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Headlines

• Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offer Shwekya Thingan to Dhammacakka Mudra Buddha Image of Tooth Relic Pagoda

Religion

• Kathina robes offering of Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township held 
• Matho Thingan offered at Shwephonepwint Pagoda 
• Shwekya Thingan offered to Buddha Images at Pagodas

Region

• Means sought to make Yangon a garden city adorned with modernity and splendour 
• Flag-hoisting ceremony and opening ceremony of Union Hall to hail the 2002 Annual General Meeting of USDA 
• Outstanding youth delegation makes study tour of Yangon

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Headlines

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offer Shwekya Thingan to Dhammacakka Mudra Buddha Image of Tooth Relic Pagoda

Yangon, 19 Nov - The Seventh Buddha Pujaniya of Varadahtadhatu Cetiya Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon) was held in conjunction with the consecration ceremony, the merit-sharing ceremony, the robe offering ceremony and the provision-donation ceremony at the Pagoda on Dhammapala Hill in Mayangon Township, Yangon Division, this morning.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the ceremonies and offered Shwekya Thingan to Dhammacakka Mudra Buddha Image.

First, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered "soon", water and flowers to the Buddha Images. Next, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party offered "soon" to Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

Then, the consecration ceremony was held at 6.30 am. Adviser of the State Peace and Development Council Office U Ant Maung acted as master of ceremonies. The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha consecrated the Buddha Images of the Tooth Relic Pagoda. Afterwards, the merit-sharing ceremony and the Shwekya Thingan offering ceremony were opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa.

Next, Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Sadhammajotika Myitkyina Wuntho Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silavamsa invested the congregation with the Nine Precepts. After that, members of the Sangha recited parittas.

Next, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Saw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo and members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), ministers and the deputy ministers presented offertories to members of the Sangha.

Then, Secretary of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Gura Abhidhaja Agga Maha Sadham-majotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered Shwekya Thingan to Dhammacakka Mudra Buddha Image. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San offered Shwekya Thingan to Varada Mudra Buddha Image.

Then, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe offered Shwekya Thingan to Ottara Bodhi Mudra Buddha Image. Then, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, offered Shwekya Thingan to Labha Mudra Buddha Image. Next, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence and wife offered Shwekya Thingan to Maha Garuna Mudra Buddha Image.

Later, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence and wife offered Shwekya Thingan to Jhana Mudra Buddha Image. Then, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence and wife offered Shwekya Thingan to Bumiphasa Mudra Buddha Image. Afterwards, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence offered Shwekya Thingan to Santida Mudra Buddha Image.

Then, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence and wife offered Shwekya Thingan to Patihariya Mudra Buddha Image. Then, the ceremonies ended with the three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanan Ciram Titthatu. Then, the provision-offering ceremony was held. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo and members of the State Peace and Development Council and their wives , the Chief of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air) and their wives, the Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council the Commander of Yangon Command and wife, ministers and deputy ministers, heads of department, member of the District/Township Peace and Development Council, member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and social organizations and well-wishers offered provisions to members of the Sangha at designated places on the platform of the Pagoda.

The offertories presented today were worth over K 16 million. After the ceremony, merits gained were shared.

Religion

Kathina robes offering of Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township held

Yangon, 19 Nov - The Kathina robes offering ceremony of Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township, Yangon Division, was held at the Kyaungtaik this afternoon.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony and presented Kathina robes and offertories. The ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. Then, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from Siri Manta Sankyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa.

Next, members of the Sangha recited parittas. Afterwards, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt presented Kathina robes and offertories to Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandha Garika Agga Maha Pandita Abhidhamma Pali Paragu Bhaddanta Sumangalalankara (Ph.D) and members of the Sangha.

Then, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers and wellwishers presented Kathina robes and offertories to members of the Sangha. Next, Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandha Garika Agga Maha Pandita Abhidhamma Pali Paragu Bhaddanta Sumangalalankara (Ph.D) delivered a sermon, and Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and the congregation shared the merits gained.

The ceremony came to an end with the three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanan Ciram Titthatu.

Matho Thingan offered at Shwephonepwint Pagoda

Yangon, 19 Nov - Matho Thingan (robe) offering and the prize presentation ceremony of the 12th atho Thingan Weaving Competition was held at the Shwephonepwint Pagoda in Pazundaung Township at 4 am today.

Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and wife, and the congregation offered Shwekya robes to the Buddha images at the pagoda. Then, the prize presentation ceremony followed.

Shwekya Thingan offered to Buddha Images at Pagodas

Yangon, 19 Nov - As today is the Fullmoon Day of Tazaungmon, Matho Thingans were offered to Buddha Images at dawn at various pagodas here by devotees. The pagodas were crowded with pilgrims who offered flowers, lights and water to Buddha Images.

Various departments and social organizations also held communal kathina robes offering ceremonies at monasteries.

Shwedagon Pagoda

The 18th Matho Thingan offering ceremony of Shwedagon Pagoda was held at the pagoda platform at 1 am today. Prizes were also presented to winners of Matho Thingan weaving contest. Matho Thingans were offered to Buddha Images at four main prayers hall of the pagoda.

Botahtaung Pagoda

The Matho Thingan offering ceremony of Botahtaung Pagoda was held at the pagoda platform at 4 am today. Prizes were also presented to winners of Matho Thingan weaving contest.

Sule Pagoda

The Shwekya Thingan and 5,000 lights offering ceremony of Sule Pagoda was held at the pagoda platform at dawn today. The 5,000 lights offering ceremony will continue tomorrow. Sayadaws also delivered sermons at the pagoda.

Kaba Aye Pagoda

The 7th Matho Thingan weaving ceremony of Kaba Aye Pagoda was held at the pagoda platform at 4 pm yesterday. Prizes were also presented to winners of Matho Thingan weaving contest at 4 am today. Matho Thingans were offered to Buddha Images at the pagoda.

Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

The Shwekya Thingan offering ceremony of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni was held at the pagoda at 5 am today. Sayadaws and members of Sangha were offered with soon and offertories.

Koehtatgyi Pagoda

The Koehtatgyi Pagoda was also crowded with devotees who offered fruits, 9999 lights, flowers and water to Buddha Images today. held at the pagoda platform at 1 am today.

Maelamu Pagoda

The 9th Matho Thingan weaving ceremony of Maelamu Pagoda in North Okkalapa Township was held at the pagoda yesterday evening. Matho Thingans were offered to Buddha Images at the pagoda this evening.

Kyaikkhauk Pagoda

The 21st Matho Thingan weaving ceremony of Kyaikkhauk Pagoda in Thanlyin was held at the pagoda platform yesterday evening. Prizes were also presented to winners of Matho Thingan weaving contest. Matho Thingans were offered to Buddha Images at the pagoda. members of Sangha were also presented with offertories and cash by the wellwishers.

Kyaikkasan Pagoda

The 23rd Matho Thingan weavng ceremony of Kyaikkasan Pagoda was held at the pagoda yesterday. Prizes were also presented to winners of Matho Thingan weaving contest. Matho Thingans were offered to Buddha Images at the pagoda.

Moegaung Pagoda

The Shwekya Thingan offering ceremony of Moegaung Pagoda was held at the pagoda this morning. Matho Thingans were offered to Buddha Images at the pagoda.

Region

Means sought to make Yangon a garden city adorned with modernity and splendour

Yangon, 19 Nov - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt addressed the meeting for upgrading Yangon, held at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here at 3.30 pm today.

General Khin Nyunt said that Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance on launching the necessary city development drive for the cleanliness, pleasantness and modernity of Yangon. Thus, it is required to make arrangements for the visitors to enjoy the cleanliness, greenness, amenities and splendor of Yangon as soon as they enter the city. The straight and wide city roads should be flanked on both sides by shade trees and seasonal flower plants and ornamental plants the whole year. The systematically built roundabouts and road islets should be adorned with trees, flowers and ornamental plants and decorated lamp posts. Plans are required to build a systematic drainage system and to constantly check and repair it and upgrade the buildings to meet the standard of a modern city. Efforts should be made to complete the housing projects under planning stage and housing estates under construction to add more modernity and grandeur to the capital city.

All the departments will have to make coordinations for the emergence of modern and advanced buildings for Yangon to become magnificent, surrounded by and adorned with large areas of green trees and parks blossoming with multi-coloured flowers of different species like a huge garden. Officials of Yangon City Development Committee reported to the meeting on the city development project including expansion and extension of the city main highways, upgrading of pavements and renovation and decoration of the city roundabouts. Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command, the ministers and heads of department explained areas where assistance will be rendered by their respective bodies.

General Khin Nyunt gave suggestions, speaking of the need to systematically launch the city development drive and to implement housing projects in accord with the set standards within the scheduled time.

Flag-hoisting ceremony and opening ceremony of Union Hall to hail the 2002 Annual General Meeting of USDA
In accord with its dignity as new generation organization discharging national duties with might and main, USDA's membership strength increases significantly

Yangon, 19 Nov - The flag-hoisting ceremony and the opening ceremony of the Union Hall to hail the 2002 Annual General Meeting of the Union Solidarity and Development Association were held in front of the Union Hall of the Central Training School of the association on 14 November morning and the 2002 preliminary meeting was held at the hall.

First, the flag-hoisting ceremony was held at 7 am. Mandalay Division Coordinator of USDA Headquarters Daw Hla Hla Aye acted as master of ceremonies, read out the agenda and announced the ceremony open. Next, the band troupes sang the songs. Dr Yuzana Khin Zaw, who stood first in the 1993 Basic Education High School Examination in the entire country and cut the ribbon to put up the signboard of the USDA in 1993, hoisted the State Flag. Ma Khaing Khaing Maw, who won the gold medal in Wushu competition of the 14th Asian Games and Naw Thitsa Moe Myint of Anisakan Basic Education High School of PyinOoLwin Township, who stood first in the science combination of the 2002 Matriculation Examination in the entire nation, hoisted the Flags of USDA.

Hmawby Township BEHS No 1 played the National Anthem. Then, those present at the ceremony saluted the Union Flag.Then, the opening of the Union Hall followed. Dr Yuzana Khin Zaw, Ma Khaing Khaing Maw and Naw Thitsa Moe Myint opened the Union Hall by cutting the ribbon. Then, preliminary meeting of USDA Annual General Meeting for 2002 was held at the Central Training School at 7.35 am today. Member of the panel of patrons of USDA Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence, USDA Secretary-General U Than Aung, the secretaries and executives, division/state USDA secretaries and delegates, and invited outstanding youths. The students of Dagon Township BEHS-1, Kamayut Township BEHS-1 and Botahtaung Township BEHS-6 sang the songs "Pyi Myanmar" and "Yathet-pan Pyihtaungsu" and opened the meeting.

Lt-Gen Soe Win presided over the meeting and Executive of Kawkareik District USDA Daw Nan Myat Su acted as master of ceremonies. Then, Lt-Gen Soe Win made an address. Lt-Gen Soe Win said it has been nine years since the association was founded in 1993. The national youths have been joining the USDA and actively taking part in its noble national task. The USDA members are the patriots, and the ones who wish to consolidate the national unity, to see the rule of law and regional peace and to preserve traditions and culture. The USDA which places in the fore the national interests and it is discharging the national duties with the spirit to love the Union, to have amity and unity among the national brethren and to safeguard the sovereignty at the risk of their lives.

In accord with its dignity as a new generation organization discharging the national duties with might and main, its membership strength is increasing significantly, with members from all works of life taking part in the nation-building task. The USDA has been training the new generation youths to have full national conviction and to improve their qualifications. The association's aim of launching training programmes, with new generation youths as the core, amounts to realizing its objectives promotion of national prestige and integrity and vitalization of nationalistic fervour. Thus, all the citizens will have to strive to be able to defend the nation and to uplift the national dignity.

At present, some countries of the world broke up unity within a short period, and their people were facing a lot of hardships. Thus, unity is the most important thing for the Union of Myanmar. For Myanmar, the home to various national races, it will have to safeguard the Union and sovereignty and consolidate national unity. Patron of USDA Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying, "Union Spirit is the spirit of the national people to accept themselves as the Myanmar regardless of their native place and race." Lack of unity will lead the nation to fall into the trap of the neo-colonialists. The national brethren are always in unity in times of emergency, and courageously ward off all dangers of the nation. Living in all parts of the nation, the national people are striving to create living conditions of equal opportunities. All should be aware of the traitors trying to destroy the nation in collusion with the elements abroad.

In this era of globalization, every moment is important for the nation. All should overcome destructive acts in striving to develop the entire nation including the border areas and rural areas for the nation to keep abreast of the developed countries. In her national development drive, the State is trying to narrow the gap between the urban and the rural areas. The nation-building task is easier said than done. Unity, peace and strength is required for the Myanmar society. Thus, priority has been given to ensuring stability of the State, the rule of law and national reconsolidation. The government is making efforts day and night to increase the political, economic and social strength of the nation to ensure a better life for its people. It is the duty of every citizen to strive for all-round development of the nation. The national people will have to safeguard their own land and territorial waters and to strive to develop the nation. All the people of the Myanmar including members of the sole national organization should understand the motto "the strength of the nation lies within".

Throughout history, Myanmar has relied on its own strength. Thus, the nations is standing tall till now. He said USDA members were born in the land and they grew up on Myanma soil. So they must be loyal to the State. They are to make efforts for emergence of a modern developed nation while safeguarding the already-achieved better conditions. It is the duty of USDA members to establish all-round developed nation from agricultural one. Only when they can make efforts for development with greater momentum, will a modern developed nation emerge and will the country stand on its own feet. In doing so, rapid development of knowledge and technology must be taken into consideration. He urged new generation youths to catch up with the development process to keep track of advancing technology in marching towards a new nation. He said every national development task is in the interest of the people.

Construction of dams and embankments and efforts for agricultural development are for promotion of life of the farmers and food sufficiency for posterity. Water supply, construction of roads and bridges, upgrading basic education and health care service are for raising the living conditions of rural people. Establishment of industrial zones and workshops create the basic foundation for modern industrialized nation and job opportunities for the youths. In conclusion, he urged the association to actively participate in national development tasks gaining momentum, to make field trips to rural regions for human resource development, to overcome the crises with progressive right outlooks, to safeguard the good traditions of Panglong land based on patriotism with the Union Spirit and to participate in the third short-term Five-Year Project and rural development tasks in accord with the future tasks of the State and to make efforts to be a greater force of the State forever.

The preliminary meeting then adjourned. The preliminary meeting resumed at 8.10 am. Member of the Secretariat of the USDA U Khin Maung Thein presided over the meeting and CEC members U Soe Tha and U Ohn Myint as members of Panel of Chairmen. Secretary-General of USDA U Than Aung reported on works relating to the USDA Annual General Meeting (2002).

The master of ceremonies announced the formation of seven groups for holding of seminars on organizational, administration, economic, social, cultural, education matters, development of the Union and Our Three Main National Causes and the association's participation in thrifty measures and number of delegates of states and divisions who will take part in the group discussions. The preliminary meeting came to an end at 8.40 am.

The preliminary seminars on organizational, administration, economic, social, cultural, education matters, development of the Union and Our Three Main National Causes and the association's participation in thrifty measures were held at the respective venues at the central training school of USDA. The preliminary seminar of the discussion on economic sector of group-1 was held at lecture hall No 3-B. Member of the Secretariat of the USDA U Thaung and CEC members U Thein Nyunt and U Aung Thein Lin presided over the seminar.

U Thaung explained matters relating to the preliminary seminar. Then, 17 delegates were selected and assigned duties to discuss matters pertaining to organizational matters at the sector-wise seminars. The papers on organizational sector were compiled. The preliminary seminar of the discussion on administration sector of group-2 was held at lecture hall No 3-A. CEC members U Than Shwe, Thura U Aung Ko and U Maung Pa presided over the seminar. U Than Shwe explained matters relating to the preliminary seminar.

Then, 17 delegates were selected and assigned duties to discuss matters pertaining to administration matters at the sector-wise seminars on the second day session of the USDA. The papers on administration sector were compiled. The preliminary seminar of the discussion on economic sector of group-3 was held at the computer hall No 1. CEC members U Soe Tha, U Aung Thaung, U Ohn Myint, U Pyi Sone, U Maung Maung Thein and U Thein Zaw presided over the seminar. U Soe Tha explained matters relating to the preliminary seminar. Then, 17 delegates were selected and assigned duties to discuss matters pertaining to economic matters at the sector-wise seminars on the USDA second day session.

The papers on economic sector were then compiled. The preliminary seminar of the discussion on social and cultural sector of group-4 was held at the computer hall No 2. Member of the Secretariat U Ko Lay, CEC members U Pan Aung, U Aung Khin and U Kyaw Hsan presided over the meeting. U Ko Lay explained matters relating to the preliminary seminar. Then, 17 delegates were selected and assigned duties to discuss matters pertaining to social and cultural matters at the sector-wise seminars on the second day session of the USDA.

The papers on social and cultural sector were then compiled. The preliminary seminar of the discussion on education sector of group-5 was held at the computer hall No 3. U Tin Hlaing, U Thein Sein and U Thaik Tun presided over the meeting. U Tin Hlaing explained matters relating to the preliminary seminar. Then, 17 delegates were selected and assigned duties to discuss matters pertaining to education matters at the sector-wise seminars on the second day session of the USDA.

The papers on education sector were then compiled. The preliminary seminar of the discussion on the development of the Union and Our Three Main National Causes sector of group-6 was held at the computer hall No 4. Secretary-General U Than Aung and CEC members Thura U Aye Myint and U Khin Maung presided over the meeting. U Than Aung explained matters relating to the preliminary seminar. Then, 17 delegates were selected and assigned duties to discuss matters pertaining to the development of the Union and Our Three Main National Causes at the sector-wise seminars on the second day session of the USDA.

The papers on that sector were then compiled. The preliminary seminar of the discussion on the association's participation in thrifty measures of group-7 was held at the computer hall No 5. Member of Secretariat U Tin Htut and CEC members U Thein Aung, Thura U Myint Maung and U Kyaw Win presided over the meeting. U Tin Htut explained matters relating to the preliminary seminar. Then, 17 delegates were selected and assigned duties to discuss matters pertaining to the USDA's participation in thrifty measures at the sector-wise seminars on the second day session.

Papers on that sector were then compiled. The first day session of the USDA Annual General Meeting (2002) was held on 15-11-2002.

Outstanding youth delegation makes study tour of Yangon

Yangon, 19 Nov - The outstanding youth delegation, led by Vice- Principal of the Central Training School of the USDA Maj Aung Swe and officials, including students who passed the 2002 Matriculation Examination with the positions from one to ten in the entire nation, students who stood first positions in respective states and divisions, outstanding members of Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Red Cross Society, outstanding trainees of the new generation navigation course and aviation course, the person who won first prize in the extempore talks (central level) held in commemoration of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, those who had won five gold medals and above in the Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, the person who got six distinctions in 1993 BEHS Examination, prize winners of ASEAN Quiz Contest, gold, silver and bronze medalists of the 14th Asain Games on 16 November visited Lawka Chantha Abhayalabha Muni Buddha Image, Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanma Radio & Television and the Drugs Elimination Museum.

On arrival at Lawka Chantha Abhayalabha Muni Buddha Image on Mindham-ma Hill in Insein Township, members of the pagoda board of trustees conducted the delegation round it. They then paid homage to the Buddha Image and made cash donations. The delegation then viewed Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza White Elephant and Theingi Mala Yadana White Elephant at the white elephant garden. Director-General of the Forest Department U Shwe Kyaw and Director of Zoological Gardens Department U Myint Swe explained facts about the white elephants. Then, the delegation members proceeded to MRTV where they were welcomed by MRTV Director-General U Khin Maung Htay and officials.

They then explained the delegation facts about the MRTV with the help of video tapes. Later, the delegation went to the Drug Elimination Museum. Director of the museum Police Col Hse Maung and officials conducted them round the museum.

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