Union Minister for Informa­tion U Maung Maung Ohn met with the members of the Na­tional Literary Award Selec­tion Committee and the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award Se­lection Committee yesterday in Yangon.

Speaking at the meeting, the Union minister said the suc­cessive governments focused on the literary award-giving ceremonies and the State-lev­el ceremonies were held two times in the term of the State Administration Council and the Chairman of SAC Prime Minister awarded the winners in person.

In selecting the Lifetime Award for Literary Achieve­ment, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Man­uscript Award, the ministry participated in these processes showing goodwill besides serv­ing the duties. The doyen lite­rati are also urged to carefully select the person who should win the lifetime literary award and give supervision for de­velopment of the literary field.

Then, the director-general of the Printing and Publishing Department and chairpersons of committees discussed the award selection processes, management, book lists and other matters.

The Union minister then attended the fund-granting ceremony for orphans (aban­doned children) as a gesture of hailing the 78^th Anniversary of Armed Force Day held at the Film Development Centre of Information and Public Re­lations Department in Bahan Township in the same evening.

During the ceremony, the Union minister talked about orphans across the nation, the protection of these children under systematic parenting scheme, the creation of a warm community with sympathy and support for their education and lives to become outstanding and reliable people for the country and supports of government and ministries concerned to the youth’s development Parahita and other organizations.

He continued that the “Fu­ture of Stars” show with the participation of famous singer Myanmar Pyi Thein Tan and orphans aged between 4 to 20 was held at MICC-II in Nay Pyi Taw on 22 December 2022 aim­ing to support the orphans and the children born into poverty. It should work together for the abandoned children to ensure their education and job oppor­tunities and to walk through life with confidence.

Then, Myanmar Pyi Thein Tan briefed them on the fund-raising activities.

Afterwards, the Union min­ister, chairpersons of the Myan­mar Press Council, Myanmar Motion Picture Organization and Myanmar Music Associ­ation (Central), and EC mem­bers of the Myanmar Theatrical Association (Central) provided cash assistance to officials from 10 monastic schools and Pa­rahita organizations. — MNA/ KTZH