( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to India

Yangon, 26 Jan-On the occasion of the 52nd Anniversary of the Republic Day of India which falls on 26 January 2001, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar has sent messages of felicitations to His Excellency Shri Kocheril Raman Narayanan, President of the Republic of India and to His Excellency Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of the Republic of India.

State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Australia

Yangon, 26 Jan-On the occasion of the Anniversary of Australia Day, 26 January 2001, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency the Honourable Sir William Deane, AC, KBE, Governor-General of Australia.

State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman General Maung Aye sends felicitations to India

Yangon, 26 Jan-On the occasion of the 52nd Anniversary of the Republic Day of India which falls on 26 January 2001, General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Shri Krishan Kant, Vice-President of the Republic of India.

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( 2 )  MNCWA fully active with action plans for development of women's sector

Mass of Myanmar women urged to be more serious in safeguarding cultural traits

Yangon, 25 Jan -An opening ceremony of the Second Myanmar Women's Conference sponsored by the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the International Business Centre on Pyay Road here this morning, with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present at the opening ceremony were member of the ministers, deputy ministers,   the Chief Justice, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs, members of the Work Committee, advisers, the Secretary of the Work Committee, members of the Committee for Organizing the Second Myanmar Women's Conference, delegates from states and divisions, officials of NGOs, wellwishers and specially invited guests.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said that while the government is paying special emphasis upon development of Myanmar women's sector and enabling Myanmar women to stand with dignity among the world's nations, holding of the Myanmar Women's Conference for the second time with a prestigious ceremony indicates the nation's recognition of the important role of Myanmar women in national development, and proves Myanmar women's nationalist conviction in striving for greater dynamism of their inborn calibre and capabilities.

Today,the government is endeavouring with the national forces on self-reliance for the Union of Myanmar to develop and keep abreast of the world. The task of organizing the masses of women possessing brilliant capabilities and prominent historical traditions into a united, capable national force conveys the message that the government is mustering one of the basic forces required for the nation's future to be more glorious.

Paying serious attention to and making concerted efforts for development of Myanmar women's sector, the government is trying to ensure all national peoples to live peacefully, and fully enjoy the fruits of national development and the results of social progress, encouraging the tasks to enable the women to enjoy their rights deceivingly as in the past. History shows that as Myanmar women are always given a deserving role to play in Myanmar society, they do not have inferiority complex, but possess self-confidence and brilliant capabilities.

One of the reasons for continuous emergence of brilliant women imbued with outstanding physical and mental abilities throughout the history is that women have enjoyed their rights on a par with men and have been able to work in the national interest with their morale, valour and capabilities as a result of being given equal roles and rights.

Women's full enjoyment of their rights, their strong conviction and high intellectual capabilities are flourishing together with their upholding social code of conduct, preserving national culture and originality, and dealing with others without any pride but with humbleness, and thus, they are able to work together with men in the national interest and are given deserving roles in economic, educational, health, social and cultural sectors. In order to direct the brilliant capabilities of women to the task for national development as well as to systematically organize masses of women all over the country to work for development of women's sector, the government formed the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs in 1996.

Today, the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs, after formation of the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs and state/division, district and township work committees all over the country, is achieving success in its action plans in the education, health and economic sectors, protection of women against violence and rehabilitation, adolescents' affairs, cultural sector, environmental conservation, information and communications and other sectors.

Continuing, the Secretary-1 said the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs is also successfully implementing the Myanmar National Action Plan for Advancement of Women covered by the action plans for women's development of the 1995 Beijing Declaration of the Fourth World Women's Conference.

In addition, Myanmar signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the MNCWA hosted the Regional Consultation on Violence Against Women and Role of Health Sector and sent delegations to international meetings including the 22nd CEDAW meeting in New York in February, 2000, and the 23rd United Nations Special Conference on Women 2000: Gender Equality Development and Peace for the 21st Century, workshops, seminars, training courses and on study tours.

The Secretary-1 also spoke of the MNCWA's cooperation with the ASEAN members for women's development, efforts for Myanmar women's development, cooperation in the task for all children to have access to primary education, 3-R's movement, opening of English language proficiency courses, maternal and child welfare services, the project to cater to health of the aged, the services providing expectant mothers to give birth safely and reproductive health education, organizing of seminars on protection of women against violence and the services carried out all over the country.

He also dealt with the committee's extensive services in the economic, cultural, environmental conservation and public relations.

In information and communications sector, the MNCWA was able to distribute books and video tapes on the women's development programmes, TV interviews, educative talks, songs, TV and radio plays, and Myanmar women's activities in the 22nd UN special conference, women's rights and laws on protection of women's rights.

The most significant movement of the MNCWA, he said, was to designate 3 July, the day on which the MNCWA was formed, as Myanmar Women's Day which is observed every year with national essence. Another significant achievement was the holding of the First Myanmar Women's Conference in 1998 where action plans for national women's development could be laid down.

The Secretary-1 noted that the MNCWA is able to muster the strength of various Myanmar women's associations to become more consolidated, to see to flourishing of effective women's movement participated by the entire mass of women all over the country, and to connect Myanmar women's development action plans with those of the international women's development activities.

It is encouraging to see that all masses of brilliant Myanmar women are united under the leadership and organization of the MNCWA, marching on along the national development path and shouldering tasks in various sectors in the national interest. He spoke of the need for the Second Myanmar Women's Conference to lay down practically effective action plans to continue to bring about benefits. It is also necessary while carrying out its tasks to acquire the advancing technologies in globalization.

He said serious attention must be paid to preserving and safeguarding the national traits in carrying out the tasks for acquisition of modern technologies, and Myanmar women are duty bound to prevent their culture from the infiltration of alien culture and need to be more serious in nurturing the mass of women to cherish and preserve their culture and traditions, promote cultural heritage, strengthen nationalism and patriotism, and safeguard their originality with national awareness and in accordance with the political, economic and social objectives.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called for laying down action plans and programmes in the interest of Myanmar women from the conference, striving for greater strengthening of Myanmar women's rights and development of women's sector, flourishing of a Myanmar women's force working in its full capacity for national development, and burgeoning of nationalism and Union Spirit, and the conviction to safeguard cultural traits and originality among in the mass of women. After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party viewed the documentary photos and books on Myanmar women's development activities.

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( 3 ) Secretary-1 inspects progress of work at Mindhamma Hill

Yangon, 25 Jan- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township at 6 pm today.

The Secretary-1 was welcomed by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge, technicians, officials and members of Pagoda Board of Trustees.

First, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt paid homage to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image and inspected progress of construction work. He gave necessary instructions to officials. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt also inspected construction of Gandakudi Kyaungsaung. Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave necessary instructions to officials and left there.

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( 4 ) Second Myanmar Women's Conference begins

Yangon, 25 Jan - The Second Myanmar Women's Conference sponsored by Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs was held at International Business Centre on Pyay Road this morning.

Present were members of MNCWA, Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs member of MNCWA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Advisers Daw Khin Than Nwe and Daw Khin Cho Oo and advisers, secretary and members of the Working Committee, representatives of States/Divisions Working Committees for Women's Affairs, heads of department, officials of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and non-governmental organizations.

Member of MNCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe chaired the conference and Secretary of Information Group Daw Than Than Win acted as master of ceremonies. Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe made a speech on the occasion. Secretary of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs U Sit Myaing presented the report of the Working Committee.

Member of the Working Committee and leader of Education Group Professor Daw Khin Aye Win reported on counselling and member of Working Group for Prevention of Violence Against Women and Rehabilitation Daw Kyin San replied to the questions. Then, members of State/Division Working Committees for Women's Affairs presented their reports. Member of the Working Committee Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and representatives of states and divisions took part in the discussions.

Adviser Professor Dr Daw Nan Oo chaired the conference and Secretary of Information Group Daw Nan Myat Nilar Aung acted as master of ceremonies in the afternoon session. Professor Dr Daw Nan Oo made a speech and members of States/Divisions Working Committees for Women's Affairs presented their reports. Those present took part in the discussions. The conference continues tomorrow.

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( 5 ) Minister meets China Worldbest Group Chairman

Yangon, 25 Jan-Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met Chairman of China Worldbest Group Co Ltd, People's Republic of China Mr Jiang Chengxun and party at his office at 2:30 pm today. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun, directors-general and managing directors of enterprises and departments under the ministry.

Minister meets Ambassador of India

Yangon, 25 Jan - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun received Ambassador of India Mr Shyam Saran at his office this afternoon. Present also were Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe, the Managing Director of Public Works, the Deputy Managing Directors of Public Works and officials.

Minister for Hotels and Tourism meets ambassadors

Yangon, 25 Jan-Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met Ambassador of Pakistan to Myanmar Mr Mian Yusuf Shah at 1 pm and Ambassador of China to Myanmar Mr Liang Dong who has completed his tour of duties in Myanmar at 2.30 pm at his office today separately. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Director-General U Khin Maung Latt, Managing Director U Kyi Tun and responsible officials of the ministry.

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( 6 ) MV Renaissance One arrives

Yangon, 25 Jan-Under the supervision of Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and Ministry of Transport, and under the coordination of Renaissance Cruises Inc, Florida, America, and Diethelm Travel Ltd (Myanmar), MV Renaissance One Cruiser with 611 tourists arrived at Thilawa Terminal (MITT) here on 24 January evening. They were welcomed by Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than, Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay and officials from Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. Most of the tourists are Americans and they visited downtown Yangon and the Shwedagon Pagoda today. The cruiser will leave here on 26 January morning.

Tourists arrive on chartered flight

Yangon, 25 Jan-A chartered flight McDonell Douglas MD-83 with 81 tourists on board arrived here this afternoon. The flight left Siem Reap, Cambodia, for Yangon under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and under the arrangement of Asian Trails Tour Ltd and Crossair Ltd of Switzerland. They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by responsible persons. Then, they went downtown for sightseeing. In the evening, they visited the Shwedagon Pagoda and spent the night at the Sedona Hotel. On 26 January, they will go on a day trip to Bago. The tourists will leave here for Karachi, Pakistan, on 27 January.

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( 7 ) 16th Buddha Pujaniya of Maha Wizaya Pagoda to be held

Yangon, 25 Jan-The Maha Wizaya Pagoda was built on Dhamma Rekkhita Hill to mark the success of the First Meeting of the Sangha of All Ganas for purification, promotion and propagation of the Sasana and unity of all ganas of the Sangha. The Stupa has been gilded from the sacred umbrella to the round bell shape.

The 16th Buddha Pujaniya of Maha Wizaya Pagoda will be held with pomp and ceremony from 30 January to 8 February. First, non-stop Maha Pathana reciting ceremony will be held from 30 January to 4 February. A total of 27 wut associations will take turns to recite religious verses in the Gandakutitaik of the Pagoda on 6, 7 and 8 February from 6 am to 6 pm.

Padana Nayaka Sayadaw of Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sumangalalankara (PhD) will deliver a sermon at 7 pm on 6 February, Adhipati of  Thidagu World Buddha Tekkatho on Sagaing Hill Agga Mahga Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara World Buddhist Missionary Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanissara at 7 pm on 7 February and Padana Nayaka of Maha Withuddayon Shwe Kyin Taikthit in Bahan Township Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sirindabhivamsa (Yaw Sayadaw) at 7 pm on 8 February.

Members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and Ovadacariya Sayadaws of the Pagoda will consecrate the Pagoda, and soon offering ceremony will be held at 5.10 pm on 7 February. Htamane preparing competition will be held at 4 pm on 6 February.

Holding of Shwekyin Nikaya Vinaya Oral Exam coordinated

Yangon,25 Jan - A coordination meeting to hold the 80th Shwekyin Nikaya Vinaya Oral Examination was held at Sasana Lankara Maha Dhamma Beikmamdawgyi of Kyaungdawya Shwekyintaik in Bahan Township on 16 January.

Present were State Ovadacariya Shwekyin Nikaya Joint Shwekyin Sasanapaing Thirimanta Sankyaung Saya-daw Agga Maha Pandita Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa, Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Dr Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara and Shwekyin Gana Sayadaws, Presiding Sayadaws of Vinaya Department, Abbot Sayadaws, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Secretary of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Maj Chit Nyunt, departmental officials, Chairman of Vinaya Examination Lt-Col (Retired) Dr Win Lwin and lay disciples. The Vinaya Oral Examination is to be held in Sasana Lankara Maha Dhamma Beikmamdawgyi from 5 to 7 February. Altogether 800 members of the Sangha will sit for the examination.

Kyaikkalawt Pagoda Buddha Pujaniya opened

Yangon, 25 Jan-The 39th Buddha Pujaniya of Kyaikkalawt Pagoda in Mingaladon Township, Yangon North District, was opened at the pagoda this morning. Present on the occasion were Presiding Sayadaws of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, Secretary of Mingaladon Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Aung and members, and the Pagoda Board of Trustees and Wut Association members.

Presiding Sayadaw of the Pagoda Board of Trustees Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ketumala of Thidayon Kyaung invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. Then, Sayadaws recited the religious verses. Next, Patrons of the Pagoda Board of Trustees Col Win Naung, Col Tin Thein Lwin and Lt-Col Kyaw Thu formally opened the religious fair, which continues until 2 February. The dry provision offering ceremony will be held at the pagoda on 3 February.

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