On February 22 many Mon people welcome and celebrate the Mon National Day. The day is about Mon people discussing Mon issues, past and present. They talk about the Hongsawatoi kingdom, established by two Mon brothers Sammala and Vimala two centuries ago.
But the Hongsawatoi kingdom was lost because the people were not unified. Villages defended themselves one by one and the invading Burmese armies conquered them one by one.
The fall of the Hongsawatoi kingdom serves as a lesson for present day Mon people. The Mon people need strength, and that means unity. Unity depends on a strong Mon community. Mons should work as a group. Mons talk about Mon. Mons working for Mon. Mons wearing Mon dress with dignity and pride.
Mon unity can be developed in a variety of ways. Civil society groups are vital. Mon civil society groups are growing in Mon state. Dr. Soe Lin, a former political prisoner and energetic leader of Mon civil society group has mentioned recently that the group has more freedom of activity than before. His group was able to sell Mon National Day lottery tickets as a fundraiser across Mon state. A group of five trucks were able to go from village to village, selling lottery tickets and proudly displaying the Mon national flag.
Dr. Soe Lin's lottery sales came as a surprise to some Mon political analysts, who expected him to be arrested by the junta. But the junta seems to be aware that repression risks sparking the people's outrage and more protests like those in September, said a Mon monk in Mon state. If a Mon person sees the group working for the society, they will be proud to be a Mon. Many members of the civil society group are adults wearing Mon dress and shirts stamped with the Mon national flag.
Mon musicians and Mon youths play a vital role in strengthening Mon unity. Mon musicians produce Mon VCDs, karaoke and Mon music and encourage people to learn the Mon language so they can sing along. Mon music can be played in teashops. People can watch Mon music videos and learn from the subtitles. The songs can encourage people to participate and work for a strong civil society. Well known singer Pamaukha Chan, for instance, composed the song "To have beauty or good life, everyone needs to prepare for it." This means that we must all work together to build a civil society, and Pamaukha Chan's song is wildely popular.
It is easy to remember when he sings at concerts and he alerts the Mon people to wear Mon dress every Monday. The reason is to remember Monday is the day of establishment of the Mon Kingdom and is a special day for Mons .
Another necessary and important Mon civil society group is the Mon youth. The group has been formed in every local village. The group helps construct road and repair pagodas in the community. The group gives every help to the community. Especially, the groups organize hundred thousands of youth on Mon National Day to march to the Set-sae beach in Thanphyuzayart Township last year.
Recently in Moulmein about thousand Mon youth wore Mon dresses, held the Mon national flag and marched to Moulmein and prayed at Kyaik Taung Wine and Kyaik Sot. This proves the civil society is growing stronger. The success of the growth of Mon youth makes you feel that Mon freedom can come one day or night.
The growth of Mon civil society for Mon people is a good point of call for Mon freedom. The Mons need to be strengthened as a civil society group and every Mon has a duty to work for this. The Mon needs many good leaders like Dr Soe Lin who can lead community. We wish the Mon people may enjoy freedom on Mon National Day.
