NAY PYI TAW February 15

Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, SAC members, union ministers, the Yangon Region chief minister, the Yangon Command commander and officials, paid homage to Shwegadon Pagoda on Theingottara Hill, Dagon Township, this morning.

The Senior General and party were welcomed by members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials. The Senior General paid homage to Padamya Myetshin Buddha Image on the upper terrace of the pagoda and offered meals in the Emerald Bowl, flowers, water to the Image.

The Senior General and party climbed onto the scaffolding pagoda and observed the progress in offering gold plates to the Shwedagon Pagoda surface in full. They examined the durability of the diamond orb of the pagoda and offered diamonds, gold, jewels, and religious objects and sprinkled scented water on them. They also observed the panoramic view of Yangon urban development from the scaffolding pagoda and discussed further programs for beautifying and upgrading the city.

The Senior General and party examined the durability of the vane of Shwedagon Pagoda and rejoiced at the donations made by previous well-wishers.

The Senior General installed two gold plates each weighing six ticals (over 98 grams), donated by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, and children and grandchildren on the spire-like structure and sprinkled scented water on the plates.

The Senior General and party heard a report on offering of gold plates to Shwedagon Pagoda throughout the past successive periods and the progress in fully installing gold-plates on the pagoda surface in 2024- 2025, presented by the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and members of the board. They said the entire gold coating process needs 1,200 units of one-foot by one-foot gold plates each weighing six ticals. Up to now, 1,060 plates have been installed. Hence, the project needs 140 plates. The project also needs 10,000 gold plates, each weighing one tical. Up to now, 7,500 plates have been installed. Hence, the project needs 2,500 plates. Well-wishers can donate Ks-15 million per six ticals gold plate and Ks-2.5 million per one tical gold plate.

The Senior General looked into the requirements. The Senior General and party visited the pagoda and urged officials to ensure its sustainability and cleanness.

Shwedagon Pagoda is a sacrosanct religious edifice of Myanmar and Yangon. It had been preserved and maintained by kings, governments and the people throughout the past successive periods. As regards the gold-coating of the Shwedagon Pagoda, its spire-like structure was first gold-plated in 1899. In 1936, gold plates were offered on the ovolo moulding, and during the period between 1949 and 1970 gold-coating was conducted every three or four years. During the period between 1980 and 2019, gold-coating was conducted every four or five years and gold-plates damaged by various causes including natural disasters like Cyclone Nargis were replaced.

From 1980 to 2019 (a period of about 40 years) gold-coating was conducted every four or five years, and the 9th full-surface gold-coating will be carried out in 2024-2025. Scaffolding pagoda was built on 19 September 2024 to offer gold plates. Beginning 18 October, gold plates were carried by a decorated carriage and up to now 80 percent of the work has been completed.

Gold-coating process will be completed in the third week of March this year. At present, the project still needs 140 units of one-foot gold plate each weighing six ticals and 2,500 one tical gold plates. Well-wishers may donate Ks-15 million per six ticals gold plate and Ks-2.5million per one tical gold plate.

Source: Myawady Web Portal
 

FOTIAOQIANG, also known as “Buddha Jumps over the Wall”, is a renowned Fujian dish with a rich history and complex preparation. Legend suggests the aroma of the dish’s stew caused a meditating Buddha to leap over a temple wall, inspiring the name. Traditionally reserved for elite banquets, it combines luxury ingredients like abalone, sea cucumber, and aged wine, creating a harmonious and flavourful broth. The dish requires days of preparation, making it rare and often only available by reservation.
However, the rise of China’s ready-to-eat food industry has made Fotiaoqiang more accessible. Companies like Fujian Hydewin Marine Science and Technology have automated production lines that efficiently prepare and package the dish. With an annual output of 12 million servings, pre-made Fotiaoqiang is now affordable and available worldwide, especially to overseas Chinese communities.
While some chefs, like Yang Weihua, mourn the loss of traditional craftsmanship, the mass production of Fotiaoqiang is seen as a way to preserve heritage and introduce the dish to a broader audience. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE Buddha Pujaniya Festival at Zalun Pyidawpyan Pagoda will be held for eight days, from 7 to 14 March 2025, featuring ceremonies and festivities to honour the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, according to U Khin Maung Oo, a member of the Zalun Pyidawpyan Pagoda Board of Trustees. “The Zalun Pyidawpyan Pagoda’s Buddha Pujaniya Festival takes place from the 9th waxing day to the 1st waning day of Taboung. During the festival, we will offer whole-body gold foils and a gold ceiling to the Buddha, as well as alms and rice offerings to members of the Sangha. Additionally, there will be a lively marketplace and entertainment activities,” explained U Khin Maung Oo. — ASH/MKKS

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

State Administration Council Member Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, accompanied by council members, attended the 78th Anniversary Shan State Day in Taunggyi yesterday. 

During the celebration, the Union Minister read the message from SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing for the 78th Shan State Day. Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung then delivered a speech. 

SAC member Union Minister Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and SAC Members Porel Aung Thein, Dr Ba Shwe, Khun San Lwin, Union Ministers Dr Soe Win, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, Khun Thant Zaw Htoo, Chief Minister U Aung Aung and Eastern Command Commander MajGen Zaw Min Latt inaugurated the ceremony and explored the exhibition booths displaying traditional ethnic cuisines, departmental booths, and MSME booths. 

Afterwards, a ceremony was held at City Hall to award certificates of honour. The Union Minister and SAC members presented outstanding awards for management (first, second and third class) to 44 recipients and outstanding awards for security and rule of law to 12 recipients. 

Union Minister Lt-Gen Yar Pyae donated solar panels and basic foodstuff worth K53 million for staff and people of Shan State and Union Minister Jeng Phang Naw Taung donated sports gear to the relevant officials. 

Moreover, the Shan State chief minister presented out standing awards for security and the rule of law (third class) and awards for livestock breeding (first and third classes) and awards for social (first class); and the Shan State chief justice, state ministers and the secretary of the Shan State government presented outstanding awards for social (first, second, third classes) and sports (third class). — MNA/KTZH

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Pilgrimage tour of Cambodian Mohasangharajah to further cement Myanmar-Cambodia friendly relations

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his entourage yesterday evening paid homage to members of the Sangha led by His Holiness Samdech Preah Abhisiri Sugandha Mohasangharajah Dhipadi Dr Bour Kry who is one of the Adhipati Sayadaws in Cambodia, staying at KMA Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on his pilgrimage tour of Myanmar.
First, the Senior General and party paid homage to the Adhipati Sayadaw of Cambodia and members of the Sangha. The Senior General supplicated propagation of the Sasana, building of the world’s tallest carved sitting marble Buddha image namely the Maravijaya Buddha Image, the pilgrimage tour of the Cambodian Adhipati Sayadaw to further cement friendly relations between the two countries and to promote cooperation in religious affairs, and efforts of Myanmar to ensure continuous propagation of the Theravada Buddhism.
In his speech, Adhipati Sayadaw of Cambodia expressed his pleasure during his pilgrimage tour of Myanmar for homage paid by the SAC Chairman Prime Minister. He stated that Myanmar and Cambodia share the same Theravāda Buddhist faith and are culturally inseparable. He also expressed pride and joy that international monk students are studying at Buddhist universities in Myanmar. He continued that he was pleased to express his joy in revering the Maravijaya Buddha Image, the world’s tallest carved sitting marble Buddha image. He also extended his prayers for the good health and prosperity of the Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister, and all the people of Myanmar. Furthermore, he prayed for peace, stability, and prosperity in Myanmar, conveying his loving-kindness and good wishes for the nation.
The Senior General offered a replica of the marble Maravijaya Buddha Image and alms to the Cambodian Sayadaw who returned Dhamma gifts.
On 2 February, the Cambodian Adhipati Sayadaw and his members arrived in Yangon and visited prominent religious edifices and monuments including Shwedagon Pagoda. Yesterday evening, the Sayadaw and his members visited the Upatasanti Pagoda and Maravijaya Buddha Image in Nay Pyi Taw where officials conducted the Sayadaw and party around the Buddha image. During his pilgrimage tour in Myanmar, the Cambodian Adhipati Sayadaw will continue his visits to eminent stupas and temples. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

ON 8 February, the National Library (Yangon) in Pabedan Township, Yangon Region, will hold a children’s library activity programme and a photo exhibition in celebration of Children’s Day, which is observed on 13 February.
This event will be jointly organized by the National Library (Yangon) and the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon), with the attendance of students from basic education schools in Pabedan Township.
Dr Kay Thi Aye, Director of the National Library (Yangon), shared, “As an introduction to Children’s Day on 13 February, we will organize various activities, including a photo exhibition, storytelling sessions, painting activities, and storytelling and picture contests for children, with prizes awarded to the winners. Additionally, games will be arranged to bring joy to the children”. — ASH/TH

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

CALIFORNIA authorities have culled 119,000 ducks at a Merced County farm after detecting H5N9 bird flu, a strain confirmed for the first time in US poultry, international health officials report.
A new strain of bird flu has been confirmed at a duck farm in California, the first time the variant has been discovered in poultry in the United States, an international agency said.
A report by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), which AFP saw on Tuesday, said “highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N9” had been confirmed in a commercial duck premise in Merced County, California.
“This is the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N9 in poultry in the United States,” said Paris-based WOAH, which monitors animal diseases worldwide.
It said the outbreak, whose origin was unknown, was confirmed on 13 January and all 119,000 poultry at the farm in question had been culled.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu, which is widespread among animals in the United States, was also registered at the farm. US animal health officials were conducting “comprehensive epidemiological investigations” and had increased surveillance in response to the outbreak, the WOAH said.
The emergence of the new strain of bird flu in the United States comes at a time when President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the country from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The US is the largest donor to the United Nations health agency, which coordinates the worldwide response to health emergencies.
Health experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential pandemic threat to humans posed by bird flu, which has been showing signs of mutating as it spreads among cows and infects people in the United States.
They have for months been urging US authorities to increase surveillance and share more information about its bird flu outbreak.
If the US and the WHO no longer cooperate and share critical data, tracking the spread of viruses internationally will be more difficult.
The US withdrawal is “a concern for global health”, the WHO said last week.
Sixty-seven people in the United States have contracted bird flu, one of whom died in early January, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.
These cases were caused by direct exposure to a sick animal and the WHO has stressed that, to date, no human-to-human transmission has been reported. But scientists have raised fears that if a person becomes infected with both bird flu and seasonal flu, the bird flu virus could mutate into a strain that is contagious between humans and potentially trigger a human pandemic._AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

APPLICATIONS, for TOP-J which is scheduled on 9 March 2025 in Yangon and Mandalay, will be accepted starting on 27 January, announced by Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA).
The exam fee for all levels is K72,000 and submission of application will be opened on 27 January at 1 pm and closed on 10 February at noon (close on weekends and public holidays). A copy of CSC card and two 3-4 cm photos are required and applications can be sent to MAJA Education Centre in Yangon: 440-B, 14th Zeya Street, Ward 10 in South Okkalapa Township and phone number is 09 428 613 848 and MAJA Mandalay branch- first floor, Building 1, Room 6, 67th street, Mingalar Mandalay in Chanmyathazi Township and phone number is 09 255 162 533.
Recognized by Study in Japan and organized by the Asian Foundation for International Scholarship Interchange, TOP-J is a Japanese language test and very helpful for testing Japanese language skills, university entrance, and major requirements for scholarship and employment. — MT/ZS

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The cultural heritage of a country is often of special interest to international travellers. In the Bagan region and the hilly areas, foreign tourists are accustomed to drinking green tea and tea salad.

Tea has become popular in Asia and is consumed as green tea in Myanmar, China, India, Japan, South Korea, some ASEAN countries, and European nations. Tea leaves are processed both dried and fermented to be used in boiling water for drinking.
Although herbal tea is consumed and used for medicinal purposes in Europe and Asia, Myanmar has been using it for drinking, eating, and medicinal purposes since the Konbaung of Myanmar’s monarchical era. It is noteworthy that Myanmar is the only country where tea is consumed in the form of a salad.
A historical researcher said: “Stone inscription in the Konbaung era shows Myanmar has been using green tea used in boiling water for drinking. The traditional Myanmar Atar Thingyan festival, which is a heritage of Myanmar culture, has been recognized as the first intangible cultural heritage of humanity in Myanmar. If Myanmar’s tea is recognized as a World Cultural Heritage, the value of tea will increase, which is a matter of pride and great joy.”
Tea is primarily planted in hilly regions of Myanmar. The characteristics, colour, texture, aroma, and taste of tea tend to vary depending on the climate and environment. Since the Konbaung era, tea has been a traditional Myanmar meal. Currently, a traditional culture of serving tea salad and green tea to guests is thriving both in urban and rural areas of Myanmar.
Generally, tea can help reduce blood cholesterol levels, lower hypertension, and improve heart health. Its antioxidants may also help prevent certain intestinal diseases to ease tiredness.
The tea leaf salad is consumed with peanuts, sesame, fried shallots, dried shrimp, garlic, and chilli peppers. Moreover, it is also enjoyed with various combinations such as tomato, thinly sliced cabbage, tender papaya leaves and boiled maize.
The cultural heritage of a country is often of special interest to international travellers. In the Bagan region and the hilly areas, foreign tourists are accustomed to drinking green tea and tea salad. By promoting Myanmar’s traditional tea as an integral part of the world’s cultural heritage, there are opportunities to increase production and expand the market, with promising prospects ahead. — Thitsa (MNA)/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE opening ceremony of the funfair and festival market for the Chinese New Year celebration, held yesterday evening on the main road in Latha Township, Yangon, was inaugurated by the chairman of the Kyauktada District Administration Body and officials from Chinese temples, who cut the ribbon and watched a performance of traditional Chinese cultural dances.
The Chinese New Year market features a wide range of cosmetics, consumer goods, and foods, as well as traditional lion and dragon dances, song performances by famous singers, boat rides, children’s playgrounds, and photo opportunities. The market will be held from 25 to 31 January, according to reports. — Ko Ko Zaw-MNA/TH

Source: The Global New  Light of Myanmar