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1 ) Senior General Than Shwe
inspects development undertakings in Mandalay
Yangon, 17 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected development undertakings in Mandalay today.
Senior General Than Shwe,left Lashio in Shan State (North) for Mandalay by Tatmadaw aircraft yesterday morning.
 
On arrival at Mandalay International Airport in TadaU Township at 11 am, the Senior General and party were welcomed by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mayor of Mandalay Brig-Gen Yan Thein, senior military officers and departmental officials.
The Senior General and party went to Mandalay by car. They also inspected the environs of TadaU Township and progress in building the eight-lane highway in Mandalay.
 
This morning, the Myanmar New Year Day, the Senior General and party paid homage to Hsutaungpyi Buddha Image on Mandalay Hill. The Senior General presented cash donation to the pagoda board of trustees.
The Senior General and party enjoyed the luxuriant view of the hill and the panoramic view of Mandalay from the hill. The Senior General then signed in the distinguished
visitors' book.
At Buddha's Tooth Relic Pagoda (Mandalay), the Senior General and party paid obeisance to the Buddha images. The Senior General presented cash donation for the pagoda through the pagoda board of trustees.
In Mandalay, the Senior General and party inspected the city development undertakings by car.
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Secretary-1 attends enshrinement, pivot fixing and Shwehtidaw
hoisting ceremonies of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda in Kyauktan
Yangon, 17 April - The enshrinement ceremony, the pivot fixing ceremony and Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda took place at the pandal in the compound of the pagoda in Padagyi village, Kyauktan Township, Yangon South District, at 8 am today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Before the ceremony, the Secretary-1 paid homage to the Hngetmyatnadaw, the Seinbudaw and the bowl to be offered to the pagoda.
Staff Officer of Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department U San Thin Hlaing acted as master of ceremonies.
First, the congregation opened the ceremony with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party and the congregation took the Nine Precepts from Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Jagara.
Next, lay persons offered Paritta water, flowers, threads and sand to the Sayadaws. Afterwards, members of the Sangha recited Parittas. The lay persons put Paritta water, flowers, threads and sand at the environs of the pagoda.
Then, the Secretary-1 and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe offered the Hnget-myatnadaw, the Seinbudaw, relics and provisions to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jagara. Similarly, the commander and the ministers donated provisions to the Sayadaws.
Afterwards, the donation ceremony for all-round renovation of the pagoda followed.
The Secretary-1, the commander and Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin accepted K 28,860,111 donated by the well-wishers including K 20 million by Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Htay Myint (Chairman of Yuzana Co Ltd)-Daw Aye Aye Maw and family, K 1.1 million by the Ministry of Education, K 900,000 by Yangon South District Peace and Development Council, K 900,000 by family of the local military intelligence unit, K 900,000 by local populace of Kyauktan Township, K 500,000 by Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Sein Hla Win-Daw Phyu Khin and family, K 250,000 by Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and younger sisters, K 200,000 by U Aung Myint Lay, Daw Tin Aye family (Kyauktan), K 100,000 each by the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Electric Power, the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Cooperatives, Yangon Command Headquarters, the Ministry of Health and Minister Lt-Gen Min Thein and family, K 111,111 by U Ba Ni and U Kyaw Myint (Myanma Natural International Co Ltd), K 100,000 by U Win Pe and family (Indonesia), K 100,000 by U Khin Ko Naing, Daw Khin Lay Myint and family.
Then, Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Kyauktan Theingon Kyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha GanthavaŤaka Pandita Bhaddanta Kusala delivered a sermon.
 The Secretary-1 and party and the well-wishers shared merits gained. Next, Taingyar Htidaw hoisting team blew conch shells and beat drums.
Afterwards, the enshrinement ceremony and the pivot fixing ceremony of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda were held.
First, the Secretary-1, wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party and the well-wishers conveyed religious objects of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda and Naungdawgyi Pagoda, the Seinbudaw, the Hnget-myatnadaw and tiers of the Htidaw round Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda clock-wise.
Then, the religious objects of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda were conveyed to the middle reliquary of the pagoda.
At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1 put the religious objects into the middle reliquary. Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja U Shein Aung Bo recited religious verses.
After enshrining the religious objects, the Secretary-1 sprinkled scented water at the reliquary. Saya U Kyaw recited ‚intamani Gatha.
Then, the Secretary-1 fixed the pivot atop the pagoda and sprinkled scented water on it. Next, the enshrinement ceremony and the pivot fixing ceremony of Padagyi Hsandawshin Pagoda concluded successfully.
The Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the successful completion of the ceremonies.
Afterwards, the Shwe-htidaw hoisting ceremony was held at Naungdawgyi Pagoda.
First, the Secretary-1 put the religious objects into the reliquary of the pagoda and sprinkled scented water at the reliquary.
Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, the ministers and local people conveyed the tiers of Shwehtidaw, the Hnget-myatnadaw and the Sein-budaw atop the pagoda by the Mingala Carriage of the Taingyar Htidaw hoisting team.
At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1 and party hoisted tiers of the Shwehtidaw, the Hnget-myatnadaw and the Seinbudaw atop the pagoda. The Secretary-1 then sprinkled scented water on them.
Thiri Saddhamma Mani-jotadhara U Than Hla of Taingyar Htidaw hoisting team shared merits gained.
The congregation recited Buddha Sasanam ‚iram Titthatu three times.
Later, the Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the successful completion of the ceremony.
Secretary-1 attends inauguration of Padawa (Pilakhat) Bridge in Kyauktan Township
Yangon, 17 April - A ceremony to open Padawa (Pilakhat) Creek Bridge was held at the pandal near the bridge in Kyauktan Township in Yangon District (South) at 11 am today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
First, Chairman of the committee for construction of the bridge U Zaw Zaw Naing explained emergence of the bridge.
Next, U Zaw Zaw Naing presented the commemorative pennant to the Secre-tary-1.
 Then, Chairman of Yangon District (South) Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Sein Hlaing and members of the committee for construction of the bridge formally opened the bridge.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 formally opened the stone inscription of the bridge.
The Secretary-1 and party then inspected along the bridge.
The bridge is 120 feet long and 19 feet wide and is the concrete one. It was built at a cost of K 27 million contributed by the Hindus.
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( 3 ) Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects regional development tasks in Thandwe District
Yangon, 17 April - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defense, together with officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, left here by air and arrived at Thandwe in Rakhine State yesterday morning.
 
They were welcomed there by Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Brig-Gen Maung Oo, Brig-Gen Kyi Thein of Taungup Station, local authorities and departmental heads.
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than met with members of Thandwe District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Working Committee for Women's Affairs, War Veterans Organization and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and village elders at the office of Thandwe District Peace and Development Council in Thandwe.
Chairman of Thandwe District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Than reported on conditions of Thandwe District including progress of cultivation of summer paddy in the district, arrangements being made for cultivation of monsoon paddy and cold season crops and meat and fish sectors.
Then, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than spoke on the tasks being implemented by the government for development of the respective regions, plans for development of urban and rural regions and concerted efforts for the development of agriculture and meat and fish sectors in
order to develop the StateŐs economy.
He gave instructions on extended cultivation of suitable crops among paddy, cotton, sugarcane and beans and pulses for development of agriculture.
He urged officials to lay emphasis on making arrangements for breeding of fish and prawn without damaging the thriving farmlands, breed poultry and cultivate kitchen crops on a small scale for increasing individual income of local residents, to carry out the five rural development and greening tasks of Thandwe in the district.
He called on local authorities, departmental officials, social organizations and local people to strive for community peace and
tranquility and prevalence of law and order.
In the townships of Thandwe District, 300 acres of summer paddy, 8,100 acres of beans and pulses and 16,795 acres of oil crops were cultivated in 2001-2002.
Altogether 102,625 acres of monsoon paddy were cultivated in 2001-2002 and plans are under way for cultivation of 103,160 acres of monsoon paddy in 2002-2003.
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Prizes presented to Thingyan pandals, decorated floats in Mandalay
Yangon, 17 April - A ceremony was held at the Thingyan pandal of the Mandalay Mayor yesterday evening to present the trophies and cash awards to the prize winning decorated floats and Thingyan pandals.
Present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defense, senior military officers, Daw Myat Ngwe, wife of Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein and wife, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win and wife, officials, film artistes, vocalists, musicians, prize winners and guests.
Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein presented the first prize in decorated float competition to Myanan Mandala decorated float representing Mandalay District, second prize to Htilar May decorated float representing Meiktila District, third prize to Shwethin Maung decorated float representing Yemethin District, fourth prize to Myanma Yadana-mye representing PyinOoLwin District, fifth prize to Shwe Zunphu representing Myingyan District and sixth prize to Hteikhtarlay representing Kyaukse District.
Secretary of Mandalay City Development Committee Lt-Col Maung Pu presented first prize to Chanaye Mandala pandal of Chanayethazan Township, second prize to Zaygyothu pandal, third prize to Health Family pandal, fourth prize to Aungmye Mandala pandal of Aungmyethazan Township, fifth prize to Padauk Shweyi pandal of the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, sixth prize to Atathida pandal of the Ministry of Transport, seventh prize to Home Affairs Ministry pandal and consolation prizes to the winners.
Prizes were also presented to winners in Thingyan photo competitions.
Members of the prize winning decorated floats entertained the guests with dances, songs and music. Film artistes and vocalists also sang Thingyan songs.
The closing ceremony of the Mandalay Maha Thingyan was held at the mayor's pandal. The Mandalay Mayor extended New Year greetings. Film artistes, vocalists and damsels finally sang the song
"Myananda".
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( 5 )
Meritorious deeds performed in Yangon City on Myanmar New Year Day
Yangon, 17 April -Myanmar Buddhists here performed meritorious deeds on Myanmar New Year Day today.
Pagodas, stupas, monasteries in suburban areas of Yangon City were crowded with those who kept the Sabbath and performed meritorious deeds.
In the evening, members of the Sangha recited Parittas at the junctions and corners of the roads in wards of townships.
Members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee recited Parittas for the
 people to be free from dangers. With the aim of ensuring prevalence of peace and tranquility not only in the Union of Myanmar but also in the world, Joint-Secretary of the Committee Agga Maha Pandita Dwi Pitakadhara Naga Cave Kalaywa Tawya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa and member Sayadaws recited Parittas on board the hovering helicopter.
Pilgrims offered fruits, flowers, water and lights and paid homage to Maha Wizaya Pagoda.
Members of the Sangha went round Yangon downtown by car and recited Parittas and Desanas.
On Myanmar New Year Day today, the respect-paying ceremonies, fish freeing ceremonies and other meritorious deeds were performed at Shwedagon, Sule, Botahtaung, Kyaikkasan, Maha Wizaya, Buddha's Tooth Relic (Yangon), Meilamu, Koedatgyi, Chaukhtatgyi, Ngadatgyi and other pagodas in townships of Yangon Division.
 
Staff families of News and Periodicals Enterprise donated dawn
"soon" to members of the Sangha at the office of the Managing Director at 5 am. Then, members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Similarly,
"soon" offering ceremonies were held at the Myanma Alin, the Kyemon and the New Light of Myanmar dailies.
At 2 pm, the Myanmar New Year Day, organized by the Kaba Aye Pagoda Board of Trustees, was observed at the prayer hall on Kaba Aye Hill in Mayangon Township.
 
This morning, staff of the Directorate of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence set 12,674 fish free at Hlawga Reservoir. Likewise, staff of the State Peace and Development Council Office and Central Offices released 2,000 fish and 300 sparrows. Other organizations and well-wishers also set free fish, sparrows and pigeons.
A total of 85 persons of offices, departments and social organizations donated blood to mark the Myanmar New Year Day, at Defense Services General Hospital (Mingaladon).
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Paritta recitation ceremony held
Yangon, 17 April - Staff of the Ministry of Cooperatives held the
Paritta recitation ceremony at the ministry on Bogyoke Aung San
Street this afternoon.
Present were five members of the Sangha led by Bhaddanta Asapha
of Aungthawady Sarthintaik of North Okkalapa Township, Minister for
Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, officials and staff families. Sayadaw
Bhaddanta Asapha administered the Five Precepts. Then, members of
the Sangha recited Parittas. Afterwards, Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe,
officials and staff offered provisions to the Sayadaws, followed by
sharing of merits.
Social Welfare Department holds Maha Thingyan
Festival
Yangon, 17 April - Social Welfare Department of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement celebrated the Maha Thingyan Festival in the compound of the
girls' training school on Malikha Street this morning. Minister for SWRR Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and wife Daw Khin Aye took part in the festival.
Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for SWRR U Hlaing Win and wife, the director-general of the social welfare department and wife, staff families, guests and students of the training school. The children and students of the training school entertained the audience with Maha Thingyan dances and songs. Later, the minister, the deputy minister and their wives presented prizes to the yein troupes of the training school, and those present doused one another with water.
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( 7 ) Ministry of Sports holds respect paying ceremony
Yangon, 17 April - Under the auspices of Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and wife Daw Aye Aye, the fourth rice offering and the second respect paying ceremony of the Ministry of Sports was held at Ottara Tinkyi Dhammayon of Dekkhina-yon Kyaungtaik in Thingan-gyun Township this morning.
Present were Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and wife Daw Aye Aye and staff.
The minister and wife donated provisions to members of the Sangha and shared merits gained. Then,
"soon" was offered to the Sayadaws.
Next, the second respect paying ceremony followed. The minister and wife and staff paid respects to the older persons. The minister then presented cash to the older persons. On behalf of older persons, U Khin Maung Thaung,
an aged, spoke words of thanks.
Cash and kind donated
Yangon, 17 April - The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries donated cash and kind to Hninzigon Home for the Aged in Bahan Township this morning to mark the Myanmar New Year Day.
Present were Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and wife Daw Myint Myint Aye, Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, departmental officials and families of service personnel.
The minister, the deputy minister and departmental heads presented cash and kind to the Home for the Aged, followed by sharing of merits. The minister, the deputy minister and departmental heads offered
"soon" to members of the Sangha, donated lunch for the elderly people and asked after the elderly people receiving treatment at the hospital.
The total donation of the ministry was K
1,414,967. In the morning, families of service personnel performed
meritorious deeds such as shampooing and manicuring of the elderly
people. Yangon Division Fisheries Department made arrangements for
freeing of the fish.
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Ministry of Religious Affairs performs meritorious deeds
Yangon, 17 April - The Ministry of Religious Affairs held its ninth ceremony to free life and pay respects to the aged at Wizaya Mingala Dhamma Thabin on Kaba Aye Hill in Mayangon Township this
afternoon.
Present on the occasion were member Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin and wife Daw Yin Yin Nyunt, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and wife, Adviser to the State Peace and Development Council U Arnt Maung, Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Pro-Rector (Admin) of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Dr Hla Pe, officials, personnel, aged persons and guests.
Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Dawei Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Arcinnabhivamsa administered the Nine Precepts.
Then, members of the Sangha recited parittas.
The minister and wife, the deputy minister and officials presented offertories to members of the Sangha.
Afterwards, Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Masoeyein Taikthit Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Sirinda-bhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.
The minister and wife, the deputy minister and officials paid respects and presented offertories to 63 aged persons of the townships in Yangon Division.
The minister and wife, the deputy minister and officials freed pigeons and sparrows in front of Wizaya Mingala Dhamma
Thabin.
Later, they circled around the Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Pagoda clockwise and released fish into the Dagon Thiri Kandawgyi Sanctuary near Maha Theindawgyi on the Hill.
Kyeni-Chauk railroad inspected
Yangon, 17 April - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, accompanied by officials, inspected conducting of the land survey for construction of Chauk Station yard on new Kyeni-Chauk railroad on 9 April.
Then, the minister chose the site for construction of Chauk Station and gave instructions on systematic carrying out earth work and construction of bridges for durability of the railroad and ensuring water supply at the station.
Afterwards, the minister met with division level officials of Myanma Railways, the Road Transport, the Road Transport Administration Department and the Transport Planning Department under the Ministry at Pakokku Station and gave instructions on carrying out tasks with full capacity in accordance with the plans set for implementation of targets, constantly conducting reviews on the ratio of income and expenses, and constantly taking care of tasks for staff welfare.
On 10 April, the minister inspected the western worksite of Ponnyataung tunnel construction project and left instructions. Next, the minister inspected land preparations at the railroad mile post 4/5 linking the tunnel.
On 11 April, the minister looked into Gangaw-Kalay railroad section and the bridge No 205 and gave necessary instructions to the officials concerned.
The minister also inspected construction of the railroad from the western tunnel to Yaymyetni Station and gave instructions and attended to the needs on 12 April.
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) National races cultural group
visits pagodas in Bago
Yangon, 17 April-At the invitation of the Chairman of Border Areas and National Races Development Work Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the visiting 197-member border areas national races cultural group from Panwa and Lweje regions in Kachin State, Bawlake region in Kayah State, Myainggyingu and Whaetshan regions in Kayin State, Kyikha and Paletwa regions in Chin State, Leshi and Lahe regions in Sagaing Division, Mongton, Kutkai, Panghsan and Mongmao regions in Northern Shan State, Mongpauk, Adee and Monghsat regions in Eastern Shan State and Bokpyin region in Taninthayi Division, led by Deputy Director-General of the Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department Lt-Col Myint Swe, visited the famous pagodas in Bago this morning.
First, they paid reverence to Shwemawdaw Pagoda and made cash donations.
Thence, they visited Hinthagon Pagoda and Kambawzathadi Palace where they were conducted round by Assistant Director from the Ministry of Culture U Mya Swe.
Then, the Bago Development Affairs Department hosted lunch to the cultural group at Thirihantha Hall and presented gifts. Later, they paid obeisance to Mahazedi and Shwethalyaung Pagodas. They also visited Shwepyitha
Bridge where they posed for documentary photos.
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