The Eastern Konyak community of Myanmar living along the India-Myanmar border can contribute to stronger relations between India and Myanmar.
“God... gave us the ministry of reconciliation" -2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV)
My name is Ashah. I was born and brought up in Khammoi village. I come from the Eastern Konyak community of Myanmar, a community living along the India-Myanmar border where families, traditions and cultural ties have continued across generations. For us, the border is not only an international boundary. It is also a place where people have shared history, kinship, friendship and mutual respect for many years. I believe this unique position gives our people an opportunity to contribute to stronger relations between India and Myanmar.
We occupy an important place in this border region. Our deep social, cultural and familial ties across the frontier provide opportunities to strengthen people-to-people relations.
Many people know our homeland only through news about conflict and insurgency. Nobody has ever come to see how we live. Very handful of individuals know our truth, our suffering, real stories, our daily realities, our rich cultural heritage, our strength or the dreams we carry for future generations. Like every community, we aspire to live in peace, educate our children, create opportunities for our youth and contribute positively to the friendship and cooperation between India and Myanmar. We hope the world will see us not only through the lens of conflict, but also through our commitment to peace, lawful cooperation, development and shared prosperity.
Peace provides the foundation for sustainable development, quality education, economic growth and community well-being. Through dialogue, mutual respect and responsible engagement, we can continue strengthening confidence, peaceful coexistence and social harmony among neighbouring communities.
For generations, our communities have exchanged agricultural produce, traditional handicrafts, locally manufactured goods and essential services. As we learn from the examples of other countries in the world, a peaceful, secure and well-managed frontier supports sustainable economic development, strengthens local economies and contributes to regional prosperity.
We also believe that stronger regional connectivity through the Eastern Konyak region can bring lasting benefits to both India and Myanmar. Better roads, border infrastructure and lawful trade can improve livelihoods, create opportunities for our youth and strengthen peace, friendship and cooperation between our two neighbouring countries.
With utmost humility, we wish to share one sincere aspiration of our community. We hope that, in the future, lawful cross-border trade and commerce can be channelised through the International Trade Centre at Longwa, creating opportunities for our people and strengthening friendship between India and Myanmar.
Although we have established the “Eastern Konyak Chamber of Commerce” (EKCC), we are still at the beginning of our journey and have much to learn. Therefore, we humbly seek the blessings, guidance and mentorship of the Konyak Union, Mon, and the Mon Chamber of Commerce and also from all our well-wishers and friends. We regard them as our respected elder brothers whose wisdom, experience and leadership have long inspired the Konyak community.
We earnestly request them to guide us, encourage us and show us the right path so that we may build strong institutions, promote lawful trade, create opportunities for our youth and contribute positively to the development of our people. Together, as one Konyak family, we can strengthen unity, foster peace and support the shared prosperity of communities on both sides of the India-Myanmar border.
We remain grateful for every word of guidance and every helping hand extended to our community. With unity, humility and mutual respect, we believe we can build a brighter future for generations to come.
For many communities in Myanmar, particularly those living near India, India is an important neighbour and a valued development partner. Educational opportunities, healthcare services, humanitarian assistance, cultural exchanges and cross-border commerce have strengthened goodwill over many years. I believe continued cooperation between the people of India and Myanmar will create greater opportunities for peace, development and prosperity for our border communities.
Within our Eastern Konyak community, access to education has historically been limited because of the challenges of living in remote border areas. Even with these difficulties, our people understand the importance of peace, mutual respect, lawful cooperation and good relations between India and Myanmar. I believe education is the key to transforming our future. Better schools, vocational training, literacy and language skills will enable our young people to contribute more effectively to community development and stronger cooperation between our two neighbouring countries.
I was fortunate to receive an education, which has enabled me to speak and write in English. Through this article, I humbly express the hopes and aspirations of my people. I sincerely hope my words reflect the feelings and sentiments of many Eastern Konyaks.
As Christians, our faith teaches us to become instruments of peace, reconciliation and service. We believe that God has blessed our community with a unique place between Myanmar and India and entrusted us with a special responsibility. With humility, we hope to contribute to peace, mutual understanding and shared prosperity in both nations.
The future of the India-Myanmar border region will continue to be shaped through cooperation between local communities. Every act of goodwill, every educational opportunity and every lawful economic activity strengthens mutual trust and creates new opportunities for future generations.
As Eastern Konyaks, we come with an olive branch. We extend our hands in brotherhood, friendship, peace, love and goodwill to the peoples and Governments of both Myanmar and India. Above all, we believe that humanity is greater than division. Through dialogue, mutual respect and lawful cooperation, we can build a future founded on trust, stability and shared prosperity.
I remain hopeful that our younger generation will carry this responsibility with wisdom, humility and dedication. We may be a small community living in a remote border region, but our hopes are great. With God's blessings, the support of our elder brothers in Mon district, the partnership of the Governments of India and Myanmar and the determination of our people and love of our friends, I believe the Eastern Konyak community can make a meaningful contribution to a future of lasting friendship, peace and shared prosperity for both nations.
As Christians, we Eastern Konyak people believe that God has entrusted us with a special responsibility to be peacemakers. As the Bible reminds us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Living between Myanmar and India, we see this not simply as our geography, but as our spiritual calling. We are committed to serving our motherland, Myanmar, while strengthening friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation with our close neighbour, India.
Through humility, compassion and service, we hope to become a bridge of peace and goodwill for the benefit of both nations, it's people and the greater humanity.
Ashah V. Anok
Finance Secretary, Eastern Konyak Union (Myanmar)