Upgrading of Kandawgyi and Yangon Zoological Gardens coordinated
Yangon, 30 March— A coordination meeting on upgrading of Kandawgyi and Yangon Zoological Gardens was held at the Agricultural Museum in Myepadetha-kyun in Bahan Township this afternoon, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.
The Secretary-1 spoke on the occasion. He said arrangements are being made for upgrading of Yangon city in accord with the characteristics of the cities of international standard.
He said Yangon has a population of over five million and it has become a densely populated area. The number of vehicles also increased about five times than that of the past. It is necessary to expand the roads and upgrade Yangon because of heavy traffic jams, he said.
He said in the past there were slums and those who did not own house and land in Yangon. Under the State Peace and Development Council government new satellite towns were established in order to be hygienic, to raise the living standard of the people in Yangon and to enable the people to possess own houses and land, he said.
He said the hut-to-apartment schemes were implemented in some areas in Yangon. Now Yangon has become a modern one which possesses the characteristics of a capital. He spoke of the need to upgrade Yangon to be hygienic and to be a magnificent one possessing the characteristics of the cities of international standard. He said Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on upgrading Yangon to be a beautiful, pleasant and magnificent capital. Arrangements to upgrade Yangon are being undertaken with momentum in accord with the guidance of the Head of State. He said now arrangements are under way for extension of the roundabouts, roads and turnings. The tasks to extend the main roads into the six-lane ones are being implemented to some extent, he added. Repair works are being carried out as the drainage and sewerage systems in Yangon were over 100 years old, he said.
He said the meeting would discuss the arrangements to turn Kandawgyi and its environs and Yangon Zoological Gardens to be an advanced recreation centre.
Kandawgyi and its environs are naturally pleasant and the government has carried out renovation works for the zoo, he said. He said arrangements are to be made to turn Kandawgyi in Yangon Zoological Gardens into a recreation centre for the people living in Yangon and tourists. The Secretary-1 called for cooperation for emergence of a garden city of international standard in accord with the guidance of the Head of State.
Next, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on the conditions of the agricultural museum, Nursery Market Festival in Myepadethakyun and vegetable and fruit shops and U Win Aung of Woodland Co on arrangements to upgrade Kandawgyi and design.
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein reported on upgrading of the aquarium, Mayor U Ko Lay on areas of land and water and parks and islands in Kandawgyi and Head of Gardens and Playgrounds Department U Nyunt Pe on gardening in Kandawgyi.
Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone reported on arrangements for upgrading Yangon Zoological Gardens and Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint on inflow and outflow of water in Kandawgyi.
The Secretary-1 took part in the discussions.
After the meeting, the Secretary-1 and party inspected Bogyoke Aung San Park in Kandawgyi and gave instructions.
The Secretary-1 and party went to the corner of Theingyi Street and Strand Road and inspected extension of six-lane Strand Road.
The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to the corner of Sule Pagoda Road and Strand Road where they were welcomed by Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than and officials. They inspected extension of six-lane Strand Road.
The Secretary-1 and party went to Wadan jetty in Lanmadaw Township and inspected sanitation and other works in Seikkan Township and renovation of embankment and gave instructions.
The Secretary-1 inspected extension of 72 feet wide Strand Road.
The Secretary-1 and party went to the office of Kyimyindine Township Development Affairs Committee. Deputy Head of Engineering Department (Roads/Bridges) of YCDC U Myat Thet reported on extension of Strand Road (from Bayintnaung Road junction to Ywathitchaung). The Secretary-1 then gave instructions.
Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and party inspected coconut, banana and sugarcane shops opened at Bagaya jetty and left there in the evening.
Foreign Affairs Minister receives ASEAN Secretary-General
Yangon, 30 March — Mr Ong Keng Yong, Secretary-General of ASEAN called on Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung at the ministry here at 7 pm today.
Later, Minister U Win Aung and wife hosted a dinner in honour of the secretary-general at Zizawa Yeiktha of the ministry. Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office Brig-Gen Abel, Home Affairs Minister Col Tin Hlaing and wife, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and wife, and the directors-general of the ministry and wives also attended the dinner.
Religion
Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspects regional development tasks
Yangon, 30 March — Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, went to Kyauktan Township in Yangon South District this morning and gave instructions to the officials on regional development affairs.
The commander and party arrived at Meepya Model Village in Kyauktan Township. The commander and party paid homage and offered flowers, water and light to Shwebontha Pagoda in the Village and inspected all round renovation of the pagoda. The commander then gave instructions on all round renovation tasks of the Pagoda and attended to the needs.
Then, the commander went to Kyaunggyitaik Monastery and paid obeisance to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panna Vamsa.
The commander then met with township level departmental officials, local authorities, teachers, townselders, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross Society and Fire Brigade and local people.
At the meeting, the commander briefed on regional development tasks in Kyauktan Township to be undertaken by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council in accord with the five rural development tasks, arrangements to be made to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas and extension of agriculture and livestock breeding for uplift of regional economic and social standard.
The officials concerned reported to the commander on progress of development tasks and future tasks, agriculture and livestock breeding tasks and construction of village-to-village roads and bridges in Kyauktan Township. The commander then fulfilled the requirements.
Next, the commander and party went to Chaungwa Village Monastery in Chaungwa Village in Kyauktan Township and paid homage to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sumana and donated offertories to the Sayadaw.
Commerce Ministry holds ordination and novitiation ceremony
Yangon, 30 March — The Ministry of Commerce held the first communal ordination and novitiation ceremony at Ariya Mandaing Monastery in Mayangon Township this morning.
The congregation received the Five Precepts from the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha recited the parittas.
Then, Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife and wellwishers presented offertories to the members of the Sangha. Next, Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presented one million Kyat for construction of Saddham-mavazi three-storey monastery to the monastery board of trustees.
Ariya Mandaing Monastery Abbot Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panñaloka delivered a sermon and merits gained were shared, At the ceremony, 49 monks-to-be were ordained and 37children novitiated and 52 initiated into nunhood.
Communal ordination and novitiation ceremony held
Yangon, 30 March — The fifth communal ordination and novitiation ceremony of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs was held at Naga Cave Kalewatawya Monastery in Mayangon Township this morning.
At the ceremony, Minister Col Thein Nyunt and wife and wellwishers presented offertories to members of the Sangha and Kalewatawya Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa delivered a sermon. Then, ‘soon’ was offered to Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.
Region
Ministry of Industry-1 holds coord meeting
Yangon, 29 March —The Ministry of Industry-1 held its coordination meeting to review work done in 2002-2003 and future tasks to be undertaken in 2003-2004, at the ministry this morning.
Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung attended the meeting and delivered an address.
In his address, Minister U Aung Thaung said based on the agricultural sector, efforts are to be made for development of other sectors and industrial sector plays a crucial role in other economic sectors. The ministry distributes personal goods, foodstuff and medicine as import-substitute goods. Priority is to be given to quality control of every product. The ministry, indeed, is not only producing but marketing them. So, efforts are to be made not only for meeting the targeted production but also for producing quality goods. The policy and procedures of the ministry are to be abided by strictly and assigned duties are to be carried out successfully.
Then, factory managers of Myanma Ceramics Industries, Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries, Myanma Foodstuff Industries, Myanma Textile Industries and Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries and Myanma General and Maintenance Industries made reports. Then, Director-General U San Kyi reviewed the reports of the heads of departments. The meeting concluded with the remarks of the minister.
In the afternoon, the minister attended the ceremony to present the first prize won for display at the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day exhibition and to honour the victorious athletes.
Director-General U Tin Hlaing of Directorate of Industry handed over the first prize won by the booth of the ministry to the minister. Managing Directors also handed over the championship shields and the second prizes won by the teams of the ministry to the minister.
The minister, the deputy minister and managing directors presented gifts to victorious players. Altogether 126 athletes and 30 coaches and team managers were honoured at the ceremony.
Yangon, 30 March — Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Coastal Region Command Commander Brig-Gen Tha Aye, on 23 March inspected drainage tasks and bridges along Dawei-Ye railroad.
The Commander Brig-Gen Tha Aye and Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min gave necessary instructions to the officials and attended to the needs.
Armed Forces Day parade held in Triangle Region Command
Yangon, 30 March — The 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day parade was held at the parade grounds of the Triangle Region Command at 7.30 am on 27-3-2003.
Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Chairman Triangle Region Command Commander Brig-Gen Khin Zaw attended the parade and delivered an address.
After making a speech, Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Chairman Triangle Region Command Commander Brig-Gen Khin Zaw took the salute of the parade columns.
In the evening, the commander presented prizes to the prize-winners of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day commemorative competitions and hosted a dinner to them.
Armed Forces Day Parade held in Eastern Command
Yangon, 30 March — The 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade was held at parade grounds of Eastern Command at 7 am on 27-3-2003.
Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint delivered an address at the parade and took the salute of the parade columns.
Afterwards, he gave away prizes to the winners in 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day commemorative competitions.
In the evening, the commander hosted the Armed Forces Day dinner and reception.
Self-reliance rural roads opened in Mawlamyine and Mudon Townships
Yangon, 30 March — As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, Thebyusan Bridge on Kuanta-Beyan Road in Mudon Township was opened on 25 March.
Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South East Command Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung and wife, local authorities, departmental officials, social organizations and local people attended the opening ceremony. The commander formally unveiled the signboard of the bridge.
54-foot-long and 14-foot-wide wooden bridge was constructed with the contribution of over K 2.4 million by township development affairs committee and K 2 million by local people totalling over 4.4 million.
Similarly, the commander attended the opening of self-help Myintzu tarred road of Myoma-3 Ward and Naykya and Mya Nanda tarred roads of Myoma-4 Ward in the township and self-reliance new road in Kawkareik Model Village. Then, the commander attended the corner-stone laying ceremony for construction of a delivery room in Kawkareik Model Village.
On 26 March, the commander attended the opening of a rural tube-well in Thirimyaing Ward in Mawlamyine. The tube-well was constructed at a total cost of K 2,382,255 to hail the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day by the supervisory committee for Mon State Maternal and Child Welfare Association.
The commander also attended the opening of self-reliance new tarred roads in Bogon Ward and Shwe Myaing Thiri Ward.
Armed Forces Day Exhibitions continue
Yangon, 30 March — The 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Exhibition continued for the fifth day at the Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road here today.
Altogether 1,977 people visited the exhibition. It is kept open daily from 9 am to 6 pm till 4 April with free of charge.
Similarly, prize-winning works of the Armed Forces Day commemorative literary and art competitions are being shown at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road here today. Over 1,000 people visited the exhibition today. It is kept open daily from 9 am to 5 pm till 4 April.
Any one can take part in the quiz contests at the exhibition. Those who win the prizes will be awarded immediately.
Myanma Industrial Exhibition to be kept open till 3 April
Yangon, 30 March — The Myanma Industrial Exhibition which has been opened since 19 March at the Hsinbyukan grounds in Mandalay is crowded with visitors daily.
In response to the demand of the public, the exhibition will be kept open till 3 April, it is learnt.
Sarpay Beikman Book Fair concludes
Yangon, 30 March — As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, Sarpay Beikman Book Fair with the 58 book shops was held for the last day at the central printing house at the corner of Anawrahta Road and Theinbyu road here today.
Over 7,000 people visited the fair today and today’s sale of the books on different subjects was over K 1.45 million. Total sale of the fair was over K 10.5 million.
The book shops collectively donated 1,400 books to rural libraries through Secretary of the Book Fair organizing committee Chief Editor of Sarpay Beikman U Maung Hlaing today.
Wellwishers invited for sinking tube-wells
Yangon, 30 March— The Development Affairs Committees under the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs are making concerted efforts in sinking tube-wells in order to get sufficient fresh water in rural areas in States and Divisions where there is a shortage of water.
One 200 feet deep two-inch diameter tube-well costs K 250,000; one 400 feet deep two-inch diametre tube-well costs K 500,000; and one 200 feet deep four-inch diametre tube-well costs K 500,000.
Those wishing to donate cash for the tube-well sinking projects for rural areas may contact the Director-General (Tel: 01-245420 & 253088), the Deputy Director-General (Tel: 01-240118), the Director (Engineering) (Tel: 01-291967), the Directors (Sagaing Division Development Affairs Committee) (Tel: 071-21012), the Director (Magway Division Development Affairs Committee) (Tel: 063-23164) and the Director (Mandalay Division Development Affairs Committee ) (Tel: 02-54657).
International Relations
Deputy Minister for Culture enjoys Japanese ballet dance
Yangon, 30 March — Under the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, Japanese Embassy in Yangon and Myanmar-Japan Relation Centre in Yangon, Japanese ballet dancers presented performance to the public at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Dagon Township here this evening.
Sport
Myanmar-China soccer friendly held
Yangon, 30 March — Myanmar-China soccer friendly was held at Youth Training Centre in Thuwunna here this afternoon.
Cultural Attaché of Chinese Embassy Mr Pan Feng, General Secretary of MOC Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department President of Myanmar Football Federation U Thaung Htaik and Head of Delegation Mr Pan Richun greeted the players of Myanmar youth football team (A). Then, the footballers of both teams greeted each other and the leaders exchanged banners.
Afterwards, the first match, was held. In the match, Chinese youth football team beat Myanmar youth team 2-1.
As the second match, Olympic youth football team will play against Chinese youth football team at the same venue on 2 April.
Myanmar CP Inter Club tennis tournament concludes
Yangon, 30 March — The final matches of the Myanmar CP Inter Club tennis tournament, organized by Myanmar CP Co Ltd as a gesture hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, were held at Theinbyu Tennis Court on 28 March.
After the final matches, Adviser to Myanmar CP Livestock Co Ltd U Aung Din, Senior Vice-President of the Co Ltd Mr Phkhet Sivasri and President of MTF U Zaw Zaw presented prizes to the winners in the respective matches.
Then, General Secretary of Myanmar Olympic Council Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department U Thaung Htaik presented third prize to Forestry team and Golden Eagle (B) team and Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint second prize to Golden Eagle (C) team in the men’s (A) division.
Afterwards, Patron of Myanmar Tennis Federation Maj-Gen Kyaw Win presented first prize to Ever King team in the men’s (A) division and best player award to Khin Maung Win of Ever King team.
Then, Mr Nutthakrit Sivasri of Myanmar CP Group presented souvenir to the officials.
Then, Patron of Myanmar Tennis Federation Maj-Gen Kyaw Win spoke words of thanks.
Drug
Yodaya citizen seized with stimulants in Tachilek
Yangon, 30 March — Members of local intelligence unit, Tachilek Special Anti-drug Squad, Bureau of Special Investigation and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, searched Yodaya citizen Sophon, 43, son of Naing Pay Yun (Yodaya/ Buddhist), who was walking near friendly Bridge in Sansai Ward, Tachilek, on 27 March morning.
The combined force seized him 950 stimulant pills.
As drugs are the common enemy of the entire human beings, Myanmar, assuming drugs elimination task as a national duty, is making efforts for Tachilek District in Shan State (East) to be a drug-free zone. Drugs prevention and elimination tasks have been carried out with added momentum. So, Yodaya citizen Sophon was seized with stimulant pills.
Police station concerned has filed the drug trafficker under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
Yangon, 30 March — A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Tachilek Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, on 18 November 2002 searched U Beyarme’s house of No 4/3, Region 4, Tachilek and seized 28,600 stimulant tablets bearing “WY”.
Action was taken against U Beyarme, 49, son of U Aeik Palane under Sections 15/19/(A)/21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Tachilek Police Station. The Tachilek District Court handed down 5 years’ imprisonment on Beyarme under Section 15 and 25 years’ imprisonment under Section 19(A) to serve separately.
