(1) MMCWA making rapid progress to see nation's social objectives materialize, over 540,000 committed to uplift of socio-economic standard of mothers, children
YANGON, 23 May - The inauguration ceremony of the Multi-Purpose Building of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central) was held in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the Eighth MMCWA Annual Conference at the MMCWA Multi-Purpose Building at the corner of Thanthuma Road and Parami Road this morning, attended by Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, the Honorary Patrons of MMCWA, Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Khin Win Shwe and CEC members, the Central Council members, departmental heads, officials of the UN agencies, diplomats, officials of NGOs, local and foreign well-wishers and guests.
___________________________
(2) Secretary-l inspects construction of Shwedagon Pagoda northern stairway
YANGON, 23 May - Patron of Shwedagon Pagoda General Renovation Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected construction of northern stairway of the Shwedagon Pagoda and renovation of religious structures on the platform of the pagoda this morning.
The Secretary-l, accompanied by officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, on arrival at the construction of the northern stairway, was welcomed by Chairman of Leading Committee for Renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, members of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees and departmental officials.
The Secretary-1 inspected construction of the northern stairway, maintenance of Thwaysaykan Lake to keep its environment green and pleasant and decoration with Myanmar artistic works at the religious structures on the pagoda platform.
The Secretary-1 gave instructions and left the stairway at 10.45 am.
___________________________
(3) Myanmar Arts and Handicrafts Centre opens
YANGON, 23 May - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt formally opened Myanmar Arts and Handicrafts Centre on Shwegondine Road, Bahan Township, this morning.
Present were ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, deputy commander of Yangon Command, ambassadors, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, department heads, chairmen of District and Township Peace and Development Councils, proprietors of arts and handicrafts shops and employees, band troupe of Basic Education High School No 2 of Sangyoung Township and guests.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San and Chairman of Management Committee of the Centre and Yuzana Construction Company U Htay Myint formally opened the centre.
Later, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, ministers and guests visited shops of the centre and halls of Yuzana Tower.
There are 90 shops on the ground-floor of Yuzana Tower, which sell silverware, gems and jewellery, jade, paintings, gold and silver embroidery, mother-of-pearl ornaments and souvenirs, and 76 shops at the underground, which sell lacquerware, bronzeware, wood sculptures, rattanware, furniture and other works of Myanma arts and crafts.
The centre was opened with the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, with the arrangements of the Ministry of Cooperatives and cooperation of Yuzana Company Ltd and entrepreneurs of Myanma arts and crafts with a view to enabling Myanmar citizens and foreigners to study and buy Myanma arts and handicrafts under one roof.
The centre is also aimed at enabling works of Myanma arts and handicrafts to be competitive in the international markets.
The centre will be open from 9 am to 7 pm daily except Monday, and anyone can purchase works of Myanma arts and crafts in kyat, US dollar or FEC.
___________________________
(4) Visittha Vinayadhara title recipient Shin Sakkinda ordained
YANGON, 23 May - Shin Sakkinda of Phayagyi Kyaungtaik in Shwenatha Sanpya Village in Mingaladon Township, Yangon Division, was ordained at a ceremony sponsored by Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and wife Daw Khin Aye and family held at the kyaungtaik this morning.
Shin Sakkinda received Visittha Vinayadhara title at the Dhammacariya (Treatise), Five Nikaya Pali examination and Vunayavudu Diganikayavidu Tipitaka Selection Examination.
Present were members of the Sangha led by Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidaja Maharatha Guru Abhidaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara, Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and wife, Deputy Minister U Aung Khin and family, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and family, Director-General of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Pe Nyein and family, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, parents of Shin Sakkinda and guests.
Shin Sakkinda was ordained by 20 members of the Sangha led by Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara at the ordination hall of the kyaungtaik.
Well-wishers led by Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and wife Daw Khin Aye presented offertories to members of the Sangha after the ordination.
Next, Magway Sayadaw administered the Five Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited parittas. The minister and wife and Well wishers then presented offertories to the members of the Sangha. U Aung Thu-Daw Htay Naing Naing then presented treatise of Tri Pitakat to Shin Sakkinda.
Next, Tipitakadara Sayadaw Bhaddanta Varameindabhivamsa delivered sermons and the congregation shared merits.
After the ceremony, the minister and wife presented soon to members of the Sangha and lunch was served to the guests.
___________________________
(5) Deputy minister inspects cultivation of valuable herbal plants
YANGON, 23 May - Deputy Minister for Industry-l Col Than Zin and officials visited the Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Factory of the Myanma Pharmaceuticals Industry in Hmawby Township yesterday morning.
The deputy minister called for systematic cultivation of mucuna prurita herbal plant which is useful ingredient for preparing medicine to cure paralysis. He then inspected other herbal plants and urged the personnel to conduct researches on chemical composition effect of certain herbal plants.
The deputy minister later inspected production of "Thin" brand incense sticks and spoke of the need to get them to the market as soon as possible.
He also inspected the warehouse for spare parts, machinery for producing mosquito repellent coils and other machinery. He fulfilled the requirements.
The deputy minister and party proceeded to the Myanma pharmaceuticals Factory at Gyogon, Insein Township, where they looked into production, finance, supply of raw materials and spare parts.
The deputy minister then gave instructions and fulfilled the requirements.
___________________________
(6) Chairman of Yunnan Machinery Import and Export Corporation calls on Minister for Cooperatives
YANGON, 23 May - Chairman Mr Wu Wen Kuan of Yunnan Machinery Import and
Export
Corporation yesterday called on Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San
at his office.
Present were Director-General of Cottage Industries Department Dr Than Htaik,
Managing Director
of Cooperatives Export Import Enterprise Daw Khin Swe Soe,
Deputy Director-General of
Cooperatives Department U Than Aung and Head of
Office U Hla Kyu.
___________________________
(7) 1998 Swimming Competition in age-group begins
YANGON, 23 May - 1998 Swimming Competition in age-group, sponsored by Myanmar Swimming Federation, was held at the international class swimming pool in Dagon Myothit (North) Township at 3 pm today.
It was attended by Secretary-General of Myanmar Olympic Committee Director-General Col Hla Myint Kyaw of Sports and Physical Education Department and officials, President of Myanmar Swimming Federation Cmdr Kyaw Tin Hla and executives, guests and fans.
A total of 52 matches were held on the first day today.
On 24 May evening, 48 matches will be held at the same venue.
___________________________
(8) Township level workshop on prevention of HIV/AIDS
YANGON, 23 May - Township level workshop on prevention of HIV/AIDS jointly organized by Basic Education Department and UNICEF was held at Basic Education High School No 2 in Pazundaung Township this morning.
Present were Deputy Director of No 3 Basic Education Department U Tin Myo Lwin and others.
Deputy Director U Tin Myo Lwin and Chairman of Supervisory Committee Headmistress Daw Tin Tin Win spoke on the occasion.
The workshop continues till 25 May.
___________________________
(9) J'Donuts opens in Pansodan
YANGON, 23 May - J'Donuts opened at 173/ 175 on Pansodan Street this morning.
Present were Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, directors and guests.
U Tin Kha formally opened the confectionery and refreshments were then served.
The confectionery opens daily from 8 am to 9 pm.