Work (1) [Written in memory of Sayagyi Dr. Thein Aung (Lecturer, Institute of Economics)]

 Defining "work" is actually very simple. Work is simply "work." Yet, despite its simplicity, many people—from state leaders to those idly chatting at roadside tea shops—get confused and go around in circles asking, "What is work?"

About 50 years ago, people thought working meant taking off your shirt and sweating profusely. However, in this modern era, work is defined by "Job done" (successful completion). That is why concepts like "Work from Home" have emerged.

I witnessed something strange in Myanmar, where I used to live, about 20 years ago. It was a signboard raising ceremony at a factory owned by the Ministry of Industry (1). The text on the signboard read: "Double the Productivity." It was a massive signboard. The person coming to inaugurate it was Secretary-1 (equivalent to a Prime Minister in today’s terms).

For a whole month prior to the opening ceremony, the factory was busy: young female staff practiced pom-pom dances, while the older women practiced traditional group dances (Yein) wearing traditional sarongs (Cheik Htamein). They were busy rehearsing percussion and drums. Then, on the day before the actual opening, they spent the whole night cooking sticky rice and Htamane in pots large and small.

At the crack of dawn, the so-called Secretary-1 arrived, cut the ribbon, and left after only about 20 minutes. Look at that... it's absurdly impressive. Just for that 20-minute event, the preparation took a whole month, during which no actual work was done properly at the factory, and everyone was just drifting aimlessly. And remember, the signboard slogan was "Double the Productivity." Just think about it.

In this matter, don't go blaming the factory manager or others. Look back at the so-called national leader who came to attend the opening. He attends every opening ceremony—roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, even wells. He is also the one hoisting umbrellas atop pagodas. If you watch the daily news, it shows him touring the country doing these things. Consequently, the people believe he is truly working for the country.

Let me tell you one thing here. If Churchill, the Prime Minister of the "Empire on which the sun never sets," had gone around attending every road, bridge, school, and hospital opening ceremony across the British Empire like him, Churchill wouldn't have even had a chance to sit at the desk in his Prime Minister's office from the day he took office until the day he retired.