Satjadham presents: Development: what is at stake? Whenever I think of Muang Lao; the images of dirt-filled road, poverty-stricken countryside, war-ridden country and divided people conjure up in my mind. I ask myself: What message can I make out of these jumbles? Starting with history, we as a country, has existed for almost 700 years. Counting generations, it would be over 30 generations. Look at the sheer length of time, our country should develop a bonding tie between its people. Instead, we as a people, are disunited more than ever. Somehow, we just couldn't develop a common goal. Sometimes, we don't even know what we want. Someone even said that we as a people lack the identity. In another word, we have no commitment to any worthy cause. So what does history teach us to end with? Realisticly speaking, virtually nothing, someone with a true Lao heart and soul will say so. Let me say: we all realize that our country has to be developped or we might perish. If we just unite, then this question of development is halfly solved. I am sure that we have enough talent, manpower, resources if all Lao are involved. If not, development will be just for a certain group and certain country. And that means that the majority will be left out and the worse is our country will be completely (economicly, culturally, and soon-to-follow politically) under our so-called "Ban Phii Muang Nong." So what can we do as Luk Lao Lanh Lao? Will we shamelessly let other countries swallow us? Or will we extend our hands, our youth, our expertise, and foremost our heart and soul to develop her? Starting from each one of us, we can make a difference. For those who can go back, go. For those who still study, study hard. For those who can help through literature, do it with passion and for those who live a true Lao life, express it through your being. Remember, our fellow Lao at the other side of the Mekong River is watching us very closely. As it is said that wherever a Khene is played, Lao is there. So is the same with ethnic Lao, wherever he/she is, he/she will be Lao forever. Let's forget the past. Let's forget the wounds. Let's build Muang Lao together. And let's develop her for all Lao people, and I mean - all Lao people. Hak phaang, Kongkeo Saycocie email: ksaycoci@nermal.santarosa.edu http://www.santarosa.edu/~ksaycoci/kongkeo.html