November 18 (NMG)- Over 350 NLD members from 35 townships around the country gathered at the corner of famous Shwedagon Pagoda to mark 83rd anniversary of Burma’s National Day.

Youth members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy take an oath for democracy in their country after paid tribute to their ancestors in 1920 who sacrificed their lives for Burma’s independence, one NLD Youth member from Rangoon said.

At 10 am this morning, over 350 activists from 35 townships ie. 25 townships from Rangoon division, 3 from Irrawaddy division, 1 from Pegu division and 3 townships from Magwe division gather at Shwedagon platform, paid tribute and took oath at National Day Stone Pillar, a symbol of national sentiment and independence.

One of NLD Youth members told NMG the purpose on paying tribute and gathering on this 83rd National Day.
“Our aim is to pay homage to our ancestors who gathered in this historic place and boycotted education policy of Colonialist in 1920. Likewise, we the Youth members of National League for Democracy take an oath in the same corner of Shwedagon Pagoda and pledge for democracy in our country with all of endeavors,” NLD Youth said.

At 10 am, nearly 200 Youths wearing NLD uniforms who were gathering at Thway-Say-Kan walked hand-in-hand through from North stairway and prayed for their leader Aung San Suu Kyi at Tuesday corner of Shwedagon pagoda.

Though there was no report of arrest on NLD members, the situation was almost outbreak when NLD Youths met heavy security personals and military intelligences this morning. However, both sides were able to control the situation peacefully.

“Nearly seventy polices and the Military Intelligence (MI) were monitoring us with still camera and video cameras. Authorities put iron-sieve around National Day Stone Pillar. Because the General Assembly in the United Nations is convening for the time being, we are lucky and not been arrested. But I’m not sure they may come my home and arrest me at night,” one NLD members said.

NLD Youths walked around on stairway of Shwedagon and marched two-in-a-role up to Thar-tha-na-gone-ye monastery in Chauk-Htat-Kyi Pagoda and attended alms-offering to mark this 83rd ‘National Day’.

Although Rangoon government officially laid down the principles for the National Day, there is no report on celebration of National Day in Rangoon.

Meanwhile Burmese military government officially issued the objectives of 83rd anniversary of National Day. These are (a) Keeping national spirit alive and dynamic and uplift of national prestige and integrity (b) Uplift of national education (c) Perpetuation of independence and sovereignty of the State (d) Success of seven-point future policy programme of the State.

Democratic activists and the United Nations are widely criticizing the seven-step road-Map proposed by military government due to lack of time-frame and one-sided approach in the road map.

Network Media Group