The award presentation ceremony of the National Lifetime Awards for Literary Achievement, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award for 2022 took place in Nay Pyi Taw.
Knowledge and high critical thinking of citizens is of great importance in building a modern and developed nation, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing remarked.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla presented literary awards to winners at the ceremony to honour winners of the National Lifetime Awards for Literary Achievement, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award for 2022 at the Myanmar International Convention Centre-II in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
The Senior General recounted that the country has faced weaknesses in education and critical thinking. The government is implementing a comprehensive education system and literacy campaigns to address these weaknesses.
He continued to say that literature, a pivot for a nation’s culture, uplifts the country’s cultural standard and national spirit. All citizens are responsible for the preservation and sustainability of their own culture.
The Senior General spotlighted that Sayagyi Dr Than Oo, Sayagyi Dr Chit San, Sayamagyi Daw Kyu Kyu Thin and Sayagyi Dr Tun Tint were selected as winners of the National Lifetime Awards for Literary Achievement for 2022.
The Senior General mentioned that in accordance with the guidance of national independence architect General Aung San, Sarpay Beikman was established in 1947, and it started awarding Sarpay Beikman’s current story in 1948.
Now, he noted that genres for the national literary award were extended to 19 and Sarpay Beikman manuscript award to 13.
Moreover, the Senior General highlighted that the National Lifetime Awards for Literary Achievement has been presented to doyen literati yearly since 2001, and four doyen literati will be awarded the National Lifetime Awards for Literary Achievement this year.
For winners in 2022, the Senior General underscored that winners were selected from 754 books published in 11 of 19 genres for the national literary award, and 29 manuscripts were selected to be deserved from 277 entries for awards in 13 genres of the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award.
Before the ceremony, the Senior General and dignitaries viewed round biographies of winners, photos, and award-winning books displayed on the ground floor of MICC-II.
The Senior General and his wife presented medals, cash awards and gifts to National Lifetime Awards for Literary Achievement winner Sayagyi Dr Tun Tint (Dr Tun Tint-Myanmarsar), Sayagyi Dr Chit San (Chit San Win), Sayamagyi Daw Khin Than Win (Kyu Kyu Thin), and Than Oo Foundation Secretary U Aye Kyaing for Sayagyi Dr Than Oo (Pyi Soe Min) respectively.
Council Joint Secretary Lt- Gen Ye Win Oo, council members General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, General Maung Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt- Gen Nyo Saw, Union Ministers U Win Shein and U Maung Maung Ohn presented the National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award to the winners.
Sayagyi Dr Tun Tint (Myanmarsar) spoke words of thanks, and the message of acknowledgement sent by Sayagyi Dr Than Oo (Pyi Soe Min) was read by the master of ceremonies.
The Senior General and his wife hosted a luncheon in honour of artistes and literati as well as literary award winners for 2022. — MNA/TTA
