73rd Anniversary of Ven. U Oattama Observed Across Arakan State

Maung Rammar

Dhaka: The 73rd anniversary of the death of Ven. U Oattama, respected as the Beacon of Burma’s Independence was observed by the Arakanese people as well as the regional government with extraordinary public gatherings across Arakan State on the 9th of September.

It is learnt that Ven. U Oattama Day could be observed in such public gatherings this year as there was no restrictions like previous years. The regional government itself observed the day.

U Khine Pray Soe, a spokesperson of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, told Narinjara that the regional government as well as political parties, social organizations and the general people had observed the day on this anniversary in the regional capital Sittwe.

“The state government held a ceremony commemorating the day in the memorial hall of Ven. U Oattama, while our party did so in our head office in Sittwe. Other social organizations, including the Union of Arakanese University Students and the Union of Buddhist Monks also observed the day by marching to his holiness’s memorial park, offering wreaths and paying homage to his statue in the park. People marked the day offering meals and donations to Buddhist monks in their respective residential wards as well”, said U Khine Pray Soe.

He also praised the regional government for observing the anniversary of Ven. U Oattama.

“It is a very good deed of our state government to have held this 73rd anniversary of Ven. U Oattama Day by itself. We have had to submit our application for observing the day every year before this. This year we do not need any applications or permission and we are very happy to have such freedom for observing the day”, he said.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) also observed the anniversary of the venerable monk in Taunggup, a southeastern town in Arakan State.

U Khin Hla, the regional leader of the NLD, while speaking to Narinjara said, “Our venerable monk U Oattama is such a great person who had endeavored to work not only for the interests of Arakanese people, but also for the independence and the interests of the whole of Burma. He is the benefactor who opened the eyes and ears of the people in Burma urging them to gain their freedom from slavery under the British colonial rule. So, we observe his day, remembering him with gratitude for his sacrifices and selfless deeds he had done for us in his lifetime.”

Over 200 people are said to have attended the NLD’s ceremony of Ven. U Oattama Day and they were received with meals.

The RNDP also held a ceremony around 12 pm on the day in the biggest Buddhist chapel in Taunggup to observe the anniversary.

The residents in Kyaukpru also marked the anniversary of the Ven. U Oattama with many youths in traditional dresses taking  part in a procession carrying the portraits of the venerable monk and the national and religious flags and offering prayers and lights in the Buddhist temples in the town.

“We hold the Day of Asian Sun Ven. U Oattama with the aim of preventing his legacy disappearing from history and to make our young Arakanese generations remember him so that they can inherit his morale and ideal, and emulate his aspirations”, said Ko Aung Myint Soe, a youth leader from Kyaukpru.

It is also learnt that the 73rd anniversary of Ven. U Oattama was also widely observed in towns and rural villages of Mrauk-U, Minbya, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Pauktaw and Mraybon in Arakan State.

The Ven Ottama anniversary was also held by Arakanese communities in many countries including Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Demark, Bangladesh and USA.

Ref: http://narinjara.com/i

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Burmese Independence Leader U Ottama Remembered

Events in Arakan State, Rangoon and overseas on Tuesday marked the 75th anniversary of the death of Sayadaw U Ottama, an ethnic Arakanese Buddhist monk who was a key leader in Burma’s fight for independence.

The Arakan State government commemorated the Sayadaw’s demise at U Ottama Hall in Sittwe, and members of social organizations and political parties, locals and students paid tribute to a statue of U Ottama at the park in the state capital named after him.

About 1,000 monks, Arakanese and admirers of the monk attended a ceremony at the MCC Hall in Rangoon.

The attendees in both Sittwe and Rangoon called for the name of Kandawmin Park in Rangoon—near the south entrance to the Shwedagon Pagoda—to be changed back to U Ottama Park. They also want the introduction of U Ottama’s biography into the school curriculum, and the designation of Sept. 9—the day of his passing in 1939—as a public holiday to be known as U Ottama Day.

The anniversary is marked to revive the faded history of Sayadaw U Ottama, who took a lead role in Burma’s independence struggle. He was imprisoned on several occasions by British colonial authorities, and his patriotic fervor and courage inspired younger generations of Burmese, who finally won independence in 1948.

Likewise, the anniversary was held on a grand scale across Arakan State in Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Manaung, Kyauktaw, Ramree, Thandwe, Mrauk-U, Buthidaung and Maungtaw townships, according to local people.

The anniversary was also marked in ceremonies in Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Japan. Sayadaw U Ottama was born on Dec. 28, 1879 in Sittwe and passed away on Sept. 9, 1939.

Ref: http://www.irrawaddy.org/

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75th anniversary of U Ottama Day observed in Yangon and Rakhine

A diamond jubilee ceremony to observe the 75th anniversary of late Sayardaw  U Ottama was held yesterday in a grand scale in Yangon and Rakhine State.

In Yangon, the event was hosted at Myanmar Convention Centre (MCC), attended by Zaw Aye Maung, the minister of Rakhine ethnic affairs, Aye Thar Aung of Rakhine Development Party, foreign embassies’ representatives, Buddhist monks and ethnic Rakhine nationals.
Attendees also voted to change the name of Kandawmingalar Park back to U Ottama Park. The park on U Wizara Road, the southern part of Shwedagon Pagoda, was renamed by the military regime.

Events were also held in all parts of Rakhine State by Rakhine State Government on the same day. A government wreath was laid in the U Ottama Park, accompanied by a painting contest.

Sayardaw U Ottama, an ethnic Rakhine, died in prison in 1939. He was locked up for fighting the British colonialism. He was the first person in the era to be imprisoned for making a political speech. He spent more time in prison than outside. The monk became a guiding light of ethnic Rakhine.

“U Ottama was an esteemed monk,” said by Zaw Aye Maung, the chief minister of Rakhine State.

Ref: http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/

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Press release on 75 commemoration day of Venerable U Ottama

Press release on 75 commemoration day of Venerable U Ottama

Today is the 75 commemoration Day of the death of Venerable U Ottama, the originator of independence for present Burma. contemporary with Mahatama Gandhi from India and China's Dr Sun Yal sen, U Otttama was among the greatest one who exploded flame of freedom struggle not only in his own land Arakan and Burma, but also through out surrounding entire Asian region.

so today become a special occasion to recall the glorious role played by this great leader during his anti-British freedom movement in Asia as well as in this native land Arakan.

born in 1879 in Arakan, once a powerful independent kingdom along the Bay of Bangal , the great patriotic monk, property came to realize that his tiny native land Arakan and Burma lone could not fight against the mighty of an empire on which the Sun never set.
his anti-British political view and strategy " All Asian unification against colonialism" was firstly expressed in " Conference for all colonized people" held in Japan 1907 and attended by about 300 delegates from different colonized nations. during the conference he was honored with a nick- name as the" Sun of Asia" and was also well-known in Japan by this name since then.

while he had close ties with great Indians of that time such as Gadhi, Tilak, Tagore and Baroda Maharajah he was a popular leader among the India national congress and at the same time he was even elected as president of all India Hindu mahasabha in 1935. having established intimate collaboration with Dr. Sun Yat Sen too, he made visits to the people of China, Korea, Indo-China and even Tibet in order to gain political solidarity among all Asians against British colonialism.

Besides these distinguished contributions to the all Asian freedom movement against colonialism, became the fiest national hero in British Burma, who defied the British power with dauntless courage by writing " Cradock get out of Burma" in an open letter to the governor of British Burma. Sir Geginald Gradock wiile every body in Burma was absoulutely silent with great fear under British ruler. His thunderous call and ourage shook and awakened the entire Burma with patriotic feelings and uprising against the British. Moreover he was the first politician from British Burma who was arrested by the authority for delivering his political public address openly against the British ruler. But, he warmly embraced every imprisonment put by British which came consecutively in 1912, 1924 and 1923 etc:.

various prominent mass organizations of earlier part of anti-British movement in Burma such as G.C.B.A (General council of Buddhist Association ) , WAN THA NU ALTHON(PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION) and SANGHA THAMAGHI( All monks union) were steered by him and the whole country became united under his leadership . total collapse of notorious diarchy rule and 1920 Rangoon college students boycott were most remarkable of landmark of that victorious mass movement . in the entire history of British in Burma, he braved to become the first Buddhist monk who devoted his entire life for the people's case against tradition and led the entire freedom movement introducing Gandhi's non-violent ideology and tactics combined with teaching of Buddha. thus he achieved the name called Gandhi of Burma. he, through his whole life , lived simply and died poorly in 1939.
all India congress committee, as soon as hearing the news that U Ottama was passed away in Burma, expressed their deep sorrow on death of the U Ottama who for years represented the province of Burma on the All India congress committee and portrayed valuable services in the case of India freedom. But , his sprit against colonialism will never die and his fighting for liberty, democracy, peace and justice for all oppressed people of the world will be ever alive.

Although it appeared independent in 1943, but Burma is still being remained under the notorious military dictatorship in Burma. the freedom that expected by Ven-U Ottama was not fulfilled yet. thus the fughting for freedom for all oppressed people is going on within territory and the flag of liberty highly erected by Ottama is being passed down over new generations continuously.

I therefore, on this martyr Day greatest patriotic Buddhist monk Ven U Ottama , paying great homage him , let us straighten and modernize our pledge to complete and materialize his noble aim and task in his unfinished target for liberating all still oppressed people and nation of the world, on behalf of all Arakanese people who are still suffering politically, economically and socially in Arakan, claimed the following to the notorious present ruler to accomplish immediately:

1. to hand over the power the great government body that can handle the situation of Muslims according to the rule and regulations of Burma.

2. need to born a strong rule and regulations for the people of Muslims who threaten entire Burma and religion and entire world and stop accepting Muslims from Bangladesh and destroy illegal Mosques in the entire Burma and reduce mosques amount in Arakan immediately.

3. strongly recommended to present notorious ruler to recognize 969 body legally in nations wide and give power to do development of Buddhism in the country and around the world.

4. to recognize Ven U Ottama's Day as national Day in Burma immediately.

5. to stop Gas business with China if 50% of money getting from Gas is not using for Development of Arakan state.
6. to keep strong hold for meaningful cease fire dialogue until getting agreement in between armed forces and to let be all states as a federal state immediately.

7. to give power to Arakan army as a border security force.

this is individual press release

 

___ Arakan News Now

 

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National hero Sayadaw U Ottama to be commemorated

 

By Nuam Bawi   |   Sunday, 01 September 2013

After years of official disapproval, the memory of independence hero Sayadaw U Ottama is to be celebrated on the anniversary of his death, September 9. The ceremony will take place at the Myanmar Convention Centre.

 

 

U Ottama died on September 9, 1939, of ill health after years of imprisonment by the British colonial authorities for repeatedly speaking out against them.

Speaking for the organisers of the event, Ko Lynn Tay Za told TheMyanmar Times, “We would like to restore him to his place in history, as his name has almost disappeared from Myanmar history.” The group also wants to rename the Kandaw Mingalar Park as Sayadaw U Ottama Park, a move supported by the culture ministry.

Recognition of the Sayadaw has been banned by the government for decades, though informal commemorations were held by individuals andsmall groups.

“As the country opens up, events like this have become possible,” said Ko Lynn Tay Za.

Government ministers, ambassadors and community leaders will be invited.

Sayadaw U Ottama was born in 1879 in Sittwe, Rakhine State. As a result of his anti-British agitation, he was the first Buddhist monk to be arrested and he underwent several spells in prison starting in 1921.

At the ceremony, which marks the 74th anniversary of U Ottama’s death, a two-foot sculpture of the Sayadaw will be exhibited by the sculptor Kyaw Kyaw Min.

“The commemoration of this day has been banned since the socialist era but the military regime also banned it,” said Kyaw Kyaw Min. “I would like to display my sculptures of U Ottama as he was the first monk to help our people escape from British domination. It was his example that inspired the movement for independence.”

Admission to the celebration will be free of charge.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/lifestyle/8014-national-hero-sayadaw-u-ottama-to-be-commemorated.html 

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