Cash, books donated to village self-reliant libraries in Sagaing Division

YANGON, 29 Jan — Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Tha Aye and Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan attended the ceremony to donate cash and books to village self-reliant libraries in Sagaing Division, at the city hall in Monywa yesterday morning.

Also present were local authorities, departmental personnel, social organizations and 146 wellwishers.

Speaking on the occasion, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye said that the Government has set the national goal to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation. The objective on uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation is included in four social objectives. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given a guidance that the qualified human resource plans are to be implemented significantly in building the nation. As such, self-reliant village libraries were established for ensuring dissemination of knowledge to the rural people. Up to 31 December 2004, self-reliant libraries have been opened in 1,761 village-tracts of Sagaing Division. Therefore, cash and books were donated today so as to open libraries in remaining 4,165 villages by the year 2006.

The commander urged those present to carry out rural development tasks as national duty with nationalist spirit in order to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas. Later, he thanked Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan for his attendance at the ceremony.

Next, the minister accepted K 1 million donated by Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council through Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye. Similarly, the minister presented 2,050 books and periodicals to the commander.

Afterwards, Maj-Gen Tha Aye accepted K 1,552,000, FECs 500 and 8,274 books donated by wellwishers. The minister accepted K 2,166,000 and 25,982 books donated by wellwishers.

In his address, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said he thanked Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North West Command Maj-Gen Tha Aye, heads of departments, organizations and well-wishers for donation of over K 5.4 million and over 40,000 books of various kinds in order to realize the objectives of the Ministry of Information. Today being the Knowledge age, it is essential for the people to promote their knowledge, he added.

He quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as saying that Myanma Society is to be established as a life-long learning one. That is why the ministry is opening self-reliance libraries for gaining much knowledge of rural people, he continued. Over 11,000 libraries have been opened so far and efforts are being made for opening of another 50,000 libraries in 2006, he said.

He said cash and book donation contributes much towards the realization of the objectives of the ministry and all cash and books donated will be used for rural libraries in Sagaing Division only. In opening of the libraries, the most appropriate and easiest ways and means are utilized and opening of the library aims at cultivating of reading habit and obtaining books for rural people to read. Continued efforts are to be made for maintenance of libraries, increase in the number of books, providing furniture needed and establishment of long-lasting libraries, he added.

He requested heads of departments and well-wishers to provide assistance of emergence of long-lasting libraries. Donations include K 5,459,500 and 500 FECs and 40,156 books worth K 4,312,120.

Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye and Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan inspected construction of Union Highway (from Monywa Home for the Aged to Kyweye junction) and construction of 12 feet wide road for slow-moving vehicles on Monywa-Kyaukka Road.

In Mandalay, the minister inspected printing of newspaper at the sub-printing press. He then gave instructions on better impression of the newspaper, printing as scheduled, distribution of papers for the people to read in early morning, transport of newspaper to other townships, supervision on distribution, maintenance of machines daily, weekly and monthly, fire prevention measures, supply of fire fighting equipment and drills for fire fighting.