When we say Cherry, it will remind us of Win Oo,a composer, a singer, an actor who has got Academy award in the “Mg TohCherryMyay”, one of the films directed by U Tin Yu(1920-2013) as well as stunning PyinOoLwin and Cherry became more famous because of beauty of Cherry in harmony with the song, vocalist’s attractive vocal and style. One day, the opportunity to meet that Cherry came to me and it remained for many years from getting attention upon it.
Since my adolescence, reading poems and novels written by Takkatho Phone Naing, Kalyar(Science & Literature),Moe Moe (Innyar), Nay NweZinMyint, MaungSein Win(Patikone),NwanGyarThyaing and NyeinKyaw, I imagined the life of university student life with excitement and images of Adipati,Sagaing,Bagan, Kankaw,Inya , and Thathone roads ,plus, Thitpokepin and Jassonappeared in my dream. Through dreaming University compound and roads, the turn of my fate led me to join the Defence Services Academy(Cherry University).
My real life was very different from imaginary life. As I am one who loves gentle touch, I tried to be used to undertake rigorous trainings of Academy which tends to come out strong, faithful, brave and adventurous mindset.
On May 23rdin 1983, although I started to make concerted effort in academic curriculum alongside military trainings with the marching drill and song in PyinOoLwin where can be said as a stunning and peaceful destination of flowers with lovely fragrance, the images of Adipati,Kankaw, Inya and Thathone roads along with songs of HtooEain Thin were still influencing me.
My roommate, Cadet Moe Aung, usually tease me concerning the sense of poetic feeling whenever we meet. The reason is that I wrote poems based on the sense of sentimental feeling upon Cherry University when he was studying major subjects. Besides, imaging a girlfriend,I wrote” When the leaves are shaking,want to laugh…come to dance in my bosom”…As he has read it, he usually makes fun about it till now and it is pleasing to me.
The time I joined the Academy was the period of Cherry blossom,so,it was the coldest period in PyinOoLwin. Apart from scattering of Sain Pan(red&blue) along the street of Academic building ,Cherry flowers scattering along the running routes of rigorous physical exercise looks like the velvet of flowers for natural lovers, but, for first or second yearstudents under rigorous trainings, it can no longer be missing moment.
As I lived in humid region, while I was seeing Cherry, I couldn’t help enjoying rare species of Cherry which usually grow abundantly in mountainous region. By inserting Cherry flowers into the books carefully not to damage its original shape (not letting seniors know),I sent it with the letter to my sisters or brothers, on the other hand, my friends, to their girlfriends .We appreciated the exquisite cherry and its reputation as far as we use its name “Cherry” not only for the streets but also for someone’s name in the songs and poems. The perianth and colour of cherry attracts viewers as well as it can be regarded as a sign of lovers because they bloom only once a year.
There are many streets alongside sequential planted Cherry trees included our Academy compound in PyinOoLwin. Regarding Cherry blossom, Cherry begins to bloom aesthetically only when all the leaves are fallen from the tree, so, the whole tree looks like painted in pink. Moreover, the street is addressed as Pink Street because the whole street is full of pink.Also, pink colour is defined as a symbol of love, thus, giving Cherry flower means describing love and kindness. On the way to an exquisite Cherry blossom, we got so trouble by insets called “Khu” that make Cherry leaves fall. The cause is that we feel itching sensation when we touch “Khu” incidentally and also sweeping fallen leaves and keeping clean become our task, otherwise, punishment has already have for us.
Despite I have seen Cherry flowers for four academic years and it was the time to say goodbye,I think it is not the end of meeting between cherry and my fate because I saw Cherry flower again in Southern Shan State where I had given to take position. However, in that time, I could give hardly my time to feel the beauty of Cherry.
The attachment between Cherry and me was still. The reason is that I met again cherryas the third time after leaving from Southern Shan State and cherry in 1992.Regarding that, I was given to take the charge of exhibitor of Myanmar Travel Mart in JATA Tourism Forum (2016) Japan and leading 11 travel companies, we conducted that travel exhibition from September 11 to September 25.In the meanwhile, according to the invitation of Mr.Yoshinori Ochi, general secretary of JATA Tourism Expo Japan Executive Committee, Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister H.E U OhnMaung attended Global Tourism Forum and other related meetings. In the meeting of Mr.IchiroAisawa,president of Japan-Myanmar Parliamentary Friendship Committee, to promote friendship between the peoples of Myanmar and Japan and encourage future generations to embrace peace and promote good relations,to promote Myanmar tourism sector as world travel destination and to confirm proposal of Growing Cherry project were discussed on emphasis . As a result, Japan-Myanmar Friendship (Sakura Festival Myanmar) was successfully held on Zawana Road near the grand paradehall in Nay Pyi Taw on January 29, 2017.
State counselor DawAung San SuuKyiparticipated in the ceremonial planting of Cherry trees and said that “Cherry flower is a symbol of peace and means of communication between different cultures; teaching us how to build unity within diversity as well as urged people to consider tree planting as cultivating, nurturing, and strengthening the friendship between Japan and Myanmar and to highlight the need for peace”.Also she said “Our country is now on the path of peace. Building of peace sets a value on beauty, elegance, truth and peaceful co-existence and building the path of peace based on the said values can lead us to the goal we desire straight away”.
We realized that planted Cherry tree is a kind of cherry which can be grown in any regions created by DNA through genetic engineering technics of transferring pollen and branches which has been researched by Mr.Masaaki Takaoka ,a plant genetic engineer(1909-2001) for 30 years.
In 1966, that kind of cherry trees were planted successfully in Japan ,after that, planting cherry trees were extended to other cold regions and humid regions such as Lithuania, Vietnam, Mexico, Turkey, America, Thailand, Laos, Guam, Sri lanka, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippine, Indonesia, Tunisia, Romania, Tanzania, Vatican, China, Korea, Bolivia, Montenegro. If added (100)planted cherry trees in Myanmar, the total of plants will be (11000) plants. Furthermore, the film of genetic engineering of plants was filmed on December 2nd, 2016 and now, it is available. Mr.Massaki Takaoka passed away in 2001 and his son,Mr.Terumi Takaoka continued plant genetic engineering and also participated in Sakura Festival Myanmar.
According to the explanation of Mr. Terumi Takaoka, the cherry tree not only blooms but also its leaves are edible and can be used dried green tea and soap. In addition to decorative planting, as it can grow in mountainous and other regions, it can be run as a business and (2)Myanmar professionals working in his planting field acquire the ways of uses of Cherry.
As a result of planting Cherry tree aesthetically and systematically in Japan, the whole scenery is full of pink and not only Japan but also tourists enjoy in seeing it during the cherry blossom. Besides, we marked that Cherry is not only the heart of Japanese people but also the queen of flowers ,so, planting cherry trees in Myanmar means to the friendship Bridge between Myanmar and Japan and from it, to peace and friendship between Myanmar and Japanese people.
1000 Cherry trees will be planted on the left and right sides of Zawana Road; from lotus roundabout to Parliament. As the first time,100Cherry trees will be planted in 2017 and 200 Cherry trees to 2019 yearly, 300 cherry trees in 2020.
Due to the cooperation with Japan-Myanmar Parliamentary Friendship Committee and Vivo Myanmar Travels & Tours Co.,Ltd, Cherry will bloom aesthetically on the left and right sides of the road to Parliament until tourists are amazing and cheering it. Within Cherry blossom period,the whole plainalong the road to Parliamentwill be seen under pink and combinative beauty of cherry and grandiose Parliament will attract tourists more and more as well as it promotes not only Green Tourism but also MICE tourism.
Moreover, Japanese tourists are at the third rank among international tourists visiting Myanmar. Also, Japan-Myanmar relationship is on the evident historical background and mutual support between two countries is huge. Based on the Youkozakura (Cherry), friendship between two countries will go forward in concrete and Japanese people will explore Myanmar more and more.
In respect to the flowers, planting Padauk, Nguwa, Sain Pain (red& blue) which usually bloom only once a year like Cherry flower in Japan on the left and right sides of road will allure visitors and Competition of Photos of flowers will promote tourism during Cherry blossom Festival.
Today, Nay Pyi Taw built as a city of gardens and surrounded by nice climate through verdant trees and flowers is dramatically approaching to green tourism. In addition, Hoping Cherry which will bloom exquisitely soon and welcoming visitors with excitement and seeing the images of singing “Mg Toh Cherry Myay” song composed and sung by Win Oo in Nay Pyi Taw…………
“Mg TohCherrryMyay”
O’my golden carcanet, Johnquih…….Hmm..Hmm….
I wanna show you Cherry Myay, Let’s go together darling,
Green and fresh, sway with the wind ….O’ Cherry Myay..
Invigorated flower is ebullience; I’ll gave you for your sniff, in her fragrance with amenity. It’s our land, CherryMyay, for our happiness…
Welcome warmly to Cherry Myay..
Dual lovely couple night, I won’t forget forever,
Smiles like the flowers….Sweetie
At the edge of stars, stared eyes are scintillating blinks…
Consuming & fly around, it’s our firm candidness & love rains.
I’m happy with imaging…
Come & Enjoy with fondness, It’s our land,CherryMyay
