2012), using one of his characters in the historical novel, explained the above exposition by saying ‘Not getting what you want is suffering, getting what you want is also suffering’. Vidal, I submit, perceived an aspect of Buddhism better than Pope John Paul II did.Is Buddhism the ‘search forthe good’?All the above comments from Sangermano (early 19th century), Maugham (1930), Lin Yutang (1938), and Pope John Paul II (1994) were written records.In 1982, a Michigan Law School classmate (we were in the same class in one subject), now a distinguished scholar and law Professor in the United States, mentioned to me that ‘Buddhism (in his opinion) is a search for the good’. Compared with Pope John Paul II’s comment that ‘Buddhism considers the world as evil’, it is somewhat more satisfying.Still, can Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam also be designated in the generic rather than the philosophical, theological sense of the word as ‘search for the good’? Partly yes and partly ‘no’? The definition of what is ‘good’ or ‘the highest good’, summum bonum, may be different among different religions, perhaps even among various sects of the same religion.In the third Noble Truth of Buddhism, Nibbana (Pali), Nirvana (Sanskrit), is the summum bonum of Buddhism. Without defining or elaborating on this highest good in Buddhism, the fourth Noble Truth laid down the eight-fold noble path to reach that goal. They are: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. Buddhism may be the search for the good both intra- religiously and generically. Concomitantly, it also stipulates, exhorts, recommends rather than commands (contra the Ten Commandments) that Buddhists try to practice them not only in the ‘search for the good’ but to obtain the ‘good’ which in the Buddhist context is Nibbana.Among the personages (so to speak) who had commented on Buddhism publicly in writing, only Lin Yutang, who was born in China, can be described (in part) as a non- Westerner. But Lin Yutang was largely trained in the West. He indeed had introduced Chinese philosophical thought and Chinese literature to the West. But his dismissive comment that he would not include the Buddhist view of mankind because it is so sad cannot be discerned in other more (shall we say) understanding Westerners like Maugham, Vidal, especially Karen Armstrong and my anonymous former classmate.In his 1966 book Social Dimensions of Law and Justice, jurist Julius Stone (7 July 1907-3 September 1985), writing as a bourgeois social scientist, stated that in observing Marxist and Soviet legal theory as an outsider, ‘the doors of cognition could forever be barred’. Resorting to legal Latin a fortiori (‘all the more so’), the doors of cognition in matters of religious concepts, especially to those who wear or have blinkers (like Father Sangermano and Pope John Paul II), may be ‘forever barred’. For those who are more open-minded, cognition, even some understanding, perhaps somewhat better than ‘through a glass darkly’ (1 Corinthians 13:12) can be achieved in cross-cultural and cross-religious discourse.gnlm
The Gentle Poetry of Tea
The Gentle Poetry of Tea
The sound of boiling water, the gentle smell rising from a fresh cup, the first warm sip on a quiet morning – tea has a way of making life feel softer and calmer. Long before the world becomes noisy with traffic, work, and endless responsibilities, many of us begin the day with tea beside us. It waits on small tables in crowded tea shops, in family kitchens before sunrise, and in the hands of people searching for a little comfort after a tiring day. Tea may appear simple, but for millions around the world, it carries memories, emotions, and human connection within every cup. That is why International Tea Day, celebrated each year around the world, is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a celebration of culture, community, tradition, and the people whose lives are deeply connected to tea.Tea is one of the oldest and most loved drinks in human history. Across continents and generations, people have gathered around tea to talk, rest, celebrate, and reflect. In some places, tea is part of formal ceremonies filled with tradition and respect. In others, it is part of ordinary daily life shared among friends and family members. Different countries prepare tea in different ways, yet the feeling behind it remains surprisingly similar everywhere. Tea brings people closer.In Myanmar, tea is not only a drink; it is part of our identity. Tea shops are woven into everyday life and social culture. From early morning until late evening, tea shops are filled with conversation and movement. Students discuss their studies and dreams. Workers stop for a short rest before continuing long days. Elderly people quietly read newspapers while enjoying warm tea. Friends sit together for hours, speaking about life, family, and the future. In Myanmar, tea shops are not simply businesses. They are small spaces where human connection naturally grows.Myanmar also has a tea tradition that is unique in the world. Unlike many countries that only drink tea, we also eat it. Laphet, or fermented tea leaves, is one of the most treasured parts of Myanmar cuisine. Laphet Thoke, Myanmar tea leaf salad, combines sour tea leaves with crunchy beans, garlic, sesame, cabbage, tomatoes, and other ingredients. It is often served during family gatherings, ceremonies, and special occasions. Offering Lahpet to guests is seen as a sign of respect and hospitality. Even Myanmar people living abroad often say that the taste of Laphet reminds them of home and childhood memories.Behind these traditions are the hardworking tea farmers who make them possible. In the green hills of Shan State and other tea-growing areas, many families have spent generations cultivating tea. Tea farming requires patience, care, and dedication. Farmers work under changing weather conditions, carefully picking leaves by hand and protecting the quality of their crops. Their work begins long before tea reaches our cups. Yet many of us rarely stop to think about the lives connected to the tea we drink every day.International Tea Day reminds the world to appreciate these farmers and workers. It also highlights the challenges facing tea-producing communities globally. Climate change has become one of the greatest difficulties for tea farmers. Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and environmental changes affect tea production in many countries. Small farmers often struggle with unstable incomes and increasing costs while trying to continue their traditional way of life.Around the world, tea supports millions of livelihoods. Countries such as China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Myanmar all play important roles in global tea production. Tea is not only part of culture but also part of the economy. However, International Tea Day encourages people to think beyond business and profit. It reminds us about fairness, sustainability, and the importance of supporting communities that depend on tea cultivation.At the same time, tea continues to evolve with modern society. Younger generations enjoy tea in creative new forms, including bubble tea, iced tea, flavoured tea, and café-style drinks. Tea culture has adapted to changing lifestyles while still preserving traditional roots. Modern tea shops filled with young people now exist beside old neighbourhood tea shops where regular customers have gathered for decades. Though styles may change, tea continues to connect generations.One reason tea remains special is that it quietly becomes part of life’s most meaningful moments. Some of our warmest memories involve tea without us even realizing it at the time. We remember rainy afternoons spent talking with family members over hot tea. We remember guests arriving at our homes and being welcomed with a fresh pot of coffee on the table. We remember conversations in tea shops that lasted far longer than planned because nobody wanted to leave. Tea creates space for human connection in a fast-moving world where genuine moments sometimes feel rare.Tea also teaches us the value of slowing down. Preparing tea takes patience. Drinking tea invites conversation and reflection. In today’s world, many people rush through their days without rest. Yet a simple cup of tea can still bring a feeling of calmness. Sometimes the most meaningful discussions happen not in large meeting halls or formal places, but quietly around a tea table shared among friends.For Myanmar, International Tea Day is an opportunity to celebrate both culture and community. It reminds us to value local tea farmers, protect tea-growing environments, and preserve traditions that have been passed down through generations. Tea is not just an agricultural product. It is tied to memory, identity, and everyday human life.As 21 May arrives, International Tea Day invites us to pause for a moment and appreciate the story behind every cup. From the green hills where tea leaves are carefully grown to the small tea shops filled with laughter and conversation, tea carries the warmth of human effort and connection. In a world that often moves too quickly, tea gently reminds us to slow down, sit together, and value the simple moments that truly matter. Long after the final sip is gone, the feeling tea leaves behind – comfort, peace, and togetherness – continues to stay in our hearts.gnlm
Strengthening the Nation through Health and Social Harmony
Strengthening the Nation through Health and Social Harmony
The foundation of any strong nation is its people. When citizens are healthy, they can pursue education, secure jobs, and contribute to economic growth. A harmonized society, built on unity, mutual support, and care, provides the environment for this progress. Together, healthy citizens and a harmonious community form the pillars of a developing nation.Economic growth, technological advancement, and infrastructure expansion are important drivers of development. But these achievements depend on cooperation between the government, citizens, and social organizations. Without healthy people and a harmonized society, national progress cannot be sustained.Healthy People: The First StepLiving a healthy life does not always require great wealth. It begins with simple, disciplined daily habits. Experts highlight five key practices:Balanced diet – Meals should include carbohydrates, proteins (meat, fish, beans), vitamins and minerals (vegetables and fruits). Excess fat, sugar, and salt should be reduced. Drinking at least eight cups (about two litres) of water daily is essential.Regular exercise – At least 30 minutes of activity such as brisk walking, cycling, yoga, or sports, five days a week. Exercise strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and helps maintain body weight.Adequate sleep – Adults need seven–eight hours of sleep each night. Proper rest repairs body cells, boosts immunity, and restores energy for the next day.Stress management – “Healthy mind, healthy body.” Meditation, deep breathing, reading, or listening to music can reduce stress and refresh the mind.Avoid harmful habits – Smoking, excessive drinking, and chewing betel nut damage health and should be avoided.These simple steps build strong individuals. When citizens are healthy, they become more productive workers, caring parents, and active students. This strengthens families and communities, and ultimately the nation.Harmonized Society: The Second PillarA harmonized society is one where people live together safely and happily. It is not created by the government alone but by the daily choices of individuals. Healthy bodies and minds lead to stronger communities.From individual health to collective strength – Healthy workers, parents, and students contribute more to families and communities, raising national productivity.Mental health reduces violence – Calm and emotionally stable people can control anger, jealousy, and hatred. This lowers conflict and violence, creating a society of compassion and understanding.Discipline builds responsibility – Those who practice discipline in diet, sleep, and hygiene also respect social rules, such as keeping the environment clean.Mutual support strengthens networks – Healthy living is not selfish. Donating blood, exercising together, or joining community activities builds strong social bonds.When citizens are healthy and communities are peaceful, the nation becomes more resilient. Social harmony reduces crime and conflict, allowing governments to focus resources on development rather than crisis management.Developing Nation: The Final GoalFrom healthy individuals comes a harmonized society, and from there a developing nation. Citizens who grow up healthy and disciplined become creative, productive, and capable of driving progress in education, technology, the economy, and governance.When citizens are healthy and conflicts are fewer, governments spend less on medical care and crime control. Resources can then be directed to roads, electricity, industries, and infrastructure for future generations. A peaceful and lawabiding society also attracts foreign investors, creating more jobs and raising GDP.Government’s 100Day StepsThe new government has announced a 100-day programme to improve people’s lives and healthcare. Plans include expanding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) so everyone can access medical services. Measures include:Providing affordable treatmentSupplying medicines and equipmentSending mobile medical teams to remote areasTraining and supporting doctors and nurses with better benefitsUpgrading schools and universities to improve medical educationAt the same time, nationwide vaccination campaigns, nutrition programs, and health education are being expanded. Clean drinking water, waste management, and food and drug safety inspections are being strengthened. Parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities are being built to encourage active lifestyles.ConclusionAs the saying goes, “Strong roots make a beautiful tree.” A peaceful society does not fall from the sky – it is built from the healthy and joyful lifestyles of individuals. By living healthily, each person contributes to the strength of the community. From healthy lives comes a harmonized society, and from there a developing nation.In short, when citizens build disciplined and resilient healthy lives, they create a compassionate and united society. That society, in turn, lays the foundation for a prosperous nation. Looking at the whole chain, it is clear: national development begins with the health of its people.Therefore, citizens, social organizations, and the government must work hand in hand to make this vision a reality.gnlm
Inlay Lake: Myanmar’s Floating Gem of Culture and Nature
Inlay Lake: Myanmar’s Floating Gem of Culture and Nature
As the sun slowly sets over the peaceful waters of Inlay Lake, a breathtaking scene comes to life. The sky turns into shades of orange and purple, reflecting beautifully on the calm surface of the lake. Local fishermen balance gracefully on one leg as they row their boats through the floating gardens. This is more than just a beautiful landscape; it is the heart of a unique water-based culture where tradition still lives strongly today. Here, floating farms provide food for the people, and life moves gently with the rhythm of the water.The Heart of Shan StateInlay Lake is a freshwater highland lake located in Nyaungshwe Township, Shan State, Myanmar (Burma). Surrounded by the misty Shan Hills, the lake lies about 2,900 feet above sea level and covers around 116 square kilometres. It is the second-largest freshwater lake in Myanmar and one of the country’s most famous natural treasures.In 2015, UNESCO recognized Inlay Lake as Myanmar’s first Biosphere Reserve because of its rich biodiversity and the close harmony between nature and human life. The lake is home to many rare species of fish and birds that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, making it an important ecological treasure.A Remarkable Way of LifeThe Intha people, often called the “Sons of the Lake”, have lived on and around Inlay Lake for centuries. Over time, they developed a lifestyle perfectly suited to the watery environment. One of the most fascinating sights at the lake is the unique rowing style of the fishermen. They stand on one leg at the back of their boats while wrapping the other leg around an oar. This special technique helps them see over the tall reeds and floating plants while keeping their hands free to handle fishing nets.The creativity of the Intha people can also be seen in their famous floating gardens, known locally as Ye-chan. Farmers collect weeds and water hyacinths from the lake and secure them with bamboo poles to create floating islands. Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and many other crops are grown in these gardens. The floating gardens are so strong that farmers can even walk on them while harvesting.Traditional Villages and HandicraftsThe villages around Inlay Lake are well known for their traditional crafts and industries. The local people are admired for their kindness, honesty, and warm smiles. In the village of Inpawkhon, visitors can observe the rare art of lotus weaving. Skilled artisans carefully extract delicate fibres from lotus stems to make thread, which is later woven into beautiful scarves and robes. This ancient tradition requires patience and great skill, and Inlay Lake is one of the few places in the world where it still survives.Other villages are famous for blacksmithing, silversmithing, and the production of traditional cheroot cigars. The floating market, which moves between five different locations every five days, is another important part of local life. Boats filled with colourful vegetables, fresh tea leaves, and handmade products create a lively and picturesque atmosphere. People from different ethnic groups, such as the PaO and Shan, gather there in their traditional clothing to trade and socialize.Sacred Traditions and Spiritual BeautyInlay Lake is also an important centre of religious devotion. The most sacred site on the lake is the PhaungdawU Pagoda, which houses five ancient Buddha images. Over many years, worshippers have covered the statues with layers of gold leaf until their original shapes can no longer be seen.One of the most spectacular events in the region is the PhaungdawU Pagoda Festival, held every year during the Myanmar month of Thadingyut. During the festival, four sacred Buddha images are carried on a magnificent ceremonial barge shaped like a mythical Karaweik bird. Hundreds of leg-rowers guide the barge from village to village while crowds celebrate with music, prayers, and decorated boats. The festival beautifully reflects the strong faith and unity of the local people.Another historical treasure is the Shwe Inn Dein Pagoda complex. Hidden near a narrow creek, it contains hundreds of ancient stupas rising among the trees. Some are old and covered with vines, while others shine brightly in gold. Nearby, the Mine Thauk Bridge stretches peacefully across the water and offers one of the best places to enjoy the sunset.Flavours of Inlay LakeThe culture of Inlay Lake can also be experienced through its delicious local cuisine. Shan food is famous throughout Myanmar for its fresh and rich flavours. One popular dish is the “Inlay Fish Salad” (Inlay Nga Htamin), made from rice mixed with boiled fish, tomatoes, and potatoes, then topped with crispy garlic oil. Another favourite is Shan tofu, made from yellow split peas, which can be served fried, in soup, or as a warm salad. Enjoying these traditional dishes in a stilt house overlooking the peaceful lake creates a truly unforgettable experience.Peace on the WaterBeyond its beauty and traditions, Inlay Lake offers something even more meaningful – a deep sense of peace. One of my favourite memories is riding on a boat while the cool breeze gently touches my face. Listening to my favourite song, “Naung Inn Lay”, together with the gentle sound of the traditional Shan Ozi instrument, as seagulls follow the boat across the blue waters, brings a sense of peace and happiness. Feeding the birds as they fly close to the water always brings me childlike joy. These quiet and simple moments help people relax, forget the stress of busy city life, and appreciate the harmony of nature.A Timeless Treasure of MyanmarInlay Lake is more than just a tourist destination; it is a living cultural treasure where nature, tradition, and community exist together in harmony. From colourful floating markets and sacred festivals to peaceful sunsets and floating gardens, the lake offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor.As people often say, “The beauty of Inlay Lake lies not only in its scenery, but also in the hearts of the people who call it home.” For anyone seeking peace, cultural discovery, and natural wonder, Inlay Lake remains one of Myanmar’s most enchanting and timeless places – a destination that stays in the heart long after the journey ends.gnlm
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