( 1 ) Myanmar observes International Day of Older Persons

 Yangon, 1 Oct- The International Day of Older Persons was observed at the International Business Centre on Pyay Road this morning. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony and presented gifts, medicines and cash assistance to older people.

 Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, the ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the Mayor of Yangon, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, personnel of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, the Working Committee for Women's Affairs and non-governmental organizations, guests, wellwishers, representatives of UNDP and WHO, older people from homes for the aged in Yangon Division and officials. The Secretary-1 said that as for Myanmar people who care for older people like their parents, it is satisfactory to have an opportunity of participating in the international movement for the creation of pleasant environments for older people.

They also accept the fact that it is a noble deed. Therefore, the International Day of Older Persons is observed every year, and according to the lovely traditions of Myanmar people, older people are cared for. The observing of the International Day of Older Persons not only accentuates the good traditions of Myanmar people but also reflects the resolution of the entire national people to carry out the task of caring for older people.

The State Peace and Development Council is implementing national objectives which are suitable to the Myanmar people with the aim of enabling the Union of Myanmar to stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations. At the same time, it is carrying out social development tasks to make sure that all the citizens, regardless of race, religion and age, can enjoy the peace and tranquillity, prosperity and development of the State. In this regard, a separate ministry has been set up to undertake the task of providing social assistance to the needy.

The task of carrying out social development activities has been assigned to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and the ministry, organizing non-governmental organizations as well as governmental departments, is undertaking social development tasks from the national level right down to the grassroots level. In undertaking social development tasks, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has laid emphasis on the task of caring for older people. According to the teachings of Theravada Buddhism, cultural traditions and social code of conduct, the Union of Myanmar have high regard for older people.

 In addition, Myanmar society is made up of senior relatives such as mother, father, uncle and aunt, and every older person naturally receive care from their children, grandchildren and relatives. Moreover, the life of the Myanmar can be divided into three stages Ñ seek education at the first stage of life, seek fortune at the second stage of life and pursue the Buddhist teachings at the third stage of life. So, older people want to pursue the Buddhist teachings and meditate.

Therefore, if Myanmar older people who attain the third stage can have the opportunity of pursuing the Buddhist teachings peacefully, it can be said that their lives are perfect. Therefore, in Myanmar society, the affairs of older people are not a big social problem. However, from 1898 to date, many homes for the aged have been opened all over the nation so that older people can live and meditate peacefully.

Now, not only social organizations but also successful entrepreneurs are making donations to the homes for the aged. At the opening cere-mony of Shweceti Home for the Aged in Kyaukse, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe said that at the third stage out of the three stages of life, people have to rely on assistance of others and unfortunately they can get into trouble. Therefore, the task of caring for older people is noble and important. If all other social tasks including the task of taking care of older people are carried out, people can live peacefully at all the three stages of their lives, and the social life of the nation will develop. In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the government has seen to it that governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and wellwishers cooperate in carrying out the task of caring for older people.

Today there are 45 homes for the aged established by social organizations and religious associations all over the country, and altogether 1,947 older people are being cared for there. The government provides rice, expenditure and clothes and the salary of the administrator of the home for the aged, and it spent 10.7 million in 2000-2001 fiscal year. According to the religion and cultural traditions, Myanmar is carrying out the task of caring for older people as a social development activity, and as a member of the world family, Myanmar is actively participating in the activities for creating peaceful environments organized by the UN.

Under the leadership of the UN, Myanmar observes the International Day of Older People every year and continues to make all-out efforts for the realization of objectives of the International Day of Older People  to raise the awareness of condition of older people in accord with the motto " Towards a Society for all Ages", to carry out more tasks and programmes for the interests of older people and to organize non-governmental organizations, the media, private organizations and the youth to participate in the task of caring for older people. As the State Peace and Development Council has been striving to enable the Union of Myanmar to keep abreast with other nations with the participation of the entire national people, such favourable conditions as stability and peace and tranquillity of the State, improvement of national economy and social development have existed. The more political, economic and social favourable conditions emerge, the more the socio-economy of all the national people will improve. More and more peaceful and pleasant environs for older people will emerge.

 Therefore, all the entire national people are required to participate in the efforts of the government for the successful implementation of the national objectives. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called on all to see to it that all the older people like other citizens can enjoy the fruits of stability, peace and tranquillity, prosperity and development, to strive for the emergence of pleasant environments to enable older people to pursue the Buddhist teachings and meditate with peace of mind and to strive for the perpetual existence of the tradition of caring for older people in Myanma society.

Then, the Secretary-1 presented gifts, medicines and K 50,000 each to U Lay Khin (Myo Myint Saw), U Thaw Zin ( Thiha Bala), U Ko Lay ( Zeya Maung), U Ohn Pe (Tet Toe), Daw Nu Yin ( Nu Yin), Daw Thein Hsaing ( Ma Myat Lay), U Bagalay ( Cartoonist Bagalay), U Htin Gyi ( Tekkatho Htin Gyi), Daw May Nwe ( Motion Picture), U Diving Tin Hla ( Motion Picture), Artist U Thu Kha, Wanna Kyaw Htin U Sein Mya Maung ( Music), Wanna Kyaw Htin U Sein Aung Min (Thabin) and U Shwedownnyo (Thabin), who attended the ceremony. Daw May Shin, Maha Thayesithu U Pe Khin, U Thein Maung (Sayagyi U Thu Kha), Daw Ahmar ( Ludu Daw Ahmar), U Ohn Pe (Pakokku U Ohn Pe) and Daw Saw Yin ( Kyi Kyi Saw), who could not attend the ceremony, will be presented the same gifts, medicine and K 50,000 through Social Welfare Department.

 Later, the second part of the ceremony was held. To be enable to offer K 1000 each to the older persons of the home for the aged in Yangon Division, Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa presented k 31,000 to Khayan Home for the Aged, K 83,000 to Shwe Than Lwin Home for the Aged, K 222,000 to Hninzigon Home for the Aged, K 160,000 to Home for the Nuns, K 43,000 to Muslims Home for the Aged (Grandfather) and K 43,000 to Muslim (Grandmother) Thukha Yeiktha through in-charge of the respective homes for the aged. Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa presented gifts to Accordion U Ohn Kyaw who composed the song in commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons and vocalist Soe Sanda Tun who sang the song. To be enable to donate K 30,000 each to 34 home for the aged of the states and divisions, Deputy Minister U Hlaing Win presented K 1,020,000 to Director-General of Social Welfare Department U Sit Myaing. With the aim of enabling to present K 10,000 each to one oldest grandpa and one oldest grandma in states and divisions, Deputy Minister U Hlaing Win presented K 340,000 to Director-General U Sit Myaing. On behalf of the older persons, member of MWJA U Lay Khin (Myo Myint Saw),102, and Daw Nyunt May, 74, of Hninzigon Home for the Aged spoke words of thanks. After the ceremony, the minister, the deputy minister and officials together with the older persons had a souvenir photo taken.

Secretary-1 inspects construction tasks at Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

Yangon, 1 Oct-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this evening arrived at Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township, where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image was kept. The Secretary-1 was welcomed by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge, officials, scholars and members of the board of trustees.

The Secretary-1 paid obeisance to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image. He inspected installation of the ceiling, the digging of Mingala Lake to the south of Mindhamma Hill, arrangements for greening of environs, construction of Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi and the planting of Dekkhina Sakha Bo tree conveyed from Sri Lanka. Officials then reported on progress of work. The Secretary-1 gave instructions on the planting of Bo trees and left there at 6.20 pm.

up
___________________________

( 2 )  Minister inspects construction of bridges

Yangon, 1 Oct - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by officials, inspected Baida Bridge Project on Yangon-Mandalay Highway in Bago Division yesterday. Assistant Engineer U Myint Lwin reported on progress of work. The minister gave instructions on construction work. Then, the minister and party went to Kwinchaung Bridge Project. Superintending Engineer U Myint Lwin reported on construction of the foundation of the bridge and availability of machinery and construction materials. Next, the minister and party proceeded to Phyuchaung Bridge on Yangon-Mandalay Highway. Superintending Engineer U Myint Lwin reported on progress in construction of the foundation of the bridge and installation of steel girders. Afterwards, the minister and party visited Sittaung River-crossing Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) Project on Nyaunglaybin-Madauk-Shwekyin Road. Superintending Engineer U Win Aung reported on completion of construction of approach structures. The minister gave instructions on construction work.

Sub-printing house of Myanma Alin and Kyemon Dailies opened in Taunggyi

 Yangon, 1 Oct-Under the programme of printing and direct distribution of dailies in respective regions of States and Divisions starting from 2001-2002 fiscal year, sub-printing house of the Myanma Alin and the Kyemon was opened in Taunggyi this morning. The opening ceremony was attended by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Deputy Commander of Eastern Command Col Myint Aung, senior military officers, members of Shan State Peace and Development Council, chairmen of Taunggyi District and Taunggyi Township State Peace and Development Councils, the deputy directors-general, general managers, directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry, the adviser and officials, State, district and township level officials, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, townspeople and students.

 First, General Manager Lt-Col Thet Soe of Printing and Publishing Enterprise formally opened the sub-printing house. Then, the commander, the minister and guests viewed process of work in the sub-printing house before the ceremony came to an end. The Myanma Alin and the Kyemon dailies were printed at the sub-printing house starting from today with the use of modern offset printing machines. The dailies will be directly distributed to the townships in Shan State (South)ÑNyaungshwe, Shwe-nyaung, Yaksauk, Pindaya, Pin-laung, Aungban, Kalaw, Heho, Langkho, Mongpan, Loilem and Namhsan and Phekhon plus Loikaw and other towns and villages in Kayah State.

( 3 ) Transport Minister inspects bridges in Kawthoung

Yangon, 1 Oct - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, together with Deputy Minister U Pe Than, Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay and officials, inspected Taw Win Bridge extension project in Kawthoung yesterday. Officials reported to the minister on construction of MPA office in Kawthoung, progress of work and financial matters. Managing Director of MPA U Thein Htay and officials reported on functions of their departments. The minister fulfilled the requirements. The minister and party inspected the construction of Taw Win Bridge and MPA office and MV Haka of Myanma Five Star Line at the port. The minister and party went to Myoma Bridge where Deputy Minister U Pe Than reported on construction of the embankment between Myoma Bridge and Bayintnaung Bridge.

Deputy Minister receives guests

Yangon, 1 Oct - Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan received Director Ahmad Farid Baharuddin of Axis Indentity Group and Director Mrs Nathan of Technosquare Oil Palm (M) SDN BHD from Malaysia together with Chairman of Services International (SI) Co Ltd U Maung Maung Swe Tin at the office of the Deputy Minister on Strand Road at 1:30 pm today. Present at the call were Director-General of Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and officials.

( 4 )  Sarpay Beikman Child Library, Electronic Library opened

Yangon, 1 Oct-The Sarpay Beikman Child Library and Electronic Library of the Printing and Publishing Enterprise of the Ministry of Information was held at the Sarpay Beikman Building on Merchant Street here this morning, attended by Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein. Director-General of Myanma Radio and Television U Khin Maung Htay, Director-General of Information and Public Relations Department U Chit Naing, Managing Director of Printing and Publishing Enterprise U Myint Thein, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, Managing Director of Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise U Bo Kyi, officials, Head of Office Capt Soe Aung, Vice-Chairman-2 of Myanma Writers and Journalists Association U Than Maung and officials, the Chief Editor of Sarpay Beikman and library staff, students of Hline Township BEPS-1 and invited guests also attended the ceremony.

Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein formally opened the Sarpay Beikman Child Library on the ground floor of the building and the deputy minister and guests viewed the children reading, colouring pictures, solving puzzles, playing TV games, watching TV, and doing teaching-aid lessons. The deputy minister then formally opened the Electronic Library on the first floor of the building. He and guests looked around the library. In the Electronic Library, there are 2000 CD-ROMs on 15 subjects to be studied and rare books in Reference Room can be found with the help of computer according to the subjects. Skilful library staff are appointed there and any one may visit the library from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays and noon to 4 pm on weekends free of charge.

Painting presented to Ministry of Hotels and Tourism

 Yangon, 1 Oct-A ceremony to present a painting to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, jointly drawn by a Filipino artist and four Myanmar artists, was held at Summit Parkiview hotel here yesterday evening, attended by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin. Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt and officials from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism attended the ceremony. Filipino artist Ms Rosalinda Roman presented the painting to Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin. Then, guests were entertained with traditional dances of the two nations.

( 5 )  Armed group members exchange arms for peace

Yangon, 1 Oct - The State Peace and Development Council, upholding Our Three Main National Causes, is striving for national reconsolidation with might and main and genuine goodwill to ensure the emergence of a new, modern and developed nation. Remaining armed groups, realizing that their destructive acts did not benefit the nation at all for a long time and their acts retarded development of their regions, and understanding the genuine goodwill and correct endeavours of the government, have been exchanging arms for peace individually or in groups.

 Section leader Sai Aung Khan, privates Sai Sam Khan, Aik Sai, Sai Sho and Aik Nan Saung of MTA armed group, together with one .38 revolver, one .45 pistol, one single barrelled gun, one M-22 automatic rifle, one M-16 automatic rifle, three magazines and 55 rounds of ammunition at Triangle Region Command; privates Aik Tin and Than Tun of ALP armed group, together with one .22 air pistol and a bullet, in Western Command area; Aye Ko, member of ABSL armed group in North-West Command area; privates Saw Roe, Phe Loat and Saw Hla Khe of No 10 Battalion, together with one AK-47 automatic rifle and one magazine and five rounds of ammunition and one hand grenade and privates Saw Baw Na, Sawkabe Pho, Sawphe Sit, Kheshea, Tobenyo, Rudi, Taw Lay and Phoawedaw of No 11 Battalion, together with one butt-folding gun, one home-made long-barrelled gun and two hand grenades, private Medone of Mazaw village region, together with one long-barrelled gun, in Coastal Region Command area, exchanged arms for peace at the respective military camps and units from 1 to 31 August. The officials warmly welcomed 20 persons who exchanged arms for peace and attended to their needs. There are still more members of armed groups to exchange arms for peace.

Yangon, 1 Oct-The health education exhibition being held under the Myanmar-Thai border health collaboration programme continued at Shan Yoma Departmental Store in Tachilek, Shan State (East) today. The objectives of the exhibition are to enable the people to understand health care services being provided in the two countries, to raise public awareness of health and to improve the health standard of the people in the border areas by carrying out health care week activities.

 As a health care movement, health educative talks and video shows are being held. Hot Line of specialists are opened daily at the exhibition. Daily cleaning work is done. Treatment is being given to the patients suffering from malaria, tuberculosis and syphilis. Surgical operations are being performed on the patients with claft palate and crossed eyes and bandy legged patients at the General Hospital in Tachilek. Treatment is also given to the patients at the traditional medicine clinic at the exhibition. The exhibition will be opened to the public from 9 am to 5 pm till 5 October. Admission is free of charge.

Commander attends Htidaw-hoisting ceremony

Yangon, 1 Oct - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than attended the ceremony to hoist Htidaw atop the tiers of Lawka Chantha Theindawgyi (ordination hall) of Nikaya Sarthintaik in Dagon Myothit (South), Yangon East District. Also present were Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Presiding Sayadaw of Nikaya Sarthin-taik Bhaddanta Sobhita and members of the Sangha, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, No 4 Military Region Command Commander Brig-Gen Myo Myint and commanders of military regions, secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and members, chairmen of District Peace and Development Councils and guests. At first, the ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of namotassa. The Presiding Sayadaw of Nikaya Sarthintaik administered the Nine Precepts.

 Then, the Sayadaws recited Parittas, and the commander and the congregation presented the tiers of the Htidaw and offertories to the Sayadaws. The Presiding Sayadaw of Nikaya Sarthintaik delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. Then, the commander and the congregation hoisted tiers of the Htidaw and sprinkled scented water on them. The commander performed the rituals of golden and silver showers, which brought the ceremony to an end.

( 7 )  Work coordinated for construction of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

Yangon, 1 Oct-The coordination meeting of Committee for Construction of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image and Committee for Greening of the Environs of the Image was held at the briefing hall on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township this afternoon. Present were Chairman of Committee for Construction of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Chairman of the Committee for Greening of the Environs of the Image Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Chairman of Sub-committee on Religion Adviser to the State Peace and Development Council U Arnt Maung, Secretary of Committee for Construction of the Image Commander Khin Maung Oo (Navy) and members, officials and members of the board of trustees.

 Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and Col Thaik Tun spoke on the occasion. Deputy Chief Engineer (Architect) of Public Works U Aung Kyee Myint reported on fixing of the place where Linlun plant (Buchanania Latifolia) is to be planted, situation of land near northern stairway and officials of Forest Department, Myanma Agriculture Service and Yangon City Development Committee (Gardens and Sports Grounds) reported on respective sectors. Managing Director of ACE Co U Tin Hsan reported on preparation for construction of Hmankyaunghsaung and future tasks, officials of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Industry-1, Public Works (Electric), on use of telephone, supply of cement and bricks and power supply and Myanmar architects on decoration of Myanmar artistic works. The meeting ended with the concluding remarks by the deputy ministers.

Colour Photo Competition to be held

Yangon, 1 Oct-The National Motto, Literary and Photo Competitions Organizing Committee has already announced that the 12th Colour Photo Competition will be held for 2001. The title of the colour photo competition is "Pleasant Scenery in Myanmar". A competitor may send up to four colour photos not smaller than the size of 10x12 inches. The entry must be the own creation of the competitor, and it must not be a prize-winning one in the photo competitions held at home and abroad. The data and caption of the photo are be attached to the photo. The entries are to be sent together with a brief biography of the competitor and two passport size colour photos. The entries are to be sent to U Tun Min, Joint-Secretary of Armed Forces Day Literary and Photo Competitions Organizing Work Committee, Information and Public Relations Department at 22-24, Pansodan Street here not later than 15 October. The winners will be announced in the first week of November, and handsome prizes will be presented to them.

( 8 )  37th Anniversary Myanmar Police Force Day observed

Yangon, 1 Oct-The 37th Anniversary Myanmar Police Force Day was observed at the Ministry of Home Affairs this evening. Present were Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, the directors-general, the deputy directors-general, the deputy director-general of MPF, senior police officers, police commanders and members of MPF.

The minister called for building of patriotic, efficient and modern police force. He stressed the importance of training which is basis for possessing the qualification in spiritual and physical development. The minister colled for revitalization of patriotism and restoration of the Union Spirit and reviewing all the tasks with political, military, economic, management and international outlooks and undertaking them extensively.

Next, Police Maj-Gen Soe Win said members of MPF are to safeguard the interests of the people and the State, to be one with the people including related associations, to carry out the tasks with the Five Outlooks and to observe police code of conduct. He urged all police members to try to become the ones on whom the people can rely and the ones with high morale. The minister presented awards to sub-inspector Maung Maung Aye of the Criminal Investigation Department and Police WO Tin Shwe of Police battalions control office. The deputy minister, deputy director-general of MPF and officials presented prizes to winners of the police code of conduct examination. Earlier this morning, "soon' and offertories were presented to ten members of the Sangha led by Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Bhaddanta Panindabhivamsa.

Secretariat member meets USDA executives and members in Taunggyi

Yangon, 1 Oct - Member of the Secretariat of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Khin Maung Thein met with USDA executives and members of Taunggyi, Hopong, Nyaungshwe and Yaksauk Townships at the meeting hall of Shan State (South) USDA in Taunggyi yesterday. Secretariat member U Khin Maung Thein elaborated on the formation and organization work of the association, future tasks and the opening of training courses. He than accepted USDA membership applications of the people from Taunggyi, Hopon, Nyaungshwe and Yaksauk Townships. Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met with officials and employees of departments under the ministry at the meeting hall of Myanma Economic Bank in Taunggyi. The minister gave instructions and attended to their requirements.