Message sent by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing to the ceremony to mark the 104th Anniversary of National Victory Day 2024
(25 November 2024)
Esteemed entire Myanmar people,
I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the people of Myanmar, including fellow citizens and ethnic communities, for good health, happiness, and prosperity in all aspects of life on the auspicious occasion of the 104th National Victory Day which falls on the 10th Waning of Tazaungmone 1386 Myanmar era and 25 November 2024, today.
This historic and significant day marks the resistance against the colonial rulers’ oppressive education system designed to perpetuate their domination. It is also the day that inspired patriotism and revitalized national pride among the entire Myanmar people. Therefore, it remains an unforgettable day for all citizens of Myanmar.
Colonialists exploited the nation’s valuable natural resources for their own benefit and ruled oppressively. They deliberately prevented the Myanmar national races from accessing higher education and used various methods to hinder their ability to progress on par with the times. As a result of repeated demands by the Myanmar people for the establishment of a university in Myanmar, the colonial rulers enacted the University Act on 1 December 1920.
This act imposed various restrictions that hampered Myanmar youth from continuing their university education. As a result, students with a strong sense of nationalism, including Ko Ba Shin, Ko Pho Kun, and Ko Phay Thein, led a group of 11 senior students to protest against the education system. In the colonial era when Myanmar was under foreign occupation, their movement encouraged the entire Myanmar people to awaken with the nationalistic spirit to be free from foreign rule. It also inspired the people to take action for their freedom and social justice, motivating them to endure personal sacrifices for the greater cause of national liberation from colonial rule.
The history of Myanmar’s struggle for independence showed the spirit of patriotism and unity which have proven to be a powerful force, as evidenced by the national victories that were achieved. The celebrations of National Victory Day, which were held annually without fail across the entire Union of Myanmar, have now reached their 104th year.
Esteemed entire Myanmar people,
Peace is the foundation for the country’s economic development, the improvement of the social lives of its citizens, the harmony and stability within the Union, and the rule of law. Through mutual respect and understanding between national races, cooperation between individuals can be fostered, and misunderstandings and conflicts can be reduced, resolving issues through dialogue. Relationships based on trust allow challenges to be overcome together, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and collaborative coexistence, ensuring longterm and sustainable peace. If political issues are resolved through armed conflict instead of political means, it will result in a situation where there is freedom but no peace. Furthermore, it is essential to be mindful that the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty must be preserved to avoid any potential risks.
The State Administration Council has been holding discussions with political parties and ethnic armed organizations to achieve permanent peace, and has been able to document the positions obtained from these bilateral talks for further discussion and approval in future sessions of Hluttaw.The talks are being continuously conducted and will continue to be carried out. This being so, it is time for all national brethren to eliminate misunderstandings and doubts, reject undesirable ideologies, and come together in mutual trust, respect, and love. Everybody must join hands to build durable peace. By exercising the rights granted under the nation’s constitution, I urge everyone to work together in unity to achieve national stability, peace, and development.
Esteemed entire people and national brethren,
For the development and progress of a nation, it is necessary to nurture and develop the intellectual capacity of its citizens. Focusing on the growth of their intellect and knowledge plays a key role in ensuring the continuous development of the country. In terms of nation-building and development, the State Administration Council is actively supporting the emergence of skilled human resources who are proficient in advanced fields of study, ensuring that highly qualified human resources are available for further development.
Essentially, it is easier to acquire knowledge and skills only when one has received formal education. The government is implementing a comprehensive education system that allows everyone to access education, with the aim of nurturing skilled and exceptional young people with five strengths of capacity who can contribute to the country’s growth. When educated youth serve with dedication and a sense of responsibility, they will bring benefits to the nation. The balance between knowledge and skills will create advantages in various fields such as politics, economics, and society, and it will foster unity and harmony in the country.
Parents and teachers are key figures in nurturing high-quality, thoughtful, and outstanding human resources. Parents must guide their children from birth to adulthood, providing education, healthcare, moral development, and discipline. Teachers, on their part, must carry out their duties with dedication, striving to embody the qualities of an exemplary educator. They must foster a sense of responsibility and accountability, with the mindset, discipline, and knowledge necessary to nurture future generations of well-rounded citizens who will contribute positively to the nation.
Esteemed entire Myanmar people,
It is essential that every citizen has to accept the concept that they have to serve a duty to train and nurture educated, compassionate, and capable young people who will become the future builders of the nation, and to carry out this responsibility with great seriousness and care.
The government has implemented a free education system to ensure that all school-age children have access to education and can attend school until at least the completion of the KG+9 scheme. This system is designed to produce a well-rounded human resource base capable of contributing to the development of a modern, developed nation. Achieving this goal requires the full cooperation of parents, teachers, and students in order to ensure success at every level.
The national education process is not something that can be completed in a short time, nor is it a task that can be accomplished by the efforts of just one person. Success can only be achieved when all citizens actively participate with a national spirit. In implementing this process, success can only be achieved through patience, determination, and perseverance in the face of challenges. While the government provides support from all sectors, all responsible individuals and the public need to work together in unity. Therefore, I urge everyone to be aware of, understand, and collaborate in the efforts to improve and elevate the education sector for the better future of the nation.
Esteemed entire Myanmar people,
The State Administration Council has been implementing national prosperity and food security as part of the national cause. National prosperity refers to the ability of all citizens to live peacefully under the rule of law, to receive education, and to engage in employment. In areas of national races, activities of terrorists and armed insurgents have disrupted peace, the rule of law, and regional development.Furthermore, the learning opportunities for students and the employment opportunities for locals are being lost, severely impacting their socioecono-mic lives. As the State Administration Council continues to take responsibility for maintaining the peace and pros-perity of the community, upholding the rule of law, and contributing to nation-building endeavours, it is crucial that all national races come together in unity and cooperation.
To ensure food security, it is essential for the people of Myanmar to not only maintain traditional agricultural and livestock practices but also to innovate in food production using modern techniques. It is necessary to form cooperative societies to develop agriculture, livestock, and manufacturing industries, and through these efforts, to establish factories and workshops
based on agricultural and livestock products. Across the country, in each state and region, micro, small and medium-scale enterprises based on domestic raw materials and agricul-ture and livestock products must be developed to ensure success. In these endeavours, the government will provide support with capital, technology, and other necessary resources.
In successive eras, domestic production industries have weakened, and the importation of foreign goods increased, leading to a growing need for foreign currency. During the period when the State Administration Council took responsibility, they made efforts
to preserve natural resource production as much as possible. Instead of exporting natural resource materials, they focused on increasing the export of agricultural and livestock breeding products. As economic growth is crucial for national development, efforts are being made to foster economic development.
I would like to urge the entire national people to place special emphasis on boosting domestic production for food security. Similarly, efforts should be made to enhance the production of export goods, which will reduce the need for foreign currency and increase revenue. If the national economy improves, the socio-economic lives of the people will also develop, and in accordance with the country’s economic policy objectives, development will progress equally across regions and states.
Esteemed entire people and national brethren,
The National Victory Day marked the beginning of the dawn of independence and the early period of national cause. It is through the noble virtues of those who sowed the seeds of the National Victory Day that the final victory was achieved. Thanks to National Victory Day, the spirit of nationalism was elevated to such an extent that it has now reached the point where everybody can approach the goal of independence. This progress is now clearly visible to all.
On this distinguished and auspicious National Victory Day, in accordance with the 104th National Victory Day theme, ‘Let’s unite all nationalities for Union peace’, I urge all citizens of Myanmar to harness the strength, resolve, and energy passed down by our ancestors for the durable peace and sustainable development of the Union of Myanmar which is a heritage of our ancestors through the Union spirit and united national strength.
In conclusion, I would like to urge all ethnic people to unite with a national spirit, working together with determina-tion and building a great Union based on democracy and a federal system to achieve success in the implementation of the national objectives of the this year’s National Victory Day: To foster mutual respect and trust among all nationalities, ensuring durable peace;
To cultivate a well-educated populace with the knowledge and skills neces-sary for the State’s development; To encourage nationwide support for the education sector, contributing towards the allround development of the State; and To enhance domestic production, ensuring the prosperity and food security of the State.
Senior General Thadoe Maha
Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri
Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
Prime Minister
Chairman, State Administration Council
