By Nehginpao Kipgen

October 1, 2012
Aung San Suu Kyi's 17-day visit to the United States of America, which began on September 17, has been received with warmth and enthusiasm. Her years of perseverance and dedication have deservingly earned such recognition.

The thought of Suu Kyi receiving a standing ovation by members of the U.S. Congress at the Capitol Rotunda and a meeting with a U.S. President at the White House seemed unrealistic until recent years.

As Burma progresses with its democratic reforms, expectations await Suu Kyi. In Burma's democracy movement history, two remarkable statements from Suu Kyi's family continue to linger in the minds of the Burmese people, especially ethnic minorities.

"If Burma receives one kyat, you will also get one kyat" was made a year before the country's independence in 1948. Aung San, founder of the Burmese Independence Army and father of Suu Kyi, made this historic statement in an attempt to convince other nationalities to join the Union of Burma.

The objective of the statement was to guarantee equal rights for all nationalities in post-independent Burma, regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds.

That assurance convinced the Chin, the Kachin and the Shan leaders to join the interim government led by Aung San, which led to the formation of the Union of Burma on February 12, 1947. Until today, February 12 has been observed as the country's Union Day.

Even after sixty years of the country's independence, minority problems in the country remain unresolved. Ceasefires have been reached with majority of armed ethnic groups, but tension remains high in the Kachin state. The core issue of autonomy has also remained uncertain.

"Please use your liberty to promote ours" was a statement Aung San Suu Kyi made in her commencement address to the American University in Washington, D.C. in 1997. The objective was to garner the support of the international community.

During her tour in the United States, Suu Kyi has been asked questions on minority problems, particularly in Kachin and Rakhine (Arakan) states. In similar responses, Suu Kyi emphasized the need for rule of law but refrained from condemning the Burmese military.

Burma's post-independent era has been plagued by majority-minority conundrum, which ethnic minorities have accused the majority group of adopting Burmanization policy and Burman chauvinism.

As someone who receives unflinching support from ethnic minorities, Suu Kyi needs to speak up more on minority problems. The issue must not wait until she becomes head of the government or when her National League for Democracy has majority members in the parliament.

Suu Kyi's reticence could entail the country's ethnic minorities to question her leadership and credibility. As she once famously said, she must use her freedom to promote others and stress the need for equality of rights for all ethnic nationalities which her late father envisaged.

The latest U.S. government's decision to lift economic sanctions should be a new impetus for both Thein Sein government and Suu Kyi-led opposition to address ethnic conflict and human rights violations in minority territories.

A democracy without resolving minority problems will not bring durable peace and stability in the country. Building mutual trust is essential to strengthening the relationship between the majority Burman and the minority non-Burman groups.

Being the daughter of Aung San, her connection with the Western world, as a Noble peace prize recipient, and because of her relentless commitment toward democracy and human rights, Suu Kyi has the respect that no other of her contemporaries has in the Burmese politics. She must utilize this unique position to win the hearts and minds of ethnic minorities in order to build a unified and vibrant multi-ethnic society.

The writer Nehginpao Kipgen is general secretary of the US-based Kuki International Forum. His general research interests include political transition, democratization, human rights, ethnic conflict and identity politics. His research focuses on the politics of South and Southeast Asia, with a concentration on Burma/Myanmar. He has written numerous academic (peer-reviewed) and nonacademic analytical articles on the politics of Burma and Asia that have been widely published internationally.

IMPHAL, October 1: The Integrated Manipuri Association, Bangladesh organized the 116th Birth Anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot at the Irabot Complex at Vanubil, Bangladesh on October 30.

The observation was attended by numerous Manipuris residing in Bangladesh, said a press statement of the IMA, Bangladesh.

The observation started at 11am with the people offering floral tributes to the leader.

The offering of floral tributes was followed by a group discussion.

The discussion was presided over by IMA BANGLADESH president Md Abdul Mojid Choudhury with Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad, president AK. Seram as Chief Guest.

Bangladesh Manipuri Mahila Samity, president S Rina Devi, IMA Bangladesh, advisor Thongam Dhiren, Manipuri Sanskrity Parishad president Thongam Chandrakity, Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad, Kamalgonj Branch president Khoirom Indrajit as guests of honour also attended the discussion.

As part of the observation, a poem recital competition on two of Irabot’s poems Atumbagi leibak,

Ningthibi Ema Manipur was also held, said a press statement signed by its secretary general Thingujam Hiron.

Missouri, September 30: Singer Andy Williams has died at 84 years old on Tuesday. He had been fighting bladder cancer for a year. He died in his home in Branson, Missouri.

Williams recorded eighteen gold- and three platinum-certified albums. He owned the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri. Williams had a variety show on television called "The Andy Williams Show" from 1962 to 1967 and 1969 to 1971. Williams also hosted Christmas specials.

His songs included Moon River, Can't Take My Eyes off You, and Christmas song It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

40th President of the United States Ronald Reagan said Williams' voice was "a national treasure".

Williams was born Howard Andrew Williams on December 3, 1927 in Wall Lake, Iowa. His older brothers Robert, Donald, and Richard and he formed the Williams Brothers, a singing quartet. He married Claudine Longet in 1961 and they divorced in 1975. In 1991, he married Debbie Haas.

IMPHAL, Sep 30 : Besides decrying the bomb attack on September 28 at Kwatha Khunou Lamkhai, in which a civilian was killed while two women were injured, the Kwatha Village Authority has decided to impose a 24 hour bandh on the Imphal-Moreh line from 6 am of October 1 till 6 am of October 2 to protest the indifference of the Government to the pains and sufferings faced by the villagers.

If the Government does not respond positively to the woes of the people of Kwatha then more agitation will be taken up in the coming days, said the village authority.

In a statement issued to the press today, the Kwatha Village Authority said that N Sangaijao, who was killed in the bomb attack, was a prominent person of the village, who always took the lead in taking up any cause for the people and the place. In his death the people of Kwatha have lost a valuable member.

Drawing the attention of the State Government, the Village Authority urged for immediate intervention so as to remove the fear psychosis that has gripped the people of the village.

The bandh however will be relaxed for essential services including electricity, medical, water supply, religious ceremonies and the media.

The Kwatha People Welfare Organisation, the All Kwatha Meira Paibi and Kwatha Schedule Caste Youth Club have also condoled the demise of Sangaijao.

In a statement, the Kwatha Peoples Welfare Organisation said that N Sangaijao served as the village secretary of Kwatha from 1989 to 1993 and added in his death, Kwatha village has lost someone who always kept the interest of the people above everything else.

The Organisation also expressed strong disapproval over the stoic silence maintained by the State Government over the sense of loss and suffering of the people of Kwatha.

IMPHAL, Sep 30 : Manipur and her people today paid fitting to tributes Lamyanba Hijam Irabot on the occasion of the late leader’s 116th birth anniversary.

A Kario Isaac Maheo speaks in the function.

Imphal: Thousands of people from all walks of life across Senapati district braved the rain to welcome and felicitate the Super Fight League Challengers Champion, A Kario Isaac Maheo at Senapati ground on Saturday.

Organised by the District Administration and Senapati District Olympic Association, Manipur (SDOAM), the programme was attended by five-time world champion and Olympic Bronze medallist MC Mary Kom as the chief guest.

Felicitating the champion, T Robert Maram, president of SDOAM, lauds Kario as a different person as he has proved differently and wished that he continue to be different and that he will be the path breaker of Senapati district.

“People of Senapati has been projected badly but this success has proved it otherwise, said L Markson, president of NPO.

The SFL Champion while addressing the congregation expressed his gratitude to everyone for their support and prayers.

His satisfaction comes from sharing the success with everyone and having Mary Kom during his final bout and today is one of his greatest moment. His advice to all the youngsters is “if you have a dream or a passion, trust in God. Don’t be afraid to live it. Just go for it. If somebody like me can do, then why cant you?

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, the five time world champion and the Olympic bronze medallist who is also the brand ambassador of SFL, expressed the danger of the game and calls it a real game.
Advising Kario to keep working hard as this is just the beginning of his career, she said he has an international future ahead and he should always believe in winning, no matter who the opponent is.

“I am a married woman with two kids, if I can win an Olympic medal, why cant you?” was the challenge Mary Kom put up to Kario. Inviting youths to embrace sports, she assured them of all possible assistance in nurturing enthusiast boxers and refining them as sportspersons.Regretting the failure of the government to implement proper facilities for sportspersons, she wished the government to put their words into action.