*********************************************************************
____________________________
YANGON, 4 Jan - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General and Madame Than Shwe hosted the Golden Jubilee Independence Day reception and dinner at the Pyithu Hluttaw building on Pyay Road here this evening.
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General and Madame Than Shwe arrived at the venue of the Golden Jubilee Independence Day reception and dinner at 6.30 pm.
Senior General and Madame Than Shwe, together with Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun greeted the diplomats and their wives headed by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham.
Also present were members of the State Peace and Development Council and their wives, ministers and their wives, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Chairman of Civil Services Selection and Training Board, the Acting Auditor-General, the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee and their wives, directors-general of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, Government's Office, the President's Office, Pyithu Hluttaw Office and Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomats and their wives headed by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Charges d'Affaires, honorary consuls-general, representatives of UN agencies, outstanding students who received prizes at the prize-distribution ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Independence day Essay, Poetry Competitions, Computer Drawing Contest and TV Quiz.
The guests were entertained to a programme of songs by vocalists Academy Ye Aung, Moe Thet Tin, Mi Mi Win Pe, Hnin Nu Nu Naing, Swe Hein and others, accompanied by Myanma Athan Modern Music Troupe during dinner.
After dinner, the guests were entertained to a programme of variety dances by the artistes of Fine Arts Department, .Ministry of Culture, in the Thabin Hall.
____________________________
(2) All youths urged to work seriously with strong resolve to reach Golden Era
YANGON, 4 Jan - A Prize distribution ceremony for the Golden Jubilee Essay and Poem Contest, TV Quiz and Computer Drawing Contest was held at Pyithu Hluttaw building here this evening. attended by Chairman of the Central Committee for Observance of the Golden Jubilee Independence Day Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Committee Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present were Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Min Thein, Ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung and U Than Shwe, Yangon Mayor U Ko Lay, deputy ministers. members of the Central Committee for Observance of the Golden Jubilee Independence Day, members of the Subcommittee for Organizing Golden Jubilee Independence Day Commemorative Essay and Poem Contest, TV Quiz and Computer Drawing Contest, departmental heads, rectors, principals, prize-winner students and special guests.
In his address, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said it is worthy to present deserving awards to the students who won prizes in the contests for their efforts to present and portray the essence of national independence in their prize-winning work as deeply comprehend its value.
He said the four objectives for Observance of the Golden Jubilee independence were:
Next, Chairman of the Subcommittee for Organizing the Contests Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung spoke on salient points about the contests.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave away prizes to first, second and third prize winners of middle school level essay, poetry and computer arts competitions and high school level essay, poetry, computer arts and TV quiz competitions and university level essay and poetry competitions.
Ma Ei Mon Soe, eighth standard student of BEHS No 1, Pyinmana, on behalf of prize-winner students, thanked the officials.
She said the Golden Jubilee Independence Day which falls today is a very significant red-letter day.
Myanmar stood as a sovereign independent nation in the world for thousands of years, she recalled and added colonialists unjustly annexed Myanmar after brazenly waging three aggressive wars against it.
Our national brethren, with strong patriotism, valiantly fought with whatever weapons they could lay their hands on, against the colonialist aggression and occupation, she said and added the patriotic heroes from among the national races, putting their life at risk, had taken part courageously in the anti-colonialist, anti-fascist and national liberation struggles, and as a result, we regained our Independence; and sovereignty of the nation.
It is an inborn duty of the entire national people including our students to safeguard perpetuation of national Independence and sovereignty, she remarked.
The Government of the State sponsored university, college and institute level, high school level and middle school level essay, poetry, TV quiz and computer arts competitions in accord with the national objectives laid down for the Golden Jubilee Independence Day, she stated and disclosed students starting from fifth standard to university students throughout the country totaling over 290,000 took part in essay, poetry, TV quiz and computer arts competitions with full political essence.
She warned all of the students and the youth of destructive acts detrimental to the peace and tranquillity and development of the State perpetrated by neocolonialists, internal and external subversives and internal treacherous axe-handles with various means.
The Independence of a nation can be lost by means 'of armed intervention and if politics, economy and culture are influenced by others, its independence can be lost indirectly, she pointed out and added it is incumbent upon all of the students and the youth to safeguard the perpetuation of the sovereignty and protect the nation from being influenced and destroyed by neo-colonialists.
She pledged to always defend the country against the dangers of internal and external subversives, internal treacherous axe-handles and neo-colonialists with revolutionary vigil and to take part in implementing the political, economic and social objectives of the State under the leadership of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.
She assured that all of the students, upholding the national objectives of the Golden Jubilee Independence Day, Our Three Main National Causes, the 12 National Objectives and the four-point People's Desire, will strive for emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation all the more.
Then, members of the Central Committee posed for a souvenir photo together with prize-winning students.
Next, the Secretary-1 cordially conversed with the students.
The prize winning essays and poems will be published in Monday newspapers every week.
______________________________
(3) Townships celebrate Golden Jubilee Independence Day
YANGON, 4 Jan - The Golden Jubilee Independence Day sponsored by Yangon Division Hlinethaya Township Peace and Development Council was observed on the lawns of Township Peace and Development Council this morning.
Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Shein Min read the message of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
Present were departmental personnel, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of Fire Brigade and Red Cross Brigade, members of Maternal and Child Welfare Association and members of Ward Peace and Development Council totaling 350.
Thanlyin
The Golden Jubilee Independence Day was observed at Thihadipa sports ground in Thanlyin Township today.
Present were Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Aye Kyaw Maung, heads of departments, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Fire Brigades and locals.
Chairman U Aye Kyaw Maung read the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and presented certificates and prizes to those who have brought honour to the township.
Pazundaung
The Golden Jubilee Independence Day was observed at No 2 Basic Education High School in Pazundaung Township this morning, attended by Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Chit Wai, heads of departments, school heads, personnel of social organizations, chairmen of Ward Peace and Development Councils and members.
U Chit Wai read the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
Dagon Myothit (North)
A similar ceremony was held in front the town hall of Dagon (North) township today.
Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Thein Tun read the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
Inter-ward Sepak Takraw matches held in the township gymnasium followed by a prize distribution ceremony.
Shwepyitha
The Golden Jubilee Independence Day was celebrated at No I Basic Education High School today.
Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Win read the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
U Win and members and USDA EC members presented prizes to, winners of Golden Jubilee Independence Day Essay and Poem Contests and marathon race. Sports meets and other festivities were also held.
Similarly, Golden Jubilee Independence Day was observed in Thakayta, Seikkan and Dagon Myothit (South) Townships.
Mandalay
The Golden Jubilee Independence Day was observed with hoisting of the State Flag at Nanmyo Independence Monument ground in Mandalay this morning.
The State Flag was hoisted with the guard of honour led by General Staff Officer (Grade-l) Lt-Col Htein Win.
Present were Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Dr Tin Lin Myint, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Tin Soe and Daw Myint Myint Thein, Mandalay Mayor Col Sein Win Aung and Daw Htwe Yi, military and civilian officers and their wives, Chairman of Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Ohn and members, Chairmen of District and Township Peace and Development Council and members, members of USDA, Red Cross and Fire Brigades numbering 3,000.
Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint read the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
Sports meets and other festivities were also held in Aungmyethazan, Maha Aungmye, Chanmyethazan, Pyigyidagun, Chanmyathazi, Amarapura and Patheingyi Townships.
Sittway
The Golden Jubilee Independence Day was observed in U Ottama Hall in Sittway this morning.
Present were Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and wife, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Yan Thein and wife, Commander of Danyawady Naval Regional Command Headquarters Captain Myat Swe and officers and their wives, members of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council, Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council, heads of departments, Secretaries and EC members of Rakhine State, District and Township USDAs, Mawgun award winners, members of war veterans, Red Cross, Fire Brigades, nurses and Maternal and Child Welfare Association and towns-elders.
Maj-Gen Aung Htwe read the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
____________________________
(4) Swechanthamyaing Kayin Dhammayon near northern stairway of Shwedagon Pagoda dedicated
YANGON, 4 Jan - An inauguration ceremony of Swechanthamyaing Kayin Dhammayon built and donated by U Thein Win-Daw Ni and family of Shwe Thanlwin Construction Company through the patronage of Myainggyingu Sayadaw was held in conjunction with consecration of Buddha images and sharing of merits at the Dhammayon on Arzani Road near the northern stairway of the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning, attended by Secretary- 1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin 00.
It was also attended by member Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee led by Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Sayadaw, Myainggyingu Sayadaw U Sujana, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Labour Vice-Admiral Tin Aye, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, deputy ministers, Director General of the State Peace and Development Council, Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, departmental heads, members of Division, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, members of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, well-wishers, disciples of Myainggyingu Sayadaw, Buddhist devotees of Kayin State and special guests.
Afterwards, the Secretary-l and the Secretary-2 presented 45 Buddha images to the guests.
At 7.30 pm, Dhamma Kathika Bahujanahitadhara Khayan Sayadaw U Cakkindi and Myainggyingu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sujana delivered sermons at the Dhammayon.
_____________________________
YANGON, 4 Jan - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo visited Golden Jubilee Independence Day Commemorative Fifth Mayor's Cup Horticulture Show and Golden Jubilee Independence Day Exhibition today.
Accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Vice-Adjutant General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Vice-Quartermaster General Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, senior Tatmadaw officers and officials, the Secretary-2 viewed the Golden Jubilee Independence Day Commemorative Fifth Mayor's Cup Horticulture Show in Bahan Sports Ground in Bahan Township at 10.20 am.
Joint Secretary of YCDC U Kyi Win and officials conducted the Secretary-2 round the exhibition of fruits and flowers.
The Secretary-2 and party arrived at Golden Jubilee Independence Day Exhibition at Tatmadaw Hall on U Wisara Road at noon and they were welcomed by Chairman of Golden Jubilee Independence Day Exhibition Sub-committee Deputy Minister for Information U Thein Sein and officials.
Next, the Secretary-2 and party inspected scale models of housing projects in Yangon and Mandalay, book stores of News and Periodical Enterprise, Sarpay-beikhman, Myawady Literature House and Religious Affairs Department, placards of historical records of the Myanma freedom struggle, safeguarding the independence and building a peaceful, modern and developed nation, paintings and scale models.
_______________________________
(6) Myanma Petroleum Products Enterprise adds new filling stations
YANGON, 4 Jan - Hailing the Golden Jubilee Independence Day, Myanma Petroleum Products Enterprise opened Filling Stations No 0275 and No 0276 (Yangon Division) at respective sites this morning.
Present were Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin Tun, Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Managing Director of Myanma Petroleum Products Enterprise U Aung Hlaing, heads of departments, Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, chairmen of Hline Township and Shwepyitha Township Peace and Development Councils and committee members, MPPE Yangon Division Officer (Distribution) and managers, secretaries and EC members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and members of Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association.
First, the opening ceremony of Filling Station No 0275 was held at the corner of Bayintnaung Road and U Sa Street in Hline Town ship at 9 am.
Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi formally opened the station.
Then, Managing Director U Aung Hlaing presented commemorative souvenir to the ministers, the deputy ministers and guests.
A similar ceremony was held at the corner of Industrial Zone Street and No 4 Highway in Shwepyitha Township at 9.45 am.
Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi formally opened the Station No 0276.
----------------------------------------------