SI NEWS 2006 eng Country Report Asia
From SI Exco News
Life in Myanmar
Greetings to all our friends in SERVAS worldwide, from Yangon, Myanmar. Some of you may be more familiar with the old name for our country, Burma. For many years tourists and visitors to our lovely country were discouraged, but in the past several years we are seeing more and more visitors, all of whom receive welcoming smiles and salutations from all our people.
My name is Soung Sandar Aung, and together with my mother, Mabel, we are now SERVAS hosts in Yangon. I work as a teacher at one of the few English language schools in Yangon, and am married with two teenage children. As with many Yangon residents we live in a multi generation family home. Although we have been lucky enough to have been able to make recent renovations, it is generally more convenient for SERVAS visitors to stay in one of the many hotels or guest houses when in Myanmar, so both my mom and I at present are happy to act as day hosts. We are both lifetime residents of Yangon, so know the city well. Our family are Buddhists and have a special devotion room in our home for practicing our prayers. We also regularly have monks visit us for meals and gift giving, as is the practice here in Myanmar.
Our home is very conveniently situated only a short walk away from the most famous shrine the Shwedegon Pagoda, Myanmars largest. My mom visits Shwedegon weekly as part of her religious practice.
I am hoping that any SERVAS visitors to Myanmar will choose to contact us before their visit. There is no SERVAS book for Myanmar yet, my mom and I are the only hosts! All contact details for me can be received in the normal way from the South East Asia Host list that I think is kept by coordinator Siriporn in Bangkok, Thailand.
Soung Sandar Aung, Myanmar
Sahyadri Ayurveda Hospital,
Peermade 685531,Idukki Dist., Kerala, India
I travelled in south India during August this year. During my travel I spent a fortnight at the Ayurvedic Hospital and Resort at Peermade in District Idukki in Kerala, a hilly area amidst tea gardens with excellent climate.
The Ayurvedic hospital is managed by Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally, founded by the Present Bishop Mar Mathew Arackal and headed by the Executive Director Fr Augustine Kariapuram.
I discussed about our Servas philosophy with Fr Augustine Kariapuram & the Director, Dr Jacob Thomas MD(Ayurveda)PhD. They both felt much impressed about our Servas philosophy & agreed to allow 10% discount in the prevailing cost of accommodation and Ayurvedic treatments to any Servas traveller seeking Ayurvedic treatment from their hospital. The traveller will be required to produce some documentary proof of his/her being a member of Servas.
Our Servas travellers travelling in South India can visit the Sahyadri Ayurveda Hospital at Peermade which is known for excellence in Ayurveda.
The details can be found at websites:
www.ayurvedaexcellence.com
www.sahyadri.org
E-mail: pedes[at] satyam.net.in
Fax: 0091-4869-232096
ph: 0091-4869-232496, 232497, 232197, 232725
Gurdev Singh, Servas India
Pakistan, Earthquake
56th Anniversary of Servas International was held on 10-10- 2005 in Lahore but it was not celebrated with smiles & laughs. The reason behind this was the most devastating & destructive earthquake which caused numerous injuries & the end of an enormous number of lives.
First of all the briefing about the above mentioned disaster was given & conveyed condolence message to all the victims, then prayer was performed by the National Secretary of Servas Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Naseem Khan for the eternal peace to the people who lost their lives in this terrifying incident & patience & forbearance for all those who had a narrow escape from death. The routine proceeding started thereafter.
A few distinguished personalities were invited to the anniversary celebration:
Dr. Tariq Mehmood Mian a very experienced & renowned person in medical profession with a lot of services given voluntarily (General Secretary Pakistan Society of Family Physicians) was present as a “Chief Guest“ he delivered his speech on awareness of medical facilities, treatment & surgery, he also highlighted the peaceful activities of Servas Pakistan & Servas International.
Mr. Zia Haider Rizvi our senior member (Honorary Consul General for Thailand at Lahore) was there as a “Guest Speaker” he highlighted the prospects of “PEACE” through tourism & Servas International activities worldwide. He also appreciated the efforts of Mr. Muhammad Naseem Khan for his Servas volunteer work & growing Servas in Pakistan.
All the invited guests added their feelings of consolation to the earthquake victims first, then proceeded with Servas oriented things. In the end Mr. Muhammad Naseem Khan gave his feelings about the causalities & victims & then threw light on the Servas functions --- how it is being run & managed giving full cooperation & devotion.
He further added that Servas is running nicely & smoothly not on account of his own efforts only, but all the members have played a very important role, so as to keep this peaceful organization on the right track; This reflects the dignity of this great person.
Mr. Muhammad Naseem Khan appealed to all the Servas members that they ought to offer their volunteer services to the victims with full devotion.
Hereby I, Muhammad Amjad, the Information Secretary of Servas Pakistan also request to all the members of Servas International & Servas Pakistan to take active part in helping the sufferers of the earthquake as much as possible, because we, as Servas members & volunteers have great responsibility to handle all the crisis of human beings up to the extent where we can get access to.
Muhammad Amjad, Servas Pakistan
