No-trust Motion
NC Should Go For Safe Exit

By Rajaram Gautam

PRIME Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai stepped down last year when lawmakers from the ruling party moved a no-trust motion against him. Bhattarai’s resignation followed an election to the parliamentary leadership, in which Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and "second generation" leader Sher Bahadur Deuba contested. Of the 112 seats, which the Congress party controls in the House of Representatives, Koirala polled 68 while his rival contender received 43 votes. That was in March last year.

Some "56" lawmakers last week moved a no-trust motion against the Prime Minister, who took office barely 10 months ago, pledging: maintenance of law and order, good governance with administrative reforms and corruption control.

Irrespective of what happens when the Congress legislators line up to cast their ballots in case of voting, it looks like the motion is ill timed. The motion coincided with the abstract protests over a "demeaning" statement by an Indian artiste against Nepal and the Nepalese. Deuba and his supporters would perhaps have taken little bit of advantage if they had extended support to the government, then fighting the unseen forces that took to violent protests in the guise of the masses.

Koirala’s move to pressure State Minister Aftab Aalam, who was found involved in the infamous Rautahat incident, in which a district level worker of the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal (UML) was killed. That had hardly died down when the Prime Minister sacked Water Resource Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka on the charges that he was orchestrating Koirala’s ouster.

Khadka’s dismissal, many in the ruling party thought, meant the end to Koirala’s days in power. The ensuing political developments (after Khadka’s shocking expulsion) were pointed towards the Prime Minister’s ouster, but things did not work that way. And, in between came the rows over party memberships and the local level elections leading to the impending general convention.

Koirala has reportedly emerged strong in the recent elections and the rivals naturally want to pre-empt his chances being re-elected to the post of Congress President. The no-confidence motion is nothing, but taking a chance, probably the last chance to try to stop the 10th convention of the party. The no confidence motion was just a strategy to force Koirala to resign like his peer Bhattarai did. Koirala’s has showed preparedness and determination to face the motion at the earliest possible. The attempt to unseat Koirala seems to have cast a boomerang effect on the rivals.

There are moves and counter moves to foil each other’s bid. Some 48 district presidents of the Nepali Congress have already pressured their elected representatives to back the government. Nepal Tarun Dal, the ruling party’s youth wing, and another sister organisation, Nepal Trade Union Congress, have appealed to all to stand by the government at this moment. Their whole hearted support to the government means a lot to the Congressmen who have been elected to the centre.

Any Congress worker, who aspires to be elected or re-elected to the House, needs their support, most importantly the backing of the district presidents. The district presidents are the local leaders who are directly and constantly in touch with the grassroots workers. Without them the party cannot make its bases at the district, or at the Constituency level. The MP’s will be forced to pay heed to the call of the district presidents. And, that has already started to show the impact. Quite a good
number of the elected representatives who were the signatories to the motion have issued public statement, pledging their support to the Prime Minister and the Party President.

This is because Koirala has always based his politics on grassroots organisations and not at the centre, unlike his rivals. That’s why he has a strong hold on the party organisation and its is very important for any political worker. What Deuba and his supporters therefore should understand is "don’t count on heads at the parliament, but on the bases."

Deuba clearly knows his motion will be defeated this time. At such a time, the best political game for Deuba would be to look for a safe exit instead of relying on false hypotheses and meaningless interpretations of the press and pseudo-intellectuals who have nothing to lose in direct terms. He should not be content (as he did last time) with losing to Koirala, at least this time and should never make bold, but emotional moves based on too general charges as a ploy to beat the better powerful rival. Instead, what he should do is work out the real strategies, if he wants to become the ultimate winner.

Myanmar: Best Study Center For Buddhist Tradition

By Arun Ranjit

EVER since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Myanmar in 1960, the relationship of two countries has been cordial and friendly. Exchange of visits by the senior leaders from both the countries have also enhanced more closer and better understanding of goodwill towards each other.

Lord Buddha’s teaching of peace, compassion, and non-violence have always been a source of inspirations for the people of the two countries.

Nepal and Myanmar were among the initiators of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. It is a tribute to our leaders that these principles based on sovereign equality of all states; territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs remain valid to even this day.

Situated in the Southeast Asia, Myanmar history dates back to the Myanmar history dates to the early 11th century when King Anawrahta unified the country and founded the first Myanmar Empire in Bagan.

The Bagan Empire encompassed the areas of the present-day Myanmar and the entire Menam Valley in Thailand and lasted for two centuries.

Bagan, an architectural site encompasses the magnificent ruins of what was the capital of first Myanmar Empire, which flourished from the 11th century until its defeat at the hands of Kublai Khan’s Mongols in 1287.

Memorably described as "the most remarkable religious city in the world". Began once boasted 13,000 pagodas and monasteries strewn like jewels across this dusty, sun-baked plain stretching back from the banks of the Irrawaddy. Today, the ruins have been restored to world-ranking monuments, rivaled in Southeast Asia as ancient architectural masterpieces.

King Bayinnaung founded the Second Myanmar Empire in the 16th century. And King Alaungpaya founded the last Myanmar dynasty in 1752. During the zenith of this empire the British moved into Myanmar.

Only after three Anglo-Myanmar Wars in 1824, 1852 and 1885 Myanmar became a British colony. But during the Second World War, from 1942, till the return of Allied forces in 1945 Myanmar was occupied by the Japanese.

The Buddhist nation Myanmar has become a sovereign independent state since, January 4, 1948. It is remarkable to note that Myanmar is the country that regained her independence first though she was the last country occupied by the British in Southeast Asian region.

Myanmar, which spreads in 676,577 sq. miles, has 48 million people with 81 per cent literacy rate, some 80 per cent of the population in Myanmar follow Theravada Buddhism and rest other.

There are eight major races and 135 national groups who speak about 100 different dialects. The national races with the larger populations are Bama Shan, Kachin, Kayah Kayin, Chin, Mon and Rakhine. The Bamas constitute the largest number with population of 68 per cent. The Myanmar language is the major language in use and is also the official language of the country.

Although predominantly a Buddhist country, Myanmar is a place where major faiths of the world coexist and flourish. Instances of religious persecution or religious conflicts are unknown in Myanmar’s history. Religious harmony and freedom is a long-held tradition shared by all faiths in Myanmar.

Many Nepalese people have been residing in Myanmar since long time back. Most of them have become the citizens of Myanmar. Although they are Nepalese origin, the people and government of Myanmar regard and treat them as citizens of Myanmar and no discrimination has been recorded towards their race, colour, creed, culture, religion of faith.

Myanmar possesses a rich and vibrant cultural tradition. Great natural beauty combines with magnificent temple architecture. Like, in Nepal Myanmar’s tourism is also based on culture, history and religion. And same as Nepal’s well-known culture—Warm Hospitality—of Myanmar people is also a world-re nown too.

Endowed with the natural beauty and natural resources Myanmar is making strides in the national development and is quite effortful in launching programmed designed to meet the basic needs of the people. It is also rich in oil, rubies, timber, diamonds and other mineral resources.

Myanmar could also be stated as the meeting place between two of the world’s greatest civilisations, China and India, to give rise to a distinctive Myanmar culture. Southeast Asia’s most secretive and most mysterious country—Myanmar is rich in its cultural heritage. It’s lifestyle and arts reflect a unique blend of both ancient cultures interspersed with Myanmar’s own native traits and characteristics. Myanmar’s arts and crafts existed even during the Pyu period 5th century. A.D. In fine arts it has own traditional style of painting sculptures, lacquer ware, tapestry and so on. Regarding the performing arts, singing dancing, and play-writing composing and instrumental music have been well developed for centuries.

The teaching of Buddhism has dominant influence on the Myanmar way of life. Thus, Myanmar is also well known as the best-preserved traditions of Buddhist study country. The people have great respect of elders and reverence of Buddhism. They are also preserving the tradition of close family ties. Festivals also form a large part of fun loving Myanmar’s social life.

Myanmar is, however, reputed to be a major drug producing country. Beyond the government’s control contributed to this state of affairs, Myanmar has adopted a master plan covering the period from 1999 to 2014 to totally eradicate poppy and opium production, interdiction and encouragement of local grass-roots participation.

Having direct air service between Myanmar and Nepal would be convenient and beneficial to the people of both the countries and could help in he more the friendship knot at the people and government level. Cooperation on the various sectors should be sought for promoting ties in further days to come.

However, the present government of Myanmar has succeeded in maintaining and promoting the relation with Nepal in the highest esteem.

The people who were resided in Myanmar in the various capacities and had returned to Nepal could play a pivotal role by becoming the messengers of the friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding for the promotion and strengthening of the existing friendship at the people level.

Let’s hope the growing spirit of cooperation will pave the way for a new era of peace and prosperity between Nepal and Myanmar. On the auspicious occasion of the Independence Day of Myanmar, the relation of Nepal and Myanmar may grow stronger in the days to come and reach at glorious height for the progress, prosperity and peace of the people.

The ties between our two countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence have withstood the test of time and have always been warm and friendly.

Such a development would no doubt serve the cause of peace and stability in the Nepal-Myanmar’s decades long relation.

Long live Nepal-Myanmar friendship.

FESTIVALS form the core of Myanmar social and religious activities. Full moon day of each month of Myanmar calendar has its own festive occasion. Following is a list of well known festivals in Myanmar:

Thingyan Water Festival

This traditional festival falls around 13th April and ushers in the Myanmar New Year. it is the merriest festival held for three or four days when people pour water over one another and there is much singing and dancing at decorated pandals. Boys and girls also go round in cars and enjoy themselves splashing water at one another. Pouring water is believed to cleanse the body and mind of evils of the year that was left behind. There is merriment and fun galore. But it is not all fun and play; the elderly and the pious perform a lot of meritorious deeds to usher in the New Year. People keep Sabbath; go to pagodas; and offer food and alms to monks. Children and youths too welcome the New Year by paying respects to their parents, teachers and elders. To gain merit, fish and cattle are also set free. Through merriment and fun and through meritorious and pious deeds, the Myanmars usher in a New Year.

The Kason Festival

It falls on the full moon day of Kason according to the Myanmar Calendar (early May). The full moon of Kason is a day of threefold significance- the day the Buddha was born, the day He attained enlightenment and the day of His demise. Men and women of all ages go to pagodas in procession to pour water on the sacred Bo Tree. This is done as a mark of veneration to the Buddha who attained enlightenment, sitting under the Bo Tree.

The Waso Festival

Full moon day of Waso in July commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon. It also marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent. New robes and other temporal requirements are offered to the monks in pomp and pageantry. Young people also go out and gather flowers of the season to offer at the pagodas.

Thadingyut Festival (Festival of Lights)

This festival held on the full moon day of Thadingyut in October marks the end of the Buddhist Lent. It lasts for three days during which houses and streets in cities and towns are brilliantly illuminated. Pagodas are also crowded with people doing mertitorious deeds. It is not only a time of joy but also of thanksgivng and paying homage to teachers, parents and elders.

Tazaungdaing Festival

This festival is held on the full moon day of Tazaungmon according to the Myanmar Calendar (mid-November) Houses and public buildings are colourfully illuminated every-where. Kathina robes and other requisites are offered to the Holy Order at Kahtein festival (ceremony of offering robes to monks). The offering of Mathothingan is held on the eve of the Full Moon day of Tazaungmon. Mathothingan is a robe that is woven overnight. On that day, teams of weavers compete with one another to complete weaving robes overnight. The woven robes are the noffered to images of Buddha.

Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival

The festival of Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda in Inle Like in Shan State held in October is the biggest occasion of the Lake. The images of the Buddha from Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda are placed on a decorated royal barge called Karaweik (Mythical bird) and taken around the Lake, stopping at villages to let people pay homage. The festival is held with great pomp and pageantry. Fun fairs and dances are also held. The unique and most interesting event of the festival is, of course, the boat races participated by leg-rowers — both men and women.

Pagoda Festivals

Festivals are held for each pagoda. These festivals could be viewed as the Myanmar equivalent of western fun fairs. In a pagoda festival, one can find food stalls, toy shops, shops selling sun-dried consumer goods, magic shows, puppet shows and dramas. People—young and old—simply love to have a stroll around the place where there is a pagoda festial.

Welcome To Myanmar