18 July

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi participated in a dinner gathering with authors at the Novotel Hotel in Yangon yesterday.

She greeted the authors warmly before the dinner, conversing on literature and then having a documentary photo taken together.

Next, she remarked that not everyone was present when she met with people from Nay Pyi Taw’s journalism field. She said the nation’s journalism field was vast and the development and integrity of the country depended on the educational level of its citizens.

The State Counsellor said she believed education refers to the capability for critical thinking and reasoning. For this, she said, both life experience and literary experience were necessary. She expressed her gratitude and respect for people from the literary field for contributing to expanding the minds of the people.

She also conveyed her belief that these same individuals would be able to raise awareness on the benefits of being open-minded and how it would aid society at large. She said she believed they would help the people of Myanmar to achieve mental security and improve on it.

Next, Union Minister for Information, Dr Pe Myint, explained the reason for holding the dinner gathering. This was followed by Author Maung Khin Min (Danubyu) saying words of thanks on behalf of all the authors present.

Afterwards, the State Counsellor enjoyed the dinner reception with the guests, along with Union Ministers U Min Thu, Thura U Aung Ko and Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein and other officials. —MNA

(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)