Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial A Road Trip to Myanmar – the Land of Golden Pagodas-1 Saturday, September 29, 2018 By- Maheshwar Gurumayum As with every new journey, the He calls the state trip to Myanmar was preceded by the excited preparations and Government as anticipations of new discoveries of places, people and the opportunity unrecognized association to experience a glimpse of the life of a different culture, customs and – and there is no word region- a different country in this case. Often called the Land of Golden Pagodas or The Golden from the state authority Land, this part of South East Asia The legitimacy of appointing Prof. Yugindro as Pro-VC by VC has been a reclusive state for almost Professor AP Pandey on September 20, when the 2 members half a century ruled by Military inquiry committee is in full swing and when the Memorandum Junta. After its transition to of Agreement signed between the MHRD representative, Democracy, there has been an Manipur Government representative and Manipur University increase in footfall of tourists many community on August 16 is being complied is not the reason are willing to visit and explore this for intensification of the ongoing agitation at Manipur once reclusive state. Myanmar is bridges on this road stretch. We childbirth in 1812, the White and Bamar. Oh yes, another University. much more than a neighbour stopped at some local eateries on Pagoda is also called as Hsinbyume thought came into my mind and this There seems to be some hidden agenda, as the move to country and has been an integral our way and were greeted with Pagoda. time it is about our Heritage Park at hand over the charge of the VC by the newly appointed VC is part of our history since time “mingalaraba” with a friendly smile. While in Mingun, one cannot Hatta Kangjeibung. Ours is in a proceeded in a hasty move. The way that the so called Pro VC immemorial. Stories of numerous We had a hard time trying to miss the World’s second Largest very pitiful condition and I would entered the Manipur University Complex with former in- wars between the Avas (Awas) and communicate and had to talk in sign Bell, put up by King Bodawpaya say the structures at Hatta are just Charge Registrar along with a huge number of security force Manipur before the British era still language with the people out there also known as the Mingun Bell, for namesake after seeing the on the afternoon of September 20, talks volumes about some lingers on in our minds. as they had little or no knowledge weighing a total of 90 tons. National Races Village. hidden agenda. Predictably, i did not hesitate of English. The menu was all written Our next stop is the 1. Kachin: Traditional house of The conspiracy behind the game being played is slowly even for a moment when a golden in Burmese and one cannot figure Kaunghmudaw Pagoda which was Kachin nationals are mostly made unfolding as the version of alleged Pro-VC Yugindro differs chance came up for me along with out what to order. All we had to do modeled after Ruwanwelisaya of Bamboo, thatch and wood. At from the clarification made by the Chief Minister N. Biren few other fellow journalists to visit was talk in sign language or point pagoda of Sri Lanka. It is an the rear of the house, mortar, pestle Singh in the wake of the 48 hours bandh called by 6 different this Golden Land by road organized to the items laid on other people’s important pilgrimage and tourist and firewood are kept. One can see student’s organizations of the state. Moreover, students and by Department of Information and table. I noticed that most of the food hotspot in the region. Construction many paintings and pictures teachers gathered on the day protesting the taking charge of Public Relations, Government of items are similar to ours although started during the reign of King depicting Traditional utensils on the in-charge VC by Yugindro don’t seems like to be criminals Manipur. the cooking style is different. Thalun on 25 April 1636 and was the wall. Also Horn of Mython, as none of them were notice holding deadly weapons and as The first-hand experience of After dinner, we resumed our completed 12 years later. One Ceremonial Spear, Guar’s Horn, per photo available with many the Pro-VC was seen serving trans-border formalities at the journey towards Mandalay along cannot forget the story of Maharaj Quiver, Tumee Guns and Deer’s tea by the students inside the room. Integrated Check Post located at the the same Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa Garibniwaz aka Pamheiba entering Horn are displayed on the wall. Very The version of Prof. Yugindro who allegedly filed compliant Indian side of the border at Moreh road. All night we were on the the Pagoda and marking the eastern similar to a traditional Meitei house. to the Police and that of the Chief Minister does not match at leaves a lot to be desired and is vehicle, could not sleep a wink. door with his sword as a mark of 2. Kayah: A traditional house of all. That is why desperateness of the Chief Minister to take evidently at a very nascent stage at After a hectic ride for almost victory. The door is nowhere to be Kaya Nationals does not have any some action was notice and the midnight crack down inside least in terms of efficiency. The 14hrs we finally reached Mandalay seen now and it is said to be kept windows and roofing goes past the the Manipur University Campus of Sept 20 seem to be paperwork, immigration process and the next morning. The landscape away in some storeroom away from floor and almost touches the something which he felt the only way to defend his position the whole lot was a mess and could has changed to a completely new Public view. It would have been ground. Processing of Cotton from the central leadership. This is notice from the statement have been managed in a more one and the weather was great if we were able to witness the textile materials are shown step by forecasted by the Chief Minister using all means of media at systematic manner. We were comparably hot and humid. After door and the sword mark, maybe step. One cannot miss the Bamboo the aftermath of the bandh called. directed to run all over the place for driving a couple of hours we came the Burmese Government didn’t mugs for serving brew. Each and everybody including those who are favouring the getting our paperwork done. After upon the mighty Irrawaddy River. want the world to witness it for 3. Kayin: VC AP Pandey knew that the Memorandum of Agreement stamping on our Passport, we This river which flows from North reasons known best to them. The first thing to be noticed signed on August 16 after three days of hectic discussion in crossed to border on Myanmar side to South through Myanmar is the The Pagoda is different from about a Kayin traditional house is the presence of Chief Minister and his colleagues knew that and were made to enter our details country’s largest river and one of other traditional Burmese style. the Bronze Frog drum and Buffalo the VC AP Pandey have no respect for it and have been challenge at the Immigration office. As the most important Commercial Some local lore has it that the relic horn, the former is said to be a to the court of law. At one of his submission to the Enquiry compared to our side’s handling of waterways. One can witness the chamber of the pagoda contains the symbol of Kayin National races. A Committee dated September 9, 2018, AP Pandey term Manipur Visas and all, I found theirs to be a various cargo ships, ferries and lower left tooth relic of the Lord total of four rooms comprise a government as unrecognized association and the MU lot more systematic and efficient. other small ships right from the Buddha, 11 hair relics, an alms bowl, traditional Kayin house. community as illegal. After finishing with our paperwork, road. Also, in the west bank statues, pagodas and other relics. 4. Chin: It is his right to challenge anything which he felt that he has we got the green signal to move backdrop one can view the various After strolling through the various The most significant symbol of been framed in violation of the rule of law to the law court ahead. We were equally excited to Pagodas of Mingun. shop stalls selling worship a Chin house is the Hornbill. and he had done that. Pandey had already filed a writ petition travel through the roads leading Mingun is a town in Sagaing materials like incense sticks, Hornbill Bird, Bear Skull, Barking to the Manipur High Court challenging the MoA and also the from Tamu towards Kalemyo which Township of Sagaing Region, north- sandalwood, flowers and Dear Skull, Guar Skull, Mythun enquiry committee. is about 133 Kms from Tamu. This west Myanmar with the ruins of the numerous photo sessions, we bid Skull are put up above the main As of now the case is pending in the law court and no verdict stretch of Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa incomplete Mingun Pahtodawgyi adieu to Kaunghmudaw Pagoda. door. The Blacksmith’s workplace regarding the MoA is being announced. Untill Court says section is a part of the Trilateral which was started by King While sitting on the bus during is one of the attractive aspects of a anything there is no such provision that Mr.