Once an ASEAN Top Country, Myanmar

By Nyan Yel Yint Win

 

 

In this article, we will look at a memorable event that took place in Myanmar 65 years ago. After the independence, when U Nu Government took office, Myanmar was one of the top countries in the ASEAN region. Here we will be looking at evidence (photos) that show that Myanmar was a top country around the years of 1955.

 

In 1955, Myanmar planned an Asia-Africa countries assembly in partnership with many other countries. The assembly was attended by 29 countries and is known as “Pandaung Conference” as the assembly took place in Pandaung City in Indonesia. Yangon was transit city for Assembly members to reach Pandaung. This shows that Yangon International Airport was a major spot in Asia for air-travel. Assembly members and leaders from different countries transiting to Pandaung, took a rest at Yangon and met the then President Doctor Ba U at his residence. The president welcomed his guests with a dinner party. Indian Prime Minister Nehru, Chinese Prime Minister Chou Enlai, the President of Egypt Nasser were among the prominent figures that attended the dinner party. The guests were lucky to witness Thingyan Festival (water festival) as it was in the middle of April. As per Prime Minister U Nu request, the guests celebrated the water festival in Myanmar traditional attires, sprinkling water on each other from their silver chalices.

 

Below we will look at the archive images from Myanmar Photo Archive showcasing this historical event.

 

Indian Prime Minister Nehru, Chinese Prime Minister Chou Enlai, the President of Egypt Nasser’s arrival to Yangon International Airport is greeted by the Prime Minister of Myanmar U Nu and his wife Daw Mya Yi
The guests arriving at the president’s residence (left to right) North Vietnam Foreign Minister Pham Van Dong, Chinese Prime Minister Chou Enlai, the President of Myanmar Doctor Ba U, Indian Prime Minister Nehru, the president of Egypt Nasser, Chinese Foreign Minister Chen Yi, Prime Minister U Nu.
Chinese Prime Minister Chou Enlai, the President of Myanmar Doctor Ba U, Indian Prime Minister Nehru, the president of Egypt Nasser together with India Gandhi the future Prime Minister at the president’s residence
Dinner party at the president’s residence
U Nu, Nehru, Nasser and India Gandhi at the Dinner party
U Nu and Chinese Prime Minister Chou Enla
Prime Minister U Nu and guests preparing to celebrate Thingyan festival
Honorary guests wearing Myanmar traditional attire, ready for celebration (at the left corner, India Gandhi is seen with a traditional Burmese female attire)
Indian Prime Minister Nehru with Myanmar traditional full attire
Thingyan free meals for public at a Government Mandat (Mandats are especially built temporary huts during the festival)
Thingyan Cars going around the city to entertain (Thingyan cars are beautifully adorned with traditional deigns and are usually trucks with a stage built on top and bring entertainment to the streets)
 

Nyan Yel Yint Win is a history enthusiast and an avid collector. He has a collection of over 400 historical images of Myanmar, clothings, documents and rare magazines. Nyan loves to tell stories through his collection. His current collection mostly come from his neighbours who live besides his house and he is aiming to collect some more items from an acquaintance Grandpa who is still refusing to give Nyan his photos and some vintage objects.