YANGON, 17 Apr - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe attended inauguration of new Magway-Taungdwingyi Railroad in Magway this morning.
Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of the State Peace and Development Council, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, the ministers, senior military officers and officials, this morning arrived in Magway by helicopter.
The Senior General and party were welcomed at the Magway Airport by Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Commander of No 88 LID Brig-Gen Aye Kyway, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Thein Zaw and officials.
The Senior General and party proceeded to Magway Station.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended officials of Division District and Township level officials, Tatmadawmen and families of No 88 LID, departmental officials, personnel of Myanma Railways, national entrepreneurs, teachers, students, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, members of Maternal and Child Welfare Association, members of pom pom dance troupe and guests numbering 20,000.
Chairman of Central Committee for Ensuring Smooth and Secure Transport Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo said construction of over 50 miles new railroad began in November 1997 with the strength of Tatmadawmen of units and battalions under No 88 LID and it is a grand ceremony attended by Head of State the commander-in-Chief of Defence Services himself on Myanmar New Year Day.
He said the Tatmadaw members built the 260-mile ChaungU-Gangaw-Kalay Railroad in the west of Ayeyawady River and 90-mile Pyay-Aunglan-Taungdwingyi Railroad in the region and Yaymyatnikyaw section of ChaungU-Gangaw-Kalay Railroad is under construction with much difficulty.
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(2) Senior General Than Shwe inspects Magway-Minbu Ayeyawady River Bridge Project, agriculture projects
YANGON, 17 Apr - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe today inspected the site chosen for building Magway-Minbu Ayeyawady River Bridge and the agriculture projects in vacant and fallow lands.
He was accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of the State Peace and Development Council, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, ministers and officials.
They left Bagan-NyaungU for Magway by helicopter. In Magway, they inspected the site designated for construction of Magway-Minbu Ayeyawady River Bridge.
At the briefing hall near the site, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun reported to them on the site chosen for building Magway-Minbu Ayeyawady River Bridge, and Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than on the waterway.
The Senior General gave instructions on selection of the site for construction of the bridge.
Later, the Senior General and entourage proceeded to the project for reclamation of virgin and fallow lands being undertaken by Myanmar Billion Group Co Ltd at Myosapho region in Pwintphyu Township, Magway Division.
First, the Senior General and entourage inspected the project site, reclamation of virgin and fallow lands and machines being used in work.
At the briefing hall, Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Billion Group Co Ltd U Teza explained to the Senior General and entourage on the company's agriculture project to reclaim 19,880 acres in Pwintphyu Township and 12,469 acres in Minbu Township, completion of slashing on 3,140 acres, removing of stumps on 1,080 acres, ploughing on 700 acres and cultivation of crops on 83 acres, strength of staff and machines being used.
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(3) Secretary-1 drives in stake for construction of pagoda with Shwedagon Shwehtidaw design
YANGON, 17 Apr - A ceremony to drive in stake for construction of pagoda with Shwedagon Pagoda Shwehtidaw design was held at the Road Transport Tazaung at the north-east corner of the pagoda this morning.
The ceremony was attended by Patron of the Committee for All-Round Perpetual Renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, engineers, members of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, members of wut, religious and social organizations, well-wishers and devotees.
The Secretary-1 and party and well-wishers took the Nine Precepts from State Ovadacariya Sayadaw Ovadacariya of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees and Thirimanta Sankyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa.
The Secretary-1 and party presented stakes, paritta flowers, paritta water, paritta sand and paritta thread to the Sayadaws.
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(4) Secretary-1 carries out cleansing of Seinphudaw and Hngetmyatnadaw of Shwedagon Pagoda
YANGON, 17 Apr - Patron of the Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at Southern, Stairway of the Pagoda at 5 am today.
They were welcomed by Minister for commissions Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Chairman of Leading Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Chairman of Work Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and committee members, Myanmar Engineers and members of the Board of trustees. First, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party paid obeisance to Hsutaungpyi Padamya Myetshin Buddha image on the upper terrace of the pagoda
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party together with Myanmar engineers and members of the Board of trustees ascended the pagoda and paid homage to Seinphudaw and Hngetmyatnadaw of the pagoda.
Then, Secretary-1 and party cleansed Seinphudaw and Hngetmyatnadaw.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party fixed jewellery donated by the public to Shwehtidaw of the pagoda.
As tasks for durability of the Shwedagon Pagoda Htidaw have been completed, scaffolding of the pagoda was removed. The devotees including monks and the public can now pay homage to Shwehtidaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and Seinphudaw.
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(5) Parittas recited for residents of Yangon
YANGON, 17 Apr - Nine State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Sayadaws led by Vice-Chairman of the Committee Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Acinnabhivamsa flew in a helicopter reciting parittas and poured paritta water over Yangon on Myanmar New Year Day today for all the people of Yangon to be safe and free from harm and danger.
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(6) Sayadaws recite parittas at Phugyi reservoir
YANGON, 17 Apr - A ceremony to recite parittas by 27 members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and members of Sangha was held at Phugyi reservoir on Myanmar New Year Day.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay and Daw Khin Khin, Vice-Chairman Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and wife, Brig-Gen Saw Hla Min of Phugyi Station, Secretary Col Myint Aung, Joint Secretary U Kyi Win, committee members and officials.
The Sayadaws recited the parittas.
Mayor U Ko Lay and wife and officials donated provisions to the Sayadaws.
The Sayadaws, the mayors and officials poured paritta water into the Phugyi reservoir and prayed for safety of dwellers of Yangon City.
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(7) Minister attends ceremony to pay respects to retired teachers of Universities
YANGON, 17 Apr - A ceremony to pay respects to retired teachers of Universities for the 11th time, sponsored by Universities Buddhists Association (Yangon), was held at the University Dhammayon this morning.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) U Myo Nyunt and Deputy Director-General U Saw Lwin, Chairman of Universities Buddhists Association (Yangon) Rector of Yangon University Dr Soe Yin and EC members, rectors of Universities in Yangon, retired teachers who are 75-year old and above, professors and associate professors, lecturers and faculty members and members of the Association.
Rector Dr Soe Yin explained points about the ceremony.
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(8) 48 members resign from Thaton Township NLD
YANGON 17 Apr - Forty-eight members Resigned National League for Democracy of Thaton Township, Mon State.
Forty-eight members of Thaton Township, NLD, Mon State, on their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Thaton Township Multi-party Democracy Election Commission and the party concerned on 10 March 1999 and 28 members, two members and two members totaling forty-eight did so on 11 March 1999, 12 March 1999 and 13 March 1999 respectively as they no longer wished to participate in politics of NLD.
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(9) 58 members resign from Pale Township NLD
YANGON 17 Apr - Fifth-eight members Resigned National League for Democracy of Pale Township, Sagaing Division.
Fifth-eight members of Pale Township, NLD, Sagaing Division, on their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to pale Township Multi-party Democracy Election Commission and the party concerned on 17 January 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in politics of NLD.
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(10) Over 55,000 eligible voters of Natogyi submit petitions expressing no confidence in representative-elect U Pan Tha of NLD
YANGON, 17 Apr - Eligible voters of Natogyi Township Constituency-1, submitted signed petitions expressing no confidence in U Pan Tha who was elected as Pyithu Hluttaw Representative of National League for Democracy at the 1990 Multiparty Democracy General Election from Natogyi Township Constituency-1, and no support for him at the ceremonies held at Kana, Pechet, Wetlu, Suphugon and Mokan Stations of the township at the same time, on 21 February morning.
A total of 10,034 local people from six villages attended the ceremony in Kana Station of the township.
Farmer U Kyi Pyone of Kana Village, on behalf of the voters of Kana Village of Natogyi Township Constituency-l, expressed no confidence in U Pan Tha and no support for him. Then, U Tun Tin of Yonpinkan Village, on behalf of the voters, presented petitions of no confidence in U Pan Tha and no support for him signed by the people to member of Natogyi Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-Commission Township Law Officer U Myint Naing.
Similar ceremony was held at Pechet Station, attended by 12,705 local people from five villages. Farmer U Aung Win of Pechet Village, on behalf of the voters, expressed no confidence in U Pan Tha and no support for him. Farmer U Bo Ni of Gwepintaw Village presented petitions of no confidence in U Pan Tha and no support for him signed by the people to member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-Commission Township Immigration and National Registration Department Officer U Than Myint.
Likewise, 9,802 local people of five villages attended the ceremony which took place at Wetlu Village. Farmer U Thaung Tun of the village, on behalf of the voters, expressed the sentiments. U Khin Than Maung of the village presented petitions of no confidence in U Pan Tha and no support for him signed by the people to Joint Secretary of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-Commission U Kyaing of General Administration Department.
At Suphugon Station, 10,920 local people of eight villages attended the similar ceremony.
Farmer U Soe Naing of Bahetaw Village, on behalf of the voters, expressed the sentiments. Farmer U Myint Than of Suphugon Village presented petitions of no confidence in U Pan Tha and no support for him signed by the people to member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-Commission Township Education Officer U Ko Lay.
Similarly, the ceremony was held at Mokan Station with the attendance of 12,762 local people of four villages.
Farmer U Kyaw Moe of the village, on behalf of the voters, expressed the sentiments. Farmer U Kyaw Gaung of Thaminbay Village presented petitions of no confidence in U Pan Tha and no support for him signed by the people to member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-Commission Township Health Department Officer Dr Zaw Myint.
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(11) Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries performs meritorious deeds at Hninzigon Home for Aged
YANGON, 17 Apr - With the patronage of Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, families of Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries performed meritorious deeds at Hninzigon Home for the Aged on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning.
Families of the ministry clipped the nails of aged persons and shampooed them.
Then, Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and wife, Deputy Minister U Aung Thein and wife and staff families received the Five Precepts from members of the Sangha. Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein presented offertories to the Sayadaws.
The minister then made a donation for Thiriyadana Dhammayon and the aged persons.
The minister, the deputy minister and party shared the merits.
Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister U Aung Thein and staff families hosted breakfast for the aged.
Enterprises of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries donated K 718,109 to the home.
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(12) Mandalay Mayor presents prizes to winners in competitions of Maha Thingyan Festival
YANGON, 17 Apr - The revelers enjoyed the Traditional Maha Thingyan in Mandalay on Thingyan Atet Day.
The ring-road of the moat which located in Mandalay Nanmyo was crowded with revelers in cars and on motorcycles and bicycles.
The merry-makers took part in the Maha Thingyan Festival along the 80th Street, Aung San Road, Bayintnaung Road, Strand Road, Yangyiaung Road, Mandalay-Sagaing Road and Mandalay Myothit, surrounding of Phayagyi, Amarapura and Patheingyi Townships.
In the evening, May Than Nu, Zinyaw Maung Maung, Nay Aung, Khin Zargyi Kyaw, Zeyar, M Li Li Hsan, Yadana Khin, Hla Inzali Tint and other artistes and vocalists presented Thingyan songs to the people at water-throwing pandals.
At 8.30 pm, a ceremony to present prizes to the winners who took part in the decorated floats, decorated pandals and photographs competition in commemoration of Mandalay Maha Thingyan Festival was held at Mandalay Mayor's Pandal. It was attended by Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein and wife, Deputy Commander of Central Command Col Nay Win and others.
At 12 pm, Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein delivered the New Year Address.
Later, the Mandalay Mayor declared the Mandalay Mayor's Thingyan Pandal
close.