"Myanmar is important to India for various reasons. It is the intersection point for India’s Neighbourhood First and the Act East policy. It is also the only South-east Asian country that forms a border with the North-eastern states of India. With an estimate of over 130 ethnic groups, Myanmar’s diverse culture and language is for all to see and experience. Myanmar is close to my heart because of the presence of its vibrant Tamil diaspora that comprises close to 10 lakh people. Over a period of time, the contribution of the Tamil diaspora has attained great heights and there are several examples to highlight the same. One of the most prominent examples is the contribution of Saraswati Rajamani towards Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA). Saraswati’s family was based out of Myanmar before she moved back to India after her period of service in the intelligence wing of the INA which lasted about three years. Simon Anholt, an independent policy advisor, has created an interesting index called the ‘Good Country Index’. The idea, as per its description, is simple: ‘to measure what each country on earth contributes to the common good of humanity, and what it takes away, relative to its size’. In the Indian context, a towering thinker, philosopher and writer named Thiruvalluvar in his time spoke of what and how a good country should be. His expanse, vision and mission were so deep that his magnum opus, titled Thirukurral, has found resonance beyond the shores of India, organically. Thiruvalluvar’s impact in Myanmar is no less. The depth of Thirukural has been time and again emphasized by various Tamil scholars who have written and translated the text for the benefit of all. Be it worship of God, conduct, virtue, love, religion, relationships, gratitude, governance or conduct, the text is a ready reckoner. It deep dives into all of these aspects in a detailed manner. It is said that the Former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam carried his copy of Thirukural with him wherever he went. In many of Dr. Kalam’s speeches one can find interesting verses from Thirukural quoted by him..."