Westminster (Nguyễn Ninh Thuận)- Nhắc đến Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc, ai cũng biết anh Lê Bá Chư là chủ nhân cũng như giám đốc điều hành trung tâm này trong mấy chục năm qua.
Chiều Thứ Sáu, ngày 6 -4 -2014, dạ tiệc kỷ niệm “32 Năm Chặng Đường Nghệ Thuật” của Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc và cũng là 32 năm anh Lê Bá Chư sinh hoạt trong làng ca nhạc, nghệ thuật tại hải ngoại, cũng như Happy Birthday của anh được bắt đầu lúc 7 giờ 30 chiều tại nhà hàng Paracel Seafood Restaurant,15583 Brookhurst St., Westminster, CA 92683. MC: Trần Quốc Bảo & Ban Nhạc: Hoàng Nghĩa.
Mở đầu chương trình anh Lê Bá Chư lên chào mừng hơn 450 quan khách tham dự phần đông là ca sĩ bạn hữu thân quen với trên dưới 70 ca sĩ ở hải ngoại và Việt Nam sang hát ủng hộ CT của anh, gần 100 anh chị em trong Gia Đình Nghệ Sĩ Tâm Linh- các Trung Tâm Ban Nhạc như bà Yến/Tú Quỳnh, bà Lan/Làng Văn, Trung tâm truyền hình các Show, cùng các cơ quan truyền thông báo chí.
Anh nhắc đến cố Thi Sĩ Nguyên Sa và em ông là NS Lê Thanh Tùng / Hải Quân đã theo ông làm băng nhạc, hiện nay ở Orlando dạy nhạc cho một đám em nhỏ. Trong lời chia sẻ có đoạn nói: “…Mới đấy mà đã 32 năm, thời gian trôi qua nhanh quá, dù đã một vài năm Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc ngừng hoạt động nhưng có rất nhiều người gặp tôi vẫn hỏi thăm về những sinh hoạt văn nghệ của trung tâm chúng tôi như xưa kia.
Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc chính thức bắt đầu hoạt động từ năm 1982, lúc đó ở vùng Little Saigon chỉ có vài trung tâm ca nhạc như Thanh Lan, Làng Văn, Tú Quỳnh, Dạ Lan. Thời gian từ 1975 đến những năm giữa của thập niên 1980 tình hình ca nhạc ở hải ngoại rất khó khăn.
Khó khăn vì khó tìm ra những bài nhạc gốc, ngoại trừ có những người khi ra đi họ mang theo các cuốn băng cassette của các trung tâm như Sóng Nhạc, Thúy Nga, Bốn Phương... sang đây. Sau đó chúng tôi nghe lại, và chọn những ca khúc nhiều người yêu thích, rồi nhờ ca sĩ nổi tiếng sang được bên này hát lại, rồi hòa âm... và thu vào băng cassette.
Tôi là cựu đại úy Hải Quân, sĩ quan đệ tam của hải vận hạm Hương Giang 404 (tàu đổ bộ), chỉ huy trưởng đài kiểm báo 101 (nay là Cù lao Ré). Tôi qua Mỹ năm 1975 từng cộng tác với các tờ báo Đời, Dân Chúng, Sài Gòn, Thời Báo,... đồng thời có những giờ phát thanh trên các đài Radio Bolsa, Little Saigon Radio, Sài Gòn Radio Hải Ngoại.
Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc - Hai năm đầu mới bước chân đến Mỹ tôi làm nhà hàng Mỹ, lúc đó chỉ là phụ nấu bếp thôi, nhưng sau đó được thăng chức làm trưởng bếp (chef cook). Đến khoảng năm 1984, tôi mở nhà hàng Champaign, nhưng đồng thời vẫn giữ Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc. Gia đình tôi thật sự cũng có gốc gác về lãnh vực văn hóa, ca nhạc vì ông cậu ruột tôi là đạo diễn Lê Hoàng Hoa.
Tôi còn nhớ hồi lúc nhỏ cứ đi theo ông chơi, bởi vậy mỗi lần ông bấm máy cho bất cứ bộ phim nào, ở đâu, tôi cũng đều có mặt. Có lẽ nhờ vậy mà tôi có nhiều cơ hội quen biết với nhiều ca nghệ sĩ tên tuổi như Thái Thanh, Xuân Sơn, ông Ngọc Chánh, Phương Hồng Ngọc.
Với mục đích ban đầu khi thành lập Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc là để tổ chức show….Từ những năm 1979-1980, tôi cộng tác với ban nhạc 'Teen Sound,' ban nhạc này chuyên trình diễn tại các nhà thờ, và cũng có đi show.
Tôi cũng tổ chức show chung với ban nhạc này! Cuốn cassette đầu tay tôi thực hiện là “Thung Lũng Hồng,” có sự góp mặt của các ca sĩ như Khánh Ly, Như Mai, Hoàng Oanh, Elvis Phương, Hương Lan.
Lúc đó chỉ có Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc và Mây Bốn Phương là hai trung tâm hầu như tháng nào cũng thực hiện những chương trình ca nhạc thật đặc biệt, dù tổ chức ở những chỗ lớn như Anaheim Convention Center vậy mà khách đến xem vẫn đông nghẹt. Các ban nhạc lừng danh thời gian ấy gồm Family Love, CBC (Houston), Anh Tài, Shortgun, Dreamer (Duy Quang).
Qua mấy chục năm sinh hoạt như thế, Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc có khoảng 267 tác phẩm cassette. Nhạc của chúng tôi làm được chia làm nhiều thể loại như nhạc new wave, nhạc chủ đề của ba miền Nam Bắc Trung (bao gồm những bài nhạc chuyên về quê hương), nhạc tình (Ngô Thụy Miên, Từ Công Phụng, Vũ Thành An...), nhạc tình ướt át, nhạc lính (từ cuốn cassette Giáng Ngọc 16 trở đi). Lúc đó là khoảng từ 1987 đến 1996, tính ra Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc cũng sống mạnh được khoảng 14, 15 năm.
Chương trình dạ tiệc mừng kỷ niệm 32 năm thành lập Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc, tôi tổ chức buổi dạ tiệc thật ra không ngoài mục đích gửi lời tạ ơn, cảm ơn khán giả đã từng chiếu cố, ủng hộ Trung Tâm Giáng Ngọc trong suốt mấy mươi năm đó. Nếu quý vị nhìn vào poster của chúng tôi, bạn sẽ thấy sự đầu tư khá 'mạnh tay.' Cả mấy chục ca sĩ từ Việt Nam sang cũng như tại hải ngoại kết hợp giúp tôi tạo sự thành công cho đêm này mà lát nữa đây quý vị sẽ thưởng thức.
Chỉ nội tính tiền thù lao cho ca sĩ, tiền quảng cáo báo chí, tiền quảng cáo radio, truyền hình thôi, tất cả cộng lại thì dù có bán hết vé cũng không đủ tiền để trang trải những chi phí ấy. Tôi làm show này không nghĩ đến chuyện lời lỗ, chỉ mong mang lại một bữa tiệc thật sự đầy đủ, nhân dịp này tôi tổ chức sinh nhật của tôi. Tôi ước mong khán giả hài lòng là vui rồi!...”
https://vietbao.com/a219700/ky-niem-32-nam-chang-duong-nghe-thuat-tt-giang-ngoc
Dian (Chinese: 滇) was an ancient kingdom established by the Dian people, a group of indigenous non-Chinese metalworking tribes that inhabited around the Dian Lake plateau of central northern Yunnan, China from the late Spring and Autumn period until the Eastern Han dynasty. The Dian buried their dead in vertical pit graves.
The Dian language was likely one of the Tibeto-Burman languages. The Dian were gradually displaced and assimilated into Han Chinese culture as the Han dynasty expanded towards what is now Yunnan. The Han Empire's annexation of the Dian Kingdom in 109 BC eventually led to the establishment of the Yizhou commandery.
Dian Kingdom - 279 BCE–109 BCE - Dian and the southwestern barbarians in the early Han period. Red means nomadic, yellow is semi-nomadic, and purple is sedentary. Dian and the southwestern barbarians in the early Han period. Red means nomadic, yellow is semi-nomadic, and purple is sedentary.
Dian was an ancient kingdom situated in modern Yunnan, southwestern China. According to Han historian, Sima Qian, it was established in 279 BC when King Qingxiang of Chu sent a military force to the southwest. Zhuang Qiao, a general of Chu, reached the Dian Lake as part of the Chu military campaign.
When the Chu homeland was invaded by the Qin, Zhuang Qiao decided to stay in Yunnan and adopt the native ways, establishing the Dian kingdom. The Qin dynasty was subsequently overthrown by the Han, and the commanderies of the new dynasty, Ba and Shu, bordered Dian.
According to the Shiji, the southwest was dominated by barbarians, among whom the ruler of Yelang was the most powerful. To the west of Yelang were the Mimo and the most powerful among them was the ruler of Dian. North of Dian was Qiongdu. All these people styled their hair in a mallet-shaped fashion. These were settled peoples who worked the fields and lived in settlements.
In the area from Tongshi east to Yeyu were the Sui and Kunming tribes who braided their hair and moved from place to place with their herds. They had no fixed abodes or rulers. Northeast of the Sui were the Xi and Zuodu.
The most powerful of the Zuodu were the Ran and Mang, who lived west of Shu. Some of them moved from place and place but others lived in fixed abodes. Northeast of the Ran and Mang were the Baima, who belonged to the Di tribe.
Shu is the only place that makes ju berry sauce. large quantities of it are exported in secret to the markets of Yelang, which is situated on the Zangke. The Zangke at that point is over 100 paces across, wide enough to allow boats to move up and down it.
The king of Southern Yue sends money and goods in an effort to gain control of Yelang, extending his efforts as far west as Tongshi, but so far he has not succeeded in getting Yelang to acknowledge his sovereignty.
In 135 BC, the Han envoy Tang Meng brought gifts to Duotong, the king of Yelang, which bordered Dian, and convinced him to submit to the Han. The Jianwei Commandery was established in the region. In 122 BC, Emperor Wu dispatched four groups of envoys to the southwest in search of a route to Daxia in Central Asia.
One group was welcomed by the king of Dian but none of them were able to make it any further as they were blocked in the north by the Sui and Kunming tribes of the Erhai region and in the south by the Di and Zuo tribes. However they learned that further west there was a kingdom called Dianyue where the people rode elephants and traded with the merchants from Shu in secret.
In 111 BC, Emperor Wu of Han ordered the barbarian tribes of Jianwei Commandery to raise troops for the campaign against Nanyue. Fearing that neighboring tribes would attack them in the absence of their men, the tribe of Julan rebelled against the Han and killed the governor of Jianwei Commandery. After Nanyue was defeated, Han forces turned north and subjugated the various tribes of Yelang, Julan, Toulan, Qiong, Zuo, Ran, and Mang.
The Dian Kingdom was annexed by the Han under the reign of Emperor Wu of Han in 109 BC and the Yizhou commandery established. The Dian King willingly received the Chinese invasion in the hopes of assistance against rival tribes. It was at this time he received his seal from the Chinese, and became a tributary.
Emperor Wu sent Wang Ranyu to persuade the king of Dian to submit, pointing out that many of the neighboring tribes had already been defeated. The king of Dian was initially reluctant to accept the offer for he still possessed some 30,000 troops as well as the allegiance of the nearby Laojin and Mimo tribes.
However, in 109 BC, Han troops from Ba and Shu wiped out the Laojin and Mimo, leading the king of Dian to surrender. While Dian became Yizhou Commandery (Chinese: 益州), the king was allowed to continue his rule until a rebellion during the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han. The Han proceeded with colonization and conquered the people of Kunming in 86 and 82 BC, reaching all the way to what is now modern day Myanmar.
The Dian buried their kings at Shizhaishan, which was uncovered in 1954 near Shizhai Village in Jinning County, Yunnan. The burials were identified by the inscription King Dian's Seal. The inscription was written in seal script on a gold imperial seal of investiture given by the Han Emperor.
Sima Qian noted that the Dian were one of only two local groups to have received an imperial seal, the other being Yelang. Both have survived: the Yelang Seal emerged in 2007 from a Hmong man in Guizhou, claiming to be the Yelang King's 75th generation descendant.
The Dian people were sophisticated metal workers, casting both bronze and iron. The Dian cast bronze objects using both the piece mould method and the lost wax method. Dian elite burials contained an impressive array of bronze objects, although late Dian burials also contained locally cast iron objects.
Large bronze drums were employed by the Dian to communicate in battle; ritual burials of Dian elites were accompanied by large bronze drums filled with cowrie shells. The tops of the drums were removed and replaced by a bronze lid.
Iaroslav Lebedynsky and Victor H. Mair speculate that some Sakas may also have migrated to the area of Yunnan in southern China following their expulsion by the Yuezhi in the 2nd century BCE. Excavations of the prehistoric art of the Dian civilization of Yunnan have revealed hunting scenes of Caucasoid horsemen in Central Asian clothing.
The scenes depicted on these drums sometimes represent these horsemen practicing hunting. Animal scenes of felines attacking oxen are also at times reminiscent of Scythian art both in theme and in composition.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dian_Kingdom
The battle in numbers The powerful army of the State of Zhao had 450,000 soldiers under the command of Lian Po and later Zhao Kuo. At the end of the battle when the survivors of this army had surrendered the youngest 240 soldiers were released, the remainder were executed, buried alive in pits that even today occasionally bone or bone fragments are unearthed.
The State of Qin was led by Wang He and he was replaced by the legendary military leader Bai Qi. This change led to the final battle where the tactics of Bai Qi outmanoeuvred those of the Zhao leader. In all over 650,000 soldiers were killed or seriously wounded during the conflict making it one of the most lethal battles in military history.
Before we look at the battle, we should look at the military equipment and tactics used at that time. The military chariot was still in use in Chinese warfare long after it had ceased to be used in the Middle East.
The chariots use was however in decline during the Warring States Period. Massed infantry were beginning to excel largely due to the massed use of the crossbow. The increase in use of an infantry force meant the peasantry could easily be drafted and relied less on the nobility to control the chariots.
Further back in ancient Chinese history at the Battle of Muye in 1046BC, the victorious Zhou army had 45,000 soldiers and 300 chariots. By the time of the Warring States the military strength of each state had grown considerably. The Qin had an army of over 1 million infantry, 1,000 chariots and 10,000 cavalry on horses.
Another factor in the increased size of each army was the increase in casualties with 340,000 killed at the battles of Maling and Yique. The Qin general Bai Qi was reported to have been responsible for close to 900,000 enemy being killed during his military career.
At that time records may have been inaccurate and soldiers were paid on the number of enemy they killed so enemy deaths may have been exaggerated. None the less the Warring States was a period of excessive bloodshed.
This was largely due to the use of mass infantry units where fighting became more intense and at close quarters. As the aristocracy became less involved on the battlefield their leaders became more despotic as Chinese nobles became part of the literate class and not the warrior class.
The chief weapons used were the crossbow, which was mass-produced with training easily accomplished. It was a powerful, accurate long range weapon at the time. The infantry were equipped with several weapons although the dagger-axe was the most popular. They were on a pole of 9 to 18 feet and consisted of a spear with a slashing blade.
Back to the Battle of Changping- the beginning of the conflict - In 265BC, the state of Han was invaded by the Qin. The intention was to take the province of Shangdang. The Qin army quickly passed through the territory with main roads and fortresses all falling within the next four years. Shangdang was cut off from the Han territory and due to fall into Qin hands. In a remarkable act the Han then gave their neighbours, the Zhao kingdom the prize of Shangdang.
At that time, Shangdang was of great importance strategically to the Zhao, if it fell into Qin hands then the Zhao heartland would be liable to attack. King Xiaocheng accepted the offer of Shangdang and sent an army under the leadership of Lian Po to quell the threat posed. They met at Changping with Wang He leading the Qin army.
Lian Po had already suffered several minor defeats to the Qin during his military career and decided to wait and hope the Qin would eventually go. He had several fortresses built and waited, this turned into a stalemate lasting three years. The Qin did attack one time, even breaching the walls of the Zhao defenders. The attack though did not have sufficient numbers to bring defeat, so the stalemate continued.
A change in strategy - The Qin sent some of their spies into Zhao and Han territory spreading the message that Lian Po was too old and a coward not wanting to fight. The Zhao king removed Lian Po and replaced him with Zhao Kuo, the son of a famous general, Zhao She. Before he died, Zhao She had said that his son should never command an army, Zhao She’s wife had approached the king asking that her son not be given the appointment, the king refused and Zhao Kuo was sent to Changping.
In the meantime the Qin had replaced their own general with Bai Qi, a renowned fighter and tactician. Zhao Kuo’s command of the Zhao army began in July 260 BC. He had an army of around 400,000 and he ordered them to invade the Qin camp. During the attack the Qin operated a manoeuvre that looked like a retreat that actually became an ambush. The forward lines of the Zhao army advanced as far as the Qin fortress.
The Qin in ambush positions cut off the rearguard of the Zhao forces while simultaneously surrounding the fortress belonging to the Zhao. The Zhao army found itself split into two and all its supply lines were cut off. Bai Qi, the commander of the Qin forces ordered constant counter attacks against the Zhao. The Zhao were positioned on a hillside where they hastily made fortifications and hoped for reinforcements to arrive.
Zhao Foreign Policy - For decades, opportunism had been the focus or drive of the Zhao foreign policy. They had ever shifting alliances with their surrounding states in an effort to stop the expansionism of the Qin state. Since 295 BC they had even had alliances with the Qin themselves when the opportunity suited their needs.
On this occasion the states of Chu and Qi would not come to the aid of the Zhao. Meanwhile, the Qin king, Zhaoxiang sent messages to the Henei region in today’s Henan province ordering all males over 15 years of age to assemble south of Changping and block any Zhao supplies and reinforcements.
After being besieged on the hillside for 46 days, the Zhao encampment, driven by hunger and despair, made several desperate attempts to escape. They were unable to break out of the stranglehold the Qin had erected. Zhao Kuo, led his finest troops in a last desperate attempt and was cut down by the massed ranks of crossbowmen.
The remainder of the Zhao army surrendered but fearing a revolt and opposition from the people of Shangdang towards the Qin, Bai Qi ordered the execution of the prisoners. He spared 240 of the youngest soldiers sending them back to their homes to spread the fear about the Qin army.
The Battle of Changping is regarded as one of the bloodiest battles in world history with around 650,000 casualties, 450,000 being on the side of the losing Zhao state. Those soldiers executed were mostly buried alive in pits and centuries later Emperor Xuanzong of Tang erected a temple on the execution site which became known as the Temple of Bones.
Aftermath of the battle - Both states of Qin and Zhao were financially crippled and exhausted of domestic supplies after more than three years of fighting. The Qin state was able to quickly recover, however the Zhao state was not able to. In the years leading up to the Battle of Changping, the state of Zhao was one of the stronger participants in the Warring States Period.
The Zhao never fully recovered from this defeat and they were conquered by the state of Qin around thirty years later. This gave the state of Qin military superiority over the surrounding states. Further battles took place against the state of Chu before the dominance of the state of Qin led to the unification of China in 221 BC.
https://www.newhistorian.com/2018/11/02/the-battle-of-changping-the-decisive-battle-of-the-warring-states/
Big changes are in store for the Lake County Animal Shelter, which slowly is making a switch to what's called a "no-kill" facility — a place where 90 percent or more of animals leave alive.
Unfortunately, that's going to be a tough job in a county whose shelter often is bursting at the seams with pit bulls and mixes, the dogs responsible for 64 percent of deaths by mauling between 2005 and 2015.
The Mandela Effect is a phenomenon that makes us question even the most mundane memories from the past. In June 2019, the famed New York Times crossword puzzle made it the theme, and defined it as, "a recent refinement of false memory that typically refers to pop culture or current event references." Named by paranormal researcher Fiona Broome, it's basically remembering something that doesn't match with historical records. For example, the stuff you use to make your home smell fresh isn't "Febreeze". Broome has said that she "loves" the idea that the Mandela Effect, or others claiming they distinctly recall different events or details, could be proof that we're existing in alternate realities. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g28438966/mandela-effect-examples/
For 2016, Lake County sadly will be contributing to those statistics. Authorities found human skin in the stomach of the pit bull mix owned by Sonda Tyson, a 66-year-old grandmother who was fatally attacked in March. She was found mauled on her back porch, and the 68-pound dog she'd had from a puppy was covered in gore. Police had to shoot the animal.
Ed corney
Pit bulls and their mixes are banned from military housing and from more than 800 cities, including Miami, but they still accounted for 28 of 34 fatal maulings in 2015, even though they make up only 6.6 percent of dogs in the U.S. Together, pit bulls and rottweilers made up 91 percent of the recorded deaths, according to DogsBite.org, a nonprofit that seeks to track dog bites and human deaths across the country.
Please don't email to tell me you have the most wonderful pit bull ever, that many dogs are mistaken for pit bulls when they really aren't or that killer dogs all had bad owners. None of that matters. The numbers simply are against the square-jawed, muscular dogs — regardless of whether they're the meanest by nature or whether they just do more damage when they bite because of their build and power.
After all, yappy Yorkies can be snappish little things, but who ever heard of death by Yorkie? You just shake them off your ankle when they bite.
Which brings us to how the Lake animal shelter should treat big, possibly aggressive dogs, especially in light of a pit bull attacking a Groveland man who was considering adopting him from the shelter about two weeks ago.
The man was taken to South Lake Hospital in Clermont, but details of the attack aren't known because county officials have chosen to keep them secret, a policy that prevents the public from being able to learn how citizens are harmed at the shelter run by their tax dollars.
The following question went unanswered for days after the pit bull named Big Man bit the fellow who wanted to adopt him: How did an aggressive dog that had been marked for euthanasia come to be with a member of the public in a viewing room?
The answer is troubling. Dogs that easily are identified as extremely aggressive all the time are euthanized. It's the ones with intermittent aggression, such as Big Man, that are the danger. It's because the county has no point — no "switch" — that triggers workers to take such animals out of circulation at the shelter. If you think the dogs they're showing you are safe for your family, you may be wrong.
Brian Sheahan, director of the county's Community Safety & Compliance Department, explained it this way: "The county has gone to a more holistic assessment."
This involves workers making notes on each dog and doing a variety of tests — how does the dog react when hugged, for example — to try to determine how they might behave outside the chaotic environment of the shelter. But there is no "set criteria" that keeps a dog from being adopted — even if, like Big Man, the dog has been aggressive with workers, Sheahan said.
"There is not a switch," he said. There needs to be. Public safety demands it. County commissioners likely will be voting soon on whether to adopt the no-kill shelter philosophy being pushed by animal advocates. Getting to the goal of 90 percent of animals leaving the shelter alive puts considerable pressure on staff to move as many animals as possible to new homes. Sheahan said workers' assessments of an animal won't be swayed by that goal.
But consider that in the case of Big Man, who had several positive assessments. One worker wrote, "When rescue walked through, he lunged and hit the fence. Very aggressive, not adoptable." Another described him as "unpredictable" and said he attacked the scoop workers use to clean cages, growled at workers and wouldn't let them in.
Not all government-run shelters even allow adoptions of certain breeds. The Polk County Animal Shelter does not allow the public to adopt dogs that look like the American Staffordshire terrier or the American bulldog or mixes of such dogs, all commonly labeled pit bulls.
They go to rescue groups only. "For us, it's a public-safety issue," said sheriff's Capt. Rob Oakman, who is in charge of the shelter. "It's the responsible thing to do." As this movement toward a no-kill shelter advances in Lake, commissioners should at least consider imposing the same policy, despite howls from pit-bull lovers.
Rescue groups simply are better equipped to evaluate such dogs. At the very least, the shelter must adopt enough rules to make sure that iffy dogs such as Big Man must be kept away from the public.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-lk-lauren-ritchie-pit-bull-adoptions-20170213-story.html
Lian Po (c. third century BC) was a military general of the Zhao state in the Warring States period of Chinese history. He was named by Chinese historians as one of the four greatest generals of the Warring States period, along with Bai Qi, Wang Jian and Li Mu. In Lian Po's early years, he had victories in the wars against Qi and Wei.
Lin Xiangru, a minister of Zhao, was disliked by Lian Po, because of his rapid rise to power and genius. But Lin Xiangru, in several famous incidents, took great steps to avoid Lian Po; in one case he even turned from Lian Po's carriage rather than block the great general's route.
Eventually, all this began to cause shame and embarrassment to Lian Po, and he carried sharp brambles on his shoulder without clothing and asked Lin Xiangru to forgive him. Afterwards, they became good friends.
During the Battle of Changping, he became the commander of Zhao. Deciding not to risk his forces by engaging in open battle with the Qin, under their brilliant general Bai Qi, Lian Po instead built a series of forts along the Changping area, successfully stopping the invasion of Qin.
However, King Xiaocheng of Zhao (趙孝成王), under the persuasion of many courtiers (most of whom were bribed heavily by Qin spies) became dissatisfied with Lian Po's strategy, and decided to replace him with Zhao Kuo (趙括).
Being the son of another famous Zhao general, Zhao She, Zhao Kuo discarded Lian Po's cautious, defensive strategy and attacked with full strength. As a consequence, he was defeated, and Zhao never returned to prominence.
After the Battle of Changping, Lian Po became the commander of Zhao army again to stop the invasion of Yan. He defeated Yan army, but in his later years, he was distrusted by the King of Zhao. Therefore, he decided to escape to Wei, and then to Chu. He died in Shouchun, the capital of the Chu state, living long enough to see the gradual demise of the country he once served.
In the Manga and Anime Kingdom, he was shown as a cheerful, but often serious General. He was surrounded by 4 of his best men in battle. He left Zhao after he disagreed with King Daoxiang's method of leadership.
He went to Wei, joined battle against Qin, but lost after the puppet leader died. He left Wei, and settled in Shouchun, in Chu. There, he was a "guest" in the Chu estate.
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Lian_Po
Bai Qi — An Exceptional Marshal and God of War in History of China. Bai Qi (? — 257), honored as Lord Wuan, was one of the most extraordinary generals in both the State Qin and the entire history of China.
He has been respected as the God of War, but also the Killing Machine. In this entire life, Bai Qi had participated and led over 70 wars, and had never failed. During the entire Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC), there were over two million people lost their lives on the battlefields, and Bai Qi was responsible for about one million.
However, after having led and won the largest annihilation war in ancient Chinese history, which severely weakened the strongest rival of State Qin, Bai Qi was forced to commit suicide, despite of his insightful judgement and exceptional contribution to his country.
From A Soldier to An Accomplished Marshal - Bai Qi was born into a noble family, but according to Shang Yang’s Reform in the State Qin, everyone should get promoted or noble titles based on their military achievements. Hence, Bai Qi also started as an ordinary officer in Qin's army.
He got promoted quickly because of his extraordinary performance and remarkable contribution in wars. In his 30s, Bai Qi was nominated as the chief commander of Qin’s army, to fight against the alliance troop of the State Han and State Wei that with around 240,000 warriors.
Exquisite Cart Decoration of the State Wei Inlaid with Gold and Silver — National Museum of China (Photo by Dongmaiying). Even though Bai Qi had less than half soldiers than his rival, he annihilated all of his enemies, and extended Qin’s territory.
After this huge success, Bai Qi was trusted by his king with more power. In the next few years, he led the Qin’s army attacked States Wei, Han, Chu, Zhao, and had occupied around 70 cities of those kingdoms.
The strong State Chu in the south kept being defeated, and had their capital city occupied by Bai Qi. This former powerful kingdom lost many good soldiers and land during those wars, and was unable to recover and fight back.
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No matter how many strong warriors other states sent, how bravely they had been fighting, or how close they had been allied, Bai Qi always won.
Gold Currency (Ying Yuan) of the State Chu — Nanjing Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
The Largest Annihilation War in Ancient Chinese History
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After Bai Qi having severely weakened many kingdoms’ main forces, Qin started to attack its strongest rival, the State Zhao. This was the War of Changping, the cruelest and largest annihilation war in the ancient history of China. Over a million soldiers participated in this battle, and more than a half lost their lives.
The first stage of this war lasted for 3 years (262 BC — 260 BC), when the famous and remarkable marshal Lian Po (327 BC — 243 BC) was the commander of the State Zhao’s army, who was excellent at defending strategies.
At that time, the leading commander of the State Qin was another general, since Bai Qi was in other battlefields. During these three years, around a million soldiers stationed on the battlefields, both sides had failed some battles, and no one could win.
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The King of Zhao had been unsatisfied with Lian Po’s defensive strategy for a long time as well; hence, he decided to change Zhao’s chief commander from Lian Po to Zhao Kuo.
Young general Zhao Kuo was the son of a great general that had defeated the Qin’s army before. Zhao Kuo was smart, and excellent at military strategies.
Zhao Kuo was a brave, loyal, ordinary general. But, sadly, he encountered Bai Qi. Hearing the replacement commander of the State Zhao, the King of Qin secretly nominated Bai Qi as Qin's new commander. Bai Qi asked the former general to fake a failure, and lure Zhao's army to step out of their solid base and chase.
Then, when Zhao’s army was in movement, Bai Qi led his 30,000 cavalrymen troop ambushed, intercepted and cut off Zhao’s over 450,000 soldiers' big army into some smaller troops. The King of Qin immediately recruited another troop in person, promised them titles and farmland, and sent them to assist Bai Qi to cut off the food supply of Zhao’s army.
Zhao’s soldiers were besieged separately, and had their resources cut off. They tried to break the encirclement for several times, but all failed; they had insisted for another 46 days, with no supply, but only constant attacks by Qin's aggressive warriors.
Unearthed Sword and Armor of the Qin — Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. fter the leading commander Zhao Kuo was killed by Qin in a breakout battle, the remaining around 200,000 desperate soldiers of Zhao surrendered.
Bai Qi released 240 very young captives to go back to their country, and then tricked and killed the rest of them. In this war, about 450,000 fine soldiers of the State Zhao were buried here in Changping.
Some emperors in the following dynasties in the history of China commanded to build temples to memorize these poor soldiers’ souls and tried to rebury their bodies.
Until today, large numbers of bones and weapons in many mass graves still kept being excavated or exposed in this ancient battlefield, especially in heavy rainy days.
Site of the Changping Battlefield, the Place That Bai Qi Led Qin's Troop Besieged Armies of the State Zhao. The reason why Bai Qi slaughtered so many surrendered soldiers was not very clear.
Some said Bai Qi considered those large numbers of fine soldiers would be a huge trouble no matter they were taken back to Qin or released back to Zhao. They would not well behave in Qin’s territory, nor pledge loyalty to the King of Qin, since Qin and Zhao had been rival for quite a long time.
However, setting them free would make this victory pointless, and those persistent, brave soldiers would fight in more wars against Qin in the future. Others believed that Bai Qi was just following the king’s command. The King of Qin didn’t want to take the blame of commanding to kill, so he implied Bai Qi to do it for him.
Anyway, Bai Qi implemented the massacre, and took all the blame. He had been frequently considered as a cruel, ruthless Killing Machine. Meanwhile, he did eliminate the biggest threats for his king. After the War of Changping, the State Qin became the strongest empire, while others all changed to defensive mode.
Certificate (Hu Fu) of the King of Qin to Deploy Forces — Shaanxi History Museum - After the War of Changping, Bai Qi suggested to immediately attack the State Zhao, because everyone of Zhao was still in shock, and wasn’t able to prepare for another war. Bai Qi’s this plan scared Qin’s nearby empires, who allied together and sent a great deal of money to Fan Ju, the prime minister of the State Qin, and persuaded him to stop Bai Qi’s strategy.
They convinced Fan Ju that if Bai Qi won and perished the State Zhao, Bai Qi would be more powerful and respectable in the State Qin. Considering his personal career, plus Qin’s soldiers and agriculture also required time to recover from those big wars, Fan Ju agreed. He persuaded the King of Qin to cease the war, and accept reparations and some ceded cities from the State Zhao and Han.
However, months later, the State Zhao refused to cede those cities that they had promised. On the contrary, Zhao sent a great deal of treasures to other five kingdoms, and formed a solid alliance to confront the State Qin.
Unearthed Bronze Carriage of the Warring States Period — Nanjing Museum. The King of Qin was furious about this default, so he commanded Bai Qi to attack Zhao again. But Bai Qi was sick at that time. He also persuaded the king not to fight this war.
Bai Qi believed that the State Zhao had well prepared at that time; and led by great general Lian Po, every one of Zhao was ready to revenge for their sacrificed people in the War of Changping. In addition, the alliance was quite solid and strong this time.
The King of Qin didn’t listen to him and initiated the war. As Bai Qi had predicted, the State Qin kept losing. Around 100,000 soldiers of Qin lost their lives in this war. The King of Qin was frustrated, and even more furious after having heard that Bai Qi told other people about his previous accurate prediction.
Monkfish is the only fish that has a similar taste and texture of lobster. Alaskan halibut and Atlantic cod is said to taste similar if its prepared correctly.
So the king forced Bai Qi to lead the army and fight, no matter how heavily he was sick. Bai Qi finally had to start off, but he marched very slowly because of his physical condition.
The King of Qin and prime minister Fan Ju blamed Bai Qi for being reluctant, and trying to hold up the war. So, under the persuasion of Fan Ju, the king commanded Bai Qi to suicide. Before his death, Bai Qi said that after such a great deal of his killings in the War of Changping, he deserved a tragic ending.
About one month after Bai Qi’s death, the State Qin was defeated. In this war, Qin had and lost many cities that they occupied before, and around 200,000 fine soldiers. Unearthed Terre Cotta Warriors of the Qin — Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum.
Bai Qi had long been resented by people of other six kingdoms, especially the State Zhao. However, he was quite respected by the people of the State Qin. He brought his people with victory, and had only killed trained soldiers in the battlefields, never civilians.
Many of Qin's people sympathized Bai Qi, for his exceptional achievements but with such a sad ending, so they built many temples to memorize him. After Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 BC — 210 BC) ascended to the throne, in order to honor Bai Qi’s exceptional contribution to the State Qin, he granted honorable titles to the son of Bai Qi.
Many emperors of the following dynasties also respected and memorized Bai Qi as one of the most remarkable generals in the history of China. As an extraordinary general that was excellent at war of annihilation, Bai Qi's prediction, calculation, and movement in every battle were always extremely accurate and remarkable.
Unlike other generals, Bai Qi wasn’t interested in occupying lands and cities; instead, his main purpose was to perish the effective strength as much as possible.
As time goes by, the State Qin and State Zhao had been long gone, so did their resentments. Hence, people could see Bai Qi’s crudity in the War of Changping, and his extraordinary military talent.
https://www.chinafetching.com/bai-qi
Danh ca Giao Linh kết hôn khá muộn với một người đàn ông từng có 3 đời vợ và 6 đứa con riêng. Ca sĩ Giao Linh tên thật là Đỗ Thị Sinh. Bà sinh năm 1949 tại Sài Gòn trong một gia đình nghèo có bảy chị em. Mặc dù gia đình không có ai làm về nghệ thuật nhưng bà mê ca hát từ nhỏ và mẹ của bà vẫn lén mời thầy dạy nhạc cho con dù người cha không đồng ý.
Nghệ danh Giao Linh là do một người bạn thân đặt cho bà khi bà bày tỏ ước muốn ca hát của mình. Người bạn đó tin rằng, nghệ danh này sẽ đem lại nhiều may mắn cho cô bạn Đỗ Thị Sinh.
Có lần tôi được nghe ca sĩ Kim Anh hát. Tiếng hát của bà như có men rượu, như được "trưng cất" từ chính cuộc đời, từ những năm tháng bà chìm trong rượu và ma túy để quên đi nỗi đau thể xác. Cảm nhận khi nghe Giao Linh hát cũng vậy. Dù muốn dù không thì dường như tiếng hát của "Nữ hoàng sầu muộn" đã vận vào cuộc đời bà.
Sự sắp xếp của định mệnh - Danh ca Giao Linh đam mê ca hát từ nhỏ. Nhưng chuyện bà đi hát, ngoài đam mê còn một lý do nữa đó là kiếm tiền vì nhà vừa nghèo lại đông anh chị em. Ca sĩ Giao Linh là chị cả, dưới bà còn 6 người em và cuộc sống mưu sinh thì đều trông chờ vào gánh phở của mẹ.
Cuộc sống nuôi 6 con chồng của một danh ca lẫy lừng Việt Nam - 16 tuổi, Giao Linh vừa làm nhân viên kiểm vé vừa biểu diễn văn nghệ ở Air Việt Nam. Vì chưa đến tuổi được làm căn cước nên cứ hàng tháng bà đều phải nhờ mẹ bảo lãnh giấy tờ và lãnh lương giùm.
Năm 1966, bà đại diện cho Air Việt Nam tham dự một chương trình văn nghệ và gặp nhạc sĩ Thu Hồ. Bà đã chủ động làm quen để có được buổi thu âm vào ngày hôm sau.
Buổi thử giọng thành công đã đem đến cho Giao Linh một hợp đồng thu đĩa độc quyền trong 3 năm với Continental. Cuộc gặp định mệnh ấy đã làm thay đổi cuộc đời cô gái mang tên Đỗ Thị Sinh và cũng đánh dấu sự ra đời của nghệ danh Giao Linh từ đó.
Cuộc đời bà cứ trôi theo tiếng hát, trôi theo những lo toan cho gia đình. Hát miết, đến khi giật mình nhìn lại, danh tiếng, tiền bạc... mọi thứ Giao Linh đều không thiếu, chỉ thiếu một người đàn ông để nương tựa.
Những người đàn ông đến với Giao Linh ngày ấy không ai vui vẻ với trách nhiệm lo cho gia đình mà bà đang gánh trên vai. Vậy là bà không chọn họ. Năm 1982, Giao Linh rời Việt Nam qua Canada đoàn tụ với gia đình. Tiệm phở Linh ở Toronto là nguồn thu nhập chính của cả nhà những năm tháng ấy vì Giao Linh không đi hát nữa.
Sau này, mỗi lần có người hỏi, bà đều bảo mình tin vào số phận, tin vào sự sắp xếp của số phận. Số phận đã sắp xếp cho Giao Linh kết hôn năm 1988 với một người bạn từ thời thanh mai trúc mã.
Nhưng người ấy đã từng có 3 đời vợ và đang nuôi 6 đứa con, còn Giao Linh cũng đã 37 tuổi.
Cuộc sống nuôi 6 con chồng của một danh ca lẫy lừng Việt Nam.Giao Linh theo chồng về định cư ở San Jose, California, Hoa Kỳ. Bà bắt đầu đi hát lại và thu nhiều băng đĩa cho các trung tâm ca nhạc, trong đó có Trung tâm băng nhạc Giao Linh.
Ai cũng có niềm kiêu hãnh riêng của mình. Với nghệ sĩ, niềm kiêu hãnh đó còn lớn hơn gấp bội. Họ tự hào về nghề bao nhiêu, nổi tiếng bao nhiêu thì thường họ cũng sẽ kén chọn bạn đời bấy nhiêu. Người bạn đời của họ hoặc tài giỏi, hoặc đẹp trai, hoặc giàu có, hoặc đầy đủ những yếu tố đó.
Nhưng ca sĩ Giao Linh dường như đi ngược lại với cái quy luật bất thành văn ấy. Bà chấp nhận lấy một người đàn ông đã 3 lần đò, thậm chí còn đang nuôi 6 đứa con.
Lúc đó nhiều người khuyên ngăn Giao Linh. Họ sợ bà khổ. Khổ vì con riêng của chồng là một lẽ. Họ còn sợ bà khổ vì chồng bà là người đàn ông hào hoa, có rất nhiều phụ nữ theo đuổi, ngay từ thời trai trẻ.
Nhưng bằng cả sự chân thành cho đi, bà yêu thương con chồng như con đẻ và lo lắng cho chồng bằng nghĩa của một người bạn và tình của một người vợ nên hạnh phúc cứ tự nhiên đến.
Hồi mới sống chung, chồng Giao Linh cũng hiểu hoàn cảnh phức tạp của mình nên ông đề nghị cả nhà sống thử cùng nhau 6 tháng. Nếu hai bên thấy hợp thì sống chung không thì... tính sau.
Nhưng chẳng cần phải đợi tính sau vì sau 6 tháng sống thử thì cả nhà quyến luyến nhau quá, chẳng ai muốn chuyển đi. Thậm chí, các con riêng của chồng còn "chịu khó" tâm sự với Giao Linh nhiều hơn với bố.
Ca sĩ Giao Linh kể rằng chồng bà là người rất yêu thương vợ và chăm sóc con cái. Với các con, ông có cách dạy rất hay. Tuần nào cũng họp mặt đủ các con để nói chuyện, bàn cái đúng, cái sai và chỉnh sửa.
Còn với Giao Linh, suốt mấy chục năm chung sống, ông lo cho bà từ bữa ăn, giấc ngủ, chia sẻ buồn vui trong cuộc sống như hai người bạn. Chồng của Giao Linh tuy không hoạt động nghệ thuật nhưng rất yêu nghệ thuật, đặc biệt yêu tiếng hát của vợ. Thế nên, ông vừa làm chồng vừa đóng vai trò là... trợ lý cho vợ trong mỗi lẫn đi diễn.
Ngay chiếc áo dài, son phấn cũng đều do ông mua cho bà. Tới sân khấu nào ông cũng chu đáo nước uống cho vợ, lo những việc phụ và chụp hình. Ông luôn tự hào rằng mình chụp ảnh vợ rất đẹp.
Cuộc sống nuôi 6 con chồng của một danh ca lẫy lừng Việt Nam - Số phận đã không cho bà một đứa con rứt ruột đẻ ra nhưng điều đó dường như chưa bao giờ làm vơi đi hạnh phúc, vơi đi tiếng cười trong ngôi nhà nhỏ của nữ danh ca khi cả 6 đứa con riêng của chồng đều yêu bà như yêu một người mẹ đẻ.
Khi các con có gia đình riêng, bận công việc lại gửi cháu về cho ông bà nuôi. Có đứa Giao Linh nuôi từ lúc hơn 2 tuổi đến 9 tuổi mới trả về cho bố mẹ chúng.Và hàng đêm, trong câu chuyện của đôi vợ chồng già vẫn luôn đầy ắp niềm vui tiếng cười mỗi khi kể về các con, các cháu.
Có lẽ cuộc đời danh ca Giao Linh là trường hợp ứng với câu nói "có đức mặc sức mà ăn" là thế. Giao Linh đã cho đi quá nhiều và ông trời như cũng nhìn thấy điều đó nên trả lại cho bà danh tiếng và sự nghiệp lẫy lừng. Dù không có con ruột nhưng bù lại, Giao Linh nhận được tình yêu thương trọn vẹn của những đứa con không máu mủ ruột thịt.
https://vietnamnet.vn/vn/giai-tri/cuoc-song-nuoi-6-con-chong-cua-mot-danh-ca-giao-linh-298232.html
After their previous rivals, the Yuezhi, migrated into Central Asia during the 2nd century BC, the Xiongnu became a dominant power on the steppes of north-east Central Asia, centered on an area known later as Mongolia. The Xiongnu were also active in areas now part of Siberia, Inner Mongolia, Gansu and Xinjiang.
Điệu hổ ly sơn - (Nghĩa đen) Đưa hổ rời khỏi núi - (Nghĩa bóng) Tìm cách đưa kẻ thù đi xa, hoặc cách ly khỏi địa bàn thuận lợi của họ, để họ không thể dựa vào sự thuận lợi đó nữa nhằm làm suy yếu hoặc giảm bớt mức nguy hại do họ gây ra.
Cây thần tài tiếng anh là gì? Thiết mộc lan hay phát lộc, phát tài hoặc phất dụ thơm (danh pháp hai phần: Dracaena fragrans, đồng nghĩa: Dracaena deremensis) là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Tóc tiên (Ruscaceae).
In Feng Shui we like to display plants that have strong stalks, such as this corn plant. Strong stalked plants show more expressed strength and vitality verses a flimsy stalked plant.
What is the wood element in Feng Shui? Wood is about vitality and growth, you can add wood elements to the area of the Bagua that have a dominant wood element represented. The areas of the Bagua that can be enhanced by additional wood elements are the wealth, future and family areas in Western School Feng Shui (BTB).
If you follow Traditional Classical School Feng Shui you will want to analyze the annual stars and natal chart of the space to determine where it is best to add more wood elements. In Classical School Feng Shui you can use additional metal and wood elements to lessen the effects of annual 5 and 2.
Wood is used to stimulate upward growth, action and promote change. The corn plant image on this page below is a popular plant used indoors by many worldwide in the Feng Shui Community.
It is a strong stalked plant and it’s botanical name is “Dracaena Massangeana Cane” and these plants are also called a fortune plant in Asia. In China they have a saying 鐵樹. 鐵樹開花，富貴榮華 which translates to mean “when the corn plant begins to flower, it is a sign of wealth luck coming ones way”.
Therefore, the corn plant 鐵樹 or Dracaena Massangeana is considered an auspicious plant in Feng Shui. I have a corn plant in my home that flowers at least twice a year and supposedly this is rare for an indoor corn plant as they usually only bloom flowers like this outdoors. I must say I am very blessed and my corn plant receives love daily so I believe it is showing me it is happy. 🙂
You will often see these popular corn plants sold in Feng Shui stores displaying either 3 or 4 stalks in a pot. That is because the numbers 3 and 4 represent the wood element in Feng Shui. These plants can do great in low light homes or offices just ensure you do not over water them as they can be killed easily through over watering and get root rot. Water this plant well once every 7 to 12 days and that’s it.
According to various NASA studies the Dracaena Massangeana Cane (which you can BUY HERE through Amazon) is also very helpful in filtering out toxins from indoor air making for a healthier home or office.
Make sure to be careful with any plant you bring into your home, as this particular plant, as well as many other plants can be potentially poisonous if ingested by your households pets.
I have cats in my home and have found placing my corn plants ( Dracaena Massangeana Cane) on a high level stand is an easy way to remove my plant from the floor and my animals reach and that solution has worked well in my own home. Placing plants in higher out of reach areas is safer for animals and for plants.
I posted a helpful article about poisonous plants to animals on my facebook page to keep my clients informed. Below are more tips on ways you can add or increase wood elements in your environment for more balance and more connections to nature within your dwelling.
Wood’s message: growth and expansion
Wood’s color: green, the color of plants symbolizes growth
Wood’s shape: rectangular, columns, patterns vertical or horizontal
Wood objects or material: trees, wood, wicker furniture, home decor made of wood,
Wood’s texture: grainy, visual representation of cells
Wood’s smell and taste: mint, rosemary the smell of freshness or newness
Wood’s sound: Instruments that force air out like horns and require renewed breath
Creative element is water (water feeds wood)
Destructive element is metal (metal chops wood)
Reducing element is fire (fire burns wood)
There are many varieties on money plants used in Feng Shui such as, Lucky Bamboo, Jade Plant, Dracaena Massangeana Cane, Lotus Bamboo and the Braided Money Tree. You can click on any of these plant names I listed to order real living plants direct through Amazon.
Any of these plants can do well placed on or near your working desk as a representation of money strength. I often use spiral bamboo stalks in water as it is very easy to care for and the spiral shape shows as a more active energetic pattern in a space.
The number 8 is associated with prosperity in Feng Shui. We are currently in a Period 8, which is Feb 5th 2004 to Feb 4th 2024, and bamboo stalks in displays of 8 are often used to express wealth and abundance in key areas.
Many of my clients enjoy displaying 8 stalks of bamboo in areas that need more wood elements for balancing or enhancing. Here is one visual representation of how you may enjoy displaying 8 stalks of spiral bamboo.
If your lifestyle does not allow for real plants I have placed some silk money tree plants below. A silk plant is still a representation of the wood element in a space. It is better to have a silk plant than no plants expressed in a space at all.
Some of my clients admit they really feel they do not have a green thumb or have no time to take care of living plants, so a silk plant is the second best option. I prefer real plants in a home as they are living chi, which is more active.
Real plants help to remove toxicity in indoor air and help to lower EMF’s. I prefer my clients to not place or lay a plant on the floor in a home as plants represent money and we do not throw money on the floor.
Raise your strong stalked plants up by placing them on a high mantel, a dining room table, counter-top or raise them up on a tall strong stable stand to display them at eye level signifying the higher level of importance that they deserve in your space.
https://www.fengshuilasvegas.com/wood/
An unwinding story, an enigma – Myanmar has been always known from ancient times to now for its richness and glory, for which it has been called Swarnabhumi, or the ‘Golden Land’. Its history, cultural diversity, and unexplored virgin land make it an anthropologist’s paradise.
For contemporary historians, it remains a gold mine. Its natural resources have always attracted merchants and traders since ancient times. However, its geopolitical significance in recent times has made it an arena of contests big and small among global and regional powers. Myanmar matters to India also because of the strong Indian connections found in the country.
Contacts between India and Myanmar go back to pre-historic days. The historical and cultural linkages between the two countries abound in our mythologies and contemporary literature. The amazing zeal of the early Buddhists from India laid the foundation for this inexhaustible association between the two countries.
Settlement of Indian kingdoms in Myanmar and their evidence in Sanskrit scriptures and Buddhist inscriptions indicates the extent of Indian civilisation in Myanmar.
The geographical proximity of Myanmar and its long time administrative union with India, coupled with the exigencies of a colonial economy, gave impetus to Indian emigration to Myanmar during British rule.
Attracted by the opportunities of the fertile land and flourishing trade, Indians have been settling in Myanmar for centuries. It was during British rule that cheap Indian labour was used to support the colonial economy. Agricultural labourers were brought to Myanmar to cope with the heavy demands of the big plantations and intensive rice cultivation.
A large number of middle-class intellectuals were also used as civil servants and administrators. Many of them were employed as lawyers, doctors and they were pioneers in education. Indians were also found in Myanmar as traders, shopkeepers and money lenders.
The migration of Indians to Myanmar during the colonial era and their role in commerce contributed to relations between the two British colonies. Indian migration to Myanmar continued in several waves, and it was a major influence on the political dynamics of the country until the advent of military rule in the 1960s, which sounded the death knell for a large part of the Indian population in Myanmar.
General Ne Win’s “Burmese road to Socialism” nationalised all small businesses, banks and warehouses, denied trading licenses to aliens, and prohibited non-Burmese from holding government jobs.
A mass migration followed, as thousands of Indians living in Myanmar returned to their country. Those who were left behind were reduced to the status of an alien minority with very few being granted citizenship. Assimilation, integration and the status of Indians remain critical issues, and many still do not enjoy full citizenship.
Engagement with Myanmar has remained a pivotal part of India’s Act East Policy. In India’s efforts to connect its north-eastern region to the rest of the Asia-Pacific, a strategic yet missing link is Myanmar.
Over the years, Myanmar has acquired a strategic position for the region, particularly since the shift in global focus from the trans-Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific.
This was especially evident in the United States’ ‘pivot to Asia’ under former president Barack Obama as well as in the growing Chinese assertiveness in the region. Japan, South Korea, and Australia have also emerged as significant actors in the region’s emerging ‘Great Power Game’.
India has been trying to leverage its ‘soft power’ diplomacy and foster deeper economic and business links with Myanmar. Buddhism, yoga and Bollywood have always been the strength of India’s ‘soft power’ diplomacy.
Indian art, culture, philosophy, and spiritualism have grown steadily over the decades. India’s cultural, religious, and democratic values have been a connecting ground for Myanmar for centuries.
Over the years, India’s policy toward Myanmar has been largely shaped by security and stability on their shared border, curbing cross-border insurgent groups, and the economic development of its north-eastern states.
Accordingly, Myanmar has extended support for fighting insurgency and militancy on the border. The Indian side has provided help to Myanmar in strengthening its democratic institutions as well as its socio-economic development.
This includes development assistance in health and education; bilateral cooperation in trade, transport and energy; promoting democratic values; parliamentary training; and support for reconciliation initiatives.
Unlike Chinese loans, which are more commercial in nature, India has focussed on development cooperation projects such as grant-in-aid, lines of credit, training programmes, sharing expert know-how, and capacity building.
Thus, India has been particularly instrumental in setting up centres for industrial training, enhancement of information technology skills, and other programmes.
It is in this context that the centuries-old shared frontier, civilisational ties, urgent needs and practical considerations of India and Myanmar cannot be ignored. Sonu Trivedi is a fellow at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and assistant professor at the University of Delhi.
https://www.mmtimes.com/news/india-and-myanmar-share-cultural-historical-links.html
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