The 15th Raising Day of the KSDF
- Kuki Students' Democratic Front -

Delhi , 12th December 2008

Vanue: KSDF's Office, Budella Market, Vikaspuri, New Delhi
Date: 12th December, 2008
Time: 11:30 am

Moderator: Mah Lhingboi & Mah Chochong

The Functional Presidents:
1) Dr Tin Swe, MP from Pearl district, Sagaing division
2) U Tha Noe, MP from Arakan state
3) Dr Zaw Win Aung, National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB)
4) U Pyingya Tirih, a Monk
5) U Pyingya Zawtah, a Monk
6) U Letlam, Kuki Peoples' Congress (KPC)

Mah Lhingboi, announcing the programme declared it open. Mah Chochong then called upon the functional presidents to take the front seats meant for them. Meanwhile, the audience remained standing in honour of them.

Sayamah Chingnu Tedim was then called upon to say the opening prayer, which was followed by speeches from the invitees.

Ko Seigin then led the Tri-salute in honour and remembrance of:
a) The National flag;
b) The father of the Nation, General Aung San and the martyrs of freedom; and
c) The late Kuki nationalists.

A solemn prayer offered during the gathering

Speech from Pu Letlam, KPC:

Welcoming the audience with open arms, he said "the KSDF attributes its achievement in 15 years to the whole Burmese fighters" and added "we are just a corner stone for the Burmese national movement for change". He expressed the non-accommodative structure of the state-craft which at present recognizes only eight ethnic nationalities. This according to him alienates and makes the Kukis feel like outsiders. "Irrespective of the size of population or territory we control, the Kukis deserve their rights protected and this is the main demand of the KSDF" he asserted

To him, an ethnic nationality that has lost the collective right is likely to eventually loose everything. "The condition" he said, "also provides tendency to assimilate such minority group into the majority group." However, citing example of the Kukis of Manipur where Thadou is almost synonymous with Kuki, he cautioned the majority Burmans saying, "it can also be the other way round". He meant to say that Burma, to be a true multinational state, should not limit the recognition of ethnic nationalities to just eight.

"Each time the Chin National Front (CNF) came to mobilize the Kukis under the Chin", he said "my reply always is, we need to first fight for the regime change and discuss our issue later." He also said that he went to the CNF's head quarter where he briefed them how we have been living as different ethnic nationalities of Burma since before independence. "However," he said, "unless there is mutual benefit for both the parties to enter into an agreement to be under a unified nomenclature, it is unthinkable to take a step towards it".

He further added, "We do not, at the moment, completely ruled out for unification as we are also aware of our ethnic closeness." He appealed to the Chin leaders to re-examine and refrain from secretly politicking against the Kukis as such acts will only antagonize us.

To the other ethnic politicians, he appealed to give justice the first place and stand by it irrespective of what other people have to say about it. He said, "at times, I see some people distancing from me because I uphold justice." He also opines the need to reform and correct the unjustifiable means in the fight for justice. He believes that leaving our home territory, which in fact is a loss, can be made advantageous."

With regard to the KSDF, he said, "I express my appreciation to the young members for their cooperation which uplifts the KSDF to the present level". He did not fail to remind the members that the organizational goal set at the time of founding has yet to be achieved.

In conclusion, he said "since no organization can alone meet the challenge posed by the military regime, we need to join hands with other organizations."

Then, Mah Hoinu was called upon to read the "Raising Day Statement" in Burmese.

Dr Tin Swe, MP from Pearl district, Sagaing Division.

He began when he said, "NLD is just three and half years older than the KSDF". "18th December too is memorable for me" he continued, "because it was one of the days in 1990 during which I left Burma and was on my way to India via Chin Hills." He also narrated how all the Burmese community, during the initial days of arrival in India, knew each other well by names.

He cheered the KSDF for its 15 year long existence when he said, "Many of the erstwhile organizations formed have ceased to continue because they cannot withstand the hardship" and added, "and so, we had to update the names of the organizations then."

He also stressed the need for giving the youth the best training on job to be able to shoulder with ease the task of the organization. He also said that we need to first identify and mobilize those who take interest in politics.

He does not believe that democracy can be restored by efforts of the NLD or the Burmans alone but by the collective efforts of all the people of Burma. Twenty years of exile, according to him, is not a short span of time. Underscoring the need to use all available techniques and strategies, he concluded his speech.

U Pyinyazawta, a monk:

Echoing the same lines of speech by Dr Tin Swe, U Pe Ngya Yawtah also stressed the need to give the required training to the young people. He also encouraged the older generation renew their spirit, to be undaunted and feel energetic. The most important thing, according to him is, never to forget the goal.

He said, "It appears to foreigners that our movement is slowly dying and that they began to voice the need to revive our fighting spirit." He concluded saying, "Let us boost our confidence because we are not a loser as long as we do not give up the fight."

U Tha Noe, MP from Arakan League for Democracy:

He first thanked all the audience for attending the raising day celebration and said, "It is, in fact, a privilege to learn more about the history of the Kukis and the KSDF each time we attend their programme." He also admired the spirit of courage and unity shown by the KSDF.

While the Burmese people are craving for getting resettlement in foreign land, he said, "We should not forget that in Burma, we see the Indians, the Chinese and the westerners who have come for business." Here, he meant to say that Burma offers not less opportunity for prosperity than foreign lands.

He reminded that we come here not because we do not want to live in our country but because we cannot live in our country and advised all who were present to get set for returning home as soon as democracy is restored.

He said, "Our responsibilities are, to work for the peace in our family, our village, our town, our country and the world." To him, a politician should be one who mobilizes. For realization of our goal, he said, "We should have alternative policies and strategies to achieve our goal: If the roadway fails, we should go by the railway; if the railway fails, the water way and if water way fails, then the airway."

Encouraging the audience, he concluded when he said "We should not loose heart whatever storm befalls us. In 1990 general election, only 10 of the military candidates got elected. This is truly a victory over the military regime. Though our past attempts have failed, we should continue to fight."

Ko Maung Lu Gri from Arakan National Council:

Taking his time, he said "Before 1988, nationalism was invisible in the people." In spite of our common objective, he said "Disunity remains the greatest hurdle in the struggle for regime change." He also lamented that here in New Delhi, out of more than 3000 (three thousand) people, only 40 or 50 of us get actively involved in the struggle. To garner greater strength, he stressed the need to inculcate nationalism among the people here. "Whatever, let us not give up" he said and concluded.

The KSDF members presented a group song called "Raising Day".

Saya Zen Tedim from Burmese Christian Association (BCA):

"Thanks for the given privilege" he opened his speech. "Listening the group song, he said, "Those lines in the song 'Raising Day' in Thadou are themselves vindicates the brotherhood of the Zomis and the Kukis for it (the song) was almost like in Tiddim version" he continued, "Again, if the words of Pu Letlam were to be given analytical review word by word, it could mean more than the expression". Felt moved by what Pu Letlam had said of the Chin leaders acting against the Kukis, he started to sob and, therefore had to pause his speech. He also expressed his desire to have another meaningful talk between the two communities for building cordial relation.

Impressed by the unity and coordination in the KSDF, he said, "I can boldly say that the Kukis are one of the best well organized people among the Burmese community."

Dr. Zaw Win Aung from Federation of Trade Union-Burma:

"Organizations formed and vanished here in Delhi. However, the KSDF proves stronger and stronger with each passing year" he said and added, "I do also get really impressed to see that the Kukis participate in every rally, demonstration, workshop, training, campaign, etc."

Saying, "Being in exile, living in the foreign land, feeling inferior and coveting the lifestyles of the citizens, I am more conscious of the onus to work harder for regime change so that we live peaceful lives in Burma too" and he concluded.

Vote of thanks from Ko Khupmang:

I thank all the functional presidents, who have laid aside their valuable times to attend here and made encouraging speeches as functional presidents. I also express our heartfelt thanks to all the other comrades from different organizations. Last but not the least, I express a lot of thanks to Pi Kakang for preparing the tea and snack.

With the end of speeches, the Raising Day celebration was declared over. Then, the moderator, Mah Lhingboi, requesting the audience to stand in honor of the functional presidents, asked the latter to leave their seats. Everyone was asked to join the tea-and-snack time.

See a photo gallery on this event here.

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This PR was sent by Thangjalun Kuki - KSDF . The writer can be contacted at thangjalun(at)gmail(dot)com
This was webcasted on December 13 2008.

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