Have your say about youth & future country!
Let's discuss and share with us how u feel about it in this blog.
Feel free to voice out ur view in the comments.
We intend to use it for our upcoming issue 6, April 2006.
Editors
Thanlwin Ainmat
December 05, 2005
Youth & Future Country
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11 comments:
Some people look down on those who live in developed countries as un-patriotic. At the same time, they do not appreciate the existence and the contribution of those who are in Myanmar.
I think people just should follow their own interest. I would encourage those who want to live in better worlds. I also would not go against a few who really want to go back and serve the country (not necessarily the government). But I would urge all to learn what their interests are and where they should belong according to their interests and where they would be most productive.
For myself, I really would like to go back to Myanmar and live for my life. I know I will. But this doesn't mean that I am very patriotic. I love my country and people in it but I am not quite sure what patriotism means.
As far as I understand, it can have negative effects. For example, my Physics teacher was "patriotic" and went back to Myanmar from US after his Ph.D. to teach at Yangon University and "contribute to the country." Actually, his efforts didn't result any significant outcomes. In other word, nothing would have differed from today's condition if he did not come back to Myanmar. Actually there is a loss, he could have lived in the U.S. and contributed to mankind more. At least he could be richer_ so at least one person (himself) benefits. He is a great professor. But resources that ought to be available for education were frozen and his efforts were hindered. Myanmar (the government) just wasted his contributions and neglected him. And nobody thinks of him as specially "patriotic."
However, this example alone would not support that people who are abroad should not go back to Myanmar. The counter example is "Singapore's Father," Lee Kuan Yew. Many people would think of him as patriotic. (by the time he graduate in Britain, he could have lived there and enjoy higher living standard.) But I don't think my teacher is less patriotic than Lee Kuan Yew. I think he just did according to his interest/ego. He was successful and many other people also enjoyed from his success.
However, telling the truth, I believe people would prefer people like Lee Kuan Yew than people like my teacher. I also think they are right. This is also because as I said, people should follow their interest/benefit.
My teacher could have lived in the U.S., visited Myanmar and give away some money to poor children who cannot get education. Now, even though he would love to do so, he cannot.
Buddha taught greed is bad. It is true. However in the real world where most people cannot think about Nirvana, greed is good as long as it does not destroy other's interest. Self-interst/greed energized the developments in the materialistic world. Nearly all inventions are the results of greed.
For those who decide to live in better worlds, I would request to remember Myanmar and give it priority when they want to make donations, or when they want to start business, etc. Just go for your own interest. You are the one who know yourself best and where you will do best. If you do your best in doing for your own interest, other people will benefit directly or indirectly. For those who really want to go back, I would say "great," but I would also ask, "Is it really what you want to do?" Don't put "patriotism" in deciding such things. Remember, you might be in a position that you can enjoy your life better in the better worlds and at the same time you can contribute to Myanmar more. "Patriotism" may be bad. It may be a word that was invented to make people in better conditions to feel obliged and indebted to those in lower conditons. So Just know yourself.
In order to discuss the issue on Youth and future country, let me first explain about what I understand from my perspective. It’s neither a matter of someone nor an elite group of people. It’s a matter of a country we concern about no matter where you are in the country or overseas. I won’t argue with those who have no concern for the country. Like the article I read in Living Color Magazine lately, some kites wish to fly away from their origin and cut down the string attached. Even if anyone of you is willing to join that queue, count me out. My final destiny is my own country. It’s where my home and future are.
Do you ever feel bad about being discriminated as you come from third world country? Do you ever feel bad about being away from your love ones and totally lost in the middle of nowhere? Do you know what brings you to all these situations? If you realize the true facts, we might need you, the capable youths, to transform the entire country and start afresh. Whenever I talked about my concern for my country to some of my friends who are from developed countries, they raised questions why I have much concern into it. My answer is I’m keen on that in order my next generation not to feel the same like I experienced. If we youth have the same feelings to create a better future for the country, it’s a great blessing for our next generation. Isn’t it?
I always pay respects to those who sacrificed themselves for their country. They have great moral and passion for their people. Are we going to say simply they’re just exercising the patriotism? Leave the matter on succeed or fail aside. Make sure you do not blame others by saying they’re just making a patriotic stunt. At least, they did play their role for the sake of country. Ask yourself about your intention to contribute for the country. That’s the answer we need from all of you, the capable youths, inside and outside of the country. Let me count on you and all the youths, the best assets of the country, to create the better future together.
This is a very good title "Youths and Future Nation" for readers to read. Unfortunately, I DON'T think we have much to say or hope for good things that youths will bring to our nation so called Burma because our youths' brains are draining to other countries and nothing good is left in Burma. Too bad, too sad!
I agree with Nyi Nyi. Our country depends on us and only us.
There are many people who just don't concern about our country. I have some friends who will never go back to Burma. I know it is bad for the country. However we can't blame them. What did the country contribute to these young people? If you (I don't refer "you" here as Nyi Nyi or anybody. It is just a pronoun.) think about it seriously, there is almost none. You can say that the country feed us, educate us. Actually would the country feed or educate us if our parents do not work? There are many kids in the country who cannot go to school but instead have to become stree vendors to live. Does the country care about those kids? The answer is clearly "NO." The country does not have any plan for the young people's future. It hasn't done many good things such as education for them and it will not do anything better in the future. You can blame this to the government. Yes, this is right. It is clear that the government plans systematically to make young people less capable so that they will not become efficient enemies. However blaming the youths who do not want to come back means that the blamer does not care about and appreciate their sacrifices. These young people have suffered a lot. They tried hard to escape the sufferings and some managed to escape. They were on their own. So I think they have their right to enjoy better lives.
It seems that I have been doing as a defending attorney for these people. Actually, I am saying some facts from different point of views. (However I would not support those whose fathers are generals who rob the country and send their kids to get better lives.)
However, these people, even though they decide not to live in Burma, love our country to some extent. I believe these people, who have managed to improve themselves, have enough intelligence to differenciate that it is mostly the government but not Burmese people that made their lives harder. So I believe that they will do at least something to contribute back to our country.
As I have pointed out in the previous thread, those who decided to live in better worlds might be able to contribute more than those who decide to go back and live in our country. Here is my supporting example. I dropped out from IM2 to come to the U.S. (So far I decide to go back some day (not retire age)) Starting next February, I will be able to support a 10th std student in my street (in Tharkayta) 15,000ks a month for tuition fee. If I did not come to U.S. and if I decided to attend IM2, I would not have been able to help such a kid get a chance to make his dream come true. Actually, I would have to ask money from my parents for my own expenses. So, I would say that those who decide to live in better worlds might be able to contribute more to the country (people) than those in the country/those decide to go back.
Here is my word for my peers. "Guys, we have suffered but we have managed to get a chance to live better lives and we should have the right to do so. However, we are handful of people who have managed to find a better world. Nobody but we have justified our sufferings. However, whatever you decide to do: live in the world with better living standards or go back, please keep in mind that if we don't do anything for our country, we will see in the future more people like us who will suffer. Most of them will not be able to make their lives as good as we do. And it is only upon us to change these conditions. So take a role, change the tradition and become a person to make the days of our country's future youths different."
Patriotism to me - How Strong you feel about your country. Do you feel any bond between you and your country? I am here talking about natives of the country. Personally, I feel that I don't belong to the foreign country that I am working/studying in. Some people might feel absoultely alright with living in the foreign country. People from developing country may earn better, lead happier life in the developed countries. They may think if they can contribute some donation to the particular fund( Be it education or health) for the country and at the same time they can feed and provide their family well, that is better than going back to the poor country and slave for nothing. Yes, something is absoulely better than nothing. But will the country change? The country definitely needs action from youth. Young man called Lee Kwan Yew built Singapore, Miracle of South East Asia.
a young student called aung san establish the army of burma that won independence of the country, a young african called Mandela changed the history of south africa, a young black called Martin Luther King stood up for his people and today black in america are enjoying the rights he had fought for, a young shan refugee called charm tong works hard and bravely under very dangerous situation to bring international attention to the plight of her people( especially shan women) and there are/were many other youths who made the history of the country, the society and the world. The country needs youths like the mother needs her son. Youths with vision are the invaluable and indispensible for the country. The country will not change or develop or free unless there are actions of the youths. The youths of the country are its very own people that can change its future, nobody else.
The courage of the youth are the only fire that can lit up the torch of the country.
This is such a great topic and I'm glad to see many people concerning about our country.
Hi Ko Ko Maung, when you said
"Actually would the country feed or educate us if our parents do not work? There are many kids in the country who cannot go to school but instead have to become stree vendors to live. Does the country care about those kids? The answer is clearly "NO." The country does not have any plan for the young people's future. It hasn't done many good things such as education for them and it will not do anything better in the future.
you didn't not differentiate the fact "country = people + government". If you look at any developed country, people cannot do anything you said. This is 100% the responsibility of the governments. So you can't blame the country since you're blaming the people; neither can you ignore the country, since you'll ignore its innocent and poor people.
Another thing is as JFK said "ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country", if we want to see Myanmar as a developed nation, we'll have to contribute to its people whether we were blessed so or not.
I totally agree with you on the fact that youths can live anywhere they like, especially under current situation. It's not fair to blame those people. 3 x Thardu for your generous donation to students. That's so great of you. I'll try to do something similar in the future too.
Imagine although we can't go back to Myanmar, but we all do such contributions to help people, what a big difference we will make!!! In the world you're someone. For someone you're the world.
I don't think trying to escape from your own suffering is "greed" according to Buddha. Buddha always encourages the middle path avoiding two extremes. So we all need to have balanced "Atta Hita (interest for self)" and "Pra Hita(interest for others). AH alone is cruel and PH without AH is not possible too. So the difference between Lee Kuan Yew and your Physics teacher is LKY could choose both, but your teacher chose PH at the time and place where AH couldn't be achieved.
Let's not forget our country (ie people) under any circumstances. Let's help new generation not to suffer the things we have gone through.
I just found this website.through from Thanlwin E zine.I lived in UK(the place of ugly and kruel people)I have medical degree and treat some people so you can called me doctor.
why do we leave our country?
I m not greedy. but whenever I saw pepole with big cars and cell phones with invisible business in Rangoon I thought I must go outside of this country and search some money for my family,BUT IN FACT MOST OF MYANMAR FACED LOTS OF PROBLEM IN UK , excluding rich people's offrings.
Try to sing a song a loud " Da doh pyay da doh myay" and "A may ein"whenever I missed my homeland and contiue fighting for my survival.
Myanmar will be the top someday"
NEVERSURRENDER
This Blog seems like one of the online Forum for Burmese nationalist and patriotic around the world instead typical e-zine editor’s blog or web journal. I am very glad that this blog was born and it breeds the new opportunities to show our perceptions, suggestions and beliefs on current affair on Burma.
Everyone here seem to come from all corners of world and live in their own life to pursue own dreams. Yet we all share one common thing. We all want to do good deeds for our mother country although we all know current situation can’t be helped much. So meantime we have no choice but to carry on with our own daily life and keep listening to the progress (or regress?). I am also no in different, en routing my own dreams in small island city state in Asia, hoping one day I will go back and try to help developing mother country.
After reading the comments above, those things reminds me of one thing bothering me: SOCIAL DILEMMA.
It is about these 2 things: Brain Draining VS Not Becomes the helping hand for corrupted People.
Like Anonymous :(12/20/2005), many feel that collaborating with corrupted people and become rich is bad thing. And yet even after we are educated outside of Burma, we are still considering to work inside neither Burma nor collaborating with big people inside. Some just feel it is very hard to compete with them. Some feel it is not morally right to collaborating with them. Some feel rather going somewhere else where they can earn more or less same amount of money under foreign domain. Some expect it would be more fruitful and beneficial for all parties if they go back after Burma is liberated. Some might politically believe that working under particular regime may eventually lead to helping them from the fall and slow down evolution (revolution) process. But for whatever ground one takes to make final decision not to go back meantime and polishing their knowledge and skills under outside of country with finical gain, we all dreamed about one day how we can contribute back to our country.
However, I heard about comments and perceptions of people of Burma and outside discussing about brain draining time to time. Intellectuals, some teachers, tutors, politicians, officials and professionals voice out that leaving the country in mess and try to pursue own dream could be considered as brain draining for mother country.
Lack of knowledge workers and majority pool of middle-class families and people is one of the factor country can’t go into democratic change. And this braining also somehow affect on macro economy of the country. Economy will somehow encourage industries to base on non-knowledge base businesses. Eventually, only when we have more educated people, country will move to developing stage without much bloodshed and turmoil. Thus people inside sometimes like to portray people who persuade their own dream and knowledge outside as doing selfish act. Or sometimes they try to distant themselves from people outside as we are doing bad thing. Or one may envy on whose can lead their life outside of deeply corrupted system.
Whatsoever, this brain draining itself could be considered as the barrier for our mother country to become developed country. And some said changes only can be done from inside. And the bigger most threat is when a state fail, it would be much more difficult to put it back into right track. And by then people waiting outside for opportunity to contribute would not even have chance anymore.
So now my comment/question on matter is when one ask me to decided ON Social Dilemma : Collaborating with corrupted system or let brain drain happen . So far my answer is to let brain drain happen. Coz it is more destructive to collaborate with bad system coz I am scared that I might get corrupted along the way even before Burma end/meet the revolution (evolution).
But I believe one day, eventually we all may need to go back to Burma to participate though evolution/revolution process when the time calls.
And many others may have different opinions and stands on their own decision about dilemma which lies upon our country future. And hope we all can come up with some better solution to solve this dilemma before anything too late.
KeepSharingSoThatNoONeLeftOut.
"Collaborating with corrupted system or let brain drain happen"
That is quite a catch.Starting from last month,there was a hype for Myanmar unicode fonts(not off-topic,read ahead).I was one of those craze who is willing to search and share the things I experience through my so-called work experiences but not long after a hype, there are some debates like this already.Flaming wars on unicode font.
The question is that, are we co-operative enough to contribute ??
And another painfulfact is that most of the people who are using internet everydays from Myanmar are teenagers.So you can expect what they will be searching and doing on the internet. The older people including my father do not bother to use it at all.
Why do we have to talk when nobody is listening?
Let me continue to discuss on this interesting topic from my perspective again. In the previous post, someone questioned if we are cooperative enough to contribute and pointed out the debates on unicode. In my opinion, it's better to have other people participate than let alone the research team works on the unicode font. "Participation" can be either in the same team or different team with the same goal. I think it's a good practice to compete and debate. By doing so, we could definitely attain better results. Personally speaking, I'd choose the easiest and best unicode font available if I were to use.
In the same post, it was mentioned that teenagers are the ones mostly using Internet in Myanmar and concluded that it can be expected what they will be searching and doing over the Internet. It sounds like quite pessimistic with regards to teenagers in Myanmar. Do not simply assume that teenagers do not know much. Frankly speaking, I passed through my early teenager life in Myanmar and late in Singapore. When I was a teenager, I tried to read, ask elders and explore in Internet to find out the truths and real facts about the hidden scenes and untold stories of the country. I believe there are many teenagers who have strong interests for the country and passionate enough to pursue their goals than those of selfish adults.
Again, it was said in the same post that the older people do not bother to use Internet at all. Let me argue on that. There is no definition stated that Internet is not a place for older people. I'd say it's a place for all of us who like to explore. In fact, it's not a matter of age. It's only the matter of accepting to change or refuse based on personal interests.
I suppose it could be the writer's personal opinion saying why we have to talk when nobody is listening. It's correct that nobody will listen when someone talks nonsense.
In our scenario, some people may not be listening because it could be beyond their touch or they're not totally aware on the issues. Anyway, I count on you guys to convince those who are not listening so that they could hear the words from our hearts for our beloved country.
I am so glad that we have such a blog where we, all myanmar youths, can discuss about this topic. Personally, I am right now comtemplating with this very issue whether to go back to myanmar after I graduate or to stay here. If we discuss some practical plans such as how should we go about bringing good changes, not necessairly political, to our country even from wherever we are. Since we are out of the country, we have more access with the world and we can make connections
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