( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe inspects development tasks in Mandalay
Yangon, 15 April — Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General
Than Shwe inspected Mandalay Kandawgyi in Mandalay this morning.
The Senior General was accompanied by Secretary-3 of the State Peace
and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy)
Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Chairman of Mandalay
Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the
ministers, the deputy ministers, senior military officers and heads of the State Peace and
Development Council Office and departments concerned.
Then, the Senior General and party inspected the progress of work in
building Strand Road section of the eight-lane Mandalay Ring Road.
 
In the briefing hall of the eight-lane Ring Road construction project
(Shwekyetyet Section), Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Yan
Thein reported to the Senior General and party on salient points of the construction
project, measures taken for making Mandalay Kandawgyi pleasant and beautiful and
implementation of Mandalay water supply project.
Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint reported on construction of 52.4-mile-long
eight-lane Mandalay Ring Road, working programmes and measures taken for keeping Mandalay
Hill pleasant and lush and green.
 
The Senior General gave guidance on implementation of the town plan
after taking into account of its long-term consequences and implementation of the water
supply project considering the future population.
Eight-lane Mandalay Ring Road, 140 feet wide, will consist of the
motorway, the traffic island, the cycling way and the pedestrian lane.Altogether 44.64
miles of Ring Road has already been built, and the 18-feet-wide roads on either side of
the traffic island have been asphalted.
Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Saw Tun reported on the condition of
65-year-old Innwa Bridge, the site for construction of a bridge across the Ayeyawady
River, the choice of the place for construction of Ayeyawady Bridge (Mandalay) linking
Mandalay and Sagaing about 2,000 feet upstream from the present Innwa Bridge, engineering
tasks carried out for construction of the bridge and the geographical condition of the
place where the bridge will be built.
Deputy Superintending Engineer of Project Special Group No 14 of Public
Works U Hsan Win reported on the proposed scale models of Ayeyawady Bridge (Mandalay), the
scale models of the approach bridges to be built on the bank of Mandalay and arrangements
to implement the project.
The Senior General gave guidance on matters related to the scale models
of Ayeyawady Bridge (Mandalay), the approach bridges and the approach roads, and inspected
the site chosen for construction of Ayeyawady Bridge (Mandalay).
Innwa Bridge across the Ayeyawady River consists of two 10-foot-wide
motor roads on both sides of the railway line.As the bridge is very old and a new one
needs to be built, Public Works is making arrangements to build a new four-lane bridge
across the Ayeyawady River according to the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
Altogether four places have been designated for the axis of the bridge.
The bridge will be built across the Ayeyawady River from Khawa Hill about 2,000 feet
upstream from Innwa Bridge on the bank of Mandalay to Tagaung on the bank of Sagaing.
The Senior General and party inspected the site designated for
construction of Ayeyawady Bridge (Mandalay) and the building of Taungtha-man Lake Ring
Road.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party went to the construction site
of Mandalay Railway Station.
Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung and officials welcomed the
Senior General and party and conducted them round the railway station.In the visiting room
of the railway station, Minister U Pan Aung reported to the Senior General on construction
of Mandalay Railway Station and progress of work with audio visual aids.Commander Maj-Gen
Ye Myint also reported on arrangements to enable light vehicles to pass the overpass
bridges in front of and behind the railway station.The Senior General gave guidance on
opening of Mandalay Railway Station as scheduled and keeping it clean and pleasant.The
Senior General inspected the scale model of Mandalay Railway Station.
New Mandalay Railway Station will be a seven-storey building. On the
ground floor, there will be offices, passenger lounges and toilets.On the first floor,
there will be parking lots, ticket offices; on the second, restaurants and shops; on the
third, the administrative office and the telephone exchange office.
The fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the building will be used as a
hotel.
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( 2 ) Secretary-1 and wife take part in Myanma Traditional Thingyan
Festival
 
Yangon, 15
April—Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and
wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe took part in Myanma traditional Maha Thingyan on the lawns of
Zizawa Yeiktha of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Akyat Day today, the third day of
Thingyan festival.
Also present were the ministers and their
wives, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, Ambassadors and their
wives led by Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Mr Ly Bounkham, resident representatives of UN Agencies, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, heads of departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
families.
The Secretary-1 and wife Dr Daw Khin Win
Shwe were welcomed at Zizawa Yeiktha by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife
Daw San Yon, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and wife Daw Khin Swe Soe,officials and
families.
 
The Secretary-1 and wife greeted the
Ambassadors and diplomats and their wives.The guests were entertained to Thingyan songs by
families of the staff. Secretary-1 and wife, together with the ambassadors, doused one
another.
The Secretary-1, together with officials
of the State Peace and Development Council Office, went to the pandal of the Ministry of
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs at the national race
village near Thanlyin Bridge in Thakayta Township.
 
They were welcomed by member of the State
Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council
Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt and wife Daw Kyin Khaing, the ministers, the
deputy ministers, officials and national races from various states and divisions who are
currently here at the invitation of the Secretary-1.The national races entertained the
guests to Thingyan songs and dances.The trainees of Myanma Affairs and International
Studies Course No 2 and Advanced Management Course No 9 for Executives of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association joined in Thingyan festivities.
Chairman of Work Committee for Development
of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented gifts to
members of national races troupes.The Secretary-1 and guests took part in Thingyan
festival. They left the pandal in the afternoon.
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( 3
) Diplomats and families enjoy
Maha Thingyan Festival
Yangon, 15 April—
Ambassadors and their wives and families, resident representatives of UN agencies and
their wives and families led by Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Lao People’s
Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham, accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung
and wife Daw San Yon, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and wife Daw Khin Swe Soe and
officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in Thingyan festival at the
pandal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning.
They then proceeded to the pandal of the
Ministry of Home Affairs where they were welcomed by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin
Hlaing and wife Daw Khin Hla Hla, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung,
Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and officials.
Afterwards, Minister Col Tin Hlaing
extended greetings. Families of the Ministry of Home Affairs presented Thingyan songs and
dances to the audience. The diplomats and the families of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
also sang and danced at the pandal. Then, the diplomats and their wives and families,
together withthe families of the Ministry of Home Affairs doused one another.
 
After that, they went to Yangon
Mayor’s Maha Thingyan Pandal where they were welcomed by Yangon Mayor U Ko Lay and
wife Daw Khin Khin, the vice-mayor and wife, officials and their wives. The mayor hosted a
lunch to the diplomats and their wives and party on the first floor of the Yangon City
Hall.
The diplomats enjoyed variety dances and
songs at the Mayor’s Pandal. Next, the diplomats, together with the mayor, the
vice-mayor, officials and cultural dance troupe members took part in the water festival.
Afterwards, they proceeded to the pandal
of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs at
National Races Village near Thanlyin Bridge in Thakayta Township. They were welcomed there
by Minister Col Thein Nyunt and wife Daw Kyin Khaing, Deputy Ministers U Kyaw Tin and
Brig-Gen Than Tun, departmental officials and the staff of the ministry.
The national races of border areas
Kachin, Kokang, Wa, Shan, Kayan, Kayin, Mro, Chin and Naga who are
currently here at the invitation of Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border
Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, entertained the diplomats and party with Thingyan yein dances and traditional
dances. The families of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomats presented songs and
dances.
The diplomats and party, together with
families of the Ministry of PBANRDA, also participated in Maha Thingyan Festival.
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( 4 ) Ministry of PBANRDA join in Thingyan festival on Akyat
Day
Yangon, 15
April—Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs Col Thein Nyunt and wife Daw Kyin Khaing, together with Deputy Ministers U Kyaw
Tin and Brig-Gen Than Tun, officials and families of the staff took part in the sixth
Myanma traditional Maha Thingyan of the ministry at the national race village near
Thanlyin Bridge in Thakayta Township on Akyat Day today.
Altogether 125 trainees of Myanma Affairs
and International Studies Course No 2 and Advanced Management Course No 9 for USDA
Executives led by Lt-Col Myo Myint of Central Public Relations Unit in Hmawby Township
arrived at the pandal of the ministry this morning.
Minister Col Thein Nyunt and wife Daw Kyin
Khaing welcomed and doused them.The trainees were entertained to traditional and Thingyan
yein dances by national races of border areas, who are currently here at the invitation of
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, and the staff of
the ministry.Minister Col Thein Nyunt presented prizes to the trainees, who, in turn,
entertained the audience.
CEC members of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein presented cash
awards to the trainees.
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( 5 ) Minister inspects health care services in Meikhtila
Yangon, 15 April-Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein together with Deputy
Director-General Dr Hla Pe of Health Department inspected Meikhtila General Hospital
yesterday. They were welcomed there by Chairman of Meikhtila District Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Myo Myint and District Health Officer Dr Tint Shwe Htoo and
reported on construction of hospital and health care services. The Minister said plans are
under way to upgrade the hospital, hospital equipment are also provided for the quality
treatment and measures are to be taken in advance for upgrading of the hospital. Then, the
minister chose the site for construction of the Institute of Nursing and inspected the
completion of the building for eye-treatment and gave necessary instructions. The minister
also inspected Letpanpya Station Hospital in Kyaukpadaung Township and attended to the
needs.
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( 6 ) Myitkyina Thingyan held
Yangon, 15 April- The communal nun initiation and the opening of Myitkyina Maha
Thingyan Festival were held at Thameik-dawdaya Nunnery in Myitkyina on 12 April. Present
were Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Chairman Sayadaw Maha Ganthavaaka Pandita Bhaddanta
Ketumala and members of the Sangha, nuns, Kachin State Peace and Development Council
Chairman Northern Command Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and wife Daw San San Yi, Myitkyina
Air Base Commander Brig-Gen Bo Kyi, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen San Tun, officials and
others. The commander and wife offered donations to Sayadaws. Then, the commander and wife
and officials donated rice to members of the Sangha, 100 nuns and nuns tobe. On 13 April,
the commander opened Myitkyina Maha Thingyan Festival at Myoma Market Pandal.
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( 7 ) Agriculture work coordinated in Shan State (East)
Yangon, 15 April-Coordination meeting on agriculture sector and a ceremony to assign
duties for 2001-2002 fiscal year of Shan State (East) was held at the town hall of
Kengtung on 11 April 2000. It was attended by Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and
Development Council Commander of Triangle Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein and members, members
of district and township Peace and Development Councils and departmental officials. The
commander spoke on the occasion. Later, a general round of discussions followed.
Afterwards, the commander assigned duties to the chairmen of district and township Peace
and Development Councils and presented prizes to model prize winner townships Mongyawng
and Mongphyat. The meeting came to an end with concluding remarks by the commander.
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( 8 ) Revellers enjoy Maha Thingyan Festival on Akyat Day
Yangon, 15 April- Today is Thingyan Akyat Day of 1362 ME Maha Thingyan Festival.
People in Yangon Division joyfully participated in the water-throwing festival for the
third day and Akyet Day. On Akyet Day, water-throwing pandals along U Chit Maung Road and
Saya San Road in Bahan Township were crowded with revellers by car and motorcycle.
Similarly, local populace enjoyed Maha Thingyan Festival in townships in Yangon Division.
Revellers took part in the Maha Thingyan Festival in the morning and evening and thronged
the parks and recreation centres in Yangon City. Car accidents were less than the previous
year because those who enjoyed the Maha Thingyan Festival observed disciplines and rules
issued by Discipline Enforcement Committee for Myanma Traditional Thingyan Festival, it is
learnt.
Commander attends communal ordination ceremony in Pyu
Yangon, 15 April- The communal ordination ceremony of Pyu Township was held at the
Township Pariyatti Sasana Beikman in Pyu on 13 April. Present were Chairman of Pyu
Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Bhad-danta Pan–avamsa and members of the
Sangha, Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern
Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Secretary Lt-Col Aung Min, officials and local people. In the
morning, the commander and party donated provisions to members of the Sangha and 325
newly-ordained monks. Pyu Sasana Beikmandaw Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by
sharing of merits. In the evening, the commander opened the Southern Command Maha Thingyan
Festival in Toungoo. Then, the commander visited Toungoo Maha Thingyan Pandal, Kyeni
Cheroot Family Pandal and Ministry of Forestry Pandal.
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( 9
) Thingyan festival celebrated in Hpa-an
Yangon, 15 April-The opening of Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan was held in Hpa-an in
Kayin State on 13 April afternoon, attended by Commander of No 22 LID Brig-Gen Thura Myint
Aung and senior military officers, Secretary of Kayin State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Col Kyaw Win Maung and members, departmental officials and local people. The State
Secretary formally opened the festival. The guests sang Thingyan songs, the dance troupe
entertained the people and the ceremony came to a close.
Rakhine traditional incense grinding competition held
Yangon, 15 April- A competition of Rakhine traditional Thingyan Festival grinding
incense on the flat, circular stone was held at U Oaktama Hall in Sittway, Rakhine State,
on 13 April morning. It was attended by Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development
Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and wife Daw Khin Hnin Wai, senior
military officers, departmental personnel, members of social organisations and local
people. Commander Maj-Gen Aung Htwe formally opened the competition, in which 38 teams
participated. Afterwards, the commander and wife and party attended the ceremony to offer
incense water to Atula Marazein Pyilon Chantha Buddha Image in Sittway. Led by the
commander and wife, the congregation offered incense water to the image. Later, "
soon" was offered to the members of the Sangha.
Revellers throng circular road of moat in Mandalay
Yangon, 15 April-Along Kyone Road, around the moat in Mandalay was crowded with
Thingyan revellers, dousing one another in accordance with the tradition yesterday.
Collective novitiation and ordination ceremonies were held in Mandalay before the Thingyan
festival and Dhammayons and pagodas were crowded with more devotees than the previous
year. At MayorŐs Central Prize-presenting pandal on 26th Street in Mandalay, dance
troupes and famous vocalists entertained the revellers together with Myodaw Band.
Vocalists Thiri Ko Ko, Thiri J Maung Maung, Tin Za Maw, Htoo Ein Thin, May Thu and others
sang songs at Vegas pandal, Man Swe Gon pandal, London pandal and Nan Myo Thu pandal of
Central Command. The Decorated Floats Scrutiny Committee and Pandals Scrutiny Committee
are scrutinizing the floats and pandals. At night, people enjoyed the entertainment of the
famous vocalists at Mayor's Central pandal.
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