Article

Embracing Myanmar's New Year: My Thingyan Experience with ATOM

22 Apr,2024 - Yangon | 3 mins read

Author: Muhammad Ziaullah Siddiqui, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at ATOM

As the CEO of ATOM Myanmar, I have the privilege of not only leading a dynamic team but also immersing myself in this beautiful country’s rich culture. Myanmar has been more than just a place of businesses; it has also been a home away from home. It has been an honour for me to have experienced Thingyan and Myanmar New Year traditions with the ATOM team for three years now, and in this article, I would like to share how we brought meaning to mark this year’s festive season.

What Does Thingyan Mean to Me?

In addition to observing the traditions of Thingyan, to me, the festive occasion is about celebrating community spirit. In the month of April, the vibrant spirit of Thingyan is truly infectious. I feel energised by my colleagues as they eagerly prepare to celebrate with loved ones, each in their own unique ways. It is also wonderful seeing people performing acts of charity and kindness during this time, such as donating to monasteries, paying respect to elders, and extending hospitality with food and drinks.

Witnessing these acts reminds me of the importance of giving back to the community and caring for those in need. I am proud to share a few ways in which we brought this to life.

Community Involvement & Thingyan Donation Activity by ATOM

In the spirit of giving back during Thingyan festival, we donated MMK 1.5 billion towards the construction of a nursery school in Phayargyi Village, Yangon Region, to support the early education needs of over 500 children. The donation is part of ATOM's school development programme for 2024, under ATOM's corporate social responsibility (CSR) pillar of ‘Advancing Life and Education’.

During the donation handover ceremony on 3 April 2024, our employee volunteers brought joy to children in the village, conducting game activities, serving them lunch, and distributing gifts such as school bags, pens, crayons, and colouring books.

By actively engaging with and investing in the communities where we operate, we aim to contribute to the social and economic well-being of Myanmar under the banner of "ATOM WITH THE HEART.” Through our sustained efforts, we strive to be a responsible corporate citizen that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of people across the country.

Thingyan Celebration at ATOM

As a company deeply rooted in Myanmar, we place emphasis on celebrating cultural festivities such as Thingyan with our employees, not only as a way to celebrate diversity but also to strengthen bonds within our team. For this year’s celebration, I enjoyed a Thingyan Day event with my colleagues as part of our quarterly townhall. Just like the refreshing Shwe Yin Aye, a traditional dessert enjoyed during Thingyan, our success depends on the perfect harmony of diverse ingredients. Each element – from the sweetness of coconut milk to the chewy texture of sago pearls – contributes its unique character to the final dish. Similarly, our team thrives on the diverse backgrounds and experiences you each bring to ATOM. We came together to splash water, exchange blessings, and enjoy Thingyan delicacies. It was one of the most cherished memories I’ve had in Myanmar.

Looking Forward to the New Year Ahead

One of ATOM’s key commitments is to preserve cultural values in the communities we serve, and we are committed to further integrating into the local community and making a positive impact beyond cultural festivities. In the new year, we will remain committed to empowering the people and economy of Myanmar with the best network, digital services, and more.

I wish one and all, a happy Thingyan and Myanmar New Year filled with togetherness. မြန်မာနှစ်သစ်မှာ ရွှင်လန်းချမ်းမြေ့ကြပါစေ!

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