Access to water is crucial. For riverine communities, in particular, access to waterways is vital for every aspect of life, from food security to trade and navigation. With 10 river basins with a combined surface water potential of 1,000 cubic kilometers, Myanmar’s waterways are a lifeline for the communities that rely on them. At the same time, they are attractive to investors due to their huge combined 100-gigawatt hydropower potential, the region’s highest.
Foreign aid agencies are knocking on the door of Myanmar’s government, industries and community organizations. The recent surge in development aid pouring into Myanmar saw a nearly 800 percent increase in 2013 from 2012, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Companies are also queuing up to invest; many of which are interested in developing Myanmar’s water resources.
International organizations want to help Myanmar eradicate poverty; and the private sector wants to build industry that will develop the economy and connect the country to the region. With limited policy and regulation, how can the private and public sectors work together better to help secure the investments Myanmar needs develop its waterways, and in doing so, eradicate poverty and set new standards? (Courtesy of devex.com)
April 19, 2016
It's way past time to stop mistreating Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar
There are more refugees and displaced people today, driven from their home by war, persecution, poverty, and climate change, than at any time since World War II. In America, perhaps, it is the Syrian refugee crisis that earns the most attention. But there is another crisis which also speaks deeply to the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and to the Muslim world: the plight of the Rohingya.
The Rohingya are the indigenous people of southwestern Myanmar, or so-called Rakhine State. For years now, they have taken to overcrowded and leaky boats on the open sea, submitted to dangerous human trafficking networks, and seen their families split apart in a desperate bid to find safety somewhere, anywhere. Like many of the world’s refugees, they are Muslim.
But Myanmar is not Syria, torn apart by civil war. Last year, Myanmar’s economy was the fastest-growing in the world. Myanmar is entering a widely heralded new era of democracy, under the direction of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Some of the praise she and her country receive is deserved. But much of it overlooks the unacceptable treatment of her Muslim citizens, who have suffered an ongoing and accelerating process of "otherization" and dehumanization that is deeply frightening to watch. (Courtesy of latimes.com)
The Rohingya are the indigenous people of southwestern Myanmar, or so-called Rakhine State. For years now, they have taken to overcrowded and leaky boats on the open sea, submitted to dangerous human trafficking networks, and seen their families split apart in a desperate bid to find safety somewhere, anywhere. Like many of the world’s refugees, they are Muslim.
But Myanmar is not Syria, torn apart by civil war. Last year, Myanmar’s economy was the fastest-growing in the world. Myanmar is entering a widely heralded new era of democracy, under the direction of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Some of the praise she and her country receive is deserved. But much of it overlooks the unacceptable treatment of her Muslim citizens, who have suffered an ongoing and accelerating process of "otherization" and dehumanization that is deeply frightening to watch. (Courtesy of latimes.com)
36 killed during Myanmar's water festival
During the five-day water festival, 14 people were killed and 235 injured in accidents while 17 deaths were registered in other cases, Xinhua news agency reported.
A total of three murders also were reported during the festival, according to Myanmar Police.
The Yangon region saw a decrease in the number of cases related to the festival since last year, and police thanks the people for it. (Courtesy of newkerala.com)
A total of three murders also were reported during the festival, according to Myanmar Police.
The Yangon region saw a decrease in the number of cases related to the festival since last year, and police thanks the people for it. (Courtesy of newkerala.com)
April 18, 2016
Myanmar's Suu Kyi Vows to Amend Junta-Era Constitution
Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed Monday to push for constitutional amendments to build a true democracy in the Southeast Asian country as it emerges from decades of military control.
Suu Kyi made the comments in a nationally televised address to mark the start of the Buddhist new year, highlighting her hopes for the future and also the difficult tasks ahead for her new government.
"Our policies and principles are to ensure national reconciliation, internal peace, the rule of law, amendments to the constitution and keeping the democratic system dynamic," she said.
"The constitution needs to be one that will give birth to a genuine democratic union," she said. "We need constitutional amendments." (Courtesy of ABC News)
Suu Kyi made the comments in a nationally televised address to mark the start of the Buddhist new year, highlighting her hopes for the future and also the difficult tasks ahead for her new government.
"Our policies and principles are to ensure national reconciliation, internal peace, the rule of law, amendments to the constitution and keeping the democratic system dynamic," she said.
"The constitution needs to be one that will give birth to a genuine democratic union," she said. "We need constitutional amendments." (Courtesy of ABC News)
Suu Kyi talks federalism: Promises greater autonomy to Myanmar's minorities
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday vowed to press for greater autonomy for the nation's ethnic minorities, in an early move to soothe the rebellions roiling the country after her party's ascent to power.
The country has been swept up in optimism for a more peaceful and prosperous future since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power from the military on 1 April.
But the democracy figurehead warned Myanmar's prospects pivot on ending ethnic conflicts that have blistered the country since its independence in 1948.
To do so, the National League for Democracy government will seek "a real federal democratic union," she said in a televised address marking Myanmar's New Year. (Courtesy of firstpost.com)
The country has been swept up in optimism for a more peaceful and prosperous future since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power from the military on 1 April.
But the democracy figurehead warned Myanmar's prospects pivot on ending ethnic conflicts that have blistered the country since its independence in 1948.
To do so, the National League for Democracy government will seek "a real federal democratic union," she said in a televised address marking Myanmar's New Year. (Courtesy of firstpost.com)
Myanmar`s Suu Kyi reaches out to rebels with federalism vow
Naypyidaw: Myanmar`s Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday vowed to press for greater autonomy for the nation`s ethnic minorities, in an early move to soothe the rebellions roiling the country after her party`s ascent to power.
The country has been swept up in optimism for a more peaceful and prosperous future since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power from the military on April 1.
But the democracy figurehead warned Myanmar`s prospects pivot on ending ethnic conflicts that have blistered the country since its independence in 1948.
To do so, the National League for Democracy government will seek "a real federal democratic union", she said in a televised address marking Myanmar`s New Year.
"Peace and a federal democratic union are closely intertwined and that`s why we need to change the constitution. The most important thing is national reconciliation."
They were Suu Kyi`s first major comments as "state counsellor" -- a role she took on following the handover from an army that dominated the country for 50 years.
The current charter, penned by the military in 2008, centralises power. (Courtesy of Zee News)
The country has been swept up in optimism for a more peaceful and prosperous future since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power from the military on April 1.
But the democracy figurehead warned Myanmar`s prospects pivot on ending ethnic conflicts that have blistered the country since its independence in 1948.
To do so, the National League for Democracy government will seek "a real federal democratic union", she said in a televised address marking Myanmar`s New Year.
"Peace and a federal democratic union are closely intertwined and that`s why we need to change the constitution. The most important thing is national reconciliation."
They were Suu Kyi`s first major comments as "state counsellor" -- a role she took on following the handover from an army that dominated the country for 50 years.
The current charter, penned by the military in 2008, centralises power. (Courtesy of Zee News)
Arakan in Post 1000 AD
Before 10th century, Arakan was inhabited by Hindus. At that time Arakan was the gate of Hindu India to contact with the countries of the east. Morris Collis writes in his book "Burma under the iron heels of British" that the Hindu ruled Arakan from first century to 10th century. Hindu civilization and literature spread all over Arakan du'ring this long thousand years. After the vanishing of the Hindu civilization there still remain the names, Danyawadi, Ramawadi, Maygawadi and Dwarawadi, the four-Wadis given by Hindus. Temples built by Hindus, coins melted by Hindus and the stone inscriptions written by Hindus were still to be found in Arakan.
According to A.P. Phayre and G, E, Harvey, History of Burma state that: "The capital of Arakan Shiri Gupta hill is 20 miles north of Mrohaumg. Mahamatmuni Image (the Great Image of Lord Buddha) is on that hill. This place is older than Vesali. The place was established by Hindus. Mahamatmuni image was built by the king Sandathuriya (146-198 A. D.).There were Hindu gods around the image of Mahamatmuni. These images of gods indicated that Arakan was a Hindu land until 10th century. Those Hindus might be Bengalis. (Courtesy of Rohingya Blogger)
According to A.P. Phayre and G, E, Harvey, History of Burma state that: "The capital of Arakan Shiri Gupta hill is 20 miles north of Mrohaumg. Mahamatmuni Image (the Great Image of Lord Buddha) is on that hill. This place is older than Vesali. The place was established by Hindus. Mahamatmuni image was built by the king Sandathuriya (146-198 A. D.).There were Hindu gods around the image of Mahamatmuni. These images of gods indicated that Arakan was a Hindu land until 10th century. Those Hindus might be Bengalis. (Courtesy of Rohingya Blogger)
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