February 21, 2020
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races, gave a congratulatory speech at the celebrations of 72nd Chin National Day, which was held in Thantlang Township.
On arrival at the venue at 9 am, the State Counsellor and party were welcomed by the locals.
The ceremony was opened by the State Counsellor, the Union Ministers, the Chief Minister of Chin State, the Hluttaw Speaker and a town elder, followed by a blessing given by Rev. Dr Lar Oak, and saluting the National Flag, and fallen martyrs.
Chief Minister U Salai Lian Luai read out the message of greetings sent by President U Win Myint to the 72nd anniversary of Chin National Day.
The State Counsellor extended her greetings to the ceremony.
Messages of greetings to the 72nd anniversary of Chin National Day were sent by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than, Commander in Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, CEC of the National League for Democracy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (central), the National Unity Party (central) and Chairman of Khumee (Khami) National Party.
Dr Salai Hlyan Hmon Sar Khaung expressed thanks before the ceremony was concluded.
After the ceremony the State Counsellor and party observed the exhibition that marked the 72nd Chin National Day.
The State Counsellor and party arrived back by helicopters at Kalay Airport where they met with government officials of Sagaing Region and Chin State before taking a special flight to Nay Pyi Taw in the afternoon.
The Chin National Day represents the struggle of Chin ethnic nationals together with other Union nationals for independence, fight against feudalism , solidarity of national ethnic races and changing from the feudal administrative system to a democratic administrative system.
Chin patriotic soldiers formed the Chin National Education Promotion Team in Pyin Oo Lwin in 1918.
Led by Chin National Leader U Van Thu Maung, the Chin Hills Unity Organization was established in 1933. After their 9 demands for socioeconomic development scheme for Chin people were turned down by the British government, they staged protests against the British rulers.
On 20 February 1948, over 5,000 Chin people attended a conference in Falam Township to call for a democratic administrative system in place of the rule of feudal Chieftains.
Then, the 20 February was designated as the Chin National Day.
Paletwa area which was under the Rakhine administrative system of the British colonial administration and Kampetlet area under the administration of Magway Region were put into Chin State in the 1947 State Constitution. The Chin Affairs Council decided to observe the Chin National Day on February 20 as a significant event for all Chin people.
The ceremony was also attended by Vice President U Henry Van Thio’s wife Dr Shwe Hluan, Amyotha Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Aye Tha Aung and wife, Union Minister for the Office of the Union Government U Min Thu, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Aung Thu, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe, Magway Region Chief Minister Dr Aung Moe Nyo, Chin State Chief Minister U Salai Lian Lwal, Chin State Hluttaw Speaker U Zo Bawi, Deputy Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Hla Maw Oo, Chin government ministers, Pyithu Hluttaw and Amoytha Hluttaw representatives, Chin State Hluttaw representatives, wives of Union Ministers and Deputy Ministers, district and township level departmental officers, ethnic leaders, cultural troupes, representatives of civil societies and the local people.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)
