5 May
Famous persons like Myanmar history’s only Queen Shin Sawbu and King Dhammazedi who became patron of Buddhism are natives of Mon. Mon people are those who have been together in the fight against imperialists for Myanmar’s struggle for independence.
Mon National Day is annually celebrated on the first waning of Tabodwe to honor its founding of Hanthawaddy Bago capital by two Mon brothers Thamala and Wimala in the year 1116 of the Buddhist Era. The decision to hold the annual Mon National Day celebrations was made at the Mon National Conference (MNC) held at Pa Nga Village, Thanbyuzayat Township in 1946.
Mon National Day on the auspicious day for Mon ethnic people was held on 20 February this year that falls on the first waning of Tabodwe 1380 ME.
Mon ethnic people are residing in Mon State as well as other parts of Myanmar. Mon State is widely well-known for its significant places to visit such places as Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, Kyaik Thanlan Zedi, U Zina Zedi, Kyaik Thoke Zedi, Kyaikhami Yele Pagoda, Setse Beach and Balu Island, attracting a lot of local travelers and globetrotters.
Pha Auk Tawya Monastry is also a renowned and an ideal place for meditation where both local people and foreigners usually come to practice meditation. Win Sein Tawya Reclining Buddha is also a place frequented by local and foreign pilgrims.
Mon State covers an area of 4748 square miles and many islands and islets along its coast are located in the south-eastern part of Myanmar and bounded by Kayin State, Bago Region, Mottama Gulf, Tanintharyi Region and Thailand. Mon State has all modes of transportation and is easily accessible to every parts of the country.
Visible Improvement in Mon State during the third year term of incumbent Government
Framing earthen road and 12 reinforced concrete bridges construction were completed in the mini fiscal year of 2018, as parts of Kyaikhto Town bypass road project that was implemented due to heavy traffic jams at the downtown of Kyaikhto and Kyaikhto-Kim Pon Camp road section.
Moreover, a 2109 ft long and 31 ft wide Ahttayan (Sabel Gu) steel framing reinforced concrete Bridge in Kyaikmayaw Township was also being constructed, setting up a two year target of completion with a 22 per cent completion in the end of 2018-2019 FY.
Road and bridge
Mon State Road Department constructed 715 miles and 6 furlongs of road networks and 2,508 bridges.
During the mini FY April-September 2018 and 2018-2019 FY, the Yangon-Myiek road section which is part of the ASEAN Highway was extended from 24 ft width to 36 ft width, and upgraded to asphalt concrete (AC) road from asphalt road.
Paving roads with asphalt concrete (AC), upgrading gravel road to asphalt road, road extension and rebuilding 136 bridges on the other roads in the State were also carried out.
Agriculture
The number of summer paddy cultivation in Mon State has increased from 42,535 acres in 2018 to over 45,000 in 2019 after the Mon State government provided necessary assistance to farmers.
Moreover, 430 acres of sugarcane were cultivated in the virgin lands in Kyaikmayaw Township. 1,000 acres of palm oil cultivation were also implemented in Babu Village.
In 2018, 62 projects on digging ditches/creeks to reduce flooding, 16 projects on building and renovating saltwater dams, nine projects on renovating door dams, nine irrigation projects and 41 projects for summer paddy were also carried out.
Nearly 30,000 baskets of paddy were also provided to farmers in nine townships as a compensation for 31,657 acres of rain paddy destroyed by flood. Farmers were also educated with agricultural knowledge.
Regarding upgrading farmland, 1,335 acres of farmlands were introduced with 2018-2019 budget of Mon State government. 12 Kubota combine harvesters also sold with low price for farmers.
Electricity
Regarding electricity, 11 KV grids, 11/0.4 KV sub-station, 400 V electric line were also constructed and renovated with Union budget. 22, 274 households and 97 villages in 7 townships and 3 towns also got accesses to electricity during the mini FY April-September 2018 and 2018-2019 FY.
Education
Over 260 school buildings, eight science rooms and 17 residences for teachers were constructed for the development of basic education sector and all school aged children to reach school.
Twelve school buildings for high school education and 48 school buildings for middle school education, 16 school buildings for basic education were also upgraded and opened, along with 62 exam centers for ten standard.
Mon State Government, Pyithu Hluttaw, ethnic literary and cultural groups and education department are cooperating in drawing up curriculum for teaching Mon literature at 292 schools in Mon State.
Health
Four story-building, five patient wards and MDR TB building, Disease Control Centre (HIV/AIDS Prevention) building and staff residences were constructed in Mawlamyine, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Ye, Kyaikmayaw, Chaungzone, Kyaikhto, Belin, Thaton and Paung townships. About K 1800 million worth medicines were also distributed.
About 130 road projects, 29 bridges, 8 education projects, 2 general projects, 59 projects for water and 31 other projects in 10 townships were also carried out during the mini FY April-September 2018 and 2018-2019 FY, with the development fund of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, K 1000 million each for the 10 townships in Mon State.
For the development of Mon State, Mon State Development Committee carried out the works to keep the towns and wards clean, upgrading roads during 2018-2019 FY.
A garbage disposal machine was also installed on the Kyaikhtiyo mountain in Kyaikhto Township.
Mangrove forests were also cultivated in Mon State to conserve natural environment.
173 rural development projects were also implemented in 10 townships in Mon State during the mini FY April-September 2018 with a budget of K 3282 million allocated by Mon State Government for rural development. In 201-2019 FY, a budget of K 19,999 million was allocated for rural development.
In 2018-2019 FY, K 1000 million from Union Budget was allocated.
Rent grants in the villages of 10 townships were also issued in 2018-2019 FY with a State budget of K 11.80 million.
K 3235 million worth SME loans were also provided as an investment fund for the economic development.
Allocated budget for building three cyclone shelters in Chaungzon Township to protect from natural disasters was also already received.
The meetings between state-level Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC-S) and local people were also held. Mon State government is striving for creating more job opportunities through eco-tourism.
By Nanda Win, Photos : Aye Than
(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)
