Bagyi Phyo, a retired teacher, is strongly equipped with nationalistic fervour and patriotic spirit. Silence ruled in the classroom when he taught history. He also equipped his pupils with nationalistic spirit and patriotic spirit and nurtured them in order to become reliable ones. In that way, he enthusiastically helped the nation produce human resources.

He is convinced that “The constitution is of vital importance for a nation. Only with an appropriate constitution will it be possible for the nation to enjoy political, economic and social progress”. He believed that a human body can stand firmly only with the backbone. In like manner, a nation can enjoy development and economic growth only with a suitable constitution.

The nation is now in pursuit of the State’s seven-step Road Map, which was brought into force in 2003. Now, the National Convention, the first and the most important step, has been convened, and plans are under way to draft a constitution. The Tatmadaw government is striving steadfastly for emergence of a new enduring State constitution as a national duty. It reconvened and completed the National Convention, that had been adjourned temporarily since 1996, between 2004 and 2007. Bagyi Phyo believed that the National Convention will go down in history owing to the National Convention delegates’ qualifications such as taking lessons from past historic events and prevailing situations, and capability of visualizing the future of the nation, applying experiences, knowledge and views in combination, being loyal to the nation and the people, imbuing themselves strongly with Union Spirit and foresight.

Therefore, Bagyi Phyo had taken a great interest in the Union Solidarity and Development Association that is made up of younger generation that will help create a prosperous future of the motherland. He had a conversation with his niece Htwe Nge who completed the Advanced Management (Special) Course for USDA executives.

“I am interested in the USDA that has been formed with younger generation who are patriotic with correct conviction and concept to restore stability of the State and carry out nation-building tasks in cooperation with the people. Would you explain facts about the Association to me?”

“Yes, Grandpa. The Association is formed with youths who are patriotic with correct conviction and concept to restore stability of the State and carry out nation-building tasks in cooperation with the people. It came into existence with five objectives, five principles, four oaths, eleven points of code of conduct, and fourteen duties and responsibilities based on Our Three Main National Causes the entire people practise as the national policy.

“Over 14 years after the Association was established, members have been taking part in social welfare services together with the people in respective regions in accordance with the future plans the Association lays down annually.

“In fact, they are also public members born of the people in respective regions. So, they are participating in the regional development tasks with genuine goodwill. They have a social welfare spirit and contribute towards social occasions and tasks for community peace, and improvement in the social, economic and education sectors of local people. They also take part in precautionary measurers against such natural disasters as floods and strong winds.

“In the process, they cooperate with local authorities, Tatmadaw members, service personnel and other social organizations. Local people of respective regions have recognized their contribution towards community welfare services. So, the membership of the Association has reached more than 24.5 million.

“The Association opens various courses for the growing number of the members to enable them to serve the interests of their respective regions better. In this regard, the member trainees should combine the knowledge they have gained from the courses and their experiences.

“Now, the government is building a new nation systematically to fulfil the wishes of the people. So, it is needed to take into consideration the past experiences, present situations and possible future of the nation. And it is also needed to transform the nation from the old system to the new one in a smooth way. I understand that all members have to serve as a reserve force to achieve the goal. The Head of State on one occasion gave guidance that the nation had to deal with a variety of destructive acts and blockages to carry out national development tasks. USDA members were to have correct concepts to overcome such hindrances. The four points of People’s Desire have been laid down to crush the destructive elements who are disrupting the national development tasks. It was required to inculcate People’s Desire not only into the Association but also into the people, he said.

“So, we, USDA members, are to work hard together with the people to perform the duties ranging from successful completion of the National Convention, the first step of the Road Map, to the drafting of the constitution. Now, some groups outside the nation are criticizing the nation with negative views. Moreover, they are airing distorted news stories and exaggerated news stories to instigate protests in the nation. We, members, understand well that their activities are not designed to serve the interests of the nation and the people.”

After the long clarification of Htwe Nge, Bagyi Phyo nodded his head smiling.

He said, “Then, I am assured of the good future of the nation and the activities of younger generation”.

At the end of Bagyi Phyo’s remark, Htwe Nge smiled pleased with her heart filled with satisfaction, visualizing the accomplishments ranging from the first step of the State’s seven-step Road Map to the set goal.