Our Dreams Have Finally Come TRUE!!!!!

                                                                           (Pics/Ref: Reuters, Economist, LA Times)

Today is one of the Greatest Days and the Happiest Day of MY LIFE!!!!!!!!

This is the day that I have been dreaming for and fighting for all these years......

This is the day that makes me feel that all those tears, heartaches and sacrifices that I have endured all along have been all worth it.....

This is the day that makes me realize all the campaigns that I have gone to, all the events that I have organized and have participated in, all the words that I have shouted of my lungs out at demonstrations, all the awareness that I have tried to raise, have been all paid of.

This is the day that gives me hope that all these years of living in fear of being punished for speaking out and standing for what's right...will soon be over.

Our party (National League for Democracy - NLD) and our Beloved Leader Aung San Suu Kyi have won the landslide victory in Burma's Election!!!!   Winning 44 seats out of 45 in Parliament!!!!!

Everyone is cheering on the streets of Burma, in front of Aung San Suu Kyi's house and everywhere you could see; all full with heartfelt emotions.....and joyful tears......

The boisterous, joyful scenes outside the headquarters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) throughout the evening of April 1st said it all: Burma's main opposition party looks to be on course for a big victory, a landslide even, in the country's historic by-elections. Every ten minutes or so news of yet another extraordinary result would be posted up on a giant digital screen facing the street, provoking even more ecstatic cheering from the huge crowd gathered outside. These are intoxicating scenes in a country that just over a year ago was a quiet, fearful military dictatorship.

The NLD had been contesting 44 of the 45 seats on offer in the federal parliament in Naypyidaw, the first elections it had taken part in since 1990. After such a long absence from the polls, nobody was really sure how the elections would go (the NLD boycotted the last general election two years ago). But although official results will not be known for a few days, it is already fairly obvious that the proxy-party of the ruling military government, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), has been humiliated.

Take Aung San Suu Kyi herself. The NLD leader stood for a seat, Kawhmu township, just outside Yangon, where the party claims that she got 99% of the vote and won at 128 out of 129 polling booths.

NLD officials were also claiming last night that they had won all 11 seats where all the votes had been counted—the polls shut at 4pm. And in five of those seats, they had won 90% of the vote. On these sorts of projections the NLD could well win all 44 seats it fought, or at least 40, ahead even of its more optimistic forecasts. NLD leaders I spoke with last week had been hoping to win about two-thirds of the seats.

Significantly, the NLD even claimed to be winning in government strongholds such as Naypyidaw, the gilded cage of a purpose-built capital five hours' drive north of Yangon. Here four seats were being contested, and probably over half of the voters were directly employed by the USDP government. They had also been promised extra goodies to vote for the USDP. Even in Naypyidaw the NLD claims to have won three seats, and one party official tabulating results said late on April 1st that the NLD had won all four. If true, that would really deal a body-blow to any remaining claims to legitimacy by the USDP government.

I sincerely want to thank all the friends, family and the co-activists who have stood with me and helped me held my head high in the darkest times.......  I would have not made it without you all.....  Thank you so so much......

Ms Aung San Suu Kyi's Landslide Victory in Burma's By-Election

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi's party, National League for Democracy (NLD), announced today (April 1st, 2012) that it had won almost every seat in this week by-elections closely watched by supporters and the human right organizations around the world.  It is such a startling result that showed strong support for the opposition even among government employees and soldiers.
According to Aung San Suu Kyi's aides, the National League for Democracy won 43 of the 44 constituencies it contested and appears set to win the remaining one too.

The United States and European Union will now be watching closely to see how the president and his military backers react to the NLD victory.

The victory is now expected to accelerate moves to lift sanctions against Burma – the European Union will decide later this month – but concerns are growing that it may also leave President Thein Sein's reform vulnerable to challenge from hardliners within the country's military establishment.

In her speech to supporters, Aung San Suu Kyi said she hoped it would usher in a "genuine democratic atmosphere" and speed the process of national of "national reconciliation." "It is not so much our triumph as a triumph for the people who have decided they must be involved in the political process of this country. It's not so important how many seats [we won], though we are gratified that we've won so many, but the fact that the people are so enthusiastic about participating in the democratic process," she said.

NLD's apparent landslide adds to the enormous symbolism of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s own election to Parliament after two decades of house arrest and the violent suppression of her supporters. She was ebullient on Monday, speaking of the “beginning of a new era” in a brief address to a tightly packed crowd outside her party’s headquarters.

(Ref: BADA, New York Times, AFP/Getty)

Election Day.......!

 People standing in-line to vote in the historic Election!

 Old and Young, all go out to vote...

Votes are being counted!!

People waiting on the results!  Anticipation has been too high.....
(Ref: LA Times)

Reaching out to the People.........

Very nice to see her smile and reaching out to the People...
One of the very few politicians in the world who does not actually need campaigning or any kind of persuasion to get votes....

She speaks to our hearts with her smile.....

Aung San Suu Kyi Campaigning for the Upcoming Election!

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, National League for Democracy is campaigning for the seats in this coming By-Election (April 1st, 2012).

I am extremely nervous and extremely excited at the same time about this By-Election.

I am just sincerely hoping that it would be fair election and that she and her party would get all the seats!

If all the people of Burma were allowed to vote from their heart, I absolutely have no doubt that she would grab all the seats....

We just need to hope that the government would not do anything to make this election unfair........

Hearing the news about her victory will be the day.....
the day that I have always wanted so bad deep down in my heart,
and yet, have never dare to dream of......

In the end, truth will always win over lies...
                 light will always win over darkness....
                 peace will always win over wars.....
                 courage will always win over torture.......

This is the photo of her and her members campaigning at the little town of Irrawaddy division on March 22nd, 2012.

 

Human Rights Day Event

Dinner, Speaker, Film, Cultural Dances and Panel Discussion

Featured film, Director:
“Into The Current” FILM about Burma’s Political Prisoners followed by a panel discussion.

Cultural Dances: Burmese, Kachin and Karen Cultural Dances.

Food and Dinner: Authentic Burmese Food:
                          Chicken Potato Curry, Bean Soup,
                          Burma Super Star's Tea Leaf Salad, Noodle Salad,
                         drinks and snacks.

Discount Tickets: tickets are available online and student, members and group discount available.

Ko Zargana's Public Speaking Event

Food fair, music, dances,short films and Talented Zarganar
Chabot Colleague Performing Art Center
25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545
Feb 19, Sunday, 11 am - 3 pm

Dear All, 
One of the most outstanding faces of Burma people's resistance and resilience, famous comedian, talented artist and activist who was recently released from the prison -- Ko Zargana, will be speaking at this event.

Event:          
A public event organized by the San Francisco Bay Area Burmese community, fans and supporters. The event includes Burmese Food Fair with nearly 15 food items, music and cultural performances to welcome his visit to our area. 

The people of Burma have enjoyed his performances and most importantly his talented and daring jokes and comments highlighting what's is wrong with the regime for nearly 3 decades as he start performing since a young university student. He is in a way "Jay Leno" of Burma but often being rewarded with imprisonments and harsh punishments. However, the regime was never able to silence him.

His last imprisonment was in 2008 for criticizing the regime for mishandling of the Cyclone Nargis. His 87 years old aging father passed away in 2010 while he was in prison. Artists around the world organized for his release.

Soon after his release from the prison, to make the Burma's independence day (Jan 4th), along with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, he organized and co-hosted the Burma's first "Art of Freedom Film Festival" last December; and the short-listed and wining short films will be shown at the event. The films are English- subtitled and his speech will be translated into English. 

Food will be available at 11 am and the event is to start at 12:30 pm.
Please come support while enjoying the Burma food, music, dances, short films and talented Zargana. Proceeds are to support humanitarian projects inside Burma and sliding scale donation is accepted at the door for entrance and seating.

Burmese Famous Blogger Nay Phone Latt - FREED

Today is such an Emotional day for me!!!!!!

I cried with joy to see a very close friend of mine, Nay Phone Latt (real name: Nay Myo Kyaw), a burmese blogger, who was previously sent to prison for 20years for writing political blogs and being politically active online...

The government quoted "The Electronic Law" for his sentence...., whatever that means....

I still remember the day when I found out that he was arrested....
I still remember the day when my heart pounded and I got short of breath when I found out he got the 20year prison sentence for writing politics on his blog!! 
My heart ached with pain, and I felt very helpless......for not being able to do anything for the injustice at that moment.....

He has always been such an inspiration for me and he has been the reason and the motivation that has kept me continue the job of political blogging that he had started.....

Welcome back, Nay Phone Latt....!!!!!!!

Hundreds of Political Prisoners FREED....

State media reports release of 651 political prisoners, including leader of 1988 pro-democracy uprising and an ex-PM.

Burma's government has begun releasing hundreds of prisoners, including many political detainees, pro-democracy activists say, as the country takes further steps towards political reform and ending its international isolation.

Burmese state radio and television said on Friday that 651 detainees were being freed to take part in "nation-building".

There was no official word on how many political prisoners would be included in the total, but among them was Sai Nyunt Lwin, 60, a prominent ethnic minority Shan politician, and Khin Nyunt, a former prime minister and military intelligence chief, a senior prison official said.

 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi cheered for the released political prisoners......

Min Ko Naing, the leader of a pro-democracy student uprising in 1988, and Shin Gambira, a well-known Buddhist monk who led 2007 street protests, were also reported to have been freed.

Witnesses said the charismatic student leader was greeted by a huge crowd as he left prison in Thayet, 545km north of Yangon.

The release of political prisoners could help pave the way for the lifting of economic sanctions by the European Union and the US following a flurry of reforms since Burma's civilian government was allowed to take power in March after almost half a century of military rule.

Some political prisoners have already been freed, media restrictions eased and the government has initiated a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi. On Thursday, the government signed a ceasefire with Karen rebels after decades of civil conflict.

Clinton welcomed the ceasefire agreement as a step to reaching national reconciliation.

"It is in that spirit that I urge the government to enter into meaningful dialogue with all ethnic groups to achieve national reconciliation, to allow news media and humanitarian groups access to ethnic areas." she said.

Last month, Clinton became the first US secretary of state to visit Burma in more than 50 years and said Washington stood ready to support reforms in the country and possibly lift sanctions.

The next major step in the reform process will be by-elections already announced by the government and set for April, in which our leader Aung San Suu Kyi and our party NLD will take part.
(Ref: www.aljazeera.com)

Burmese Leaders and Karen Rebels Sign Ceasefire

Government officials and rebel leaders agree on pact aimed to end one of world's longest-running civil conflicts.

Burmese government and one of the country's most prominent ethnic rebel groups, the Karen National Union (KNU), have signed a ceasefire after decades of civil conflict.

A delegation of ministers from the capital Naypyidaw and senior members of the KNU signed the pact in Hpa-an, the capital of eastern Karen state, an AFP news agency reporter witnessed on Thursday.

The military-dominated government, which came to power in March last year after decades of outright army rule, has been trying to reach out to ethnic groups as part of reforms seemingly aimed at ending its isolated status.

Civil war has gripped parts of the country since its independence in 1948, and an end to the conflicts, as well as alleged human rights abuses involving government troops, is a key demand of the international community.

Karen National Union leader Saw Jawni speaks to reporters at a welcome dinner for ceasefire talks [Reuters]

'This time we trust them'

Prior to the negotiations, a leading KNU member known as Brigadier General Johnny expressed optimism over the talks with the government.

"This time they didn't ask us to give up our arms, they just want to work for equal rights for ethnic groups," he told the AFP news agency. "This time we trust them." But he added: "We have been fighting for 60 years and one meeting alone will not end it."
(Ref: www.aljazeera.com)

Help Burma Fundraising food Bazaar for non-profit organizations inside Burma

The Food Bazaar fundraiser will be held on 

Date:   Sunday, Jan 22, 2012 at
            Newark Pavilion,
            6430 Thornton Avenue 
            Newark, CA 94560-3736 
Time:    form 11 am to 3 pm. 
Singer: Yadana Oo, 
            Burmese and Ethnic Cultural dances and more.

Freedom of Expression - Allowed in Burma for the First Time.....!!!!

I am Very excited about this very first ever Freedom Film Festival in Burma....
Freedom of Speech and Expression is one of the most important things in building a true democracy in the country.....

I can't believe that  things are actually chagning in the good directions...

Very Happy and Excited about our country and the people of Burma!!!!
(logos: behance.net)

Very First Freedom Film Festival Ever in Burma!!

The Art of Freedom film festival was a first in Burma, pushing the limits of expression, and screening a wide range of films that were uncensored and critical of the former military regime that ruled the country for decades before recent elections, which created a Parliament.

(Ref: mizzima)

• “Rope” directed by Min Thike won the “Best Short Film” award,  
• “Freedom and Unity,” directed by Zaw Bo Bo Hein won the “Best Animation” award, 
• “Still in the Dark,” directed by 19-year old director Aung Zaw Moe won the “New and Youngest Film Director” award,  
• “Click in Fear,” directed by Sai Kyaw Khaing won the “Best Documentary” award, and Waing’s “Cut this Scene” won the “Audience’s Choice” award.

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi's Honorary Achievements

 This is just to list the honorary achievements that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has achieved so far from different countries, organizations and universities around the world... (http://www.altsean.org/)

May she live a healthy, long life .....

Year	Award/Honor	Institution/Place
1990	Honorary Fellow	St Hugh's College, Oxford, UK
1990	Rafto Prize	Thorolf Rafto Foundation, Norway
1991	Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought	European Parliament
1991	Nobel Peace Prize	Nobel Foundation, Norway
1991	Honorary Member	International PEN - Norwegian Center
1991	Humanities Human Rights Award	US
1991	Honorary Member	PEN, Canada
1992	Marisa Bellisario Prize	Marisa Bellisario Foundation, Italy
1992	Annual Award	International Human Rights Law Group, US
1992	Honorary President	London School of Economics Students' Union, UK
1992	Honorary Member	PEN, UK
1992	Honorary Life Member	University of London Union, UK
1992	Honorary Professional Fellowship	Law and Society Trust, Sri Lanka
1992	International Simon Bolivar Prize	UNESCO
1992	Prix Litteraire des Droits de l'Homme	Nouveaux Droits de l'Homme, France
1992	Honorary Member	World Commission on Culture and Development - UNESCO
1992	Honorary Doctorate in Political Science	Thammasat University, Thailand
1993	Member	Academie Universelle des Cultures, France
1993	Rose Prize	Labor Movement's International Forum, Denmark
1993	Victor Jara International Human Rights Award	Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, US
1993	Member of the Advisory Board	Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, US
1993	Honorary Doctorate of Law	University of Toronto, Canada
1993	Freedom of the City	City of Giugliano, Italy
1993	Bremen Solidarity Prize	City of Bremen, Germany
1993	Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding	India
1993	Premio Mujer Progresista	Federacion Mujeres Progresistas, Spain
1994	Honorary Doctorate	Free University of Brussels, Belgium
1994	Honorary Advisor	Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific
1995	Freedom of the City	City of Aversa, Italy
1995	Prize for Freedom	Liberal International
1995	Honorary Doctorate of Laws	Queen's University, Canada
1995	Thakore Visiting Scholar Award	Simon Fraser University, Canada
1995	Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law	University of Oxford, UK
1995	IRC Freedom Award	International Rescue Committee
1996	Order of Australia	Australia
1996	Asia Human Rights Award	Federation of Human Rights of Asia, Japan
1996	W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award	National Democratic Institute, US
1996	Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Award	Art and Culture Foundation, India
1996	Empty Chair Award	Women of the Year Lunch, UK
1997	Honorary Doctorate of Legal Sciences	Charles University, Czech Republic
1997	Honorary Doctorate of Letters	Sydney University of Technology, Australia
1997	Honorary Doctorate of Letters	California Chapman University, US
1997	Honorary Doctorate of Law	University of Natal, South Africa
1997	Honorary Doctorate of Law	American University, US
1997	Distinguished Alumni Award	Delhi University, India
1997	Honorary Citizenship	City of Rome, Italy
1997	Honorary Doctorate of Letters	Glasgow University, UK
1997	Woman of the Year Award	Pearl S. Buck Foundation, US
1997	International Award	St. Angela's Peace and Justice Group, Republic of Ireland
1997	Profiles in Courage Award	Kennedy Society of Denmark, Denmark
1998	Honorary Doctorate of Law	Cambridge University, UK
1998	Freedom of the City	City of Oxford, UK
1998	Honorary Doctorate of Laws	University of Wales, UK
1998	Honorary Doctorate of Laws	University of Bristol, UK
1998	Honorary Doctorate of Laws	University of Melbourne, Australia
1998	Honorary Degree	Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium
1998	Honorary Degree	University of Bath, UK
1999	Honorary Degree	Bucknell University, US
1999	Freedom Award	International Republican Institute, US
1999	Freedom of the City of Dublin	City of Dublin, Republic of Ireland
2000	CAW Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award	Canadian Auto Workers, Canada
2000	Presidential Medal of Freedom	US
2001	Collage United Nations Award	Richard Hillinger, Germany
2001	International Social Welfare Prize	University of Southern California, US
2002	UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence	UNESCO
2002	Al Neuharth Free Spirit of the Year Award	Freedom Forum, US
2003	MTV Humanitarian Award	MTV Europe, UK
2004	Gwangju Human Rights Award	May 18 Memory Foundation, South Korea
2004	Honorary Doctorate of Laws	Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
2004	Honorary Doctorate in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics	Rangsit University, Thailand
2004	TIME's Asia's Hero 2004	TIME Magazine
2004	The Honorary Citizen of Paris	City of Paris, France
2004	The 2004 TIME 100, The most influential people in the world today	TIME Magazine
2005	Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award	Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award Committee
2005	Honorary Doctorate in Political Science	Thammasat University, Thailand
2005	Freedom of the City	City of Edinburgh, UK
2005	Freedom of the City	Galway, Republic of Ireland
2005	Honorary Membership	UNISON, UK
2005	Olof Palme Prize	Olof Palme Foundation, Sweden
2006	Freedom from Fear Award	Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, US
2007	Netaji Subhas Award	Netaji Subhas Foundation, India
2007	Honorary Doctorate of Law	University of Cape Town, South Africa
2007	Freedom of the City	City of Glasgow, UK
2007	Honorary citizenship	Canada
2007	Rome for Peace and Humanitarian Action	City of Rome, Italy
2008	Abogados de Atocha Prize	Abogados de Atocha Foundation, Spain
2008	Honorary Doctorate of Letters	Colgate University, US
2008	Congressional Gold Medal	US
2008	Freedom of Dundee	City of Dundee, UK
2008	Catalonia International Prize	Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain
2008	Honorary Membership	Club of Madrid, Spain
2009	Trumpet of Conscience Award	Realizing the Dream, US
2009	Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation	Gandhi Development Trust, South Africa
2009	Honorary Doctor of Laws	University of Ulster, UK
2009	Ambassador of Conscience Award	Amnesty International
2010	Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Award	Pakistan People's Party
2010	Honorary Membership	Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
2010	Queen of Burma’s Democracy and Human Rights Award	Manav Ekta Parishad, India
2011	Doctor of Laws honoris causa	Carleton University, Canada
2011	Global Trailblazer Award	Vital Voices Global Partnership, US
2011	Honorary Adult Friend of the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child	World’s Children’s Prize, Sweden
2011	Freedom of Brighton and Hove	City of Brighton and Hove, UK
2011	Freedom of the City	City of Newcastle, UK
2011	Chatham House Prize 2011	Chatham House, UK
2011	Honorary doctoral degree	University of Johannesburg, South Africa
2011	Wallenberg Medal	University of Michigan,US