Natural disasters have significant impacts on developing countries. Hazards such as earthquakes, storms, floods, and droughts damage infrastructure, agriculture, and industries, slowing down economic growth. Due to limited financial resources, recovery efforts in developing countries tend to be slow. Additionally, natural disasters cause loss of life, injuries, and displacement, worsening poverty and inequality. The disruption of clean water supplies, outbreaks of infectious diseases, and damage to healthcare systems affect public healthcare. The destruction of schools and educational institutions halts children’s education, leading to long-term human capital losses and hindering sustainable development.
Characteristics of Developing Countries
Developing countries typically have low GDP and economic growth, relying more on agriculture than on industries and services. They often have lower rankings in the Human Development Index (HDI), with lower literacy rates and weaker healthcare systems. Basic infrastructure, such as transport, electricity, water supply, and communication networks, is often limited, and urban development is slow. High birth rates and mortality rates may be present, with large income gaps between the rich and the poor. Job opportunities are limited, and unemployment rates are high. Developing countries frequently rely on foreign aid or loans for economic development. Investment in research and development is low, leading to slow technological progress. Their economies are highly dependent on natural resources (e.g., mining, agriculture), and exports mainly consist of raw materials. Gender equality and human rights challenges may also be prevalent.
Severity of Natural Disasters
Natural disasters impact individuals as well as entire countries or regions. In developing countries, these impacts can be particularly severe. Damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, factories) halts production and trade. The destruction of agricultural land and the loss of crops threaten food security and export revenue. Recovery requires large financial resources, diverting funds from development projects. Displacement and increased poverty from disasters disrupt social stability. The destruction of schools and hospitals interrupts education and healthcare services, delaying human capital development. Psychological trauma within communities can affect long-term social development. Floods, landslides, and droughts degrade natural resources (soil, water, forests), affecting sustainable development. Climate change is making natural disasters more frequent and intense, necessitating greater investments in environmental conservation. Governments face significant challenges in disaster management and administration, as emergency response efforts often take precedence over other development policies. Disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, exacerbating cycles of poverty and inequality. Job losses and reduced income due to disasters increase social disparities.
Mitigation Strategies
Developing countries must implement strategies to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. These include establishing disaster monitoring and early warning systems (e.g., storm alerts, earthquake monitoring), educating local communities about disaster preparedness and conducting rescue drills, constructing disaster-resistant infrastructure (e.g., reinforced homes, strong bridges), incorporating sustainable urban planning to avoid hazardous areas, promoting climate-resilient farming practices (e.g., drought-resistant crops) and water resource management, increasing the use of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar power, wind energy), forming national disaster management agencies and securing emergency response funds, implementing disaster insurance programs, seeking financial, technical, and training assistance from international organizations, enhancing regional cooperation to share resources and knowledge, and providing special protection and support for vulnerable groups such as women and children. By prioritizing these measures, countries can reduce disaster-related damages and losses.
Benefits of Disaster Preparedness
By enhancing disaster resilience, developing countries can achieve several benefits. Economic stability improves, and recovery costs decrease. Social development strengthens, reducing poverty and inequality. Environmental protection enhances climate resilience, mitigating climate change. Early disaster forecasting and improved emergency response systems reduce death rates. Public awareness campaigns and disaster preparedness initiatives empower communities to respond effectively. Well-executed prevention strategies safeguard homes and infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges, dams) from destruction. Agriculture and food security become more stable. Forced displacement due to disasters decreases, lowering refugee crises. Healthcare systems improve, helping prevent disease outbreaks (e.g., diarrhoea after flooding). Preserving forests and promoting sustainable farming practices enhance climate resilience. Improved water management prevents floods and droughts. International cooperation increases funding and technological support for disaster risk reduction. Through education and training, communities gain resilience against disasters.
Natural disasters significantly impact the economy, society, and development prospects of developing countries. However, by prioritizing preparedness, infrastructure development, and international collaboration, these countries can mitigate disaster effects and support long-term development. Strategies should be adapted to local needs to ensure effective implementation. Developing countries must integrate proactive disaster risk reduction policies, strengthen infrastructure, and encourage community participation to build resilience against future disasters.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
We live in a vibrant world of colours, don’t we? Colours surround us, shaping our perceptions and emotions in ways we often take for granted. We describe a clear blue sky, a deep red rose, as white as snow, or as black as coal. These phrases are so common that we rarely pause to consider how deeply colours are woven into the fabric of our language and culture. In English, many everyday expressions draw from colours to convey emotions, situations, and identities. Beyond English, colours hold profound meanings in various cultures, including Myanmar, where they carry spiritual, social, and historical significance. Now, let’s explore the world of colours, their universal expressions, and their unique role in Myanmar’s rich tapestry.
Colours in Emotions and Expressions
Colours often serve as metaphors for our feelings. When we say we’re feeling blue, we mean we’re sad or lonely, a sentiment echoed in the soulful genre of music called the blues, born from the hardships of African-Americans. The phrase “out of the blue” describes something unexpected, like a sudden phone call from an old friend, while “once in a blue moon” refers to rare events, such as a family reunion after years apart. In professional contexts, “blue-collar” workers are those in manual labour, distinguished from “white-collar” office workers, a distinction rooted in the uniforms worn historically.
In my country, the colour blue holds a serene significance. It is often associated with peace and tranquillity, reflected in the calm waters of Inlay Lake or the clear skies above Bagan’s ancient pagodas. Blue is also prominent in traditional attire, such as the longyi worn by both men and women, where soft blue hues symbolize modesty and harmony. During festivals like Thingyan, the Myanmar New Year water festival, blue decorations adorn homes, signifying renewal and purity as people cleanse the old year’s troubles.
Moving to pink, the colour carries political and personal connotations. Calling someone “pink” in English suggests mild socialist leanings, while “in the pink” means being in excellent health, as celebrated in the 1950s song lyric, “Enjoy yourself while you’re still in the pink”. Interestingly, the little finger is nicknamed a “pinkie”, a term of endearment for something small yet significant.
However, here, pink is less political but deeply cultural. It is a popular colour for women’s clothing, especially in delicate shades worn during religious ceremonies. Pink flowers, like lotuses, are offered at pagodas, symbolizing purity and devotion in Buddhist traditions. During the Tazaungdine Festival, when pagodas are illuminated, pink lanterns often glow alongside golden lights, creating a festive atmosphere that blends joy and spirituality.
Red, a bold and fiery colour, is loaded with meaning. Politically, being “red” denotes strong leftist or communist views. Emotionally, to “see red” is to be consumed by anger. In business, being “in the red” signals financial loss, while in sports, a red card in football means ejection for rule-breaking. To “paint the town red” is to revel wildly, perhaps bar-hopping late into the night. Red also appears in positive contexts: we “roll out the red carpet” for VIPs, celebrate “red-letter days” for special occasions, or describe vibrant music as “red hot.” To be “caught red-handed” is to be nabbed in the act of wrongdoing, a phrase rooted in the imagery of blood-stained hands.
Similarly, in our country, red is a colour of passion and reverence. It dominates religious settings, where red robes worn by monks signify their spiritual commitment. Red is also prominent in Nat (spirit) worship, where offerings of red cloth are made to appease guardian spirits. During weddings, brides often wear red accents in their attire, symbolizing love and prosperity. The red of the Myanmar national flag represents courage and solidarity, a reminder of the country’s struggle for independence. In rural markets, red betel leaves are sold widely, their vibrant hue a staple in daily life as people chew betel quid for its stimulating effects.
Yellow, meanwhile, can carry contrasting meanings. Calling someone “yellow” in English implies cowardice, a lack of bravery. In football, a yellow card serves as a warning for minor infractions. Yet, yellow ribbons in the United States symbolize welcome, tied around trees to greet returning soldiers. Yellow is also the colour of sunshine and optimism, brightening moods universally.
However, yellow, in Myanmar, is sacred and royal. Saffron and golden yellow hues are associated with Buddhism, seen in the robes of monks and the gilded domes of pagodas like Shwedagon in Yangon. During the full moon of Kason, yellow flowers are offered to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing. Yellow also appears in traditional astrology, where it is linked to specific days of the week, influencing decisions like what to wear or which rituals to perform.
Black is a colour of contrasts. In fashion, it’s timeless and chic, the go-to for elegance and martial arts’ highest belts. Yet, black also evokes mystery or fear, as in black holes, black magic, or black spirits. Positively, a company “in the black” is profitable, but a “black sheep” is an outcast, someone who deviates from family norms.
In Myanmar, black is less common in daily attire but holds cultural weight. Black ink is used in traditional tattoos, believed to offer protection from harm, a practice rooted in ancient warrior traditions. Black is also the colour of mourning, worn during funerals to express grief and respect for the deceased. In contrast, black stones like jade are prized in Myanmar’s gem markets, symbolizing wealth and endurance. The black of a starry night sky inspires awe, often depicted in local art as a backdrop to golden pagodas.
Colours as Identity and Communication
Colours also define group identity. School uniforms, military attire, or sports team jerseys use colours to foster belonging. National flags, with their unique colour schemes, encapsulate a country’s history and values. In Myanmar, the national flag’s yellow, green, and red stripes, with a central white star, represent unity, peace, and bravery. During international events like the Southeast Asian Games, Myanmar fans wave these colours proudly, signalling their national pride.
Colours communicate instantly. Traffic lights use amber, red, and green to guide drivers with clear instructions: slow down, stop, go. In business, colour choices are strategic – a bank’s calm blue logo projects trust, while fast-food chains use red and yellow to stimulate appetite and urgency. In Myanmar, businesses often incorporate gold in their branding, evoking prosperity and divine favour, a nod to the country’s Buddhist heritage. During festivals, colourful kadaw cloths – offered to monks—signal respect and generosity.
Colours in Myanmar’s Cultural Fabric
Myanmar’s relationship with colours extends beyond universal metaphors, deeply rooted in its spiritual and social life. The country’s astrology system assigns colours to each day of the week, influencing personal choices. For example, Monday is linked to cream or white, encouraging people born on that day to wear light colours for luck. Saturday, associated with black or dark purple, might inspire someone to choose darker tones for important occasions. This practice underscores how colours guide daily decisions, from clothing to rituals.
Festivals in Myanmar are a riot of colours. During Thingyan, streets come alive with multicoloured water balloons and vibrant decorations, symbolizing joy and renewal. The Thadingyut Festival of Lights sees homes adorned with green, yellow, and white lanterns, celebrating the Buddha’s return from the heavens. These colours aren’t arbitrary – they carry spiritual weight, connecting participants to their faith and community.
In traditional arts, colours tell stories. Myanmar’s yoke thé (marionette) puppets are painted in vivid reds, blues, and golds, each hue reflecting a character’s role – red for passion, blue for wisdom, gold for divinity. Similarly, thanaka, the yellowish paste applied to faces, is both a beauty mark and a symbol of protection, its earthy tone blending with the skin to create a unique cultural signature.
Colours also mark life’s milestones. At a Myanmar wedding, the bride’s golden jewellery and the groom’s green taikpon jacket symbolize wealth and fertility. In contrast, white dominates funerals, representing purity and the soul’s journey to the next life. Even in cuisine, colours play a role – think of the vibrant green of tea leaf salad or the rich orange of mohinga, Myanmar’s national dish, each hue inviting the senses.
The Power of Colour
Colours shape our world, from the words we use to the identities we embrace. They convey emotions, signal intentions, and bridge cultures. In Myanmar, colours are more than visual – they’re spiritual, historical, and personal, woven into the nation’s festivals, beliefs, and daily rhythms. Without colour, life would indeed be dull, stripped of the vibrancy that defines our experiences. By understanding what colours represent, we deepen our connection to the world, appreciating the hues that paint our lives with meaning.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
“Salute to the Houthis!” This nationalist cheering appeared across Chinese social media as Western commercial vessels ran a gauntlet of drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea against ships they claimed were traveling to Israel. Meanwhile, ships marked “Chinese Vessel & Crew” sail through these same waters relatively untouched. It’s not a coincidence. Maritime tracking data now confirms what Houthi officials have been openly sharing: Chinese ships receive special treatment in a conflict zone that has become a crucible of hostility toward US interests.
This preferential treatment is no accident, but rather the result of careful diplomatic choreography. Recent US Treasury sanctions reveal that Houthi leaders, including Mohamed Ali al-Houthi of the Supreme Political Council, coordinated directly with Chinese officials to guarantee their vessels would not be targeted. This informal pact was formalized during diplomatic talks in Oman, culminating in explicit safe passage guarantees, even as drone and missile strikes against US and other Western shipping escalated. While Houthi officials publicly claim to discriminate between Western and Chinese vessels, their targeting systems remain rudimentary and prone to error, occasionally resulting in mistaken attacks on Chinese ships traversing the narrow Bab el-Mandeb strait, but have shown progress in improving their accuracy, thanks to Chinese technology.
For Beijing, its real battle starts on the economic front via the Islamic Republic proxies, where control of vital maritime corridors potentially yields greater advantages than any negotiated trade agreement.
This strategic calculation is reflected in China’s official messaging. Xinhua News Agency portrays the crisis as revealing “United States’ impotence” against “non-traditional opponents like the Houthis” while claiming US military intervention has “only triggered more resistance” and exposed “the decline of US economic influence and the gradual disintegration of its alliance system.” Behind this rhetoric lies a clear economic imperative: transit the Red Sea. For Beijing, preserving freedom of movement in this corridor is non-negotiable. While overall shipping traffic through the Red Sea has plunged by nearly 70 percent since attacks began, the proportion of China-linked tonnage has surged, a silent testament to the effectiveness of the arrangement.
The impact on European economies has been severe. Major European shipping companies have been forced to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. This creates an artificial competitive advantage for Chinese goods, which continue to flow unimpeded through the Red Sea corridor while European competitors face delays and higher expenses. German and French manufacturers are already reporting supply chain disruptions and lost market share to Chinese competitors, a tangible economic victory for Beijing, which was achieved primarily through proxy conflict rather than direct trade competition with the United States.
This arrangement goes beyond short-term tactical cooperation. US sanctions against Chinese satellite and shipping firms provide evidence that Beijing’s technological and logistical support has strengthened Houthi capabilities and created advantages for Chinese maritime interests. Multiple Chinese companies, including Shenzhen Boyu Imports and Exports among others, have been sanctioned for supplying dual-use components that bolster the Houthis’ missile and UAV capabilities. Beijing may not be firing missiles, but it supplies the parts, the software, and the satellite eyes that help aim them.
China’s technological and diplomatic support network
In April 2025, the United States sanctioned Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. (CGSTL) for providing satellite imagery to Yemen’s Houthis that enabled precise strikes on US naval assets in the Red Sea. CGSTL had previously been sanctioned in 2023 for providing battlefield intelligence during its military operations in Ukraine, establishing a pattern of the company acting as a de facto intelligence asset for US adversaries. But CGSTL is no ordinary company, embedded within the Chinese Academy of Sciences and backed by Jilin’s provincial government, it exemplifies China’s military-civil fusion policy, functioning more as an extension of Beijing’s intelligence apparatus than an independent enterprise. Despite Washington’s repeated warnings, Beijing has maintained a posture of strategic denial: providing the tools of war while feigning neutrality and taking no visible corrective action.
The technology pipeline from China to the Houthi forces represents a sophisticated approach to proxy warfare. The New York Times documented Chinese-origin hydrogen fuel cells recovered from Houthi drones used in shipping attacks, which extended flight range and reduced detectability. Perhaps most damning was the interception of 800 drone propellers with Chinese identifiers at the Omani border, the same model identified in UAVs used by the Houthis, Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq, and Russian-backed forces in Ukraine. Rather than shipping complete weapons systems, China exports the critical components, guidance modules, propulsion systems, and power supplies, allowing non-state actors to wage asymmetric warfare while Beijing maintains plausible deniability through intermediaries like online vendors operating through Chinese e-commerce platforms.
Iran gains leverage, China gains reach
China’s support for Iran strategically allows Beijing to reach its objectives without direct involvement or accountability. In January 2025, two Iranian ships carried over one thousand tons of sodium perchlorate from China to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, an essential ingredient for solid missile fuel. That’s enough to manufacture around 260 medium-range missiles. While China has supplied missile technology to Iran for decades, the scale and visibility of these shipments signal a strategic expansion in the partnership despite China’s denial of involvement.
The implications ripple across the region. As Iran’s missile program grows, so does its capacity to arm and sustain proxy groups like the Houthis in Yemen. These groups don’t need long-range missiles; they need enhanced UAVs, better targeting systems, and reliable supply chains, all of which have visibly improved. China doesn’t have to arm the Houthis directly. Strengthening Iran enables a regional network that quietly serves Chinese interests by keeping the United States entangled in costly, low-return conflicts.
The quiet alignment between Beijing and Tehran came into sharper focus on April 26, 2025, when a large explosion hit the Bandar Abbas port. While Iranian officials denied importing missile fuel, private security company Ambrey confirmed the port had received these chemicals from China in March. Around the same time as the satellite company sanctions, Washington also targeted companies involved with the Tinos I, a Panama-flagged tanker that secretly carried Iranian oil to China. This operation was backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, creating a two-way street: Iran gets money for its oil, and China gets both fuel and influence.
China’s strategic ambiguity and dual narrative
Beijing has perfected a two-track approach to the Red Sea crisis. Publicly, Chinese officials initially avoided condemning Houthi attacks, instead calling vaguely for “relevant parties” to play “constructive” roles in maintaining stability. Only as international pressure mounted did China’s United Nations representatives acknowledge Houthi disruption of trade, while Chinese vessels continued receiving preferential treatment through Houthi waters.
This calculated ambiguity extends to social media, where Chinese users openly celebrate Houthi attacks on Western interests, with one boldly stating: “I want to see news of American and British warships being blown up,” sentiments mirroring earlier support for forces opposing Western interests in Ukraine and Gaza.
China’s approach is strategically precise: Beijing doesn’t want Houthi forces to either triumph completely or collapse. It needs them to be active and disruptive, just enough to keep US naval resources tied up while Chinese ships sail through relatively unimpeded. Every Houthi missile that doesn’t target a Chinese vessel becomes a tax on American presence, a stress test for global shipping, and a demonstration of how much disruption Western powers can absorb before retreating or escalating.
The Russia-China-Iran nexus
This alignment is now formalized through strategic coordination. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s strategic visits to Moscow and Beijing ahead of each US negotiation round in April 2025 reveal a deliberate synchronization of diplomatic positions. Their March 2025 trilateral talks in Beijing produced a unified stance against Western pressure, with China proposing alternatives directly challenging US positions.
Beyond diplomacy, Russia could potentially take custody of Iran’s highly-enriched uranium in future deals, providing technical cover for Iran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, Chinese firms supply the dual-use technologies empowering Iran’s proxies, including the Houthis. The same drone components documented in Houthi arsenals have appeared in Ukraine, following an identical playbook of low-cost attrition, proxy warfare, and Western hesitation.
This alliance continues to deepen, as evidenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent twenty-year strategic partnership with Iran in April 2025. While China supplies technology and Iran manages proxies, Russia provides diplomatic cover and international legitimacy, creating a sophisticated system for reshaping regional power dynamics without direct confrontation, while securing preferential maritime passage for Chinese vessels.
Business first, influence follows
Beijing’s approach to the Houthis represents calculated and deliberate statecraft, not opportunistic coincidence. The Houthi movement now operates with Chinese satellite technology that they could never independently develop, and launches strikes using guidance systems built from Chinese electronics. Washington can sanction individual companies, but unless it confronts the triangulated relationship between China, Iran, and regional proxies, it will always be playing catch-up as Chinese vessels continue to navigate contested waters with relative security.
If Washington truly wants to win its economic competition with China, it should focus less on tariffs and more on territorial contestation, pushing China out of strategic regions like the Red Sea, where physical presence, not paper restrictions, determines the future of markets. This requires building stronger strategic relationships with European allies, who are being courted now by China against the United States, who are suffering the economic consequences of this crisis, and who have shared interests in preserving free navigation through vital maritime corridors.
Equally important is engaging with the Yemeni people themselves, who are tired of being manipulated by international powers and feel unheard in discussions about their country’s future. Any sustainable solution must address their legitimate grievances rather than treating Yemen merely as a venue for great power competition.
Ultimately, Washington must understand that Yemen is no longer a peripheral conflict. It is a live demonstration of how China converts commercial access into strategic leverage, curating conflict, denying responsibility, and watching as US power is bled by a thousand proxy cuts. Meanwhile, while American policymakers debate whether the Houthis are even worth worrying about, Beijing is busy carving safe lanes for its ships and weaponizing instability to tilt global trade in its favor. And as Chinese netizens jubilantly salute the Houthis online, Beijing’s calculated gambit in the Red Sea will continue to yield dividends that no trade negotiation could ever deliver.
World War II ended eighty years ago, but we still hear its echo in ongoing major conflicts around the globe provoked by those who claim exceptionalism and superiority, not unlike Das Dritte Reich (the 3rd Reich)’s Berlin.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet Union, the predecessor state of contemporary Russia, in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Victory Day, commemorated annually on 9 May, has a profound significance for the people of the Russian Federation. The memory of war rests in our minds and hearts as both a heroic and a tragic chapter of national history. The price of the defeat of Nazi Germany and its European satellites in World War II was over 26 million lives of Soviet soldiers and civilians who fought against the enemy that had become a threat to the entire humankind. No matter how many years have passed, 9 May will forever stand as the most important and precious day for the peoples of Russia – the day of victory, triumph of truth and fortitude.
The Soviet Union made a decisive and fundamental contribution to the ultimate destruction of the military might of Hitler’s regime and its European satellites. For the first three years of the Great Patriotic War, the country stood against Nazi Germany almost single-handedly while all of occupied Europe worked to support Wermacht’s war machine. After Germany’s surrender, the Soviet Union, true to its Allied commitments, fought a war against the militaristic Japan that had inflicted numerous sufferings on the peoples of China, Korea and Southeast Asian countries.
We give credit to and honour servicemen of the allied armies, Resistance fighters, soldiers and partisans in China, and all those who defeated Axis forces – Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan. The collective efforts paved the way to bringing World War II to an end on 2 September 1945. We will forever remember our joint struggle and the traditions of the alliance against the common adversary.
The Great Victory gave a tremendous boost to national independence movements and launched the process of decolonization. Military victories of the Soviet Army on the European battlefield, enfeebling the Axis, stimulated the formation of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League in Myanmar (then Burma) in 1944 that unified all patriotic forces in the movement aimed at liberation from the Japanese occupation despite the false “independence” of Myanmar proclaimed by Toyo on 1 August 1943. The mass uprising led by the Burma National Army in March 1945 made inevitable the withdrawal of the Japanese forces from the country and set in motion new political realities resulting in the eventual proclamation of the country’s independence from British colonial rule on 4 January 1948.
One of the most important outcomes of World War II was the setting up of the new architecture of international relations with the United Nations as its core. As the victorious power, Russia has made an immense contribution to the establishment and fine-tuning of the international organization that is going to celebrate its 80th anniversary this year. Moscow has rightly taken the permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Russia fully acknowledges its historical responsibility for the Organization, which was designed to safeguard the world from the scourge of new world wars. The concept of our country’s foreign policy gives priority to the restoration of the UN’s role in the emerging multipolar world order with emphasis on the comprehensive development of its potential as the central coordinating mechanism ensuring the members’ interests and collective decision-making. Towards this goal Russia has been working in close cooperation with the wide range of likeminded partners representing the Global Majority.
World War II ended eighty years ago, but we still hear its echo in ongoing major conflicts around the globe provoked by those who claim exceptionalism and superiority, not unlike Das Dritte Reich (the 3rd Reich)’s Berlin. We witness concerted efforts to falsify historical facts about the causes and outcomes of World War II by powerful Western elites who camouflage their neocolonial policy in duplicity and lies. They fuel regional conflicts, and inter-ethnic and inter-religious strife, especially in order to isolate sovereign and independent centres of global development from one another in accordance with the Roman Empire dictum “Divide et Impera.”
Attempts to glorify Nazism have become evident in many parts of Europe. In the Baltic States and Ukraine, the rehabilitation of local Nazi criminals and collaborators has become an integral part of the official policy with the European Union turning a blind eye to these vivid examples of political and moral degradation.
Even worse, tacit approval and backing by the Western leaders of the ultra-nationalistic pro-Nazi forces in Ukraine have given the Kyiv regime the green light to commit numerous atrocities against its political opponents and ordinary citizens in the regions with a predominantly Russian population. After the bloody coup d’etat in 2014, the Ukrainian regime unleashed a “punitive operation” in the Donbass region with barbaric shelling of cities claiming the lives of thousands of civilians.
The Ukraine leadership opted to become a “battering ram” of NATO posing a direct military threat to Russia, which made the conflict unavoidable. In his address to servicemen taking part in the Special military operation in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Today, as in the past, you are fighting for the security of our Motherland, its future, so that nobody forgets the lessons of World War II so that there is no place in the world for torturers, death squads and Nazis”.
In Asia and the Pacific the Japanese authorities who, to our chagrin, never repented from horrendous Imperial mistakes, have of late embarked on the path of re-militarization and alliance building under the pretext of the need to contain and confront China.
Despite all controversies in international relations, Russia has always advocated the establishment of an equal and indivisible security system, which is critically needed for the entire international community. Together with like-minded partners in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS Russia has actively promoted the emergence of a new security architecture in Greater Eurasia and beyond. We are confident that the experience of solidarity and partnership in fighting the common threat during WWII provides a foothold for moving towards a fairer world based on principles of equal opportunities for the free and self-determined development of all nations.
We take pride in the unconquered generation of the victors. As their successors, we have the duty to remember the harsh lessons of World War II in order not to repeat them again and to preserve the memory of those who defeated Nazism. They entrusted us with being responsible and vigilant and doing everything to thwart the horror of another global hot war.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
When people are afflicted with an illness or a disease, they visit the Outpatient Department (OPD) to receive the services and care it renders. The Outpatient Department is a medical facility of a hospital where patients can seek a vast range of medical care and treatments without the need for hospital admission. It is one of the first points of encounter between a hospital and patients with different medical conditions. In essence, the OPD services reflect the standard, quality and efficiency of a hospital.
The Outpatient Department (OPD) offers its services to a diversity of individuals with varying medical needs. Those who usually visit the OPD are patients with minor ailments or chronic conditions, patients requiring specialized consultation, patients referred from primary health care facilities, individuals needing medical diagnostics, individuals seeking immunization and preventive care, mental health patients, paediatric patients, elderly patients, rehab patients, expectant mothers and gynaecological patients.
Based on the types of services they render or the types of patients to whom they provide, the Outpatient Department (OPD) can be categorized into various types, and the common ones are general OPD, specialist OPD, medical OPD, surgical OPD, obstetric and gynaecological OPD, child OPD, cancer OPD and dental OPD. With a view to managing the patient flow efficiently and reducing waiting times, different appointment systems like walk-in systems, scheduled appointment systems, time-slot systems, specialist-specific systems, recurring or follow-up appointment systems, online appointment systems and telemedicine integrated systems are adopted by the OPDs across many healthcare settings.
The Outpatient Department (OPD) is designed to proffer a variety of medical services to patients who do not require hospitalization. When patients walk into the OPD, its staff receive and welcome them and then record and register their details and the reasons for their visits. These patients can consult with general practitioners or specialists according to their specific medical needs. In general consultation, the general practitioners will examine patients and evaluate their medical history. They will instruct patients to get the investigations and provide a diagnosis. They will, then, recommend patients a treatment plan and give them advice on how to manage their existing conditions and prevent future health problems. But, if required, they may refer patients to appropriate specialists based on their medical conditions. Alternatively, patients can directly book an appointment with specialists. In specialized consultation, specialists are inclined to pry a detailed history out of patients and go deeper in examining them by performing specialized tests and techniques. Patients will be recommended for advanced diagnostic tests like blood tests, biopsies, echocardiograms, stress tests, CT, MRI or other imaging for a confirmed diagnosis. These investigations are usually conducted within the OPD or at the associated facilities. Then, a treatment tailored to the diagnosis will be provided. Patients can purchase medicines from the on-site pharmacy or external medical shops. Patients are instructed to attend follow-up visits to assess the progress of their diseases or adjust their treatments. Minor procedures and wound care are conducted, and some injections are administered in the OPD. Procedures like dialysis or chemotherapy are also performed in a day-care setting. Vaccinations, routine medical check-ups and preventive screenings for cancer, diabetes and obesity are also available here.
The Outpatient Department (OPD) coordinates with other departments to provide collaborative, holistic care. Patients requiring advanced care or surgery are referred to the appropriate inpatient wards in the hospital. Rehabilitation and recovery support, like physiotherapy, speech therapy and nutritional advice, are rendered to patients recovering from severe chronic diseases or major surgeries. Mental health counselling and stress-management support are also provided. The OPD helps caregivers realize the conditions of their patients and train them on how to give care at home. Many hospitals use specialist rotation plans to meet the demands of patients effectively. The services of the OPD also include patient education and counselling, specialized referral, integrated health workshops, patient outcome tracking and training future medical personnel.
For the implementation of various services, the Outpatient Department (OPD) should be endowed with many essential physical facilities and amenities. These should include general and specialist consultation rooms, a reception counter, a registration desk, waiting areas, minor procedure rooms, examination rooms, treatment rooms, emergency rooms for unexpected urgent cases, a pharmacy, a nursing station, utility rooms, and toilets. All rooms and areas should be spacious, clean, well-lit and sufficiently installed with well-functioning air-conditioners to maintain a pleasant temperature. There should be enough comfortable seating arrangements for all who come here. Consultation rooms should be provided with adequate privacy and soundproofing for the interest of patients. The on-site pharmacy should be well-stocked with various items of drugs and medical products. There should be on-site diagnostic labs and radiological rooms equipped with advanced diagnostic tools. Handwashing stations, drinking water supply sites and sanitized toilets should be ready for utilization. The OPD should be designed to have a smooth, concrete and spacious floor which ensures an easy and convenient transport of patients using wheelchairs or trolleys. For all attendees, phone charging points, Wi-Fi, and a cafeteria should be provided in the waiting areas. They should be entertained with TV programmes highlighting health issues or booklets sharing health information to engage them during the wait.
A variety of staff should be assigned to perform the services of the Outpatient Department (OPD) ebulliently and efficiently. General practitioners and different types of specialists play a key role in providing services and care to patients. The common types of specialists are general physician, cardiologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, nephrologist, general surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, plastic and maxillo-facial surgeon, paediatrician, gynaecologist, obstetrician, radiologist, pathologist, microbiologist, oncologist, eye specialist, ear, nose and throat specialist, mental health specialist, haematologist, rheumatologist. Nursing staff include registered nurses, specialist nurses, triage nurses and nurse-aids. The staff related to investigations are lab and radiological technicians. Pharmacy staff are pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Administrative staff are receptionists, medical record staff and medical social staff. Support staff are security personnel and general workers. An administrative officer should be assigned to oversee administrative procedures.
When patients visit the Outpatient Department (OPD), their minds are overcome with a mix of emotions and concerns. They worry about the results of investigations of their diseases and possible diagnoses and treatments. Some are frustrated by their chronic conditions, prolonged waiting times and delayed procedures. Amongst many challenges and inconveniences in their daily lives, they have to come to the OPD in the hope of finding the best solution to their health problems. In the encounter with the OPD staff, patients, as a rule, expect to receive a warm welcome and smooth two-way communication from the staff, which makes them feel encouraged and supported. They also expect that doctors will provide them with a detailed discussion of their diseases and special advice on them. All patients prefer an individualized special care approach tailored to their particular health concerns. They value the timely information from the staff about appointment reminders and follow-up instructions through phone, message or email. They desire to be involved in making decisions on their own cases.
Therefore, to fulfil the expectations and satisfaction of patients, the OPD staff should treat them with respect and good public communication. They should show understanding, empathy and mercy to their concerns and challenges. They should provide complete and clear information about procedures, waiting times and next appointments. There should be efficient management to prevent queue jumping. The staff should maintain a high standard of professionalism in appearance, behaviour and communication. There should be an effective, streamlined process from registration up to the follow-up to reduce waiting times. They should keep the privacy and confidentiality of patients. They should be heedful of the diverse cultural beliefs of patients and adapt their communication styles to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. They should be committed to continuous medical learning so that they can offer patients much more advanced and effective treatments at all times and help them regain their normal health, the greatest blessing in their lives. They should place great emphasis on vulnerable groups such as elderly patients, children or the handicapped. They should flexibly react to challenges which arise during periods of high patient volumes or when an unexpected medical or technical crisis occurs. Through these skills and attitudes, the OPD staff can comfort and encourage patients, fostering an atmosphere of care, empathy and professionalism.
Strategies for training the OPD staff to offer better services should include communication and empathy training, emergency response training, infection control and hygienic practices, continuous professional development, conflict resolution and stress management, continuous feedback loops, patient experience assessment workshop, cultural sensitivity training, quality and safety control training, incorporating technology in training, mobile app for continuous learning, cross-departmental training and team-building exercises. Incentives of various kinds should be offered to the staff by the management team to create staff satisfaction, which then leads to patient satisfaction.
In conclusion, for the Outpatient Department (OPD) can render more efficient and qualified services and care to patients, it must be equipped with a sufficient number of highly competent and dedicated staff and physical facilities. There must be a streamlined patient flow and a smart workflow to create the best advantage for patients. It must offer integrated, patient-centred care through a harmonious and united effort of all staff. However, the burnout risks of staff from overburdening must be strategically handled for their retention. The OPD should collaborate with the community to develop community-oriented services. It should foster a culture of excellent care, prioritize patient experience and develop a patient loyalty programme. It should help patients gain access to and continuity of care. Its far-sighted targets should include the improvement of the online booking system, telemedicine expansion, application of artificial intelligence in various procedures, holistic personalized medicine, a one-stop health hub and a community outreach programme.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
Western rowing as a sport traces its origins back to ancient Egypt and Rome, where boats were used for warfare, trade, and transportation. However, its evolution into the competitive sport we know today began in England during the 17th and 18th centuries. On the River Thames in London, races between watermen and boatmen emerged, drawing public spectators and sparking betting. The Doggett’s Coat and Badge race, first held in 1715, is recorded as the earliest formal rowing competition in the West, marking the sport’s official beginnings.
By the 19th century, rowing had become more structured and gained widespread popularity. The annual race between Oxford and Cambridge universities, starting in 1829, brought global attention to the sport. These events elevated rowing to a prestigious activity, leading to the formation of clubs and associations, particularly in Europe and America. Rowing was included in the modern Olympics in 1896, further solidifying its global appeal and establishing standardized regulations.
Western-style rowing was introduced to Myanmar during the British colonial period in the 19th century, primarily through the influence of British administrators, merchants, and missionaries. As Burma (as Myanmar was then known) became a key part of the British Empire after the annexation in 1826, Western recreational activities, including rowing, were brought to the colonial elite in cities like Rangoon (then Yangon). The British established social clubs and sporting facilities along the Yangon River and Inya Lake, where rowing boats were used for leisure and informal races, laying the groundwork for the sport’s entry into the country.
The sport initially remained exclusive to the colonial community and a small number of affluent locals who interacted with British circles. Rowing events were often organized as part of regattas hosted by clubs like the Rangoon Rowing Club, founded in the late 19th century, which catered to European expatriates. These gatherings mimicked the rowing culture of England, with races drawing spectators from the colonial elite. However, the sport’s reach was limited, as traditional Burmese boat racing, rooted in cultural festivals and royal traditions, dominated local water-based activities, overshadowing the Western version.
In the early 20th century, rowing began to gain a modest foothold among Myanmar’s emerging educated class, particularly through schools and universities influenced by British systems. Mission schools and institutions like Rangoon University introduced rowing as a competitive sport, though it remained a niche activity compared to soccer or athletics. After independence in 1948, Western rowing struggled to maintain prominence due to a focus on nation-building and limited resources for non-traditional sports. Despite this, small rowing clubs persisted in Yangon, and over time, the sport saw sporadic revival through international exchanges and regional competitions, though it never rivalled the cultural significance of Myanmar’s indigenous boat racing traditions.
In the early 1970s, Western-style rowing was introduced to Pathein College, taking root at the sprawling three-tiered lake, known as Kan Thone Sint, located in front of the college’s main building. This expansive body of water provided an ideal setting for the sport, and experienced faculty members, inspired by urban educational trends and possibly prior exposure to rowing in Yangon, initiated training sessions for students. Under their guidance, the sport began as a structured activity, fostering discipline and teamwork, though it remained a modest endeavour within the college’s extracurricular landscape.
In my second year at Pathein College, I became a member of the rowing team, a vibrant group led by our chairman, U Minn Than Thaung, the head of the Physics Department. In the photograph, he’s the one seated on the pontoon beside the rowers, dressed in civilian clothes and wearing glasses. The team in the boat included U Soe Myint as coxswain, U Tun Hyke at a stroke, followed by U Thein Win, and U Thet Oo behind him. Standing at the back were our female team members, all dedicated tutors, though I only clearly recall Daw Cherry on the far right. Under U Minn Than Thaung’s supervision, they were all training diligently at Kan Thone Sint Lake to guide and instruct student members like me, shaping us into a cohesive and disciplined team.
When I joined the rowing team, I quickly realized that Western-style rowing was far more challenging than I had imagined, a truth that dawned on me only as training progressed. We didn’t start on the boat right away. First came warm-up exercises, followed by practice on a stationary “fixed staff” boat on the shore. Here, we learned proper body posture: gripping the oar, securing our feet firmly in the footrest straps, and sliding smoothly on the movable seat beneath our hips. The technique involved pulling the oar with the forearms initially, drawing it toward the chest, and then locking the arms and oar in place while using leg power to push back. Next, we tilted our torsos slightly backwards, extended the oar forward, and simultaneously used leg strength to slide the seat forward again – all in a controlled, repetitive motion. The training wasn’t open-ended; with other trainees waiting, each of us got only about 15 minutes per session. If time allows, we could wait for another turn. Every minute was logged, and only after accumulating a set number of training hours were we permitted to step onto an actual boat.
Once four trainees completed their required time on the fixed staff, they were allowed to board a real boat, guided by an experienced coxswain, a skilled tutor. The first couple of days on the water were far from smooth, with beginners struggling to row in sync. From boarding to disembarking, the coxswain issued commands solely in English, such as “Stand by crew”, “Hands across”, “One foot in”, and “In together”, creating a disciplined rhythm. Initially, we practised the “touching” technique, where the oar lightly brushed the water’s surface during the recovery phase. As we grew more proficient, we advanced to “row”, a method where the oar cleared the water entirely during recovery, allowing the boat to glide swiftly. The command “Next stroke … Row” electrified us, igniting excitement among the rowers. Another thrilling order was “Harder,” used during races to push us to overtake rival boats with every ounce of strength, driving us to row with fierce determination.
Rowing on the water looks effortlessly stylish from the shore, with rowers in crisp white shirts, trousers, socks, and canvas shoes, powering a boat that glides rhythmically across the surface — an inspiring sight. Yet, during intense rowing, a single misstep can disrupt everything. If a rower mistimes the oar’s recovery and the blade catches the water awkwardly while the boat is moving, the oar’s handle can jam against them, halting their ability to continue. In a race, this almost guarantees a loss. The rower also risks injury from the sudden resistance. I’ve experienced this myself and seen it happen to others often, especially during the high-energy “Row” command when we’re rowing with full passion. Precision in our movement is critical; one person’s mistake can throw the entire boat into chaos.
Under the dedicated guidance of U Minn Than Thaung and the entire team of tutors and demonstrators, I mastered the art of Western-style rowing, a skill I cherish deeply. Their selfless commitment to teaching left an indelible mark on me, and even now, I remain profoundly grateful for their kindness. For someone like me, a farm-bred from the countryside, the idea of rowing in the Western style was beyond imagination — something I could hardly dream of achieving. Their patience and expertise transformed that distant possibility into reality, and I owe them an immense debt of gratitude for shaping my journey.
Attending Pathein College opened doors I never thought possible, and meeting these remarkable teachers was a turning point. Without spending a single kyat, I gained access to a valuable skill that enriched my life. The opportunity to learn rowing under their mentorship was not just an education but a rare privilege, one that bridged the gap between my humble roots and a world of new experiences. The discipline, teamwork, and confidence I developed through rowing remain with me, a testament to the transformative power of their instruction.
This experience was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, one I consider extraordinarily fortunate to have received. The tutors’ encouragement went beyond technique; they instilled a sense of pride and possibility in all of us. For a rural student like me, mastering such a sophisticated sport was a profound achievement, made possible only through the college’s environment and the generosity of teachers who believed in us. I carry the lessons from Kan Thone Sint Lake with me always, a reminder of how education and opportunity can change the course of a life.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
The international community’s earthquake relief support to Myanmar depicts true compassion, solidarity, and commitment to a shared future.
The Mandalay Earthquake that struck Myanmar in late March claimed 3,763 lives and injured 5,107 people, with 110 still reported missing as of 24 April, causing widespread devastation across major urban areas, especially in central Myanmar.
The disaster consisted of two consecutive quakes: the first, a powerful 7.7-magnitude tremor, struck near Sagaing. Within just seconds, a second quake measuring 6.9 in magnitude was shaking with its epicentre near TadaU, Mandalay. Therefore, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw and Sagaing were impacted the most devastation of the quake, where the former two cities are economically and executively important to the country.
The National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) announced, as of 19 April, that a total of 65,096 residential housings; 2,514 schools, 4,317 monasteries and nunneries; 6,027 religious sites including pagodas, temples and stupas; 350 healthcare areas including public hospitals and clinics; 38 locations on the rail transportation system; 269 roads; 203 sites on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway; 586 dams and water reservoirs, and 170 bridges across the country were damaged by the quake.
Chairman of the State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, immediately requested international aid to remedy the heavy casualties and devastation of the country amid the quake. The call was quickly responded to by the international community. Neighbouring countries such as China, Thailand and India; friendly nations such as Russia and Belarus, ASEAN nations; many countries that build diplomatic relations with Myanmar, and international organizations such as UNICEF and WHO poured in their helping hands to Myanmar.
“Dealing with disasters typically pushes diplomatic relations along the pathway which it was on before,” Professor Ilan Kelman remarked concerning disaster diplomacy in an interview with Business Insider in 2018.
In this regard, many presidents, prime ministers, military leaders, top diplomats and top leaders of many countries sent their condolences to Myanmar day by day through various channels following the powerful earthquake.
The very first, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated his condolences to Myanmar in a statement published on the Kremlin’s website, underlining his deepest condolences on the tragic consequences of the earthquake in Sagaing and Mandalay regions and stating that Russia shares the grief of the friendly people of Myanmar, the Russian media reported.
Consequently, on the next day, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received phone calls and letters from world leaders expressing their condolences to Myanmar. It witnessed the extensive diplomatic activities with Myanmar in the international diplomatic realm.
What is more, as per Professor Ilan Kelman, it is learned that: “the diplomatic efforts following such events (disasters) can serve as a catalyst for the thawing of political and diplomatic relations between nations,” and “the evidence from disaster diplomacy studies suggests that disaster-related activities do not create fresh diplomatic opportunities, but that they have the possibility for catalyzing diplomatic action.”
On this point, the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 2 to 4 April 2025. It marked the first in-person meeting of BIMSTEC leaders since 2018. The Myanmar delegation, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, participated in the summit and related side events. The summit focused on enhancing prosperity, resilience, and openness for the region’s 1.7 billion people. During the meetings, BIMSTEC leaders held a minute of silence to express their condolences for the recent tremor that happened in Myanmar and Thailand.
During the BIMSTEC meetings, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing extended additional requests to the international community to reinforce resettlement operations in Myanmar for the post-earthquake trauma. He met with the current BIMSTEC Chair, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ahead of the BIMSTEC meetings discussed domestic situations of the socio-political landscape, and exchanged views on disaster management.
The BIMSTEC leaders issued a joint statement on the impact of the earthquake on 4 April. It bolsters the solidarity of the regional bloc in supporting the mechanism of relief and recovery efforts, including collaboration through the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate to provide critical weather information and enhance early warning systems in the region. The efforts of the BIMSTEC member states in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Myanmar had been appreciated in the bloc statement.
In addition, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the rotational chair of ASEAN 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, on 17 April. The meeting highlighted the extensive collaboration of the bloc in the relief of Myanmar from the earthquake disaster.
It is highly challenging for the people of Myanmar to be resilient in this catastrophe with huge destruction unexpectedly, in addition to the multi-sectoral hardships on social, economic and political grounds in the meanwhile.
Worse again, hundreds of aftershocks ranging from mild to severe with magnitudes between 3.0 and 5.5 continued shaking the country until mid-April every day. Every aftershock reportedly struck with a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres or below, intensifying their impacts. During these three weeks, there was no such day on which the aftershocks did not strike the regions alongside the Sagaing Fault, as well as in surrounding areas near the Kyaukkyan Fault and other smaller faults in Shan State.
Sagaing Fault: The seismic activity of the 1,200-kilometre-long Sagaing Fault is highly active. It is responsible for major earthquakes in Myanmar’s history, such as the Bago Earthquake with a 7.3-magnitude in 1930 and the Mandalay Earthquake with a 7.7-magnitude in 1946. Since the fault passes through the urban area with high population density, and it runs north-south through the country, further studies have to be conducted later. Therefore, many external geologists and seismologists should conduct further studies on these deadly active tectonic plates.
Over the past weeks, rescuers, medical teams, and shipments of relief and humanitarian supplies from various countries have been arriving in Myanmar, batch by batch. As of 17 April, rescue workers, medical teams, Red Cross personnel, and humanitarian aid workers from 25 countries have been actively involved in rescue and resettlement operations in Myanmar following the earthquake.
“A total of 1,956 rescuers, 2,332 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and 1,170 tonnes of relief and rescue assistance from 25 countries have been received through 136 flights,” Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun shared the information with the media on 17 April.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s immediate declaration of emergencies and request for international assistance following the devastating tremor, which truly was part of effective disaster management, and the spontaneous responses of the international community on humanitarian grounds truly saved many souls and properties.
A total of 653 lives were rescued and 754 bodies were found by Myanmar Fire Brigade personnel and foreign rescuers as of 18 April. Amongst, eight lives were saved and 203 bodies were discovered by the foreign rescuers, according to the NDMC.
The people of Myanmar express our deepest gratitude to every nation, humanitarian organization, and international body that reached out to help us during our nightmare of this earthquake disaster. Every support of the international community has touched our hearts overwhelmingly.
In summary, the earthquake in Myanmar on 28 March not only caused enormous suffering for the people of Myanmar, but it was also observed blessing in disguise. The recent earthquake disaster renewed engagement in addressing urgent humanitarian needs. The increased international aid witnessed a true compassion of caring and sharing in the essence of the shared future.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
When I was young, I learned about liquor’s misdeeds from my parents, elders, and from books I read. I accumulated general knowledge, including the disadvantages of alcohol, through these sources. As I thought more about liquor, a series of thoughts came to my mind, and I ended up writing down everything that came to me.
It’s not necessarily a good thing that young people no longer frequent bars these days. The places where alcohol is served, such as restaurants and hotels, are not just places where anyone can sit and drink; it’s something that even those with decent finances have to think about. It’s the kind of place that only those who have the money to spend go to. So what I want to say is that due to the rising cost of goods, people may start avoiding bars and pubs.
There are some good aspects. Since drinkers can’t sit at a bar or have become unable to, they have controlled the cost of meals. However, they do not taste meals while drinking liquor. Although they do not sit at the bars to drink, bars are now popping up everywhere like mushrooms, so people still drink at home. However, it’s undeniable that the cost of meals to be eaten in the sapping bar has reduced significantly. While I’m not referring to every drinker, in general, the cost reduction for drinking has led many people to spend even more on alcohol. A good thing about the rising prices is that, when sitting at a bar, people tend to pay attention to their behaviour and become more careful not to cause trouble. So, they miss chances to commit quarrels. Bars are also less populated now, and it’s rare to find someone taking up a whole space along the route to their homes by themselves. People can only make noise at home, and they’re allowed to make only limited disturbances in the surrounding area.
Everybody knows alcohol is not good. No matter what people say, whether they quote any scriptures or say this or that, if you ask why alcohol is being produced, how would you answer? If someone asks why bars are being opened, questions will arise. If you talk about the beginning of things, like the first chicken egg or the hen, it won’t hurt anyone. But thinking about how alcohol, bars, liquor stores, and alcohol consumers could be discussed in a way that might affect or harm others, well… let’s just leave it at that.
From the beginning, I want to refer to the fact that young people drink alcohol, just like how it has been discussed before. I’ve encountered many alcohol users, but if we’re talking about my friend, there are those who drink while embracing life. Such situations are common. However, because they are just similar experiences, I don’t feel like talking about them. Nevertheless, I can’t stay silent anymore, and I want to speak up. This is not a created story, but a heartfelt experience. I want to talk about a dear friend I had the pleasure of knowing and share this with you.
Once upon a time, there were three friends, including me. Although we met and became close when we were over 30, we built a fraternity among us deeply, with mutual understanding and affection. It was unbelievable for all that to the extent that, when one of us started to speak, we all knew what would be said and how it would end. When one person looked at another, we could understand why they were looking, and what they wanted to say, without needing any explanation. We were so close that we understood each other without words.
When the time came, everyone went to their separate places, but they still kept in touch with each other, either through phone or letters. Two of them were in Yangon, and a Yangonite was in Mandalay. Back then, whenever someone arrived in Mandalay, they would greet each other just like before, with a warm welcome. Likewise, whenever someone from Mandalay came to Yangon, the remaining two would always arrange to meet up.
Out of these three, the character I’m about to talk about doesn’t even seem like someone who would drink alcohol, let alone be a heavy drinker. I think they would even walk down to the river and get called for it. They don’t seem to get drunk either. They can drink without even knowing how much they’ve had. Whether you call them a liquor lover, a drinker, an alcoholic, a heavy drinker, or even something more colourful, no matter how you address them, they would still act the same. That’s why I almost want to call them the king of alcohol.
In Mandalay, one person drinks when they encounter it. If they don’t encounter it, they search for it to drink. If they can live, they just live. Drinking when they encounter it means they never bear the full cost with their own money. They drink with others’ money. Drinking with others’ money has never been a burden, but his talk of boasting may be mounted like Mandalay Hill. Those who have fought with him over alcohol or beer have not only suffered but also had to pay the debts of their lifetime. At that time, his salary was at the scale of a deputy staff officer. Despite that, he still drank with others’ money.”
The other person is from Yangon. Until the age of thirty, he had never drunk alcohol, smoked cigarettes, chewed betel nuts, or had a romantic partner. He lived in a very disciplined way, but this kind of person tends to become an idiot in some way. This writer is someone who has written in their mind alone and thinks that no one else can match them. I am a civilian who has not yet married and works as a gazette officer, but his salary was not so low that you wouldn’t expect him to be able enough of himself. At that time, with the price of goods and the books he used, he was struggling to get by. He contributed his salary to his home and then asked for it back.
Among those three, the one with the best income is the alcohol king. He is a government employee and is also working a second job at a private business in the evenings, so he’s the busiest. However, when you look at him, he always seems to be in a dishevelled state. He’s constantly draining his money on alcohol. But no matter where you look, he never lets go of his cigarette.
Since the time the three friends first met, it’s been about fifteen years. During this period, the “alcohol king” has risen to one rank in his job. He has become quite skilled in his work and is very good at speaking to the point where others can be overwhelmed by his words. His ability to judge people is also quite impressive. Although he doesn’t have a degree and is a heavy drinker, his superiors promoted him to a higher position, so he was content with his job. He no longer expected further promotions. His income was steady, and as long as he could drink properly, he was satisfied.
What I mean is that the king of alcohol’s friend passed away in 2019. It is known to be from a liver disease. Before he passed, he had completely deteriorated. It’s quite sad. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the funeral due to various reasons. Before he passed, I heard news about him from his colleagues. He was constantly drunk and no longer thought about anything. Alcohol took over him, and the king of alcohol no longer had control over his life, ultimately leading to a drastic change in his life.
The big friend passed away with age and alcohol, and while reflecting on that, I thought about how in the old days, people used to write at the bottom of letters, like legal texts, that they didn’t want to publish. The wife of the big friend had already passed away for many years before the friend even passed. Now that she’s gone, only their little daughter remains in this world with a lack of chance to rely on her parents. The end of a family member is always saddening. But the friend just went where he needed to go. It’s nothing unusual. Just as he left in his own way, isn’t it true that those left behind will leave in their own ways too?
Currently, the two remaining friends have earned the positions they deserve in their respective professions and have reached their expected goals. However, it can be seen that the big friend with the nickname “the king of alcohol’ may still be wandering in the circle of life dubbed the Samsara in Pali aimlessly. Since the big friend would be alone, feeling bored, he might tell the remaining two friends to quickly follow him, perhaps to places with many people. In the past, he was luckier than the other two, so he might be holding a cigarette in his hand, still enjoying the alcohol he likes, without caring about anything.
Whatever it may be, alcohol has been killing most of the drinkers since its emergence. My friend lost his life at a workable age. It is believable that alcohol will continue to separate the bonds and affection between friends.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
Earthquakes are one of nature’s most destructive forces, capable of causing widespread devastation in a matter of seconds. While we cannot prevent earthquakes from occurring, we can significantly reduce their impact through collective awareness, preparation, and action. Natural disasters such as earthquakes strike without warning, leaving behind trails of destruction, sorrow, and loss. The ground shakes, buildings fall, and lives are changed forever within moments. In the face of such devastating events, individual efforts alone are not enough. It is only through collective action, the combined strength of communities, governments, organizations, and individuals that we can truly overcome the challenges and rebuild stronger than before.
When an earthquake hits, the immediate priority is saving lives. Rescue teams, medical professionals, and volunteers must work hand in hand to provide emergency aid. This rapid response is only possible if communities are trained and prepared in advance. Therefore, collective preparedness such as earthquake drills, emergency plans, and shared knowledge can significantly reduce the loss of life. Schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods must unite in practising these safety measures regularly.
After the initial shock, the path to recovery requires even more cooperation. Rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and healing from trauma take time and effort. Governments can provide funding and policy support, while local and international organizations offer technical assistance and relief supplies. Community members can participate in rebuilding efforts, support each other emotionally, and ensure no one is left behind. The power of unity becomes evident when everyone, regardless of their background, works towards a common goal.
First and foremost, education and awareness are crucial. Many people are unaware of the signs of an impending earthquake or the safety procedures to follow. The offices, schools, and all communities must join forces to educate the public about earthquake risks and safety measures. Regular drills, public campaigns, and the integration of disaster preparedness into school curriculums can help ensure that everyone knows how to act quickly and calmly during an earthquake.
Secondly, building infrastructure that can withstand seismic activity is essential. In earthquake-prone regions, strict construction standards should be enforced, and older buildings should be retrofitted to meet modern safety codes. Architects, engineers, and city planners all have a role to play in ensuring that our built environment does not become a trap during a quake. Investing in resilient infrastructure today can save countless lives tomorrow.
Community cooperation is another powerful tool. Neighbours helping neighbours can make a significant difference in times of crisis. Forming local emergency response teams, establishing communication plans, and stockpiling essential supplies can improve survival rates and reduce chaos during an earthquake. When communities come together to prepare, the impact of disasters is often greatly reduced.
Technology and science also offer valuable support. Early warning systems, seismic monitoring networks, and mobile alerts can provide precious seconds or even minutes of warning, giving people time to take cover. Governments and private sectors should work together to invest in these technologies and ensure they are accessible to all.
Moreover, collective action plays a crucial role in reducing future risks. By learning from past experiences, communities can push for stronger building codes, improved early warning systems, and better land-use planning. Public education campaigns shared disaster data, and community-led resilience projects helped create a culture of safety and awareness.
In conclusion, while we may not be able to stop earthquakes from happening, we can certainly prevent their worst effects by preparing and acting together. Let us unite and take collective responsibility to make our homes, schools, offices and cities safer. By joining hands — before, during, and after a disaster — we can protect lives, rebuild communities, and emerge stronger. Let us all remember: together, we are resilient. Together, we can overcome any disaster.
Source :The Global New Light of Myanmar
INWA, Myanmar, April 4 (Xinhua)
Htet Htet Win stands before the shattered remains of Me Nu Brick Monastery, once a proud symbol of Inwa’s rich history and a lifeline for its people. But it’s not just Me Nu Brick Monastery. Nearly all of Inwa’s ancient structures collapsed in the March 28 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which hit central Myanmar’s Mandalay Region, leaving Inwa in ruins. Also known as Ava and located in the Mandalay Region, Inwa was an ancient capital of Myanmar from the 14th to the 19th century, and is home to over 960 ancient buildings and pagodas.
Instead of selling flowers and guiding visitors through centuries-old temples, Htet Htet Win now gestures toward piles of broken bricks and fallen pillars, explaining how the disaster wiped out not only Inwa’s heritage but also her livelihood.
“The earthquake broke our pot of rice,” said the 22-year-old, using a Myanmar proverb about lost livelihoods. “The monastery fed us. When it collapsed, I felt like we no longer had our pot of rice,” she said on Wednesday.
For years, she and her family thrived here. Tourists came for the ancient monasteries and pagodas, and locals like her earned a steady income through selling flowers, taking pictures for visitors, and sharing stories of the ancient pagodas. On busy days, she made more money than she could count, she said. But the earthquake changed everything. The ground roared, and Inwa’s ancient landmarks, including monasteries, stupas, centuries-old structures, crumbled.
Brick by brick, Me Nu Monastery collapsed. Homes cracked open. Roads split.
Yet Inwa’s loss is more than financial. It is a daily struggle for survival as the earthquake shattered water pipelines, cutting off access to clean water for hundreds of families.
“We now have to collect water from the Ayeyarwady River,” Htet Htet Win said. “But some riverbanks have collapsed, making it even harder to reach.”
At night, fear lingers. With homes unsafe, many sleep outdoors. Each aftershock jolted them awake, a cruel reminder that the worst may not be over. Still, amid the hardship, she clings to the small mercy of survival. “Compared to other places, we are safe from death. No one was killed in our ward,” she said.
Unlike nearby Sagaing, Tada-U, and Mandalay where bodies were pulled from collapsed buildings, Inwa was spared mass casualties. But survival alone does not put food on the table. The tourists are gone. The monasteries are in ruins. And without visitors, there is no income.
Inwa, covering an area of seven square miles, boasts a rich history with 961 buildings and pagodas. Inwa has also been preparing for its nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List, local media reports said. The ancient monastery attracted over 1,000 visitors daily before COVID-19, and hundreds of visitors before the earthquake, Htet Htet Win said.
Htet Htet Win looks at what remains of her city — once a thriving historical site, now a pile of broken bricks and shattered dreams. She said she doesn’t know if the monastery will ever be restored.
But she refuses to give up, “We have to keep struggling.”
Source: Xinhua