I live in Kaba Aye. My house is situated across the precincts of the Kaba Aye Pagoda. So I often take a leisure walk inside it.

Last Sunday, I got up early and took a walk into the precincts of the Pagoda. I entered it from the gate near the Sar-taik bus-stop and followed the path leading to the Mahapasana cave. I noticed that the whole precinct was cool and fresh from the rain which fell last night. When I neared the cave, I espied the glittering sacred umbrella of the Kaba Aye Pagoda towering above the thick foliage of trees. To my knowledge, the pagoda was built by Prime Minister U Nu in 1952 to restore peace in Yangon. So he named it ‘Kaba Aye Pagoda’ meaning ‘The pagoda of World Peace’. Kaba Aye region also takes its name after this pagoda. The relics of the Aggasavaka ( Vens. Sariputtara and Moggalana) of the Gotama Buddha presented to U Nu by Prime Minister Neru during his pilgrimage to Buddhagaya were enshrined in its relic chamber.

My train of thoughts about the Kaba Aye Pagoda ceased when I saw some people exercising under the shady trees growing around the Mahapasana Cave. They were of different ages. Some were running, some jogging and some walking around the cave. Some fat women were swiveling their body around their waist and holding up and down their hands. A few monks were also walking serenely around the cave. I looked up at the cave, I saw many boulders on its roof, among which different species of trees were growing. The cave is said to have been built in 1954 to house the Sixth Buddhist Synod.

When I glanced north, I saw the Pitaka Taik( Library) in a large compound. It is said that it was built just before the Sixth Buddhist Synod in 1954. As it was a well-stocked library, it was like a treasure for scholars and researchers. There lay an oval-shaped pond before it, around which were shrubs of different flowering plants. So the whole compound of the Pitaka Taik was very pleasant. When I got behind the cave, I found the office of the Chairman of the State Samgha Mahanayaka Committee on the left side of the path. As far as I knew, Chairman Sayadaw Dr. Kumarabhivamsa was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures. I often listened to the Dhamma he preached on the television. Since he preached the Dhamma short and to the point., my parents never lost the opportunity of hearing his Dhamma.

I turned left and followed the path leading to the Nga-hlawk-kan (Fish-freeing Lake). On both sides of the path were lines of shady, old trees. Behind them stood some high office-buildings. On the way to the lake, I espied the State Pariyatti Sasana University. It is known that it was opened in 1985 at the advice of Mingwin Sayadaw to produce local and foreign missionary monks. Today, it was one of the leading religious universities in Myanmar.

When I got to the junction where the Samgha hospital stood, I took the path skirting round the Nga-hlwak-kan. On the right side of the path, I found some vegetable-plantations, a few brick-houses and two ponds. On the left was the Nga-hlawk-kan in which water was full to its brink. On the other side of the lake stood a great ordination hall called ‘Maha Sima’. It was built in the Sinhalese architectural style. Soon, I reached the mound at the end of the path. On the mound were some one-storeyed brick-houses in the large compounds covered with shady trees. I found no one there. Therefore, I heard no sound except some calls of birds coming from afar. I continued to walk along the bunds of the lake. When I reached the other bank of the lake, I found some people feeding food to the fishes in the lake and some, to crows and pigeons in the patch of land in front of the Maha Sima. My mind was filled with peace, when I saw them doing such meritorious deeds. I looked up at the sky to find the sun already high. So I made my way back home.

In conclusion, I found that my mind became fresh and full of strength due to coolness and peace offered by the trees and religious buildings in the precincts of the Kaba Aye Pagoda. I therefore think that if responsible personnel keep this wooded sacred site in pristine purity, it will become a good destination for nature-lovers, tourists and pilgrims.

Importance of Bay of Bengal 

 The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world, surrounded by the countries of Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, and divided by the chain of islands of Andaman and Nicobar in the east. The Bay of Bengal covers about 2.2 million km², where around one-fourth of the world’s population resides, and one-fourth of global marine trade flows, amounting to over 3 trillion USD in the total GDP of the regional countries. This makes the area a critical passage for important energy lifelines. The Bay of Bengal is an area rich in natural resources and highly suitable for a Blue Economy. It serves as a connecting hinge between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and holds strategic importance within the Indian Ocean Region. Approximately 6 million tons of fish and 50 trillion cubic feet of hydrocarbons could be harvested annually. It is also home to a diverse range of fish species, coral reefs, rivers, and biodiversity, making it a Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) region, ranked 64th in the world. Important ports in the region include Colombo, Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Chittagong, Mongla, and Yangon, making it a crucial area for food and energy security.

India is a leading power in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, aligned with its Neighborhood First Policy, Act East Policy, and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. This is evident through its proactive and assertive maritime strategies in the Bay of Bengal. The Kaladan project and Sittwe port are strategically important for India, as they would provide a maritime route connecting India’s landlocked Northeast with Southeast Asia. The strategic importance of this region is also critical for China, with the Kyauk Phyu Port and fuel pipeline project being key to its fuel imports. Large oil tankers from the Middle East pass through the Bay of Bengal daily to meet China’s energy needs. As of today, a total of 316 crude oil tankers have entered the Kyauk Phyu and Ma-De Deep Sea Port in Rakhine State.

Bangladesh is primarily focused on the sustainable exploitation of the Bay of Bengal to serve its national interests and social development through the Blue Economy. As a result, the Bay of Bengal is now referred to as the "Collective Destiny" of the region. The interactions within the bay are shaped not only by geographical conditions, religion, trade, and commerce, but also by the natural forces that offer opportunities to overcome evolving challenges and emerging threats. These interactions emphasize the strength of unity and mutual understanding among the nations in the region.

The regional countries in the Bay of Bengal are experiencing high growth rates and play a critical role between emerging India and rising China. India, in particular, is implementing a maritime strategy that positions it as a security provider for regional stability, especially in the context of evolving threats to human security. The Bay of Bengal is of significant importance to India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar due to its strategic sea lanes, natural resources, energy sector, and oil and fuel exploitation. This region also sees a mix of conflict, competition, and cooperation under political, military, and economic strategies, particularly around the unresolved grey areas at the tri-junction of Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India.

Myanmar Waters in the Bay of Bengal 

Myanmar is a country with a vast coastline, facing the Andaman Sea to the south and the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. The Indo-China Peninsula is divided into two by Myanmar's geographical position. To the east lies the Pacific Ocean and the ASEAN countries, while to the west is the Indian Ocean, including South Asia, effectively dividing the two major oceans and regions. Alternatively, Myanmar can be seen as a land bridge connecting these two oceans and regions. Kyauk Phyu port, Dawei port, and Thilawa Deep Sea Port, located along a coastline of 1,260 nautical miles and covering waters spanning 144,912 square miles, form the rim of the Indian Ocean. These ports are geographically significant and hold great potential as transit hubs for the development of regional trade.

Moreover, Myanmar has met several key requirements to become a major player in maritime trade in the region. For example, it has a long coastline with important ports, which could be linked to China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road plans, positioning them as regional business hubs. Kyauk Phyu Port is the most strategically located port within the Bay of Bengal, among Myanmar’s natural ports, and is the closest to China’s Yunnan province. Myanmar is connected to the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal by three main navigational channels: the Preparis Channel, the Ten Degree Channel (between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and the Great Channel (between Great Nicobar and Sumatra Islands). As a result, Myanmar’s deep-sea ports and port cities are well-positioned to facilitate maritime traffic, with vessels passing through the Indian Ocean to Myanmar via either the Arabian Sea–Sri Lanka waterway or the Malacca Strait.

Establishment of BIMSTEC...

In 1997, Bangladesh India Sri Lanka Thailand Economic Cooperation - BIST-EC was established by the Bangkok Declaration. After Myanmar became a member at the special ministerial meeting held in 1997, the name was changed to Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC). Then, Bhutan and Nepal became members at the 6th BIMSTEC Foreign Ministerial meeting held in 2004 and the name of organization was changed to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) at the first summit of BIMSTEC.

The BIMSTEC Charter has been endorsed and approved by the heads of member countries, and BIMSTEC is an organization with legal personality, operating based on established rules and regulations. Cooperation within BIMSTEC is grounded in the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. It is also stipulated that all decisions within BIMSTEC shall be made by consensus. The BIMSTEC chairmanship rotates among member countries, and Myanmar has held the position of chair twice, with Thailand currently in charge.

BIMSTEC marked its 27th anniversary on June 6, 2024 and the leaders of all BIMSTEC member States sent congratulatory messages and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Chairman of State Administration Council, mentioned in his excellency’s message as “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Member States for the collective efforts exerted under the BIMSTEC framework in addressing various challenges. I believe that our solidarity and systematic cooperation, guided by the BIMSTEC Charter. I wish BIMSTEC to be a stronger and more effective organization and to have every success in future endeavors of promoting the socioeconomic livelihoods of the peoples in the Bay of Bengal Region.” And he spotlighted the importance of BIMSTEC in the region. 

The 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting Towards Enhancing Regional Cooperation

Myanmar successfully hosted the 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs' Meeting from July 24 to 26, 2024. National security chiefs from member countries participated in the meeting, where they had constructive discussions on several key issues: combating drug-related challenges; maritime security and cybersecurity threats; improving information sharing across relevant security sectors; the current security situation in the region; preparing for potential security challenges; and identifying effective methods for addressing these issues.      

Successfully hosting the event not only strengthens the legitimacy of the State Administration Council government but also enhances cooperation with regional countries in the political, economic, and security sectors. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss approaches for jointly combating armed conflicts and drug smuggling in the border areas. Representatives from Thailand, Bangladesh, and India, who are indeed the neighboring countries of Myanmar, participated in the discussions.  

The entire BIMSTEC region has a population of 1.8 billion and it has been accounted for 22 percent of the world's population. The combined GDP of the BIMSTEC countries is over 3.6 trillion USD. Although BIMSTEC is different from other organizations as it was established by countries with different culture, language and lifestyle, all member countries are actively participating in economic, social science and technology sectors for their mutual benefits as the saying goes, “Unity is Strength”. BIMSTEC member countries include countries that are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as countries that are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). And therefore, BIMSTEC can also be assumed as a connecting bridge of the two major associations in the region. 

Maritime Security Sector of BIMSTEC 

At the BIMSTEC 4th Summit in 2018, Indian Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the maritime sector for socio-economic development and the future food security of the region and the importance of the Bay of Bengal as “our region's geographic location links global maritime trade routes and the Blue Economy is of particular importance to all of our economies.” Therefore, according to the importance of the role of maritime security in the Bay of Bengal, the role of the National Security Chiefs has included the maritime security sector and discussed and addressed it extensively.

 As the Bay of Bengal is directly adjacent to the five BIMSTEC member countries and provides access to the two remaining landlocked countries, Bhutan and Nepal, it offers opportunities to connect and create multi-sectoral cooperation across the entire Indian Ocean region, positioning the Bay of Bengal as the "Heart of BIMSTEC." While the Bay of Bengal has many opportunities for socio-economic development for BIMSTEC member countries, many conventional and non-conventional threats in there are also needed to be faced and overcame together. Port and trade routes security, fisheries protection and natural disaster management processes are included in coping with that. Efforts are being made to promote the maritime security sector, which is directly or indirectly supporting all seven areas of cooperation within the BIMSTEC organization, beyond normal security measures and into proactive cooperation activities that include diplomacy.

BIMSTEC is indeed elevating trade, investment and connectivity among member countries which leads to promoting regional economic development. In doing so, the Maritime Transport Agreement (MTA) would be able to sign at the BIMSTEC summit to be held in the near future and there would be good opportunities for mutual trade between the ports of member countries, and the flow of goods in the region would be rapidly improved by this agreement. Maritime trade among the member countries of the region, as well as opportunities to trade goods through Myanmar to the ASEAN countries and Asian countries, would also be flourished by centrally passing through the Bay of Bengal. Along with the development of maritime trade routes, the roles of navies in each respective country for maritime security would also become more important. Today, Myanmar Navy together with the navies of BIMSTEC countries are actively cooperating in Navy To Navy Staff Talks, CORPAT, Maritime Security Conclave, Maritime Security Exercise and other maritime security issues in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea within the Indian Ocean. 

BIMSTEC Towards Myanmar’s National Maritime Interests 

Myanmar has a great and solid basic for economic development through maritime trade as if the abundance of its natural resources, a reasonable population ratio, a long coastline and good ports can be used effectively. There are many fish resources, natural gas resources, also numerous highly valuable mineral resources beneath the shallow seabed of Myanmar together with great opportunities like presence of good ports like Kyauk Phyu and Dawei Deep Sea Port and being close to the world's trade routes. Moreover, there are very beautiful and attractive islands, underwater coral reefs, and many scuba diving sites with amazing underwater scenery for maritime or nautical tourism, so-called “smokeless industry”. Although the sea provides opportunities and interests for the respective countries, the waterways can become vulnerable entrances that can be easily penetrated by force in the absence of properly established defense measures for maritime security.

As everything that happens in the Bay of Bengal impacts Myanmar’s seas, it is closely related to the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, it is crucial to seize the opportunity provided by the geographical advantage of being adjacent to both the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, which connect Asia and South Asia. Additionally, Myanmar serves as a land bridge, acting as an intermediary between ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries. To further develop the maritime trade sector, regional maritime networks must be connected, enabling communication between the ports of regional countries. This can be achieved by upgrading key port cities such as Sittwe and Kyauk Phyu on the Rakhine coast, Pathein and Yangon in the Delta region, and Mawlamyine, Dawei, Myeik, and Kawthaung on the Tanintharyi coast. Such development will reduce dependence on border trade, which is currently limited by security restrictions.

Today, eastern coast ports of India such as Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Chennai ports; Chittagong port of Bangladesh; Hanbantota port of Sri Lanka; Yangon, Pathein and Sittwe ports of Myanmar could be connected as a route for coastal shipping sector which all countries are the members of BIMSTEC in the Bay of Bengal. Although international maritime trades are conducted under the regulations of International Maritime Organization (IMO), Coastal Shipping Agreement is much simpler than the process of IMO which can be negotiated by bilateral consensus and new coastal maritime trade routes will be implemented quickly and simply. Therefore, a wish for Myanmar Navy, Myanmar Coast Guard and Maritime Police to actively involve in the maritime security sector while safeguarding maritime interests of the Bay of Bengal, which is connected to the Myanmar Sea together with the cooperation of BIMSTEC and to contribute to Myanmar’s national maritime interests by a guarantee for a safe and secure maritime domain.

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Edward Snowden hoo-ha might have ended ten years ago, but illegal spying by the US carries on, both on its partners and anyone it wants to control, via warrantless surveillance rights to indiscriminately monitor communications of all internet users around the world.
Snowden popularized the term ‘metadata’ and started a heated debate about mass surveillance. He had succeeded beyond imagination. But who is there to defend our democracy and rights in this digital age?
The intelligence agencies (CIA, NSA, FBI – acronyms stated at end of article) dismissed such claims at that time, arguing that their programmes are constitutional, and subject to rigorous congressional and judicial oversight, yet critical to meet their overriding aim of protecting the public from terrorist attacks. As usual, they regurgitate the age-old slogan: if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to be scared of!
The whole world was shaken at that time. Its allies were rightly upset, its so-called enemies were proven right about what they had suspected all along, people were livid due to lack of some social responsibility, US internet companies claimed they were forced into cooperation and NGOs warned that surveillance was going beyond the intention of lawmakers.
Cell phones, laptops, Facebook, Instagram, X, Skype, and chat rooms: all allow the NSA to build what it calls ‘a pattern of life’, a detailed profile of a target and anyone associated with them. And the number of people caught up in this dragnet can be huge. You have to recall the Bourne Identity, Supremacy and Ultimatum trilogy of movies, to visualize the level of spying and black ops going on.
Ten years ago, faced with this growing public and political concern over the quantities of data it is collecting, the NSA said it collected only a tiny proportion of the world’s internet traffic, equivalent to a “dime on a basketball court”. But in reality, that is still a huge amount of data. It says it needs all this data to help prevent another terrorist attack like 9/11. To find the needle in the haystack, they argue, they need access to the whole haystack. Yet, the US Congress did not find any substantial evidence of NSA actions stopping terrorist attacks. NSA claimed 54 terror attacks being stopped, but was fact-checked to be only 4.
That was ten years ago. The chances were you were already sharing a lot more personal information than you thought, even back then.

Spying Continued
Now Five Eyes countries jointly conduct cyber espionage operations eavesdropping, tapping and collecting metadata upon other countries from Russia to China to Germany and France. Instead of toning down its indiscriminate monitoring and illegal spying operations, the Five Eyes have up their ante by introducing programmes such as False Flag operations, misleading traceability attribution and implanted backdoors in the internet products US companies sold to other countries.
US longstanding strategy of ‘forward defence’ and carrying out ‘hunt forward’ operations requires that it continues to stealthily spy on other countries by hook or by crook. At the same time, since Snowden’s time, due to investigations by US lawmakers, the tactics have gone underground, trying to cover up its attacks, erasing fingerprints of cyber espionage and attempting to obscure various identifiable features of its assaults. The worst of all was inputting code ‘strings’ in other languages to mislead cybersecurity experts and frame other countries for cybersurveillance.
According to China’s CVERC, Volt Typhoon was one such programme, deployed by the Five Eyes recently. China’s Global Times also highlighted a stealth tool kit codenamed ‘Marble’ used in such operations. The report claimed Marble can use over 100 algorithms to replace readable content in source code files with unrecognizable content and has the ability to insert interfering strings.
False Flag operations are a major component of Influence Operations by the Five Eyes countries. Influence operations include two aspects: (dis) Information operations and Technical disruption operations. Its 4D principles of deny, disrupt, degrade, and deceive are in full observation in its cyber spying activities.
Five Eyes’ illicit spying activities are helped by the fact that much of the world’s communications traffic passes through the US or its close ally the UK – what the agencies refer to as “home-field advantage”, because of the fact that it can control the world’s most internet choke points such as Atlantic submarine fibre optic cable and Pacific submarine fibre optic cable. The UK is connected to 57 countries by fibre optic cables whereas the US is connected to 63. NSA works closely with the FBI and British NCSC to carry out protocol analysis and data theft of the full amount of data transmitted by fibre optic cables, to achieve wholesale monitoring of internet users around the world.
The NSA has its own cable-intercept programs tapping traffic flowing into and across the US. These are collectively known as the Upstream collection. NSA runs these surveillance programmes through “partnerships” with major US telecom and internet companies. The Upstream project function is to retain all the original communication data of submarine fibre optic cables intercepted by monitoring stations in a massive data ‘reservoir’. The second project of NSA is Prism, whose main function is to classify the original data from the Upstream collection accordingly and to analyze its content. It is also a “downstream” programme – which collects the data from Google, Facebook, Apple, Yahoo and other US internet giants.
The above snooping would be sufficient provided if the data that they wanted actually travelled through the above submarine pipelines. What if the data they wanted to spy on stayed just within Russia or China? To solve this problem NSA conducts CNE for specific targets located in such blind spots and the Office of TAO follows up with the dirty work. To be specific, using advanced US technology and products, in cooperation with US internet, software and equipment suppliers, TAO would intercept and disassemble US products purchased by the entities in these blind spot territories, implant backdoors and repackage them before shipping them to their destination. These products once in use, would transmit back the required top-secret content back to NSA headquarters.
The division inside the NSA that deals with collection programmes that focus on private companies is Special Source Operations, described by Snowden as the “crown jewels” of the NSA, under the heading of ‘Corporate Partner Access’. It has already set out its mission: “Leverage unique key corporate partnerships to gain access to high-capacity international fibre optic cables, switches and/or routes throughout the world.” The names of many of the NSA’s “corporate partners” are so sensitive that they are classified as “ECI” — Exceptionally Controlled Information.

The future
Public opinion is polarized over surveillance, but polls over recent years showed a consistent increase in concern over privacy. Meanwhile, the unlawful activities by the Five Eyes continued, invading the privacy of many, not under its sovereignty as well as stealing the confidential top-secret information of other countries.
With the new peace-advocating President in place this year, hopefully, these anti-peace activities will discontinue soon. Optimistically, the $400 million assistance via Burma Act to antigovernment forces could be halted too, thereby stopping $20,000+ a month funding to each of the illegal fake news agencies in Chiang Mai, that did more to bring the country down than help any fellow citizens prosper.

Acronyms:
NSA: National Security Agency
CIA: Central Intelligence Agency
FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Metadata: Data providing information about other aspects of that data, e.g., information about the time and location of a phone call or email, as opposed to the contents of those conversations or messages.
Five Eyes countries: US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand,
False Flag operation: an act committed with the intent of disguising the actual source of responsibility and pinning blame on another party.
Traceability attribution: tracing and attributing security-relevant actions (i.e., subject-object interactions) to the entity on whose behalf the action is being taken.
Implanted backdoor: a typically covert method of bypassing normal authentication or encryption in a computer, product, embedded device (e.g. a home router), or its embodiment.
CVERC: China Virus Emergency Response Centre
String: a data type used in programming, that is used to represent text rather than numbers.
NCSC: National Cyber Security Centre
Protocol analysis: tools to identify and create categories of propositions and semantic organization of text segments.
CNE: Computer Network Exploitation
TAO: Tailed Access Operation

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

I. Introduction

The Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, established in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, remains one of the most controversial symbols of the global War on Terror. Located on the U.S. naval base in Cuba, Guantanamo has sparked international debate due to allegations of human rights violations, legal loopholes, and its use as a political tool in American domestic affairs. This article examines Guantanamo Bay through the lens of international law and explores how successive U.S. presidents have leveraged it to navigate political landscapes at home.

II. Historical Context

Guantanamo Bay’s history as a U.S. military base dates back to 1903, but its transformation into a detention center for terrorism suspects brought it to global attention. In early 2002, the U.S. government began detaining individuals captured in Afghanistan and other regions, designating them as "unlawful combatants" to circumvent protections afforded under the Geneva Conventions. Over the years, Guantanamo has become a focal point for debates on the balance between security and human rights.

III. International Law Perspective

Legal Frameworks and Violations

International law offers robust protections for individuals, even in times of conflict. Key legal frameworks include the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), all of which provide fundamental rights to detainees, including protections against torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and the right to a fair trial. These instruments, which reflect the international community’s commitment to human dignity, apply even in wartime and are central to the debate surrounding Guantanamo Bay.

The Geneva Conventions, particularly the Third Geneva Convention, which deals with the treatment of prisoners of war, mandates that detainees in armed conflicts be treated humanely. It prohibits torture, degrading treatment, and demands that detainees be afforded due process, including the right to a fair trial. However, the U.S. government has argued that the detainees at Guantanamo are "unlawful combatants," a term created to exclude them from the protections of the Geneva Conventions. This legal interpretation, however, has been challenged in both U.S. and international courts, leading to key rulings such as Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006), which affirmed that detainees are entitled to some protections under the Geneva Conventions.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations in 1948, affirms the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all human beings. Article 9 of the UDHR explicitly prohibits arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile, while Article 10 guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing. The indefinite detention of individuals at Guantanamo Bay, without charge or trial, directly contravenes these fundamental rights. The U.S. has faced significant criticism for its failure to provide fair trials to detainees, with several detainees held for years without any formal charges being brought against them.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the U.S. ratified in 1992, also protects individuals from arbitrary detention and guarantees a fair trial, including access to legal representation and the right to contest the legality of detention. Yet, Guantanamo’s practices, including prolonged detention without charge, lack of access to legal counsel for extended periods, and the denial of habeas corpus rights, have been repeatedly condemned by human rights groups as a violation of the ICCPR.

Beyond these well-established instruments, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), ratified by the U.S. in 1994, specifically prohibits the use of torture and requires states to take effective measures to prevent such practices. Guantanamo Bay’s use of enhanced interrogation techniques, often referred to as torture by human rights organizations, stands in direct violation of this convention. The United Nations has repeatedly called for the U.S. to close the facility and end the practices that contravene its international obligations under the CAT.

Despite these legal frameworks, the U.S. has argued that Guantanamo is an exception due to its status as a military detention facility located on a foreign naval base. This argument has been challenged in various legal proceedings. In Boumediene v. Bush (2008), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that detainees at Guantanamo have the constitutional right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts, reaffirming that the U.S. cannot disregard the rule of law simply because the detention center is located outside the U.S. mainland.

Despite these rulings and international condemnation, the U.S. has continued to defend its practices at Guantanamo, arguing that the need for national security in the context of the War on Terror justifies these extraordinary measures. However, the continued operation of the detention center and the lack of accountability for the violations committed there call into question the U.S.'s commitment to upholding international law, further complicating its moral and legal standing in the global community.

In sum, the legal frameworks protecting the rights of detainees—whether through the Geneva Conventions, the UDHR, the ICCPR, or the CAT—are clear in their prohibition of arbitrary detention, torture, and the denial of due process. The ongoing violations at Guantanamo Bay represent a significant breach of these international standards and raise crucial questions about the compatibility of U.S. counterterrorism policies with international human rights law.

IV. Domestic Politics and Guantanamo Bay

A. Political Tool in U.S. Elections Guantanamo Bay has not only been a topic of legal and human rights debates but also a potent political tool in U.S. presidential elections. President Obama’s 2008 campaign included a pledge to close the facility, symbolizing a shift towards restoring U.S. adherence to international law. However, despite initial efforts, political opposition, logistical challenges, and legislative barriers stalled the closure process. The Trump administration reversed this stance, emphasizing a "tough on terrorism" approach, including the potential expansion of the detention facility. As President Biden nears the end of his administration, discussions regarding the closure of Guantanamo are ongoing, but the facility remains operational. The key question now is how the incoming Trump administration will approach the center's future.

B. Symbol of National Security Domestically, Guantanamo Bay has been presented as an essential tool for safeguarding U.S. national security. This framing resonates with a significant portion of the electorate, particularly those prioritizing counterterrorism measures over civil liberties. By keeping Guantanamo open, U.S. presidents have attempted to project strength and resolve in the face of international terrorism, while sidestepping the complexities of prosecuting detainees within the U.S. judicial system.

C. Congressional and Public Opinion Efforts to close Guantanamo Bay have faced significant resistance in Congress, where bipartisan opposition has led to legislative gridlock. Public opinion, shaped by persistent fears of terrorism, has further complicated efforts to dismantle the facility. Congressional leaders have expressed concerns that closing Guantanamo could endanger national security, while others argue that the U.S. must adhere to international human rights standards. This tension underscores the broader challenge of reconciling domestic security concerns with global legal norms.

V. Stories of Detainees

Guantanamo Bay’s legacy is not solely shaped by legal arguments and political maneuvering but also by the individual stories of those detained there. These stories illustrate the human cost of the detention policies:

• Mohamedou Ould Slahi: A Mauritanian national held at Guantanamo for 14 years without charge. His memoir, Guantánamo Diary, offers a searing account of torture and psychological abuse. Slahi’s experiences underscore the absence of due process and the consequences of relying on flawed intelligence.

• Omar Khadr: A Canadian citizen, Khadr was captured in Afghanistan at 15 years old and detained at Guantanamo for over a decade. His case drew international attention due to his age and the allegations of coercion during interrogation. After his release, Khadr's story became emblematic of the ethical challenges surrounding the detention of juveniles.

• Shaker Aamer: The last British resident held at Guantanamo, Aamer spent 14 years in detention without trial. He was eventually released in 2015, after consistently denying allegations of terrorism. Aamer’s case exemplifies the difficulties of proving guilt or innocence in a system built on secrecy and a lack of transparency.

These individual stories highlight broader issues with Guantanamo’s reliance on unreliable intelligence, the treatment of detainees, and the challenge of balancing national security with human rights.

VI. Global Perception and Diplomacy

Guantanamo Bay has severely damaged the U.S.'s reputation as a leader in upholding human rights and international law. The facility’s continued existence has strained relations with both allies and adversaries, who have criticized the U.S. for its treatment of detainees and its failure to close the detention center despite widespread international condemnation. The United Nations, the European Union, and numerous human rights organizations have called for the closure of Guantanamo, arguing that it symbolizes a disregard for the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For U.S. allies, particularly those in the European Union, Guantanamo represents a fundamental contradiction in American foreign policy. While the U.S. promotes democracy, freedom, and human rights abroad, its actions at Guantanamo undermine these ideals, raising concerns about U.S. credibility in international diplomatic spheres. Moreover, the continued detention of individuals without trial has prompted accusations of hypocrisy, especially as the U.S. positions itself as a global advocate for the rule of law.

Adversaries of the U.S. have leveraged Guantanamo as a propaganda tool, using it to critique American foreign policy and cast the U.S. as a violator of international norms. Terrorist groups, in particular, have cited the existence of Guantanamo as evidence of U.S. hypocrisy, which serves to further fuel anti-American sentiments. The global perception of Guantanamo Bay thus complicates U.S. diplomatic efforts, creating a significant diplomatic rift that could take years to mend.

VII. Legal and Ethical Implications

The long-term consequences of Guantanamo’s legal anomalies are profound and far-reaching. By circumventing international legal norms and the protections granted by the Geneva Conventions, the U.S. risks undermining the rule of law, both domestically and internationally. This legal exception sets a dangerous precedent for other countries, potentially encouraging them to adopt similar practices in the name of national security. The normalization of indefinite detention without charge or trial poses a grave threat to the principles of justice and accountability that should govern both U.S. and international legal systems.

Ethically, Guantanamo's practices raise serious concerns about the balance between national security and fundamental human rights. The use of torture, extraordinary rendition, and indefinite detention without trial not only violates international law but also questions the morality of such actions. As the U.S. seeks to address terrorism threats, it must grapple with the ethical dilemmas posed by these methods. The question of whether the U.S. can achieve its security goals without compromising its commitment to human rights remains one of the most pressing ethical challenges.

Furthermore, the long-term psychological and physical effects on detainees—especially those who have been held for years without charge—highlight the devastating consequences of indefinite detention. Many detainees, after being released, suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological issues stemming from their mistreatment. These ethical and legal violations have far-reaching consequences, not only for those detained but also for the U.S.’s moral authority in the global arena.

VIII. The Path Forward

To align with international legal standards and restore its credibility, the U.S. must take decisive steps to either reform or close Guantanamo Bay. The continued operation of the facility, despite the growing international outcry, presents a serious challenge to the U.S.'s role as a global leader in human rights. The first and most critical step would be ensuring fair trials for the remaining detainees. This could involve transferring detainees to the U.S. for civilian trials or, where appropriate, repatriating them to their home countries.

Additionally, providing reparations for the human rights violations that have occurred at Guantanamo is essential for healing and reconciliation. This could take the form of compensation to detainees who have been wrongfully detained or subjected to torture, as well as public acknowledgment of the injustices they have suffered. The U.S. must also reaffirm its commitment to international human rights norms, not only by closing Guantanamo but also by ensuring that future counterterrorism measures comply with international law.

IX. Conclusion

Guantanamo Bay stands as a powerful symbol of the challenges faced by the U.S. in balancing national security with respect for the rule of law and international human rights standards. As a legal anomaly and political tool, it reflects the tensions inherent in navigating global security challenges. Resolving the Guantanamo dilemma requires not just policy reforms, but a profound shift in the U.S.'s approach to counterterrorism—one that places a stronger emphasis on due process, human rights, and adherence to international legal norms. The closure of Guantanamo Bay would not only restore U.S. credibility on the global stage but also reaffirm the importance of upholding the core principles of justice and dignity that underpin the international legal order.

References

1. Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, 548 U.S. 557 (2006).
   Supreme Court ruling affirming that detainees at Guantanamo Bay are entitled to certain protections under the Geneva Conventions.
2. Boumediene v. Bush, 553 U.S. 723 (2008).
   Supreme Court decision extending the right of habeas corpus to detainees at Guantanamo Bay, rejecting the argument that they were beyond the reach of U.S. courts.
3. United Nations (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
   United Nations General Assembly. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights.
4. United Nations (1949). Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (Third Geneva Convention).
   Available at: https://www.icrc.org/en/document/geneva-conventions.
5. United Nations (1984). Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
   Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/professional-interest/pages/cat.aspx.
6. United Nations Human Rights Office (2006). Guantanamo: The Human Cost of America's "War on Terror".
   Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2006/06/guantanamo-human-cost-americas-war-terror.
7. Amnesty International (2016). Guantanamo: A Human Rights Scandal.
   Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/01/guantanamo-a-human-rights-scandal/.
8. Slahi, Mohamedou Ould. (2015). Guantanamo Diary.
   New York: Back Bay Books.
9. Khadr, Omar. (2015). Enemy Combatant: A Canadian Soldier's Story.
   Toronto: HarperCollins Publishers.
10. Shaker Aamer. (2015). The Last Prisoner: A Memoir.
    Available at: https://www.shaker-aamer.com.
11. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
    United Nations General Assembly. Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/civil-political-rights.
12. Chomsky, Noam. (2006). The New Military Humanism: Lessons from Kosovo.
    Monroe, ME: Common Courage Press.

AS USUAL, all students who have passed the matriculation examination tend to choose and go to a university per their scores, especially the entrance scores set by relevant universities.
Since the university is a paradise for most students and teachers as far as I can see, they almost always enjoy a university life in their bones. Basic education is quite different from higher education in which students mainly study all by themselves rather than with the help of their teachers. In other words, university students lead an independent life in many cases and use self-directed learning in their studies. From time immemorial, the university has been deemed a place where a child is taught to have grown into an adult to the core. Hence, choosing and going to a university becomes as important as having passed the matriculation examination.
Of course, university students are betwixt and between, that is, they are neither children nor adults. In the main, university attendees come from different backgrounds and situations such as regions, nationalities, religions, beliefs, and cultures. Thus, university students can meet a culture shock or culture bump either consciously or unconsciously, particularly in their university and hostel lives. Also, university teachers are not the same as school teachers at all. University teachers are given to treat their students like adults or even friends instead of like a child.
Most of them use the lecture method or sometimes the lecture-discussion method in their instruction as a teacher-centred approach or an authoritative style of teaching.
However, university students usually feel free to do their major studies, assignments, and tutorial exams all to themselves as described above. Because the students have to dedicate their priceless time in decades to attending university as in school, they should choose and go to university pretty carefully.
So, the choice of a university to join is of great importance to every student. Some students can attend the university that they want to. They are also happy with their educational success in university to the full extent that they can achieve. The more success these students wish to get in education, the better they will be trying throughout their academic terms. But for some students who cannot go to their selected universities, even any educational achievement in university will possibly be nothing strange to them.
Sometimes, they like to fall out of their education; they have no desire to try it on. Here, the exception proves the rule. Sad to say, some students have no chance of attending their dream university simply due to their home socio-economic conditions, especially educational fees. Other students choose to go to their desired universities by mistake. Only after a few years of their educational terms do they get to know that their university choice was wrong. What I want to say herein is that their wrongly selected universities, major subjects in particular, do not match up with their very likes and satisfaction in education. Accordingly, university students should have set their distinct educational aims and goals even while they are studying in basic education schools. 

Some students attend a university following their parents’ wishes only, but they would like to go to another university. A university student has to be given a chance to freely choose the university, relying upon his or her natural hobby. Some seniors are under the illusion that they are getting to feel an enjoyable university life bit by bit as long as their academic years last. Despite this, juniors can be different from them in one way or another. In truth, a university student should not spend too much of his or her time attending the university that they do not want to.
Certain students go to university just for a bachelor’s degree; they do not have any apparent reason for it. They may or may not live a married life after their targeted education. Whatever is said, university attendance must not be merely a waste of time. It would be best if university degrees go together with a student’s future jobs. And he or she will have to be a success in education in the future, following his or her great resolution.
I think that there is no university where students are not happy in the world at all. University students like celebrating freshers’ welcome and farewell parties as well as paying homage ceremonies and other events as always. Senior students behave well towards their seniors like their biological siblings. The students share their regional knowledge, religious beliefs, cultural norms, language skills, digital literacy and many others inside or outside the university. What is more, they imitate their close classmates’ or flatmates’ habits to the letter. Strangely enough, some students unexpectedly find their life partners-to-be at university. As for me, going to a university may be the U-turn of a student’s life.
Also, university life is the happiest moment together with friends and teachers for all students, I believe. As any student needs to spend nearly one-third of his or her life in education, he or she ought to choose and attend the university for a living.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Nowadays, the world is more traumatized by the oppression of various diseases than ever before. The incidence and prevalence of these diseases are on the rise. These can be ascribed to changes in diet and lifestyle, poverty, malnutrition, climatic changes and more stressful situations. In the event of a disease, the public goes to a hospital to seek a cure. When patients and their family members arrive at the hospital, public relations in the hospital commence. In this context, public relations mean a two-way communication process between the hospital and its internal public (all hospital staff) and external public (patients, their families, their communities, and social media, among others). This article focuses on how to improve the public relation between patients and hospital staff.
Hospital staff are obliged to deal with many patients every day. The Emergency Department and the Out-patient Department are two channels through which the hospital staff start their relations with the patients. Therefore, the hospital needs to equip the staff posted in these departments with high social and organizational skills so that people will be willing to attend the hospital without any anxiety in case of a disease.
The Emergency Department is the best resort for seriously ill patients and persons severely wounded due to accidents and disasters. Usually, the minds of patients arriving there are overtaxed with financial constraints, social problems and psychological upset. Therefore, the staff should extend a warm welcome to these sorrow-stricken patients with a sweet smile on their faces. They should not wear a stern face in the presence of patients and their relatives. The staff on duty should be in their uniforms which can boost patients’ confidence in them. Moreover, the staff should be kind, courteous and helpful to patients. The staff should listen to them attentively and deal with their inquiries politely. In addition, the staff should guide them in detail and treat them in an encouraging and consoling manner. The staff should always remember to say “Thank you” to every patient. This can prevent the patients from lodging complaints and creating conflicts. But, if a complaint or a conflict occurs inevitably, the staff should curb his or her emotion, report the issue to the senior staff, find the root cause and negotiate to reach a solution.
In the outpatient department, the medical staff should examine the patients carefully, give them instructions to do necessary investigations and prescribe treatments for them. For the investigations to be done, the attendants of the patients rush to the laboratory and the Radiological Department and wait nervously for the results. For more convenience of the waiting patients there, waiting time should be minimized. Waiting facilities should be supplied adequately. Queue jumping should not be allowed. Waiting areas should be spacious and well-ventilated. There should be enough power and water supply. Clean toilets should be provided sufficiently.
For a patient to be admitted to a ward, the admission procedure should not be cumbersome and over-processed. Unnecessary delay should be avoided. Prompt attention and effective care should be given to him or her. The staff assigned to the ward should respect the dignity of the patient and the confidentiality of the information about his or her disease. Privacy should be given to the patient if necessary. The ward should be furnished with all necessary physical facilities to solace the worried patients and their attendants.
During the hospital stay, the family members and relatives gather round the patient to encourage him or her. So, the need to satisfy the desire of the patient to see the family members and to limit the number of visitors should be balanced. However, enough guest hours should be allowed.
Blood requisition and blood transfusion processes are very important for a patient who is seriously ill and anaemic. The patient’s family members would not tolerate any delay in receiving blood from the blood bank and transfusing blood into the patient. As blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure, all the staff concerned should try to understand and empathize with the patient and his or her family members. Therefore, they should concentrate their attention on doing a timely blood transfusion for the patient; otherwise, it could cost his or her life.
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) should be fully provided with sociable and efficient staff and intensive care facilities. As a rule, only one attendant is allowed for a patient. But, if necessary, the number of attendants should be increased. The ICU staff should keep a close eye on the changing situations of the patient at all times and encourage the attendants as well.
In the process of removing a dead body to the mortuary from a hospital ward, which is a most sensitive case, due respect should be shown to it. The mourning family members should be consoled with sympathy and empathy. The process should be done with the least disturbance to others in the ward. If there is a plan for an autopsy, it should be undertaken immediately after asking permission from a family member or a close relative.
In all dealings with the patients, the hospital staff should be patient-centred. They should be free from bias and discrimination in providing their services. They should always practise optimism, harmony and understanding towards the patients. They should explain to the patients about their diseases. At the same time, they should engage the patients in making decisions regarding their cases.
Today, a hospital is the haunt of the various media. The reporters frequent the hospital to elicit the news of the hospital from the staff. So the hospital staff should take much care in dealing with the questions of the media and, at the same time, they should be on amicable terms with them. To be able to evade the traps laid by shrewd reporters, they should have problem-solving, diplomatic, discourse analytical and public presentation skills.
The hospital staff tend to work more energetically and actively in a happy and pleasant work environment. So, they should be motivated by giving incentives of various forms. These should include good salaries, pay raises, cash rewards, the welfare of employees and their families, different kinds of leave, flexible scheduling, words or letters of appreciation for their performances and achievements, job transfer to a better position, job promotion and opportunities for further education. Only then, would they become motivated staff. The staff would motivate the patients. However, one important point is that the administrative team and heads of the wards should exercise just culture but avoid blaming the staff.
In conclusion, it is observed that the public relation of a hospital depends much upon the efficiency, performance, and attitude of its staff and the physical facilities. Therefore, it is suggested that regular training courses in public relations should be given to all the staff, that a sufficient amount of staff should be appointed, lest the staff would be overloaded with tasks, and that new generations of efficient, industrious and dutiful staff should be recruited regularly. Moreover, a public relations management office should be opened and, at any rate, no stone should be left unturned in undertaking all the measures to improve public relations in the hospital. It is also aware that the motivated, satisfied staff can make the motivated, satisfied patients, that the motivated, satisfied patients can find speedy recovery from their diseases and that, as a consequence, this hospital will be reputed to be a prestigious one among the public. Therefore, this hospital would, undoubtedly, become their choice if the patients, their family members and relatives are afflicted with a certain disease. Hence, it is taken for granted that the promotion of public relations in a hospital can serve as an impetus to its development and good image.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Golden Rock: A Myanmar Marvel
The Golden Rock, also known as Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, is a breathtaking testament to the intersection of nature, faith, and human devotion. Perched precariously on the edge of a cliff in Myanmar's Mon State, this massive golden boulder is a sight to behold. Its allure draws thousands of visitors annually, from devout pilgrims seeking spiritual solace to curious travelers captivated by its unique beauty.

A Balancing Act of Nature and Legend
The Golden Rock defies gravity, seemingly poised on the brink of collapse. Legend has it that a single strand of the Buddha's hair miraculously keeps the boulder in place, a mystical explanation that adds to its sacred significance. Devotees have adorned the rock and the pagoda atop it with gold leaf, creating a dazzling spectacle that shimmers in the sunlight, especially at dawn and dusk.

A Pilgrimage of Faith
Visiting Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is a deeply meaningful pilgrimage for many Buddhists in Myanmar. Many undertake the arduous journey on foot, a testament to their unwavering faith. The path to the summit is lined with vendors selling food, drinks, and religious offerings, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Religious festivals, particularly in November and December, see a surge of pilgrims. The air is filled with the chanting of monks, the flickering of candles, and the melodious chimes of prayer bells, creating an atmosphere of profound spirituality.

Planning for visit
The Golden Rock is located approximately 210 kilometers from Yangon. Reaching the summit typically involves a drive to the base camp at Kinpun, followed by a ride in an open-air truck or a challenging hike.
Comfortable shoes and ample water are essential, especially for those opting to hike. Accommodation options range from basic guesthouses to more comfortable hotels, catering to diverse needs.

A symbol of faith and resilience
The Golden Rock is more than just a geological wonder; it's a symbol of Myanmar's rich spiritual heritage and the enduring faith of its people. Whether you're drawn by the legend, the stunning vistas, or the profound spiritual atmosphere, a visit to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is an unforgettable experience.

The Golden Rock: A legend in gold
The Golden Rock, a massive granite boulder covered in shimmering gold leaf, defies gravity by precariously balancing on the edge of a cliff. Legend has it that a single strand of Buddha's hair, enshrined within the pagoda atop the rock, miraculously keeps it in place. This sacred relic, gifted by the Buddha to a hermit and subsequently protected by his descendants, is believed to imbue the rock with its extraordinary position.

A pilgrimage of faith
For Buddhists, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is a sacred site of immense spiritual significance. Pilgrims undertake arduous journeys to offer prayers, meditate, and apply gold leaf to the rock as an act of devotion. It is believed that visiting the Golden Rock at least once in a lifetime brings blessings and merits.

The site is particularly vibrant during Buddhist festivals, such as the Tazaungdaing Festival in November or December. Thousands of candles illuminate the pagoda, and the air resonates with the chants and prayers of devout pilgrims.

A legacy of endurance
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda has stood for over 2,500 years, a testament to both its enduring strength and the unwavering faith of its devotees. Despite weathering the elements, the rock remains intact, thanks to continuous maintenance and the ongoing contributions of pilgrims who add layers of gold leaf, symbolizing their spiritual connection to the site.

The name "Kyaiktiyo" itself holds significance. In the Mon language, "Kyaik" means "pagoda," "ti" means "hermit," and "yo" means "carry on the hermit's head." Thus, "Kyaiktiyo" translates to "pagoda upon a hermit's head."

Journey of discovery
Reaching the Golden Rock is an adventure. Visitors typically travel to the base camp at Kinpun and then ascend in open trucks along winding roads. From there, they can hike the remaining distance or hire a sedan chair carried by porters.

The journey offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, lush forests, and traditional Mon villages, providing an immersive experience into Myanmar's natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is more than just a tourist destination; it's a profound symbol of Myanmar's spiritual heritage. The golden glow of the rock at sunrise and sunset, combined with the serene mountain atmosphere, creates an unforgettable experience for all who visit. Whether drawn by its religious significance, its natural wonder, or the allure of its legend, the Golden Rock promises a journey of discovery and reflection. –

References 

–  kyaiktiyopagoda.org
–  Go-Myanmar.com
–  Global New Light of Myanmar

DO you know what is the one thing every human seeks from the moment they understand what it means to be human until they die? I will give you the infallible answer: it is ‘happiness’. Take a moment to reflect on yourself; you will find that you have also been searching for ‘happiness’ every day and night, and even now, in your current situation, you are still pursuing ‘happiness’.
In childhood, we searched for happiness in playing and eating activities. When we reached adulthood, we sought happiness in our ability to provide for our needs and fulfill our emotional desires. As we age into the later stages of life, with declining health, we build happiness through exercises, medication, and engaging in activities we are passionate about, such as gardening, walking, enjoying music, or finding peace through meditation or religion. We continuously seek ‘happiness’ in ways that suit us best, isn’t that, right?
Here, I want to ask two questions: Have you truly found and felt happiness? Have you achieved satisfaction to the extent that you desire? In fact, you might be surprised to know that the ‘happiness’ we are searching for until the end of our lives is already within us. Please don’t be surprised, my friend. Now, I would like to share with you a study paper about the key points of ‘happiness’ conducted by a group of scientists. They are as follows:
If you were asked the question “What is happiness?”, then what would be your answer? It may be hard for you to come up with a clear-cut answer. Your answer may be different from those of other people. Moreover, the definition of happiness may change over time - today’s view on happiness may be a different one tomorrow. Thus, happiness is a difficult concept to measure, because it is not constant.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2016), ‘happiness’ means ‘a state of well-being and contentment’. Psychologically, when you are in a peaceful state of mind or when you have no stressful factors to think about, you are most likely to feel relaxed and happy. Whatever you are - a student, a worker, a housewife, or a pensioner, happiness means a better quality of life.
A group of scientists who have examined a number of studies from across the world have suggested ten ways to achieve happiness:
1. Have a good relationship with friends and family
It seems reasonable to assume that what makes people really happy is their relationships with others. Having a wide circle of friends and family is more enjoyable than having a lot of money. In addition, people with large families and lots of close friends are
happier than people who live on their own. Sometimes you may not be in a good mood or may feel depressed. At that time, if you hang out with friends or spend time with your family, your stressful feelings will be released. It has even been suggested that a happy home life and good friends can protect against illness.
2. Love your work and enjoy what you are doing
Some people feel passionate about their work and love what they are doing. In fact, job satisfaction and career success are important factors for your happiness. For example, you tend to achieve happiness when you can accomplish the tasks you have undertaken or when you become prosperous while doing the work you enjoy.
3. Be kind and help others
Treating everyone with kindness is another key element of happiness. Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place. According to studies by psychologists in different countries, when you help other people, it is not only good for them, it also makes you feel happier. A new survey has also revealed that generous people are happier and healthier than those who are not. The idea is that generosity gives them a nice, warm feeling when people say ‘thank you’ and show appreciation.
4. Don’t be envious of other people
The biggest barrier to happiness is envy, which is a state of desiring other people’s qualities, possessions, opportunities, etc. In your school or workplace, you will find yourself around people who are doing much better than you are. In that case, if you try not to judge yourself against other people, you will certainly be happier. People who are envious of others are more likely to experience negative emotions such as inferiority, dejection and depression. The best thing you should do is try to replace envy with such positive emotions as sympathy or empathetic joy.
5. Have better physical and mental health
Good health also is vital for happiness. It is undeniable that healthy people are happier than those who are not. To achieve true happiness, you must be fit, both physically and mentally - a happy person has better physical and mental health. It is widely known
that your mind and body are closely connected. If you feel stressed out, you are likely to experience fatigue and muscle tension. Similarly, if you feel happy and calm, you are likely to have more mental energy and more physical vitality.
6. Have a feeling of contentment
Contentment is the key to happiness - people who accept what they have are happier than people who crave for more career success and money. A recent survey shows that the simplest things in life are the most important for you. You tend to be happy with simple things, like a walk in a park, a beautiful sunset and an evening with a friend. It is true that people need to have a reasonable amount of material possessions, but wanting more than what is necessary breeds greed and frustration.
7. Get rich
Most people believe that money is the best way to find happiness. Of course, a person needs money to some extent in order to live comfortably. Rich people often consider that they are happy as they can buy expensive houses, new cars, big yachts and designer clothes. However, some people think happiness does not depend on money. Nevertheless, we can see many people trying to get rich in every possible way in the hope of achieving happiness in life.
8. Have a positive attitude to life
It is often said that life is composed of positive elements and negative elements. Having a positive attitude to life is a good way of finding happiness. For example, when you encounter difficulties in your school or work, you may feel disappointed and downhearted. At such a time, you must try to adopt a positive attitude to cope with these problems. You must also learn how to live contentedly with the negative elements of life rather than attempt to live a life where nothing bad ever happens. If you respond very positively to everything that happens, you will surely find happiness.
9. Think back to sweet memories from the past
You may be in a bad mood or feel downhearted from time to time, simply because you are looking inside you, thinking about bad things. A group of psychologists have discovered that thinking back to pleasant incidents in the past can improve your mood and make you more cheerful. For example, think about something in your childhood that gives you great pleasure, look at old photos showing happy events, or recall hearing news of someone’s good fortune. These sweet memories can put you in a better mood -they can make you smile, laugh, or feel joyful.
10. Practise meditation or mindfulness
Nowadays, people may suffer from work-related stress, which leads to severe diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. To reduce stress, people practise meditation, which is also known as mindfulness. The idea is that you find a clean floor, sit still, and pay attention to what is happening to you at that very moment. You should not think about the past or the future, just the present. Meditation will ease the tension in your body, clear your mind of negative thoughts, and give you a sense of inner peace and wellbeing.
Now that you have read the 10 findings of scientists on ‘happiness’, you should see that ‘happiness’ is an inherent value within us. It is our own mind that makes us unhappy. Once you understand this and apply it, for example, by practising the concept in point four or using the principles in points two or eight, you will find there is nothing more you need for ‘happiness’. You will have built complete ‘happiness’. People often overlook what is too close to them, like the saying goes, “too close to see.” It is unfortunate that we do not develop the virtues within us and instead, search for ‘happiness’ outside until the end of our lives. So, from today onwards, I encourage you to just be happy.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Political stability is truly the bottom line for national development which is the truth for every nation. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar has struggled with armed conflicts for over 70 years which is the main culprit for lag in development. Losses to the nation are still countless due to political instability. Under State Administration Council’s supervision, actions are being taken to revive NCA peace process which was initiated in 15 October, 2015. State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing highlighted about the importance of prompt implementation of NCA as “As NCA was drawn by stakeholders in accord with the proposals of ethnic armed organizations, only when all walk on that way will the peaceful and tranquil State we all aspire to. Hence, it is necessary to leave a peaceful legacy for prosperity and quickly implement the peace process” as an honor of 67th Anniversary of Kayin State Day Ceremony. 

When observing Singapore’s history, one of the four Asian Tigers, it has proved a stable political environment since its independence in 1965. This advantage has boosted its leaders’ attention on development initiatives. In addition, a well-rounded education system of Singapore, nurturing skilled human resources has allowed the country to stand out as one of the most developed countries in ASEAN. This is one of the vivid evidences of how political stability can grant the country and its citizens to create as a strong nation and perform their best. 

Undeniably, political instability has brought about declining foreign direct investment inflows, the dominance of black market, the increasing rate of inflation, the problem of brain drain, the spread of fake news and misinformation, among them, the worst fact is the fear of the public. When reflecting upon, the victory of every civil war is bittersweet, especially when the victims are the citizens. If it is accepted that every civil war happens for a reason and for different perceptions, it is to be accepted that its long-term consequence is disastrous. Every civil war is indeed bloody politics. 

Nowadays, global value chain which is international production sharing has taken into place among countries. Hence, when a country lacks political stability, developing a robust economy is difficult to achieve. Investors require political, legal, economic, taxation and financial conditions to remain stable as a guarantee of their investment in any home country. Hence, it is to be aware that every action and plan taken by different armed groups conveys the favorable conditions for the motherland in meeting global demand. It is a duty to prevent the motherland from going backward in an international setting. 

As of the beginning, the implementation of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement didn’t initiate based upon 100 % trust between parties. Depended upon existing trust, agreement was made on the basis of adhering to national interests. As the strength of the nation lies within, only when all different groups cooperate, will the nation be on the development route.

As soon as the YBS bus I rode in halted with a sharp squeal of hastily applied brakes at Marlar bus-stop, I jumped it off. Then, I crossed Pyi road, entered the Yangon University Campus by the gate in front of Yangon University of Economics and took the road leading straight to the Convocation Hall. The road was sheltered by the shady perennial trees which lined it. On the left I saw the Eco-canteen crammed with students and teachers and on the right red-brick residences of professors in large compounds fenced with hedges. The clattering sounds and loud voices of waiters attending to the needs of the customers coming from the canteen died away, as I walked further towards the Convocation Hall.

Soon, I got to the junction of the road and the Adhipati Road (Chancellor Road). I glanced at the Convocation Hall. It stood grave and solemn, preceded by two seated giant lion images. While looking at it, I remembered that Yangon University could build up a reputation as a top university in Asia in the 1950s. Across the Convocation Hall before the Science Hall was the Thit-pok tree, an emblem of Yangon University, tapering up into the sky. A group of students in exuberance of gay spirit was fidgeting with their hand-phones to photograph themselves. Along the pavement of the Adhipati Road before the Arts Hall were Ngu trees in full blossom. The Adhipati Road lined with Yetamar trees was running straight up to the main -gate which opened out into University Avenue. 

Calls of various species of birds rent the hot afternoon air. Now and then, fallen, withered leaves were carried away by eddying winds. The sun was scorching hot against the cloudless sky. In the intense heat, my nerves frayed. So I quickened my steps. In no time, I got in front of the Recreational Centre. Alas! There was a deluge of students- some sitting on the benches under the Gangaw trees before the library, some walking before the Arts Hall and the Science Hall and some gathering around the tea-shops in the Recreational Centre. After casting a sweeping glance at them, I turned into the path leading to the Yangon University Library. The patch of land in front of the library was thick with Gangaw trees heavily laden with flowers. I nosed my way through the students taking shelter under the thick foliage of the trees from the intense heat of the sun and cars parked there. I ascended the library by a short flight of stair-case. At the door, I found an old man wearing rimmed spectacles with a book open on the table placed in front. I wrote down my name and time of arrival and signed in the book and made a bee-line to the counter where staff were sitting. I returned the books I had borrowed to them and went to the catalogue-boxes and rummaged in them for the names of the books I wanted to borrow again.

Then I came down to the reading-room. But, much to my surprise, all the tables in the room were already occupied by students. Some students were with their eyes fixed on the books on the tables before them while some sitting with the open books before them, gazing abstractedly; some were surfing through the internet for the e-books they wanted to read; some in group working on their projects. With no vacant table, I gave up my desire of reading there and took leave.

When I arrived near the gate, I was captivated by the Myazedi stone inscribed pillar (rubbing)and the statue of Sayagyi Zawgyi (U Thein Han) erected there. It is learnt that this four-sided Myazedi stone pillar was inscribed in 1013 A.D in four languages –Myanmar, Pali, Mon and Pyu to record the donation of Prince Rajakumara, son of King Kyanzitha, and that it was the first stone inscription which carried Myanmar alphabets throughout Myanmar history. Sayagyi Zawgyi (U Thein Han), who was eminent poet in our country, succeeded Sayagi U Khin Zaw, whose pen name was ‘K’, who was the first librarian of the Yangon University Library. Successors to Sayagyi Zawgyi were Sayagyi U Taik Soe and Sayagyi U Thaw Kaung. I read the Myanmar version of the stone-pillar and saluted the statue of Sayagyi Zawgyi for his remarkable contributions to the world of Myanmar literature and the Yangon University Library. Then I left the library, saying good-bye to the old man who was standing guard at the door.

In conclusion, I find that the Yangon University Library is one of the longest-standing and biggest well-stocked libraries in Myanmar and that it has been providing many resources to the students and scholars for nearly one hundred years. Especially, at the present time when the student-centred approach is being emphasized at the university, the role of the resource centres like the Yangon University Library become more important. Therefore, I want to suggest here that the Yangon University Library should be upgraded and stocked with more books and made more easily accessible to those who want to use it. 

Photo- Architectural Guide: Yangon