Whether or not governments should divert the money meant for the celebration of national events of significance to improve public services has evolved as a heated topic of controversy in many nations around the world. In my opinion, spending an appropriate amount of money on both national ceremonies and social improvement is crucial.
On the one hand, it is important that national celebrations should be held with moderate spending. This is because such occasions serve as a time to remind people of their country’s history and culture. For example, during the Thingyan Festival, the traditional water festival in Myanmar, various traditional art forms are performed and ceremonial processions are held, with many manduts, which are temporary pavilions built where people splash water on one another. This festival can instill pride in citizens for the country’s rich tapestry of culture, while providing a sense of renewal for the new year. However, national celebrations are not so much about lavish spending on costumes, performances, or water as about a reminder of the true meaning of the festival.
On the other hand, there are several sectors in which governments should allocate additional funding. For instance, there is considerable room for improvement for health sector, particularly in developing countries. By increasing the spending on the health sector, governments can ensure that individuals have access to sufficient food, clean water, and adequate healthcare facilities. Education is another area that requires increased investment. In many countries, children do not access a basic education, let alone higher or university-level education. Since food is to an individual’s health what education is to a nation’s well-being, a country with a growing population of uneducated citizens could face economic instability and political unrest.
In conclusion, it is worth spending a certain amount of money on national occasions and other social sectors. By doing so, I believe that people can be proud of their traditions and culture and can enjoy improved social conditions at the same time.