The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 10 December, 2001)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 10 December, 2001)(1/2)
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1. Message from the Chairman of the State Peace and Development
   Council Senior General Than Shwe on the 81st Anniversary of
   National Day
2. - Secretary-1 inspects construction work of Glass Hall, MICT
     Park, Bagan Teleport
   - Cash donated for construction of Sasana Sitala Dhamma    -
Beikmandawgyi, cornerstone laid for replica of Shwedagon
     Pagoda at Meditation Centre
3. - Seventh National Immunization Days set into motion
   - Secretary-1 attends coordination meeting on construction
     of white elephant house
4. - Oral polio vaccines given to children in three townships
   - International and social organizations honoured
5. Oral polio vaccines given to children in Yangon Division
6. Minister inspects new Thonze Dam, Okkan Sugar Mill
7. - OPV given to children at Ayeyawady Naval Region Command,
     Mingaladon Airbase, Yangon Command
   - Ministry of Defence gives polio vaccine
8. - Polio vaccine given to under-fives
   - Dancing troupe from PRC arrives
9. - Paper reading session held
   - Soe Kyaw Naing retains champion title in Golf Tournament

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( 1 )  Message from the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Senior General Than Shwe on the 81st Anniversary of National Day

The following is the translation of the message sent by Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior
General Than Shwe on the occasion of the 81st Anniversary National Day.

All the national people

Today is the 81st Anniversary National Day, which marks a national movement
in the history of the independence struggle in Myanmar. As the colonialists
forcefully suppressed nationalistic spirit with respect to the race, the
religion, the Sasana and education, a national movement which paved the way
to the regaining of Myanma independence was launched. The day on which the
national movement started has been recorded in the history of Myanma
independence struggle. Myanmar people have great historical tradition and
high culture. In the course of history, they have never taken lying down any
foreign aggression and have repelled it courageously.

Although Myanmar sovereignty was lost following the unjust colonialist
annexation, independence was regained due to love of the nation, patriotic
spirit and Union Spirit of all the Myanmar national races. History bears
witness to this fact. Myanmar people have safeguarded their lineage;
entertaining nationalistic spirit throughout successive eras, they have been
living in unity and through thick and thin. Due to the divide-and-rule policy
of the colonialists, misunderstanding occurred shortly after the regaining of
independence. Now that national solidarity has been forged through the
cooperation of the government and national people, it can be seen that peace
and tranquillity is prevailing all over the nation and development is gaining
momentum. Science and technologies are advancing rapidly in the world;
information and communication technologies can now be used extensively and
effectively for the improvement of socio-economic life.

And today has been regarded and accepted as the knowledge age. The government
has been implementing education promotion programmes designed to contribute
to the prevalence of peace and tranquillity and development of the nation
since 1998. A four-year special national education promotion plan covering
the education sector, the medical sector and the science and technology
sector was laid down and has been implemented since the financial year
2000-2001. Now a 30-year plan is being implemented to promote the national
education continuously.

To provide equal teaching and learning opportunities in urban and rural
areas, multimedia teaching centres are being opened in basic education
schools with the participation of the people and wellwishers. According to
the working programmes of the special four-year national education promotion
plan, an electronic data broadcasting system has been put into motion since 1
January 2001 with the aim of providing more learning opportunities by use of
information and communication technology and overcoming difficulty with
regard to place and time in the education sector. To develop human resources
necessary for the nation and respective regions, 142 universities, degree
colleges and colleges have been established all over the nation. In 1988,
there were 32 universities, degree colleges and colleges; 110 new
universities, degree colleges and colleges have now been opened.

Measures are being taken right from the basic education sector to ensure the
emergence of human resources which can face and overcome the challenges in
socio-economic life resulting from science and technological advances in the
21st Century, and to make sure that the value of national characteristics of
a nation  uplift of national prestige and integrity, preservation of cultural
heritage and national character and the flourishing and propagation of
patriotism  does not decline with the progress of socio-economic life. In the
higher education sector, courses including doctorate courses are being
conducted to produce highly-qualified human resources, and other courses to
fulfil region-wise needs under the arrangements of human resources
development centres.

In each human resources development sector, it is aimed at producing the new
generation youth who are capable of successfully carrying out the tasks of
developing the nation and of perpetuating the independence and sovereignty of
the nation not only by improving their education standard but also by
inculcating them with the quality of stalwart sons and daughters. I would
like to call on all in all seriousness to strive with full national strength
for the emergence of a new, peaceful, modern and developed nation in accord
with the national education policy which is being put into execution for the
emergence of highly-qualified and efficient human resources necessary for the
future nation and in accord with the objectives of the 81st Anniversary
National Day :

(a) to keep national unity and nationalistic spirit alive and dynamic,

(b) to preserve lineage,

(c) to promote national education and,

(d) to perpetuate the independence and sovereignty of the nation.

___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 inspects construction work of Glass Hall, MICT Park, Bagan
Teleport

Yangon, 9 Dec- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt inspected construction of the glass hall in which Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept and all-round construction of Mindhamma Hill
in Insein Township, Yangon Division, this morning. Accompanied by officials
of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Secretary-1 arrived at
Mindhamma Hill at 11 am today. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there
by the ministers, the deputy ministers, departmental officials, members of
the Pagoda Board of Trustees and technicians. First, the Secretary-1 paid
obeisance to the Buddha Image.

Then, the Secretary-1 heard reports on progress in construction of the glass
hall for the Image by Managing Director U Tint Hsan of ACE Construction and
gave necessary instructions. Next, the Secretary-1 inspected construction of
the glass hall and all-round construction of Mindhamma Hill and necessary
instructions to officials. After that, the Secre-tary-1 and party proceeded
to construction site of Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park
(MICT Park) in Hline Township where they were welcomed by departmental
officials. Later, the Secretary-1 inspected progress in construction of the
Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park (MICT Park) and Bagan
Teleport building and gave necessary instructions to officials.

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Cash donated for construction of Sasana Sitala Dhamma Beikmandawgyi,
cornerstone laid for replica of Shwedagon Pagoda at Meditation Centre

Yangon, 9 Dec- The 22nd donation ceremony for construction of Sasana Sitala
Dhamma Beikmandawgyi and the cornerstone-laying cere-mony for construction of
a replica of Shwedagon Pagoda on the top floor of the five-storey Sasana
Sitala Dhamma Beikmandawgyi of Nyaung-ganaye Meditation Centre under Mahasi
Meditation Centre were held at the Meditation Centre of No 6, East Gyogon
Ward on Insein Road in Insein Township at 9 am today, attended by Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee
Agga Maha Pandita Thayet Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kesara, Maha Dhamma Kahtika
Bahujanahitadhara Nyaung-ganaye Sayadaw Bhaddanta Indaka and members of the
Sangha, ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, the chairman and members of Nyaung-ganaye
Meditation Centre Weiyawitsa Committee, wellwishers and guests. First, the
cornerstone-laying ceremony was held. The Secretary-1 accepted the gem casket
presented by well-wisher Daw Hla Wady and put the casket at the centre of the
foundation at the auspicious time. Afterwards, Nyaungganaye Sayadaw, the
Secretary-1 and the ministers laid cornerstones at the designated places.

Then, Director U Nyunt Maung of the Religious Affairs Department read the
Mingala Mawgun. The Secretary-1 put the stone plaque at the centre of the
foundation. Next, the Secretary-1 and party sprinkled scented water on the
casket, the cornerstones and the stone plaque. Chairman of Myanmar Thabin
Asiayon U Sein Aung Min read the Ratu marking the cornerstone-laying
ceremony. After beating drums and gongs nine times, the con-gregation recited
Buddha Sasanam ‚iram Titthatu three times. Then, the Secretary-1 performed
the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the successful completion of
the ceremony. Next, the 22nd donation ceremony for construction of the
five-storey Sasana Sitala Dhamma Beikmandaw followed. The Secretary-1 and the
congregation took the Eight Precepts from Agga Maha Pandita Thayet Sayadaw
Bhaddanta Kesara. Chairman of Nyaung-ganaye Meditation Centre Weiyawitsa
Committee U Win Kyi supplicated on completion of the Beikmandaw. Then, the
Secretary-1, ministers and wellwishers offered alms to the Sayadaws.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 accepted K 9,190,000 donated by Vietnamese Nun Ma
Dhammanandi and family under the patronage of U Agga-sami of Agga Pyinnyayama
Dhamma Yeiktha in Canada, K 3 million by Dr Daw Khin Yi and Shine Hope family
under the patronage of mother Daw San Yi, K 300,000 for second time by U Kyaw
Soe (Dipawati Construction)-Joint-Secretary Daw Hla Wady of MWEA and K 1
million by daughter Daw Khin Su Lwin and grandchildren in memory of late
parents. The Secretary-1 then presented certificates of honour to the
wellwishers. Next, U Win Myint-Dr Cho Cho Thant and family presented K
200,000, Ma Htay Htay Nyo, Ma Tin Tin Win, U Soe Myint and family K 160,000,
Daw Lun of Kyauktada Township K 160,000, U Than Khin-Daw Saw Thin and family
K 100,500, Professor U Hla Myint Tun-Daw Khin Myo Nyunt and family K 100,000,
U Ohn Khaing-Daw Su Su May and family K 100,000, Daw Moe Khin, Maung Tin San,
Daw Kyin and family of Budalin Township K 60,000, Daw Hla Than, Daw Tin Win
and family K 60,000, U Hla Sein-Daw Yin Yin Htay and family K 60,000, U Han
Sein-Daw Nwe Yi and family K 50,000, Ma Khin Cherry Nyein of Sangyoung
Township K 50,000, U Zaw Min Aung-Daw Khaing Khaing Aye and family K 50,000,
U Tin Tun-Daw Khin Khin Aye and family K 101,500 and U Aung Ko Ko-Daw Myint
Myint Win and family K 50,000 to respective ministers. Then, the ministers
presented certificates of honour to the donors. Afterwards, Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Indaka delivered a sermon. The Secretary-1 and party and the wellwishers
shared merits gained. Today's donations for construction of the Beikman-daw
by the wellwishers amounted to K 19,994,000.

___________________________

( 3 ) National Immunization Days campaign registering 95% and above annually
over the last six years Seventh National Immunization Days set into motion

Yangon, 9 Dec- A ceremony to put the Seventh National Immunization Days into
motion was held at the International Business Centre on Pyay Road this
morning with an address by Chairman of the National Health Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present were the ministers, the deputy ministers, members of the
National Health Committee, officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, ambassadors of ASEAN nations, resident representatives and
officials of UN agencies, heads of departments under the Ministry of Health
and officials, medical superintendents, members of Division, District and
Township Peace and Development Councils, representatives of local and foreign
NGOs, those from organizations which have provided assistance for the effort
to eliminate polio in Myanmar and guests.

The Secretary-1 said that it is the seventh time the National Immunization
Days campaign has been launched with the participation of the entire national
people as a national movement covering the whole country including the rural
areas. The active and harmonious participation of the entire national people
in launching the National Immunization Days indicates the cooperation of the
government and the people in striving to implement the national objective
concerning uplift of health and fitness of the entire nation. It is
encouraging to see that the success of the National Immunization Days
campaign, in which the entire national people have taken part with the aim of
uplifting the health and fitness of the new generation of the future nation,
registered 95% and above annually over the last six years.

The success achieved in launching the national movement for six successive
years reflects the strength and firm determination of the entire national
people. In addition, it indicates the conscientious participation of the
Union of Myanmar, a member of the world family, in the international effort
to wipe polio off the face of the earth. Therefore, to achieve the global
goal of ridding polio of the world by the end of 2003, Myanmar will launch
the Seventh National Immunization Days campaign in cooperation with
neighbouring nations such as Nepal, India, Butan, Bangladesh, the Maldives,
Thailand and Yunnan Province of China this year. As Myanmar is launching the
campaign in synchronization with the neighbouring nations, it is sure that
polio can soon be wiped off the face of the South-East Asian region.
According to the reports concerning polio, there were 60 people infected with
polio in 1988, but there is no one infected with polio in 2001. So, it can be
said that there is no polio disease in  Myanmar.

The goal of eradicating polio by the end of 2003 is within reach, and
sustained efforts are to be made to achieve the goal. The State Peace and
Development Council is building a peaceful, modern and developed nation, and,
at the same time, striving for the improvement of the social, education and
health sectors for all the citizens. In the health sector, the governmental
organizations, in cooperation with NGOs and the national people, are
implementing the national health plans designed to improve preliminary health
care with the aim of providing preliminary health care right down to rural
and far-flung areas. As the National Immunization Days campaign will be
launched in all parts of the nation including remote areas at the same time,
it can be regarded as a national movement which requires the active
cooperation of the government, the people and NGOs. During the first National
Immunization Days campaign, 5.4 million children of under five have been
twice fed polio vaccine; 5.5 million children in the second year; 5.6 million
children in the third year; 5.7 million children in the four year; over 5.8
million children in the fifth year; over 6 million children in the sixth
year.

The task of giving polio vaccine to all the children of under five all over
the nation is a mammoth one. Organizing and management work has been carried
out to see to it that about 38,000 polio vaccine feeding group comprising
about 185,000 members give over 6.1 million children of under five polio
vaccine twice this year. Arrangements have been made to carry polio vaccines
and to feed children polio vaccine at the right time. Arrangements have also
been made to mount the campaign in border areas, far-flung areas and small
villages at the same time, and after the ceremony, children all over the
nation will be fed polio vaccine. Parents also need to take their children to
the nearest venues to have their children fed polio vaccine. The people are
also required to provide assistance for the polio vaccine feeding groups by
contacting health employees from wards and villages. Educational and
organizing work has been done through mass media to inform individual people
and families of facts about National Immunization Days and the efficacious
value of polio vaccine. So, it is believed that the entire national people
will participate in the campaign with conscientiousness.

The Secretary-1 said the first round of the Seventh Year National
Immunization Days campaign was successfully launched today and he urged
officials concerned and the entire people to participate in the second round
of the Seventh National Immunization Days campaign to be launched nationwide
on 13 January 2002. He expressed thanks the governments of Japan and
Australia and UN agencies, namely, World Health Organization (WHO), the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) for their technological, material and financial assistance
after recognition of Myanmar Government's united endeavours hand in hand with
the people and social associations such as Rotary International, JICA, Japan
Vaccines for the World's Children (JCV) and CDC (Atlanta). He also expressed
thanks 180,000 people including members of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association,
Myanmar Women's Affairs Committee, Myanmar Medical Association, Myanmar
Nurses Association, Myanmar Health Assistant Association, Myanmar Red Cross
Society, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and social associations who will continue to
participate in the Seventh Year National Immunization Days campaign and those
who took part in the respective roles with spirit of community welfare and
patriotism.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to make efforts in harmony in accord
with good traditions after realizing that the success of the tasks of the
National Immunization Days was the lofty national objectives that would bring
about the health and fitness of new generation youths and to make endeavours
to become Myanmar and the world free of polio forever. The Secretary-1 and
party and guests observed the booth to mark the Seventh Year National
Immunization Days. The Secretary-1 and party and guests gave oral polio
vaccine to children under five to mark the Seventh Year National Immunization
Days.

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Secretary-1 attends coordination meeting on construction of white elephant
house

Yangon, 9 Dec- A work coordination meeting on building the house for Yaza
Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza white elephant south of Mindhamma Hill in Insein
Township, Yangon, was held at the briefing hall of the construction site at
10 am today. State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt attended the meeting and gave necessary instructions. Also present at
the meeting were ministers, deputy ministers, departmental heads and
responsible officials of respective subcommittees.

At the meeting, the officials reported on arrangements for construction of
the white elephant house, a garden, the task of taking care of the white
elephant and the growing of plants to feed the white elephant. After hearing
the reports, the Secretary-1 attended to the requirements. Then, the
Secretary-1 viewed the white elephant and inspected the construction of the
white elephant house and the garden. Later, the Secretary-1 left necessary
instructions.

__________________________

( 4 ) Oral polio vaccines given to children in three townships

Yangon, 9 Dec- The oral polio vaccine giving team led by Dr Daw Khin Win
Shwe, wife of Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by
Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Professor Daw
Kyu Kyu Swe, Daw Yin Yin Myint, wife of the Minister for Health,
Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs Dr Daw May
May Yi, Director-General Dr Paing Soe of the Medical Research Department
(Lower Myan-mar) and wife, officials of the Ministry of Health and executive
U Min Thein of Yangon Division Union Solidarity and Development Association,
arrived at No 4 Basic Education High School in Kamayut Township this morning.
They were welcomed by officials of Kamayut Township Peace and Development
Council, the head and staff of Township Health Department, officials of
social associations and students.

Head of Township Health Department Daw Myint Myint Nwe reported on oral polio
vaccines. The team led by Daw Khin Win Shwe gave oral polio vaccine to
children under five and toys to them. They went to Social Welfare Training
School where they were welcomed by Mayangon Township Peace and Development
Council, Head of Township Health Department, health staff, officials of
social associations and students. Head of Township Health Department Dr Khin
Khin Kyu reported on oral polio vaccines. Daw Khin Win Shwe and party gave
oral polio vaccines to 132 children under five and toys to them. Similarly,
they gave OPV to 100 children at the Institute of Medicine-2 in North
Okkalapa Township. Altogether 38,555 children were given oral polio vaccines
at 107 venues in Dagon Myothit ( South) Township toady.

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International and social organizations honoured

Yangon, 9 Dec- A ceremony to honour international organizations and social
organizations, that gave assistance for the seventh year National
Immunization Days of the Ministry of Health was held at the meeting hall of
the ministry on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road in Dagon Township at 2 pm today.
Present were Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister Professor
Dr Kyaw Myint, directors-general of the departments under the Ministry of
Health, Resident Representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra, Representative of
UNICEF Ms Pirkko Heinonen, Representative of Japanese International
Cooperation Agency Mr Toshimichi Aoki, Representative of Japan Committee
Vaccines for the World's Children Ms Kaoru Fujii and wellwishers and
officials of international organizations and social organizations. First, Dr
Agostino Borra, Ms Pirkko Heinonen, Mr Toshimichi Aoki and Ms Kaoru Fujii
made speeches. Then, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein presented
certificates of honour to the wellwishers and spoke words of thanks.
__________________________

( 5 ) Oral polio vaccines given to children in Yangon Division

Yangon, 9 Dec- Oral polio vaccine was given to children under five on the
first day of the Seventh Year National Immunisation Days at respective venues
today. Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Director-General Dr Wan Maung
and wife, Rector Dr Tha Hla Shwe of Institute of Medicine-2, Rector Dr Paing
Soe of Institute of Dental Medicine, resident representative of WHO Dr
Agostino Borra, polio specialist Dr Duping, President of Myanmar Red Cross
Society Dr Kyaw Win, Chairman of Myanma Music Asiyon U Ohn Kyaw, directors
and officials of Ministry of Health, Yangon Division Health Department Dr Tin
Maung Win and officials gave oral polio vaccine to children under five in
Bahan, Thingangyun and Dagon Myothit (South) townships.

First, the minister and party arrived at No 1 Pre-primary School of Social
Welfare Department in Kan-bawza Street, Shwe Taung Gya Ward-1 at 9 am today
and gave oral polio vaccine to 60 children and presented toys to them.
Altogether 6,003 children were given oral polio vaccine by 19 groups in Bahan
Township today. Then, the minister and party gave oral polio vaccine to 100
children at Thingangyun and Thuwunna Day Care Schools and presented toys to
them. A total of 14,324 children were given oral polio vaccine by 119 groups
in Thingangyun Township today. Then, the minister and party gave oral polio
vaccine to 125 children at Aung Zeya Hall in Ward, 26 Dagon Myothit ( South).
Altogether 28,781 children were given OPV by 95 groups in Dagon Myothit (
South) Township today.

___________________________

to be continued ...