The New Light of Myanmar (Monday,15 April, 2002)

Subject: The New Light of Myanmar (Monday,15 April, 2002)
From: Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 21:29:40 -0700
The New Light of Myanmar (Monday,15  April, 2002)
------------------------------------
1. - Senior General Than Shwe addresses graduation
     parade of 4th Intake of Defense Services
     Technological Academy
   - Excerpts from the Address of Senior General
     Than Shwe
   - Senior General Than Shwe attends dinner in
     honor of graduates of 4th Intake of DSTA
2. - Senior General Than Shwe pays homage to Maha
     Arnthtoo Kantha Image
   - Senior General Than Shwe inspects renovation of
     National Kandawgyi Gardens
3. General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San,
   Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe
   enjoy Maha Thingyan Festival of Military
   Intelligence
4. - Secretary-1 receives ASEAN delegate leaders,
     Japanese Deputy Ministers, ASEAN S-G
   - Secretary-1 receives Japanese Deputy Ministers
5. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attends 34th Meeting
   of National Health Committee
6. Secretary-1 visits Mayor's Maha Thingyan Pandal
7. - Cash donation for YGH, YWH
   - Vehicle donated to Office of Chief of Military
     Intelligence
8. - Military attaches and families enjoy Maha
Thingyan
   - Thingyan pandal of Ministry of Home Affairs
     opened
   - Mandalay Maha Thingyan Festival observed
9. Yangonites joyfully celebrate Maha Thingyan
   Festival

---------

( 1 ) Military engineers to perform duty to build
Tatmadaw into modern one, and
 nation into modern, developed one

Need to devote their life to doing research for
development of science and technology
 Senior General Than Shwe addresses graduation parade
of 4th Intake of Defense Services Technological
Academy

Yangon, 14 April -The graduation parade of the 4th
Intake of Defense Services Technological Academy was
held at the parade grounds of DSTA in PyinOoLwin on 12
April, with an address by Commander-in-Chief of
Defense Services Senior General Than Shwe.

At the ceremony, the Senior General inspected the
cadet companies.

Then, the Senior General took the salute of the
graduate cadet companies.

Next, the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services
presented Best Cadet Award to Cadet Thutan Tun,
Excellent Training Award to Cadet Phone Wai and
Excellent Study Award to Cadet Min Thant Ko.

Afterwards, the Senior General said that on the day
when the 4th Intake of Defense Services Technological
Academy is going to conclude, what should be noted
will be told to all the engineering cadets.

As all the engineering cadets have successfully learnt
and trained in military science and various branches
of technology, they are going to be assigned duty as
military engineering junior leaders.

All the engineering cadets are going to discharge duty
related to science and technologies, which means that
at the same time, they will have to perform the duty
to build the Tatmadaw into a modern one and the nation
into a modern, developed one. Therefore, it is
imperative that they need to be outstanding and
dynamic Tatmadaw engineers.

The nation lagged behind in science and technologies.
To enable the nation to keep pace with the times,
national plans designed to turn out highly-qualified
human resources are being implemented. The plans aim
at producing scientists. All-out efforts are being
made to produce human resources who are well-versed in
science and technologies. Arrangements have been made
to award medals to those who excel in science and
technologies. Honorary medals are being presented to
those who are taking the lead in doing common good by
using their academic knowledge, those who are making
relentless efforts for the socio-economic development
of the nation and those who are contributing to the
development of human resources. In addition, the
Maritime University and the Aerospace Engineering
University will soon be opened to produce technicians
who are needed for the nation.

 Today is the age of knowledge. New findings of
science and technologies are emerging one after
another. Therefore, the age of knowledge is developing
and changing at a tremendous rate. A new technology is
popular just for a while. In a short time, it is
replaced with new technologies. This calls for the
building of a constant learning society.

At the age when new things need to be invented, fresh
ideas do count. By taking account of a phenomenon
which can be seen every day, it is important to reveal
the secret of the Nature. In this regard, the youth
who take great interest in science and technologies
and are earnest to conduct experiments are to be
nurtured. A study of lives of scientists shows that
when they were in their prime, they discovered the
things which later became famous in the world. So, all
the engineering cadets need to devote their life to
doing research for the development of science and
technology. If they fail once or twice, they have to
carry on no matter how many times they fail. They must
have such a spirit. Only then will they be able to
create and invent new things.

The study of all the important academic fields demand
strenuous efforts. During the 20th century, atomic
energy has emerged due to advances in science.
More-over, transistors, laser and computers have come
into existence with the result that electronics has
become more and more popular. Information technology
contributes greatly towards the development of science
and technology. On account of advances in science and
technology, the military and economic sectors are
improving.

Therefore, all the engineering cadets are to work hard
so that they can improve the national defense and
economic sectors with their knowledge of science.

In the national defense sector, efforts are to be made
so that all the military equipment needed for the
Tatmadaw (Army), (Navy) and (Air) can be manufactured
in the country. In doing so, they are to study other
related academic subjects in earnest as well. Only
when one can think of things properly, will one be
able to come up with new ideas. All are to make
greater efforts and shouldn't be satisfied with the
old findings and inventions. Many things can be
derived from a fundamental concept. A new scientific
finding can be made best use of in combination with
other related subjects and technologies. Therefore,
all need to consider all the things from various
points of view and to find new solutions. Only then
can a modern Tatmadaw be built step by step. If one
step after another can be taken swiftly, the gap of
science and technology will be able to be bridged. If
no step is taken, the gap will become wider.

In the world today, every Tatmadaw is striving to
create sophisticated technologies. Some new
technologies will be kept in secret. Therefore, to
defend the motherland, military science and technology
sector is of great importance.

In building up the economy of the nation, science and
technology are essential in the agriculture and
livestock breeding sector and the mining and mineral
sector. The nation is to be industrialized on the
basis of agriculture. This being the case, the
agriculture and livestock breeding sector is to be
improved with the use of new technologies. By using
profits which can be gained in this way, industries
are to be developed. In industrializing the nation,
the energy sector and the mining and mineral sector
are of great consequences. Necessary raw materials can
be produced inside the country. Then, finished goods
are to be produced by use of technology. In addition,
electronics which can be put in the international
market can be manufactured. Only then will the nation
become affluent. Large sums of money are required to
get new findings of science and technology. Only when
the nation is wealthy, can scientists who can keep
abreast with the times be produced. In making the
nation affluent, science and technology do count.
Therefore, all the fields are to be explored. It is
important for all to get rid of the idea that things
which are common in everyday life needn't be studied.
Everybody needs to think how things can be made best
use of for the economic development of the State.

As all the engineering cadets are technicians as well
as Tatmadaw members, they all are to have good morale,
to abide by discipline, to be loyal, to be in unity
and to possess three capabilities.

The fundamental spirit of the Tatmadaw is esprit de
corps. The nationalistic spirit is Our Three Main
National Causes. The military duty is to be discharged
with no regard for life. Therefore, morale plays a
crucial role. They all are to have courage and the
spirit of risking their lives. They all are to possess
the fighting spirit. If and when needs arise, they all
are to be able to perform duty with undaunted spirit
like those from light infantry divisions. Besides, the
Tatmadaw is an organization. Only when there is unity,
will the organization be strong.

Likewise, only when everybody observes discipline,
will the organization have dignity and be strong.
Therefore, when it comes to discipline, it is to be
observed even for trivial matters. All the engineering
cadets need to make sure that their subordinates abide
by discipline.

Only when all have good morale and observe discipline,
will they be able to stick to the four oaths of
loyalty. Loyalty is the significant and noble
attribute of the Tatmadaw members. Therefore, all are
to keep loyalty in the fore.

The Tatmadaw which is in unity and harmony, which
strictly follow the prescribed discipline applying to
all the members, which is loyal to the nation, its
citizens and the Tatmadaw, can be said to have
fundamental attributes. If divergent ideas arise
within the Tatmadaw, its unity will collapse.
Therefore, all are to adopt an ideology of national
politics unanimously. Our Three Main National Causes,
the concept of national politics, is an ideology
which, to the entire national people, will always be
true. By safeguarding Our Three Main National Causes,
the Tatmadaw will be able to stand strong in any era
and to keep the nation in unity.

To keep the Tatmadaw efficient and dynamic, every
Tatmadaw member is to possess three capabilities. With
regard to the military capability, being technicians,
all are to be well-versed in science and technology so
that they are able to build up the Tatmadaw as well as
being able to promote the military capability. The
duty of building the Tatmadaw into a modern one falls
on all the engineering cadets.

Concerning the organizational capability, all are to
have the ability to build up the organizational
capability inside and outside the Tatmadaw on the
basis of belief in the national cause. Only then will
there be unity within the Tatmadaw. Moreover, the
Tatmadaw and the people will be in harmony and unity
as well.

As regards the administrative capability, all are to
work hard to be able to invent modern equipment which
is of great help to administration. To turn the
Tatmadaw into an efficient and dynamic one, all are to
possess five basic attributes  morals, discipline,
loyalty, unity and three capabilities.

The basic military concept of the nation is a militia
strategy. But it needs to be a modern strategy. When
the entire nation and the people use the militia
strategy, modern arms and equipment which are in
consonance with the concept of the strategy are
needed. This being the case, all are to know the
militia tactics and strategies. Taking possible future
challenges into account, all are to work hard to be
able to manufacture modern equipment needed for the
militia strategy. All are to invent military equipment
which can be manufactured by the factories, workshops
and industrial zones which have already existed.

All the cadets are going to be assigned duty as junior
leaders. Therefore, all are to conduct themselves in
accord with the attributes of a junior leader. All are
to strive to be able to set an example individually or
in companies. All are to study management concerning
science and technology as well as military leadership
qualities. In the science and technology sector, all
are to invent new things individually or in groups or
through the concerted efforts of the Tatmadaw (Army),
(Navy) and (Air). Only when all are to bear in mind
and put into practical use what has been told, will
all become good leaders who can serve the interests of
the nation.

In conclusion, the Senior General said that to be able
to defend the nation, all are to undergo training
constantly, to have military vigil constantly and to
get prepared constantly to go into battle. These three
Constants are to be kept for ever. All are to nurture
the spirit of maintaining the 12 fine traditions of
the Tatmadaw at risk to themselves. To build a modern
Tatmadaw and a modern nation, all are to make best use
of time which can be called life.

Then, Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior
General Than Shwe left the parade grounds.

After the parade, Senior General Than Shwe met with
three outstanding cadets and their parents in the
guest room of the Academy and spoke words of
encouragement.

Excerpts from the Address of Senior General Than Shwe

- To enable the nation to peace with the times,
national plans designed to turn out highly-qualified
human resources are being implemented.
- All-out efforts are being made to produce human
resources who are well-versed in science and
technologies.
- All the engineering cadets are to work hard so that
they can improve the national defense and economic
sectors with their    knowledge of science.
- All are to make greater efforts and shouldn't be
satisfied with the old findings and inventions.
- To defend the motherland, military science and
technology sector is of great importance.
- In making the nation affluent, science and
technology do count.
- The fundamental spirit of the Tatmadaw is esprit de
corps.
-All are to nurture the spirit of maintaining the 12
fine traditions of the Tatmadaw at risk to themselves.

---------

Senior General Than Shwe attends dinner in honor of
graduates of 4th Intake of DSTA

Yangon, 14 April - Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defense
Services Senior General Than Shwe, together with
members of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Maj-Gen Soe Win, Maj-Gen Ye
Myint, Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin
Aung Myint Oo, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Maj-Gen Tin Aye of
the Ministry of Defense, Commander-in-Chief (Navy)
Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Brig-Gen
Myat Hein, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Central Command
Brig-Gen Ye Myint, ministers, senior military officers
of the Ministry of Defense, the Deputy Minister for
Health, the Mandalay Mayor and officials of the State
Peace and Development Council Office and departments
concerned, attended a dinner in honor of the graduates
of the 4th Intake of the Defense Services
Technological Academy at the ground of DSTA in
PyinOoLwin at 7 pm on 12 April.
___________________________


( 2 ) Senior General Than Shwe pays homage to Maha
Arnthtoo Kantha Image

Yangon, 14 April -Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defense
Services Senior General Than Shwe,  inspected
development of PyinOoLwin Station and PyinOoLwin Town
at 10 am on 13 April.

Then, the Senior General and party arrived at Maha
Arnthtoo Kantha Hsutaungpyay Buddha Image on
Dhammarati Hill in Yenge Village, PyinOoLwin Township
and paid obeisance to Maha Arnthtoo Kantha Buddha
Image. Next, the Senior General made cash donation.
The Secretary of the Pagoda Board of Trustees
presented a replica of Maha Arnthtoo Kantha
Hsutaungpyay Pagoda to Senior General Than Shwe.

The Senior General inspected the compound of the
pagoda and its environs. Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the
Ministry of Defense and members of the State Peace and
Development Council, Chairman of Mandalay Division
Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Ye
Myint and Minister for Science and Technology U
Thaung, who accompanied the Senior General, inspected
the multimedia rooms of the Defense Services Academy
in PyinOoLwin on 12 April afternoon.

---------

Senior General Than Shwe inspects renovation of
National Kandawgyi Gardens

Yangon, 14 April- Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defense
Services Senior General Than Shwe,  left Taunggyi for
Heho airport by helicopter on 10 April.

Senior General Than Shwe and party then proceeded to
Mandalay Division by Tatmadaw aircraft and arrived at
Mandalay International Airport in TadaU Township at
11.15 am that day.

Senior General Than Shwe and party were welcomed at
the airport by member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of
Defense, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Central Command
Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mayor of Mandalay Brig-Gen Yan
Thein, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win, senior
military officers and departmental officials.

Senior General Than Shwe and party went to PyinOoLwin
and inspected Mandalay-PyinOoLwin dual carriageway,
greening of the areas and successful cultivation of
summer paddy and other crops. On 11 April morning,
Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected National
Kandawgyi Gardens in PyinOoLwin. Senior General Than
Shwe and party and Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone
inspected construction of Kandawgyi guest houses in
the Gardens.

Senior General Than Shwe also inspected construction
of the Rock Garden and Swamp Walkway, the planting of
seasonal flowers, display of Ingyin stones, the
growing of various kinds of bamboo, a collection of
orchids and renovation of the Gardens.

Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on future tasks
concerning National Kandawgyi Gardens to Minister U
Aung Phone and officials. The Forest Department in
cooperation with the Woodland Co implemented the first
phase of the construction tasks of National Kandawgyi
Gardens.

The Gardens was opened on 8 April 2001. As the second
phase, the planting of more flowers, extended planting
of seasonal flowers, display of Ingyin stones,
construction of Rock Garden and Orchid Garden, display
of rare species of animals such as taken and
construction of guest houses have been undertaken.

More and more holiday-makers are visiting the garden.
Member of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defense,
Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein,
Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung
Myint Oo and Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen
Kyaw Win met Tatmadawmen and their families of
regiments and units in PyinOoLwin station at the
convocation hall of DSA on 11 April morning.

___________________________

( 3 ) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San,
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe enjoy
Maha Thingyan Festival of Military Intelligence

Yangon, 14 April -The Maha Thingyan Festival of the
Military Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense was
held in the compound of Tatmadaw Guest House No 1 of
the ministry on Inya Road here this morning, attended
by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife
Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Chief of Military Intelligence
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw
Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, member of the
State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung
Than of the Ministry of Defense and wife, members of
the State Peace and Development Council and their
wives, ministers and their wives, the Yangon Mayor,
senior military officers, families of the Military
Intelligence, military attaches and families of
foreign missions.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife welcomed the
guests and military attaches. Then, the military
attaches and families cordially greeted General Maung
Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San. A-1 Soe Myint Music Band
Troupe in conjunction with artistes and families of
the Military Intelligence entertained the guests and
military attaches. Afterwards, the guests, military
attaches and Military Intelligence families happily
doused water on one another.

The guests and military attaches were served with
refreshments and the ceremony came to a close. After
enjoying the Maha Thingyan Festival of the Military
Intelligence, General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya
San left the Tatmadaw Guest House.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win
Shwe, together with military attaches and families,
arrived at the Yangon Mayor Pandal in front of the
City Hall where they were welcomed by Chairman of
Yangon City Development Committee Yangon Mayor U Ko
Lay and wife, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col
Maung Pa, the Secretary, the Joint-Secretary and
committee members, heads of department and staff
families.

The Secretary-1 and party were entertained with dances
and songs on the first floor of the City Hall. Then,
they were served with lunch. Then, the Secretary-1 and
party enjoyed the entertainment programmed of the
Yangon Mayor's Pandal. They happily took part in
dousing water on one another and left there in the
afternoon.

__________________________

( 4 ) Secretary-1 receives ASEAN delegate leaders,
Japanese Deputy Ministers,
 ASEAN S-G

Yangon, 14 April - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt received Permanent Secretary Dato Paduka
Haji Suyoi Bin Haji Qsmann of Brunei, Permanent
Secretary Dr Chem Widhya of Cambodia, Director-General
Mr Makarim Wibsisono of Indonesia, Deputy
Director-General Mr Prasith Xayasith of Lao People's
Democratic Republic, Secretary-General Dato Ahmad Fuzi
Hj Abdul Razak of Malaysia, Under-Secretary Mr Lauro L
Baja.

Jr of the Philippines, Permanent Secretary Mr Tan Chin
Tiong of Singapore, Permanent Secretary Mr Tej Bunnag
of Thailand, Deputy Minister Mr Le Cong Phung of
Vietnam Socialist Republic of ASEAN member countries,
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Economic) Mr
Shotaro Oshima of Japan, Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs (Political) Mr Toshiyuki Takano of Japan and
ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Rodolfo C Severino Jr who
were attending the 18th ASEAN-Japan Forum, at the
Guest House of the Ministry of Defense at 8 am on 13
April. Also present at the call were Minister for
Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin
Maung Win and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of
the Protocol Department.

---------

Secretary-1 receives Japanese Deputy Ministers

Yangon, 14 April - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt received Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
(Economic) Mr Shotaro Oshima and Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs (Political) Mr Toshiyuki Takano of
Japan who were attending the 18th ASEAN-Japan Forum,
at the Guest House of the Ministry of Defence at 8.30
am on 13 April.

Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign
Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win
and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol
Department. The Japanese guests were accompanied by
Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru Tsumori.

__________________________


( 5 ) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attends 34th
Meeting of National Health Committee

Yangon, 12 April- National Health Committee held its
34th meeting at the Ministry of Health on 12 April,
with an address by Chairman of National Health
Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said this meeting will lay down the
measures to be undertaken according to the time and
circumstance in addition to the tasks being carried
out by the NHC. He said arrangements should be made to
prevent outbreak of diseases caused by the heat as
well as those which occurred between summer and
monsoon.

Systematic measures have been taken for control of
HIV/AIDS and responsible personnel and technicians are
to provide supervision to the grassroots level for
ensuring effectiveness and success in taking these
measures, he pointed out. As there are accusations
against Myanmar in this regard, serious attention must
be paid to ensure success in implementing the control
programmers.

The infectious diseases joint control programmers at
Myanmar-Thai border is now meeting with success and it
is necessary to enhance cooperation for achieving
further successes. Especially, cooperative efforts
should be enhanced in controlling malaria and HIV/AIDS
there. Nowadays, under the guidance of Head of State
Senior General Than Shwe, development regions are
designated and health and education sectors there are
being promoted.

At those regions, district hospitals are upgraded to
200-bed ones for promoting the health standard of the
regional people. Accordingly, specialists, physicians,
modern equipment, etc are to be provided to those
hospitals. In accordance with the guidance of Head of
State Senior General Than Shwe, five rural development
tasks are now being implemented. Hence, health care
services for rural people must also be promoted to the
grassroots level.

For instance, success is being achieved in treating
cleft at rural areas with assistance of Japan. He also
urged to make all-out efforts for achieving further
successes in implementing the rural development tasks.
At the same time, medical institutes are opened
extensively. It is important to provide teaching aids
sufficiently at those medical institutes.

In Mandalay, the Institute of Traditional Medicine has
been opened and it is the very first one of its kind
in Southeast Asia. Officials concerned are to make
concerted efforts for ensuring the institute to be of
high standard. Ways and means are to be sought for
reducing medical costs at hospitals.

Doctors, nurses and health staff are to treat patients
warmly and kindly for winning trust and reliance of
the public. The Ministry of Health is to provide
assistance to NGOs for enabling them to meet success
in their health related tasks. Nowadays, it can be
seen in the world that health care services are
undertaken by NGOs rather than the Government. In
Myanmar, NGOs are cooperating in national tasks under
the leadership of the Government.

The ministries concerned are thus to provide necessary
assistance to the NGOs. In Myanmar, nation- building
tasks are meeting with success without having foreign
assistance. It is to be attributed to the collective
efforts of the entire people including those NGOs
under the aegis of the Government, he observed.

Next, NHC Secretary Director-General of the Health
Planning Department Dr Kyi Soe reported on
implementation of the resolutions of the 33rd meeting,
opening of the Institute of Traditional Medicine, and
construction of hepatitis (B) vaccine factory.

Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister Dr Mya Oo
and heads of department reported matters on 109th WHO
EC meeting, the 8th Health Plan Development Executive
Meeting, further studies of doctors and health staff,
cooperation of NGOs, the Myanmar-Thai Joint Border
Control of Infectious Diseases central level meeting's
health exhibition and health week, etc. Then , Dr Kyi
Soe sought the approval for the resolutions of the
34th meeting after which the meeting ended with
concluding remarks by Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
___________________________

( 6 ) Secretary-1 visits Mayor's Maha Thingyan Pandal

Yangon, 14 April - People enjoyed the water throwing
festival of 1363 ME Maha Thingyan Festival at the
Yangon Mayor's Pandal on Akya Day today. Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, member of the
State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung
Than of the Ministry of Defense and wife, the
Ministers and their wives and Military Attaches of
Foreign Embassies and their wives arrived at the
Ynagon City Mayor's Maha Thingyan Pandal at noon
today.

Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U
Ko Lay, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, the YCDC secretary,
the joint-secretary and members of YCDC welcomed the
Secretary-1 and party there. Then, the Secretary-1 and
party, together with the mayor, enjoyed the festival
and entertainments of dance troupes.

The Secretary-1 presented K 500,000 cash award each to
Mee Mee Lay and Di Aywei Ma Ma doh Aywei yein troupes
of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and the Ponnadaw
yein troupe of the Revenue Department. Afterwards, the
Secretary-1 and party participated in the festival of
the pandal and left there in the afternoon.

Film stars, artistes and musicians, together with the
staff families of YCDC, entertained the audience at
the pandal, where people enjoyed the entertainment and
doused water at each other. Entertainments were
presented from 8 am to 5 pm by Santawwin yein troupe
of No 3 Basic Education High School in Mingala
Taungnyunt-1, Mingalamay yein troupe of Mingala
Market, yein troupe of the General Administration
Department, Yinthuza yein troupe of Defence Industry-1
pre-primary school, Pabu Thuza yein troupe of BEHS-3
Mangala Taungnyunt-2, Bayintnaung Hteikhta yein troupe
of Bayintnaung Brokerage, Hlathuza yein troupe of
pre-primary-5 Tamway, yein troupe of South Okkalapa
Township day nursery, yein troupe of BEHS-1 Yankin,
Shweyamin yein troupe of Sawbwagyigon Highway Bus
Terminal, Phupwint-waysi yein troupe of YCDC Water and
Sanitation Department, yein troupe of No 4 Basic
Education Middle School in Mayangon, yein troupe of
North Okkalapa Township day nursery, Manawhari yein
troupe of Bo Cho-1 Quarter in Bahan Township, yein
troupe of Pazundaung Market, Myanma Shwe Thingyan yein
troupe of the Engineering Department (Buildings) of
YCDC, yein troupe of Thuwunna day nursery, Thingyan
Tawwin yein troupe of BEHS-5 Mayangon, NweU Gabya yein
troupe of markets in Thaketa Township, yein troupe of
the Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs Department, yein troupe of Dagon
Myothit (South) day nursery, yein troupe of No 6 Basic
Education Primary School of Kyauktada-1, Dagonmay yein
troupe of Dagon Myothit (North) Maternal and Child
Welfare Association, yein troupe of Dagon Myothit
(South) MCWA and yein troupe of the Production
Department of YCDC.

The Lazy Club music band and famous vocalists of
Myanma Music Asiayon also entertained the public from
7 pm to 10 pm.

___________________________

( 7 ) Cash donation for YGH, YWH

Yangon, 14 April-A cash donation ceremony for Yangon
General Hospital and Yangon West Hospital was held at
the Ministry of Health on 12 April, attended by
Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt. Present were the ministers, the Yangon mayor,
the deputy ministers, members of National Health
Committee, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, heads of departments,
medical superintendents and well-wishers.

Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein thanked the
donors. U Chit Htwe (Pyapon) and family presented K
11,515,156 to the funds of Yangon General Hospital.
Sons and daughters of late U Wai Ya-Daw Kyin Aye
presented K 49 million for construction of ward at
Yangon West Hospital. The Secretary-1 accepted the
donations. On behalf of the donors, U Myat Toe
expressed pleasure for the donations.

---------

Vehicle donated to Office of Chief of Military
Intelligence

Yangon, 14 April- In memory of Major Tha Din Gyi and
with the patronage of mother Daw Yin Yin May of
Thuwunna, Thingangyun Township, Dr Tha Yin Myat and
wife Daw Nwe Nwe Aye and daughter Chaw Su Myat donated
a 1998 model Mitsubishi (Wagon) Pajero (Intercooler)
worth US dollar 36,000 to the Office of Chief of
Military Intelligence at Tatmadaw guest house on Inya
Road on 12 April.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Chief of Military Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
accepted the vehicle. The Secretary-1 observed the
car. Present on the occasion were Head of Department
of the Office of Chief of Military Intelligence Col
Thein Swe and officials.
___________________________

( 8 ) Military attaches and families enjoy Maha
Thingyan

Yangon, 14 April - Headed by Dean of Military Attaches
Defense Attaches of the Lao People's Democratic
Republic Col Phanh Sonephachanh, foreign military
attaches and their families participated in Maha
Thingyan Festival at Military Intelligence families
Pandal and Yangon Mayor's Maha Thingyan Pandal this
morning.

Then they arrived at the Ministry of Progress of
Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs Pandal at National Race Village near Thanlyin
Bridge, Thaketa Township, in the afternoon and
welcomed by Minister for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein
Nyunt, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Than Tun and U Kyaw
Tin, officials and national races. Afterwards, the
military attaches and their families, the minister,
the deputy ministers and national races enjoyed Maha
Thingyan. Then national races entertained them with
Maha Thingyan dances.

---------

Thingyan pandal of Ministry of Home Affairs opened

Yangon, 14 April-The 1363 ME Thingyan Festival pandal
of the Ministry of Home Affairs was opened with
ceremony at the premise of the ministry at 8 am today.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Home Affairs
Col Tin Hlaing and wife Daw Khin Hla Hla, Deputy
Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung,
directors-general, officials and guests.

---------

Mandalay Maha Thingyan Festival observed

Yangon, 14 April-The 1363 ME Mandalay City Mayor's
Maha Thingyan Pandal was opened with ceremony on a
grand scale in front of the Mandalay City Development
Committee Office on 26th Street (between 71st and 72nd
Streets) in Mandalay at 5 pm yesterday. Mandalay
Division Peace and Development Council Chairman
Central Command Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint and
Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein formally opened the
pandal by cutting a ribbon.

___________________________

( 9 ) Yangonites joyfully celebrate Maha Thingyan
Festival

Yangon, 14 April -Today is the Akya Day of the Maha
Thingyan Festival because the festival started at 7
o'clock 47 minutes and 20 seconds on 14 April. The
Akyat day is 15 April and the festival will end at 11
o'clock 52 minutes and 2 seconds on Atet Day 16 April.


The first day of the Myanmar new year is 17 April. So,
the period from 14 to 16 April is the water festival.
It is the period of transition from an old year to a
new one during which impurities of the previous year
are cleansed with water. So, Myanmar people happily
douse water on one another.

It is not allowed to use heavy compressor pumps for
dousing water, for it may cause harm to others.
Serious action will be taken against those who break
it. Myanmar people hold 12 festivals each in 12 months
Yangonites gleefully celebrate Maha Thingyan and all
nationalities can take part in the water festival.

Foreigners are seen taking part in the festival.
Dances and songs were presented at the Ministry of
Home Affairs Pandal, the YCDC (Revenue Department)
Pandal on Bayintnaung Road, Shwepadauk Prize-Giving
Pandal at Bayintnaung Brokerage Warehouses, Pandal of
Bogyoke Aung San Market Families. Similarly, the
Bayintnaung Yeiktha Pandal, Ayeyamyae Companies
Group's Pandal, pandals along Kaba Aye Pagoda Road,
Shwe Thitkhwa General Air-Con Co Pandal at 47th
Street, pandals along Pyay Road and pandals on roads
in Yangon were crowded with cars and revelers.

--------------------------------------------
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