Turning Foes into Friends

“Playing politics means turning foes into friends” goes as the saying. It is quite certain that this catch phrase is familiar to all those who are interested in politics. It can also be known to many that this quotation is the wise advice of Dagon Taryar. Sayagyi Dagon Taryar is a well-known writer who has had a very close relationship with the politicians and statemen including a great leader like General Aung San. He has written a lot about the biographies of those who had contributed a great deal toward the liberation of Myanmar.
“No foe, friend only” and “let amity be eternal an enmity be ephemeral” are the watchwords of Sayagyi. These mottos were very famous and now he has created a fresh motto for those so-called politicians of nowadays. This is nothing but the motto, “Turn foes into friends”.
This year 2010 will witness holding of multi-party democracy elections the success of which depends dramatically upon unity and equality. Without free and fair elections and without unity among the stakeholders, the elections will come to no avail.
Sayagyi Dagon Taryar has made his new year wish in Issue 1, Volume 2 of the Popular News Journal. In his new year wish he said, “What is most important today is peace. If there be weaknesses in peace, the blame is to be put on lack of unity among the stakeholders. If there be lack of unity, this can be attributed to lack of equality and justice. No foes, friends only. Let amity be eternal and enmity be ephemeral. Doing politics means turning foes into friends”.
As I set a high valve on Sayagyi, I have high respect for him. Thus, I have been determined to heed his priceless words of advice.
I would like to remind those wishing to stand for the general elections as well as those desirous of being engaged in party politics not to overlook Sayagyi’s valuable words of advice.
It is understandable to all that peace is a prerequisite even for a family not to mention the World Peace. For a household is hot if there does not prevail peace. When there does not exist peace in a family, there is no one wishing to come to visit that family. A peaceful family is blessed by God. As for me, I do not like to behold the racial conflicts or ethnic rivalries or civil wars or internal strifes. And I am strongly confident that no national would like to witness such wars breaking out on their soil.
Should there be anyone who ignores unity and equality, he is the one who is burning down his own home into ashes.

Written by – Mingyi Yan Naung

Translated by K.M.A