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The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 18 April, 2001)(1/2)

The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 18 April, 2001)(1/2)
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1. Four-mile Thaphanseik Dam, largest in Myanmar and among
   longest in Southeast Asia, inaugurated to irrigate
   500,000 acres
2. - Teaching for 2000 2001 academic year, management and
     future tasks of International Theravada Buddhist
     Missionary University coordinated
3. - Pagodas in Yangon crowded with devotees on Myanmar
     New Year Day
4. - Alodawpyi Sayadaw honoured
   - Parittas recited for residents of Yangon
   - Soon and alms offered to members of the Sangha
   - Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni image crowded with
     devotees and pilgrims
5. Myanmar Thingyan celebrated in Macao
6. Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs
   attends China-ASEAN ICT Seminar
7. Minister inspects hospitals in Magway
8. Cultural troupe members visit Thanlyin
9. Paritta water poured into Phugyi Reservoir

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( 1 ) Forty-year-old dream to raise public social standard materialized

Four-mile Thaphanseik Dam, largest in Myanmar and among longest in Southeast Asia, inaugurated to irrigate 500,000 acres

Yangon, 17 April ? Thaphanseik Dam in Kyunhla Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Division, was commissioned into service this morning, attended by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Also present were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, heads of State Peace and Development Council Office and other departments, Tatmadawmen, departmental personnel, local authorities of Shwebo, Wetlet, KhinU, Kanbalu, Kyunhla, Tabayin, Taze and YeU, staff of Thaphanseik Dam Project, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, teachers, students, members of dance troupes and local people tota!
lling over 35,000.


Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint said Thaphanseik Dam is a large facility built on Mu River. The over 4-mile-long dam of the multipurpose project will irrigate 500,000 acres of land and generate 30 megawatt of electricity.

It is the largest dam in Myanmar and also among the list of longest dams in Southeast Asia region.

Today?s ceremony marked the opening of the main irrigation dam which was built by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. The dam will generate hydroelectric power soon as plans are under way to instal the imported machinery when they arrived at the project.

Water from Tha-phanseik Dam will be distributed through Kindat Diversion Dam which was opened in March 1997.


Kindat Diversion Dam and a feeder canal system was built in advance in order to operate Thaphanseik Dam effectively and soonest. Kindat Diversion Dam began irrigating 150,000 acres with water from Mu River through the right and left feeder canals and Kaboe Dam three years earlier.

Thanks to the Kindat Diversion Dam and the feeder canal system, the water level of Maha Nanda Lake in Shwebo, the centre of the Third Myanmar Empire founded by King Alungphaya, has reached the high mark and the surrounding areas of Shwebo has become pleasant.

Thaphanseik Dam is the main facility which will supply water to Kindat Diversion Dam. Beginning this rainy season, the dam will start to hold water from Mu River to irrigate 500,000 acres the whole year round. In accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, feeder canals are being extended not only to Taze, YeU, Tabayin, Kanbalu, KhinU and Shwebo townships, but also to Ayadaw and Budalin townships.

The dam will help beautify the west bank of Ayeyawady River in Sagaing Division and expand the paddy cultivation areas. Sagaing Division will soon become a region which produces surplus paddy.

The government has built 13 dams and underground water irrigation projects in Sagaing Division to boost its crop production. It has also set up 46 pumped-water stations along Ayeyawady and Chindwin rivers. If the irrigation capacity of about 200 small dams are added, the total irrigation capacity of the division reaches nearly 900,000 acres.


Prospects are bright for the division to firmly stand as the rice bowl of upper Myanmar as construction of irrigation facilities, including Kyebin-et Dam and Yebutalin and Indaw pumped-water stations is in progress.

Due to its soil and climate conditions, Sagaing Division can produce the main crops, which are, paddy, cotton, sugarcane and beans and pulses and kitchen crops. The division is contributing over 10 percent to the gross domestic products. Thus the economic downs and ups of Sagaing Division have effects on the national economy. Especially, the development of the division?s agriculture sector is very important for the nation.

Local farmers of the division should fully utilize the favourable conditions created by the government to grow crops on all available land. It is required to effectively use the abundant land and water resources of the division. Effective methods should be applied to raise the per acre yield of crops and to reduce wastage.

The State Peace and Development Council (the Tatmadaw government) under the leadership of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe is making strenuous efforts in carrying out tasks benefiting regions and farmers. The Secretary-3 quoted the Senior General as saying, "It is required to gave priority to poverty alleviation and development in rural areas, home to the majority of the people. Priority should be given to implementing region-wised rural all-round development tasks such as rural roads development, rural water supply, rural economic development and rural health and education improvement as a duty."

It is true that only when the rural areas gain progress, will the towns, which are relying on them, also develop. The towns and villages are inter-related and inter-dependent.


Based on this belief, dam projects, pumped-water projects, transport improvement projects, regional greening tasks and rural health and education tasks are being implemented costing millions of kyats. The fruits of the projects are not only for the current economic benefit; they are to be handed down to the posterity.

Due to the correct policy, systematic work programmes and the noble goodwill of the present government, endeavours benefiting the nation and farmers are achieving success after success. Up to now, the government has opened 120 dams and 133 major bridges. These facilities are benefiting the people.

The State and the people have to make harmonious efforts to lay a foundation for the nation to make progress in all sectors.

He said future prospects for national development are becoming brighter with the leadership of the government, cooperation of the people and efforts of service personnel.


He thanked Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, engineers and staff of Irrigation Department and local people for their participation in construction of the dam.

He urged local people to conserve watershod areas, maintain the dam and irrigation systems for posterity and make efforts for boosting production of crops utilizing water from the dam beneficially.

Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win said in the past Kindat Diversion Dam and Kaboe Dam could use 30 percent of water from Mu River to irrigate 350,000 acres of farmlands. The Thaphan-seik Dam will irrigate over 500,000 acres of lands for all year round and generate 117.2 million kilowatts annually.

As regards agricultural development in the division, there were 3.39 million cultivated acres in 1997-98 and the figure increased into 3.758 million acres in 2000-2001 showing an increase of 0.368 million acres three years, he said. Total cultivation in 2000-2001 was 6.05 million acres and altogether 2.292 million acres were put under multiple crops, he said. Hence, the agricultural productivity was 161 per cent and this year?s per acre yield of paddy has increased one and half baskets than that of the previous year.

Due to availability of water 2,245 pieces of farm equipment were used for multiple cropping. According to the 2000-2001 figures altogether 29,263 farm machineries  421 tractors, 5,927 power tillers, 18,053 water pumps, 759 paddy harvesters, 1,759 threshing machines and 50 transplanting machines are used.

Altogether 91.8 million baskets of paddy were produced from present cultivation acreage of 1.417 million with the objective of becoming Upper Myanmar to be rice bowl under the guidance of the Head of State. There were surplus of 8.4 million baskets of paddy. With the development of techniques 1.58 million of farmlands were extended during the Third Five Year. Altogether 2.13 million of acres including double cropping will be cultivated. There will be 156.5 million baskets of paddy and surplus will also be 64 million baskets of paddy. Therefore the requirements of states and divisions in Upper Myanmar will be fulfilled.

He said cultivation of cotton will be extended up to 200,000 acres and efforts are to be made to exceed 35 million viss, yearly requirement for industrial raw materials.

He said GDP of Sagaing Division increased up to 12,057 million Kyats from this year target of 11,247 million Kyats and economic growth is 11.2 per cent.

He said the Head of State gave guidance on carrying out five rural development tasks agriculture, sufficiency of drinking water, transport, health and promotion of education. He also spoke on digging of wells, construction and repair of roads and renovation of schools, rural health care units and dispensaries in accord with the guidance.

Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said only 30 per cent of over 2.8 million acre feet of Mu River were used for monsoon paddy in agricultural production work. The Thaphanseik Dam Project was implemented for cultivation of double crops in summer and a large support work for development of agriculture emerged, he said.

He said the project was implemented on Mu River near Thaphanseik Village for cultivation of double and mixed crops after irrigating 30,000 acres of farmlands in Ayadaw and Budalin regions besides 500,000 irrigated areas of Kintat diversion embankment lies nine miles down the dam.

He spoke on world?s largest dams in Russia, Egypt, Malaysia and Thailand. The Thaphanseik Dam is 22,250 feet long.

Emergence of such a large and magnificent dam is the goodwill and far-sightedness of the Head of State to promote economic life of farmers in the rural areas who live on agriculture and to improve agricultural production, basic economy of the State.

He said as is known to all farmers the government is making efforts for development of agricultural sector, basic economy of the State.

One fourth of total 167.7 million acres in Myanmar are cultivable lands. Besides conventional production methods of farmers, arrangements are under way to undertake reclamation of land and cultivation as private economic enterprises.

At a time when the Tatmadaw government took up the duties of State in 1988-89 cultivation acreage was 19.3 million and it increased up to 25 million in a short time.

In 1988-89, irrigated areas were 2.5 million and another 1.8 million acres of farmlands were irrigated. Since 1988, altogether 119 irrigation projects were implemented to irrigate water to about 1.7 million  acres of cultivated lands. The Thaphanseik dam is the 120th irrigation facility and it will be a historical milestone in agricultural production as it will ensure multiple cropping of 0.53 million acres in Sagaing Division which can be dubbed as the rice bowl of Upper Myanmar. The gigantic Thaphanseik Dam is a prestigious heritage to future generations and all must strive to ensuring long-term durability of the dam, urged the Minister. He also called for collective efforts for keeping catchment areas green and pleasant, and keeping the irrigation system intact.

Senior General Than Shwe greeted the local people who attended the ceremony, saying, the people as well as the government are happy for the completion of Thaphanseik Dam.

Though the survey work was made 40 years ago, Thaphanseik Dam Project could not be implemented for various reasons.

The 40-year-old dream has been materalized in the time of the present government with the firm resolution that the task to raise the social standard of the people will be carried out without fail.

The State and the people should harmoniously utilize the natural resources for national development.

The are many potentials to tap the nation?s large volumes of water resources for agriculture and hydel power generation. But till now, the water resources are not able to be fully utilized.

The nation is also rich in forest and mineral resources; the nation?s waters are also rich in marine resources. Wider use of material resources will lead to national development and prosperity.

The State is making arrangements for progress of qualified human resources who can effectively harness the material resources.

Thaphanseik Dam was built with the firm belief that the facility will change the cultivation of local farmers from single to double and triple cropping and seasonal cultivation lands into regular farms, leading to development of social life of the people. Efforts are being made in producing the required human resources and the infrastructures.

As the State has the duty to develop the required resources to narrow the development gap between all the regions to the most possible degree, so does the public cooperation is a need.

The State service personnel need to work with patriotism; more success will be achieved if the State and the people work in harmony.

As the world nations are changing and developing with high momentum in the 21st century, Myanmar should develop and effectively use her human resources to able to advance together with the pace.

The State and the people should collectively safeguard and maintain the Thaphanseik Dam for its duration and the effectiveness.

Then, Senior General Than Shwe presented gifts of honour. Director of Construction-4 of Irrigation department U Maung Maung Tin representing the staff and Tactical Operation Commander Col Hla Ngwe representing those participated in the project accepted the gifts. At the auspicious time, Senior General Than Shwe formally unveils the stone plaque of the dam. Next, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win and Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin formally opened the dam by cutting a ribbon. Afterwards, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected round the main dam, main spillway and auxiliary spillway.

The Dam is built on Mu River near Thanphanseik village in Kyunhla Township. The earth dam is 22,578 feet long and 108 feet high. Its maximum water storage capacity is 2,888,000 acre-ft. The surface area of the dam at full brim is 106,200 acres. Its main spillway is of Ogee type radial gate reinforced concrete and has 12 sluice gates each measuring 15 feet by 30 feet. The auxiliary spillway is also of Ogee type.

It is multipurpose project and the dam will not only irrigate water but also for generating electricity. The project was implemented at a cost of over 7,500 million kyats.

Afterwards, the Senior General and party went to briefing hall of the project. Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported matters on benefited acreage of the dam, and the possibility for cultivating paddy, gram, sesamum, cotton in 900,000 acres. Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut reported matters on the hydel-power generation. Senior General Than Shwe gave necessary guidance. Then, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin presented souvenirs to Senior General Than Shwe and party.Afterwards, the senior General and party left for Mandalay by motorcade.
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( 2 ) Teaching for 2000 2001 academic year, management and future tasks of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University coordinated

Yangon, 17 April-A coordination nation meeting on teaching for 2000 2001 academic year, management and future tasks; of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University was held at the central hall of ITBMU, attended by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present were Ovadacanya. and Honorary Professor Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanissara, Pro Rector (Academic) of ITBMU Sayadaw Bhaddanta Neminda, Head of Faculty of Pariyatti Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, Head of Faculty of Religion and Missionary Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Ardiccavamsa, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Deve10pment Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Th!
ura Aung Ko, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the directors-general of Religious Affairs Department and Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Pro-Rector of ITBMU, Heads of Faculties, professors, associate professors, visiting professors and officials.

Minister U Aung Khin reported on the number of students and courses, instructor Sayadaws, foreign students, initiated into temporary monk hood, financial matters, donations, excursion, establishment of library, collection of books, examinations, programmes for 2001-2002 academic year, construction of buildings and tasks to be undertaken.

Pro-Rector (Admin) Dr Hla Pe reported on teaching and management matters for 2000 2001 academic year and future tasks.

Deputy Superintending Engineer of Public Works U Kyi Tun reported on work undertaken and construction of the central hall. Ovadacariya and Honorary Professor, Pro-Rector (Academic) and Heads of Faculties gave counsel on curriculum of ITBMU and teaching. The Secretary-l then said there has been two or three years since ITBMU was established and the meeting would discuss courses and administrative matters. The Sayadaws' instructions were very appropriate and valuable. Tasks are to be carried out for appointment of instructor Sayadaws and fulfillment of teaching aids, he said.

He spoke of the need to review subject-wise curriculum and combination for more effective teaching based on experiences gained and time and condition in conformity with the standard of an intentional university.

The Secretary-l inspected library building, present library at the central hall and greening of its environs and gave instructions.
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( 3 ) Pagodas in Yangon crowded with devotees on Myanmar New Year Day

Yangon, 17April-As today is Myanmar New Year day, the Buddhists in Yangon perform meritorious deeds such as meditating and making donations. Sule, Botahatung, Kaba Aye, Maha Wizya, Kyaikkasan, Sacred Tooth Relic, Maelamu and Shwe Phone Pwint pagodas and Koehtatgyi, Ngahtatgyi, Chaukhtatgyi, Bronze Hsutaungpyi Chanthagyi images were crowded with devotees and pilgrims who were paying obeisance, offering flowers, light, water, incense sticks, telling beads, meditating, reciting parittas and sharing merits gained. Fisheries Department of Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries distributed fingerlings at the shops near Dagonsiri Sanctuary Lake at Kaba Aye Hill, Aquarium in Kandawgyi and Thadu Lake to the people who wished to free them. The Sun paid homage twice at 8.25 am and 3.15 pm today to the Buddha image in the Gandhakutitaik of Maha Wizaya Pagoda on Shwedagon Pagoda Road. The Buddhists said prayers to the Buddha at those moments.

Executives and members of Hitaythi Association of Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha and devotees paid obeisance to 30 elderly persons who are over 70. Over 500 trainees of Basic Buddhists Culture course led by Course Instructor Bhaddanta Pannasami (Magadi-Thazi) celebrated Myanmar New Year Day ceremony at Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba Aye Hill. The trainees donated offertories to the Buddha and recited religious verses and panttas. A ceremony to pay obeisance to the aged was held at Mon Dhammayon on Shwedagon Pagoda Road The attendance paid obeisance and presented cash to 150 aged persons who are over 70. On behalf of the aged, Bho Naing Htoo, 93, and Mi Ngwe Shin, 85, gave counsel.

A similar ceremony was held at Maha Punopakara Dhammayon on Kyaunggyi Road in Kyimyindine Township. Obeisance was paid to 410 aged persons. The attendance presented gifts to the elderly and received The Five Precepts from Maha Gandhavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Agga Nana of Shwe Hlaing monastery.

Like other departments, News and Periodicals Enterprise offered soon to the members of the Sangha and listened to the religious sermon at the hall of the enterprise on Theinbyu Road this morning.

Giving sanctuary to the animals, offering soon to the members of the Sangha and paying obeisance to the aged were performed at every township in Yangon. Devotees and pious people kept Sabbath peacefully and members of the Sangha recited panttas at Dhammayons and Yeikthas in every ward and township in Yangon.
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( 4 ) Alodawpyi Sayadaw honoured

Yangon, 17 April-A ceremony to honour Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja title recipient Aungmye Bodhi Sasana Yeiktha Presiding Nayaka Alodawpyi Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ariyagamsa was held at Thiri Mingala Hall in Maungtaw :Township on 3 April.

Present were Chairman of Maungtaw District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Htay Win and members, control commander of Border Areas Immigration Control Command and officials..

Lt-Col Htay Win supplicated on religious matters and the Sayadaw's biography. Then, Lt-Col Htay Win presented religious title to the Sayadaw and offertories to members of the Sangha. Mandalay Masoeyein Taikthit Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sucittabhivamsa delivered a sermon.

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Parittas recited for residents of Yangon

Yangon, 17 April-Nine members of the Sangha led by member of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Bhaddanta Sujata flew in a helicopter reciting parittas and poured paritta water over Yangon on Myanmar New Year Day today for all the residents of Yangon to be safe and free from harm and danger.

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Soon and alms offered to members of the Sangha

Yangon, 17 April - A ceremony to offer soon and alms to members of the Sangha sponsored by families of the State Peace and Development Council Office and Central Offices was held at Pyithu Hluttaw building this morning.

Present were Presiding Sayadaw of Aletawya Sanpya Sartintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Silasarabhivamsa and members of the Sangha, Director-General of President's Office U Khin Kywe, director generals, directors and the staff of the Central Offices. Families of Central Offices offered soon to members of the Sangha Presiding Sayadaw of Aletawya Sanpya Sartintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Silasarabhivamsa the Five Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited the parittas. Officials presented alms to members of the Sangha and shared merits.

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Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni image crowded with devotees and pilgrims

Yangon, 17 April-Devotees and pilgrims thronged Mindhamma hill, where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni image is kept, today, Myanmar New Year day. For all-round renovation of the image, Dr San Oo (Chief Engineer) of MEPE-Daw Than Yee donated K 25,000, officers of Course No 38 OTS K 164,038 and Maj Zaw Win-Daw Khin Mya Ohn of No 968 Works Company (Engineer) and families of the company K 60,000 to Joint-Secretary of Central Committee for All-round Renovation of Mindhamma Hill Commander Khin Maung Oo (Navy) who accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the donors to keep Sabbath. Members of the Sangha administered the Precepts to the visitors. Staff of departments offered food and soft drinks to the visitors. Wut associations recited parittas from morning till night in turn. Donation Centre is opened daily and donations made by the public have amounted to K 169,967,412 from 5 August 2000 to date.

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( 5 ) Myanmar Thingyan celebrated in Macao

Yangon, 17 April-Sixth Myanmar Traditional Thingyan was celebrated at the corner of Meebonlon Park in Meebonlon ward of Macao Special Administration Region on 15-4-2001 attended by the Myanmar Consul-General and family, departmental heads of Macao Special Administrative Region, liaison representative of PRC China Myanmar Association chairman and about 10,000 guests. After the opening ceremony of the Myanmar Traditional Thingyan Festival, the Photo Exhibition on Myanmar's scenic sights was held. In the afternoon, the guests were served with Myanmar traditional foods and snacks such as coconut rice, mohinga, shwe-yin-aye, htamane, hsanwin-makin, pickled tea, etc. In the evening, traditional dance numbers including Thingyan group dance, kabya-lut dance, etc were staged. Heads of departments were presented miniature Myanmar harps as souvenirs of Myanmar Thingyan.

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to be continued ...


I will ever try to help and never try to harm others.

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