BURMA: LAND OF THOUSANDS PAGODA. Changes are taking place

This is Myanmar

In 1989, the military government in Burma, officially changed the English translations of many names dating back to Burma's colonial period, including that of the country itself: "Burma" became “Myanmar.” The name Burma has been in use in English since the 18th century.

Burmese are very friendly. On Sunday, November 8, 2015 the country will hold it’s general election nationwide participated by candidates nominated from 91 political parties and 310 independents.

Highlight of our visit to Burma included a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda and Abdul Baha village. Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. It is sacred to Buddhists from all over Asia and it is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present kalpa.

Myanmar's military yielded to a civilian government in 2010 and has dramatically reshaped its economy, opening  up various sectors, including energy and infrastructure development, to direct foreign investment. Many foreign investors, especially from ASEAN countries rushed to set up factories and raze old neighborhoods to build luxury housing estates. New hotels and large condominiums are seen among ruined colonial mansions today. Millions of Burmese have now access to the Internet and cell phones for the first time. But more than a third of Myanmar's 51.4 million people still live on less than $1.25 a day.

In a recent issue of the Economist, the magazine concludes: "The challenges are daunting. The government is valiantly trying to improve a decrepit civil service. Commercial regulations are outdated and haphazardly applied. Transport infrastructure is woeful. In recent years the economy has grown impressively—but from a very low base. Myanmar remains poor: GDP per person is just $1,270, compared with $1,670 in Laos, $5,370 in Thailand and $7,380 in China. Visitors to Yangon seldom see this. The city’s skyline is dotted with cranes, its streets are clogged with new cars and a chic bar or eatery seems to open every week. Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state has its traffic jams, too. But they are caused by bullock carts. If a new dawn is breaking in Myanmar, and it is far from clear that one is, it is not evident there."


Visit to 'Abdu'l-Bahá Village

In 1878, the the Prophet- Founder of the Baha’i Faith, Bahá’u’lláh sent a great gift to the land of Burma, two devoted Bahá'í teachers. One was named Jamal Effendi, a well-known Persian Bahá'í scholar, and the other was his recent convert to the Faith, Siyyid Mustafa Rumi, the recipient of many tablets from Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. He was posthumously appointed a Hand of the Cause of God by the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.

Natascha, Debbie and I had the wonderful opportunity by the bounty of the Almighty to pay a visit to 'Abdu'l-Bahá Village. We were accompanied by the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Myanmar. They met us in Yangon and accompanied us to the village. The village, also known as Daidanaw, is about a three-hour ride across unpaved, bumpy roads from Yangon. Debbie sat in front with the Treasurer who drove the van. In the back, Natascha and I sat with the Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the NSA.

Front row: (LtoR) Natascha, Nat Yogachandra, U Winn Hlaing, Secretary of the National Assembly (back row; LtoR) U Tin Win, Chairman, U Shwe Thee, Treasurer, Debbie Yogachandra and U Tunyi, Vice Chairman

A three-hour drive to the village from Yangon. Natascha is seen at the back of the truck with Secretary, Chaiman and VIce Chairman of the National Assembly