The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday,18 April, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday,18 April, 2002)
---------------------------------
1. Senior General Than Shwe inspects development
   undertakings in Mandalay
2. - Secretary-1 attends enshrinement, pivot
     fixing and Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremonies of
     Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda in Kyauktan
   - Secretary-1 attends inauguration of Padawa
     (Pilakhat) Bridge in Kyauktan Township
3. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects regional
   development tasks in Thandwe District
4. Prizes presented to Thingyan pandals, decorated
   floats in Mandalay
5. Meritorious deeds performed in Yangon City on
   Myanmar New Year Day
6. - Paritta recitation ceremony held
   - Social Welfare Department holds Maha Thingyan
     Festival
7. - Ministry of Sports holds respect paying ceremony
   - Cash and kind donated
8. - Ministry of Religious Affairs performs
     meritorious deeds
   - Kyeni-Chauk railroad inspected
9. National races cultural group visits pagodas in
   Bago

---------

( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe inspects development
undertakings in Mandalay

Yangon, 17 April - Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defense
Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected
development undertakings in Mandalay today. Senior
General Than Shwe,left Lashio in Shan State (North)
for Mandalay by Tatmadaw aircraft yesterday morning.

On arrival at Mandalay International Airport in TadaU
Township at 11 am, the Senior General and party were
welcomed by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Central Command
Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mayor of Mandalay Brig-Gen Yan
Thein, senior military officers and departmental
officials. The Senior General and party went to
Mandalay by car. They also inspected the environs of
TadaU Township and progress in building the eight-lane
highway in Mandalay.

This morning, the Myanmar New Year Day, the Senior
General and party paid homage to Hsutaungpyi Buddha
Image on Mandalay Hill. The Senior General presented
cash donation to the pagoda board of trustees. The
Senior General and party enjoyed the luxuriant view of
the hill and the panoramic view of Mandalay from the
hill. The Senior General then signed in the
distinguished visitors' book. At Buddha's Tooth Relic
Pagoda (Mandalay), the Senior General and party paid
obeisance to the Buddha images. The Senior General
presented cash donation for the pagoda through the
pagoda board of trustees. In Mandalay, the Senior
General and party inspected the city development
undertakings by car.

___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 attends enshrinement, pivot fixing
and Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremonies of Padagyi
Hsandawshin Pagoda in Kyauktan

Yangon, 17 April - The enshrinement ceremony, the
pivot fixing ceremony and Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony
of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda took place at the pandal
in the compound of the pagoda in Padagyi village,
Kyauktan Township, Yangon South District, at 8 am
today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Before the ceremony, the Secretary-1 paid homage to
the Hngetmyatnadaw, the Seinbudaw and the bowl to be
offered to the pagoda. Staff Officer of Yangon
Division Religious Affairs Department U San Thin
Hlaing acted as master of ceremonies. First, the
congregation opened the ceremony with three-time
recitation of Namo Tassa. Then, the Secretary-1 and
party and the congregation took the Nine Precepts from
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jagara.

Next, lay persons offered Paritta water, flowers,
threads and sand to the Sayadaws. Afterwards, members
of the Sangha recited Parittas. The lay persons put
Paritta water, flowers, threads and sand at the
environs of the pagoda. Then, the Secretary-1 and wife
Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe offered the Hnget-myatnadaw, the
Seinbudaw, relics and provisions to Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Jagara. Similarly, the commander and the ministers
donated provisions to the Sayadaws.

Afterwards, the donation ceremony for all-round
renovation of the pagoda followed. The Secretary-1,
the commander and Minister for Religious Affairs U
Aung Khin accepted K 28,860,111 donated by the
well-wishers including K 20 million by Agga Maha Thiri
Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Htay Myint (Chairman of
Yuzana Co Ltd)-Daw Aye Aye Maw and family, K 1.1
million by the Ministry of Education, K 900,000 by
Yangon South District Peace and Development Council, K
900,000 by family of the local military intelligence
unit, K 900,000 by local populace of Kyauktan
Township, K 500,000 by Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara U
Sein Hla Win-Daw Phyu Khin and family, K 250,000 by Dr
Daw Khin Win Shwe and younger sisters, K 200,000 by U
Aung Myint Lay, Daw Tin Aye family (Kyauktan), K
100,000 each by the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry
of Electric Power, the Ministry for Progress of Border
Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, the
Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of
Cooperatives, Yangon Command Headquarters, the
Ministry of Health and Minister Lt-Gen Min Thein and
family, K 111,111 by U Ba Ni and U Kyaw Myint (Myanma
Natural International Co Ltd), K 100,000 by U Win Pe
and family (Indonesia), K 100,000 by U Khin Ko Naing,
Daw Khin Lay Myint and family. Then, Chairman of
Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Kyauktan Theingon
Kyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthava?aka Pandita
Bhaddanta Kusala delivered a sermon.

The Secretary-1 and party and the well-wishers shared
merits gained. Next, Taingyar Htidaw hoisting team
blew conch shells and beat drums. Afterwards, the
enshrinement ceremony and the pivot fixing ceremony of
Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda were held. First, the
Secretary-1, wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party and
the well-wishers conveyed religious objects of Padagyi
Hsandawshin Pagoda and Naungdawgyi Pagoda, the
Seinbudaw, the Hnget-myatnadaw and tiers of the Htidaw
round Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda clock-wise. Then, the
religious objects of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda were
conveyed to the middle reliquary of the pagoda.

At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1 put the
religious objects into the middle reliquary. Maha
Saddhamma Jotikadhaja U Shein Aung Bo recited
religious verses. After enshrining the religious
objects, the Secretary-1 sprinkled scented water at
the reliquary. Saya U Kyaw recited ?intamani Gatha.
Then, the Secretary-1 fixed the pivot atop the pagoda
and sprinkled scented water on it. Next, the
enshrinement ceremony and the pivot fixing ceremony of
Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda concluded successfully.

The Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and
silver showers to mark the successful completion of
the ceremonies. Afterwards, the Shwe-htidaw hoisting
ceremony was held at Naungdawgyi Pagoda. First, the
Secretary-1 put the religious objects into the
reliquary of the pagoda and sprinkled scented water at
the reliquary. Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, the
ministers and local people conveyed the tiers of
Shwehtidaw, the Hnget-myatnadaw and the Sein-budaw
atop the pagoda by the Mingala Carriage of the
Taingyar Htidaw hoisting team.

At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1 and party
hoisted tiers of the Shwehtidaw, the Hnget-myatnadaw
and the Seinbudaw atop the pagoda. The Secretary-1
then sprinkled scented water on them. Thiri Saddhamma
Mani-jotadhara U Than Hla of Taingyar Htidaw hoisting
team shared merits gained. The congregation recited
Buddha Sasanam ?iram Titthatu three times. Later, the
Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and silver
showers to mark the successful completion of the
ceremony.

---------

Secretary-1 attends inauguration of Padawa (Pilakhat)
Bridge in Kyauktan Township

Yangon, 17 April - A ceremony to open Padawa
(Pilakhat) Creek Bridge was held at the pandal near
the bridge in Kyauktan Township in Yangon District
(South) at 11 am today, attended by Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.


First, Chairman of the committee for construction of
the bridge U Zaw Zaw Naing explained emergence of the
bridge. Next, U Zaw Zaw Naing presented the
commemorative pennant to the Secre-tary-1. Then,
Chairman of Yangon District (South) Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Sein Hlaing and members of
the committee for construction of the bridge formally
opened the bridge.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 formally opened the stone
inscription of the bridge. The Secretary-1 and party
then inspected along the bridge. The bridge is 120
feet long and 19 feet wide and is the concrete one. It
was built at a cost of K 27 million contributed by the
Hindus.

___________________________

( 3 ) Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects regional
development tasks in Thandwe District

Yangon, 17 April - Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the
Ministry of Defense, together with officials of the
State Peace and Development Council Office and
departmental heads, left here by air and arrived at
Thandwe in Rakhine State yesterday morning.

They were welcomed there by Chairman of Rakhine State
Peace and Development Council Commander of Western
Command Brig-Gen Maung Oo, Brig-Gen Kyi Thein of
Taungup Station, local authorities and departmental
heads. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than met with members of
Thandwe District and Township Peace and Development
Councils, departmental officials, members of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and
Child Welfare Association, Working Committee for
Women's Affairs, War Veterans Organization and
Auxiliary Fire Brigade and village elders at the
office of Thandwe District Peace and Development
Council in Thandwe.

Chairman of Thandwe District Peace and Development
Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Than reported on conditions
of Thandwe District including progress of cultivation
of summer paddy in the district, arrangements being
made for cultivation of monsoon paddy and cold season
crops and meat and fish sectors.

Then, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than spoke on the tasks being
implemented by the government for development of the
respective regions, plans for development of urban and
rural regions and concerted efforts for the
development of agriculture and meat and fish sectors
in order to develop the StateÕs economy. He gave
instructions on extended cultivation of suitable crops
among paddy, cotton, sugarcane and beans and pulses
for development of agriculture.

He urged officials to lay emphasis on making
arrangements for breeding of fish and prawn without
damaging the thriving farmlands, breed poultry and
cultivate kitchen crops on a small scale for
increasing individual income of local residents, to
carry out the five rural development and greening
tasks of Thandwe in the district.

He called on local authorities, departmental
officials, social organizations and local people to
strive for community peace and tranquility and
prevalence of law and order. In the townships of
Thandwe District, 300 acres of summer paddy, 8,100
acres of beans and pulses and 16,795 acres of oil
crops were cultivated in 2001-2002. Altogether 102,625
acres of monsoon paddy were cultivated in 2001-2002
and plans are under way for cultivation of 103,160
acres of monsoon paddy in 2002-2003.

__________________________

( 4 ) Prizes presented to Thingyan pandals, decorated
floats in Mandalay

Yangon, 17 April - A ceremony was held at the Thingyan
pandal of the Mandalay Mayor yesterday evening to
present the trophies and cash awards to the prize
winning decorated floats and Thingyan pandals.

Present on the occasion were member of the State Peace
and Development Council Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the
Ministry of Defense, senior military officers, Daw
Myat Ngwe, wife of Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of Central Command
Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein
and wife, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win and wife,
officials, film artistes, vocalists, musicians, prize
winners and guests.

Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein presented the first
prize in decorated float competition to Myanan Mandala
decorated float representing Mandalay District, second
prize to Htilar May decorated float representing
Meiktila District, third prize to Shwethin Maung
decorated float representing Yemethin District, fourth
prize to Myanma Yadana-mye representing PyinOoLwin
District, fifth prize to Shwe Zunphu representing
Myingyan District and sixth prize to Hteikhtarlay
representing Kyaukse District. Secretary of Mandalay
City Development Committee Lt-Col Maung Pu presented
first prize to Chanaye Mandala pandal of Chanayethazan
Township, second prize to Zaygyothu pandal, third
prize to Health Family pandal, fourth prize to Aungmye
Mandala pandal of Aungmyethazan Township, fifth prize
to Padauk Shweyi pandal of the Ministry of
Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, sixth prize to
Atathida pandal of the Ministry of Transport, seventh
prize to Home Affairs Ministry pandal and consolation
prizes to the winners.

Prizes were also presented to winners in Thingyan
photo competitions. Members of the prize winning
decorated floats entertained the guests with dances,
songs and music. Film artistes and vocalists also sang
Thingyan songs. The closing ceremony of the Mandalay
Maha Thingyan was held at the mayor's pandal. The
Mandalay Mayor extended New Year greetings. Film
artistes, vocalists and damsels finally sang the song
"Myananda".

__________________________

( 5 ) Meritorious deeds performed in Yangon City on
Myanmar New Year Day

Yangon, 17 April -Myanmar Buddhists here performed
meritorious deeds on Myanmar New Year Day today.
Pagodas, stupas, monasteries in suburban areas of
Yangon City were crowded with those who kept the
Sabbath and performed meritorious deeds.

In the evening, members of the Sangha recited Parittas
at the junctions and corners of the roads in wards of
townships. Members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee recited Parittas for the people to be free
from dangers. With the aim of ensuring prevalence of
peace and tranquility not only in the Union of Myanmar
but also in the world, Joint-Secretary of the
Committee Agga Maha Pandita Dwi Pitakadhara Naga Cave
Kalaywa Tawya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa and
member Sayadaws recited Parittas on board the hovering
helicopter.

Pilgrims offered fruits, flowers, water and lights and
paid homage to Maha Wizaya Pagoda. Members of the
Sangha went round Yangon downtown by car and recited
Parittas and Desanas. On Myanmar New Year Day today,
the respect-paying ceremonies, fish freeing ceremonies
and other meritorious deeds were performed at
Shwedagon, Sule, Botahtaung, Kyaikkasan, Maha Wizaya,
Buddha's Tooth Relic (Yangon), Meilamu, Koedatgyi,
Chaukhtatgyi, Ngadatgyi and other pagodas in townships
of Yangon Division.

Staff families of News and Periodicals Enterprise
donated dawn "soon" to members of the Sangha at the
office of the Managing Director at 5 am. Then, members
of the Sangha recited Parittas. Similarly, "soon"
offering ceremonies were held at the Myanma Alin, the
Kyemon and the New Light of Myanmar dailies. At 2 pm,
the Myanmar New Year Day, organized by the Kaba Aye
Pagoda Board of Trustees, was observed at the prayer
hall on Kaba Aye Hill in Mayangon Township.

This morning, staff of the Directorate of Medical
Services of the Ministry of Defence set 12,674 fish
free at Hlawga Reservoir. Likewise, staff of the State
Peace and Development Council Office and Central
Offices released 2,000 fish and 300 sparrows. Other
organizations and well-wishers also set free fish,
sparrows and pigeons.

A total of 85 persons of offices, departments and
social organizations donated blood to mark the Myanmar
New Year Day, at Defense Services General Hospital
(Mingaladon).

___________________________

( 6 ) Paritta recitation ceremony held

Yangon, 17 April - Staff of the Ministry of
Cooperatives held the Paritta recitation ceremony at
the ministry on Bogyoke Aung San Street this
afternoon.

Present were five members of the Sangha led by
Bhaddanta Asapha of Aungthawady Sarthintaik of North
Okkalapa Township, Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen
Tin Ngwe, officials and staff families. Sayadaw
Bhaddanta Asapha administered the Five Precepts. Then,
members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Afterwards,
Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, officials and staff offered
provisions to the Sayadaws, followed by sharing of
merits.

---------

Social Welfare Department holds Maha Thingyan Festival

Yangon, 17 April - Social Welfare Department of the
Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement
celebrated the Maha Thingyan Festival in the compound
of the girls' training school on Malikha Street this
morning. Minister for SWRR Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and wife
Daw Khin Aye took part in the festival.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for
SWRR U Hlaing Win and wife, the director-general of
the social welfare department and wife, staff
families, guests and students of the training school.
The children and students of the training school
entertained the audience with Maha Thingyan dances and
songs. Later, the minister, the deputy minister and
their wives presented prizes to the yein troupes of
the training school, and those present doused one
another with water.

___________________________

( 7 ) Ministry of Sports holds respect paying ceremony

Yangon, 17 April - Under the auspices of Minister for
Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and wife Daw Aye Aye,
the fourth rice offering and the second respect paying
ceremony of the Ministry of Sports was held at Ottara
Tinkyi Dhammayon of Dekkhina-yon Kyaungtaik in
Thingan-gyun Township this morning.

Present were Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye
Myint and wife Daw Aye Aye and staff. The minister and
wife donated provisions to members of the Sangha and
shared merits gained. Then, "soon" was offered to the
Sayadaws. Next, the second respect paying ceremony
followed. The minister and wife and staff paid
respects to the older persons. The minister then
presented cash to the older persons. On behalf of
older persons, U Khin Maung Thaung, an aged, spoke
words of thanks.

---------

Cash and kind donated

Yangon, 17 April - The Ministry of Livestock and
Fisheries donated cash and kind to Hninzigon Home for
the Aged in Bahan Township this morning to mark the
Myanmar New Year Day. Present were Minister for
Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and
wife Daw Myint Myint Aye, Deputy Minister U Aung
Thein, departmental officials and families of service
personnel.

The minister, the deputy minister and departmental
heads presented cash and kind to the Home for the
Aged, followed by sharing of merits. The minister, the
deputy minister and departmental heads offered "soon"
to members of the Sangha, donated lunch for the
elderly people and asked after the elderly people
receiving treatment at the hospital.

The total donation of the ministry was K 1,414,967. In
the morning, families of service personnel performed
meritorious deeds such as shampooing and manicuring of
the elderly people. Yangon Division Fisheries
Department made arrangements for freeing of the fish.

___________________________

( 8 ) Ministry of Religious Affairs performs
meritorious deeds

Yangon, 17 April - The Ministry of Religious Affairs
held its ninth ceremony to free life and pay respects
to the aged at Wizaya Mingala Dhamma Thabin on Kaba
Aye Hill in Mayangon Township this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were member Sayadaws of the
State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Minister for
Religious Affairs U Aung Khin and wife Daw Yin Yin
Nyunt, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and
wife, Adviser to the State Peace and Development
Council U Arnt Maung, Director-General of the
Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Pro-Rector
(Admin) of the International Theravada Buddhist
Missionary University Dr Hla Pe, officials, personnel,
aged persons and guests. Vice-Chairman of the State
Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Dawei Sayadaw Agga Maha
Pandita Bhaddanta Arcinnabhivamsa administered the
Nine Precepts.

Then, members of the Sangha recited parittas. The
minister and wife, the deputy minister and officials
presented offertories to members of the Sangha.
Afterwards, Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha
Nayaka Committee Masoeyein Taikthit Sayadaw Abhidhaja
Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Sirinda-bhivamsa delivered
a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. The minister
and wife, the deputy minister and officials paid
respects and presented offertories to 63 aged persons
of the townships in Yangon Division.

The minister and wife, the deputy minister and
officials freed pigeons and sparrows in front of
Wizaya Mingala Dhamma Thabin. Later, they circled
around the Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Pagoda clockwise and
released fish into the Dagon Thiri Kandawgyi Sanctuary
near Maha Theindawgyi on the Hill.

---------

Kyeni-Chauk railroad inspected

Yangon, 17 April - Minister for Rail Transportation U
Pan Aung, accompanied by officials, inspected
conducting of the land survey for construction of
Chauk Station yard on new Kyeni-Chauk railroad on 9
April.

Then, the minister chose the site for construction of
Chauk Station and gave instructions on systematic
carrying out earth work and construction of bridges
for durability of the railroad and ensuring water
supply at the station.

Afterwards, the minister met with division level
officials of Myanma Railways, the Road Transport, the
Road Transport Administration Department and the
Transport Planning Department under the Ministry at
Pakokku Station and gave instructions on carrying out
tasks with full capacity in accordance with the plans
set for implementation of targets, constantly
conducting reviews on the ratio of income and
expenses, and constantly taking care of tasks for
staff welfare.

On 10 April, the minister inspected the western
worksite of Ponnyataung tunnel construction project
and left instructions. Next, the minister inspected
land preparations at the railroad mile post 4/5
linking the tunnel. On 11 April, the minister looked
into Gangaw-Kalay railroad section and the bridge No
205 and gave necessary instructions to the officials
concerned. The minister also inspected construction of
the railroad from the western tunnel to Yaymyetni
Station and gave instructions and attended to the
needs on 12 April.

___________________________

( 9 ) National races cultural group visits pagodas in
Bago

Yangon, 17 April-At the invitation of the Chairman of
Border Areas and National Races Development Work
Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the visiting
197-member border areas national races cultural group
from Panwa and Lweje regions in Kachin State, Bawlake
region in Kayah State, Myainggyingu and Whaetshan
regions in Kayin State, Kyikha and Paletwa regions in
Chin State, Leshi and Lahe regions in Sagaing
Division, Mongton, Kutkai, Panghsan and Mongmao
regions in Northern Shan State, Mongpauk, Adee and
Monghsat regions in Eastern Shan State and Bokpyin
region in Taninthayi Division, led by Deputy
Director-General of the Progress of Border Areas and
National Races Department Lt-Col Myint Swe, visited
the famous pagodas in Bago this morning. First, they
paid reverence to Shwemawdaw Pagoda and made cash
donations.

Thence, they visited Hinthagon Pagoda and
Kambawzathadi Palace where they were conducted round
by Assistant Director from the Ministry of Culture U
Mya Swe. Then, the Bago Development Affairs Department
hosted lunch to the cultural group at Thirihantha Hall
and presented gifts. Later, they paid obeisance to
Mahazedi and Shwethalyaung Pagodas. They also visited
Shwepyitha Bridge where they posed for documentary
photos.

___________________________

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