State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addresses the Myanmar Scout Centenary at the diamond jubilee hall of Yangon University.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor, made the opening address at the Myanmar Scout Centenary held at the diamond jubilee hall of Yangon University
yesterday.
Speaking on the occasion, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who was also a Girl Guide more than 50 years ago in Myanmar, expressed delight to see the scout spirit existing in Myanmar.
She also stressed the importance of having a collective working spirit in working for achieving peace in Myanmar.
“As known by all, now is the time for our country to make attempts to gain peace and stability. Only if we collectively work, can peace be achieved in our country, region and our world,” said the State Counsellor.
The ceremony was opened by singing the song titled, “Virtue of Scout—Kin Htauk Gonyi” composed by Hinthada Myint Ngwe.
The State Counsellor recounted that it has been over 50 years. She felt sorry that she could not stand together with her colleagues who had taken part in the Girl Guides team dressed in Girl Guides uniforms.
“But it is a great pleasure for me to see our scout spirit existing in us. Activity of Scout youths is a kind of nurturing moral development among youths. Collective contribution in a good cause is a kind of finding life-long comrades or alter egos. Nothing can supersede collective contribution in a good cause. Therefore, I am very glad to see our Scout Youths assemble like this. Standardized attitudes and mindsets indoctrinated since young age can impress anyone’s mind for ever. These will surely benefit not only oneself but also one’s society, one’s country and the whole world. Scout activity means the activity concerning the globe, not for the country or organization only. Yet, beneficial contribution of individual countries can benefit the whole world, or vice versa,” said the State Counsellor
“Collective work is in some way getting rid of “Self.” Every being has “self”. But it is necessary for everyone to control it to some extent. Self is thinking for oneself and “Metta—the Loving Kindness” is thinking for the many, that is to say, willingness to share one’s wholesome deeds. As known by all, now is the time for our country to make attempts to gain peace and stability. Only if we work collectively, can peace be achieved in our country, region and our world. The lyrics of the scout song have the meaning of encouraging youths to bear good characters. Youths can take lessons from the song. The century-long survival of the organization is the result of these spirits. When we were young, scouts used to go out on trips once a week or yearly camping that will give pleasure and good advantage of taking lessons. Scouts had to take exams step by step. There had been President Scouts’ Team formed in our younger days. I myself was the one among the first-ever Fours who passed the exam. As I had to move to India at the age of 15, I did not take part in scout activities any longer, but I did not disconnect with scouts across the world. Esprit de corps strengthened in me gave me the chance not to lose sight of the international scout movement.
Following the opening address, Dr Tin Nyo, Chief Commissioner of men’s scout, and Dr Tin Hla Kyi, Chief Commissioner Myanmar Girl Guides, spoke about the progress of Myanmar scouts and its history.
At the ceremony, representatives from international scout organizations presented commemorative gifts to the State Counsellor.
After the ceremony, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi posed for documentary photos together with representatives of the Myanmar Scout Committee and International scout organizations, her childhood girl guide friends and the new generation of Myanmar scouts.
The Myanmar scouts movement was formed in 1916 and suspended in 1964. The Myanmar scouts was reformed in 2012 and it became the 164th member of the World Scout on 11 August 2016 after it was unanimously approved by 163 members.