28 April

Under the leadership of Ministry of Information and under the management of Chin State Government, an opening ceremony of a mobile library jointly organized by Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) and Daw Khin Kyi Foundation was held at Haka District IPRD Office yesterday morning.

First Union Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint, state minister for agriculture, livestock, forestry and mines U Man Hin Darl, state minister for social affairs U Paung Loon Min Htan, IPRD Director General U Ye Naing, Daw Khin Kyi Foundation executive director U Moe Zaw Oo cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the public based Community Centre and mobile library while students entertained with a band and pom pom dances.

Next, the Union Minister, state ministers and officials sprinkled scented waters onto the sign board of the Community Centre and the mobile library and inspected the mobile library.

Afterwards, they inspected the library and children reading room in the Community Centre and presented gifts to children participating in a coloring competition. They then inspected a training course held in the computer training hall.

When the second part of the opening ceremony was continued at the temporary pandal Union Minister Dr. Pe Myint said the ministry was conducting the works of distributing information and news, sharing knowledge and providing entertainments. In addition to conducting video/audio broadcasting Myanmar Radio and Television was drawing up rule for development of audio broadcasting. Once this was completed more works like Community Radio works can be conducted. Printing and Publishing Department (PPD) was publishing Myanmar gazette, presenting literature awards, printing school text book, printing Sarpay Beikman books in addition to publishing Myanmar encyclopedia in cooperation with Tun Foundation. In addition to publishing the three daily newspapers Myanma Alin, Kyaemon and the Global New Light of Myanmar the Ministry of Information was also publishing regional development matters, Yangon and Mandalay pages, ethnic affairs and new blood platform, cartoon for children in supplementary issues.

As for IPRD’s direct contact works with the public in addition to adding children reading room and mini-museum in the IPRD offices and libraries, it was cooperating with Daw Khin Kyi Foundation to add computer training hall and mobile library works to upgrade the people based community centres. In addition to holding reading circles, public talks and training courses, sports equipment were placed to make it a place where the public gathers. Public talks were held on subjects that were appropriate for the time and place so that the public become more acquainted to democracy practice of systematic analysis and assessment. As efforts were made toward benefiting the people, the people should also participate in the drive, said the Union Minister.

Next state minister U Paung Loon Min Htan spoke of increasing the reading rates of youth and to use the force of these learned youth in regional development works.

Afterwards, Daw Khin Kyi Foundation executive director U Moe Zaw Oo explained about the work process of the mobile library and arrangements made for the public to lend and read book easily and the works of Daw Khin Kyi Foundation. On behalf of Haka town folks, town elder U Ngun Wun spoke words of thanks for opening the community centre and mobile library.

Daw Khin Kyi Foundation was established in 2012. Hospitality and Catering Training Academy was founded and humanitarian works of constructing roads, bridges, houses, teachers accommodation and school, help and assist in acquisition of solar lighting and electrical lighting, digging of ponds and wells were conducted as well as setting up of 15mobile libraries. One was set up in cooperation with Haka public based community centre while 14 mobile libraries were set up in cooperation with IPRD.

After the event, the Union Minister and party visited the Chin ethnic national tradition home museum in Haka, view point tower and the construction of Surbung Airport in Falam Township. — District IPRD (Translated by Zaw Min)