75th Anniversary: PM gives a video message to Sarpay Beikman Diamond Jubilee

The 75th Anniversary Sarpay Beikman Diamond Jubilee of the Department of Printing and Publishing under the Ministry of Information was held at the Sarpay Beikman building in Yangon on Friday.

At the event, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing gave a video message, saying that Sarpay Beikman is an honorable institution contributing knowledge to people from the pre and post-independence periods to until now.

If look back to the history of Sarpay Beikman, the national leader General Aung San gave instruction to open a translation Department in the National Planning Conference for drafting 2-year project of economic development that was held at the Sorrento Villa in Yangon on 7th June 1947 with the aims for enriching knowledge and striving for the national development tasks.

With the instruction of the General, the scholars led by Prime Minister U Nu formed the Burma Translation Society (BTS) on 26th August 1947 and this date is the beginning of Sarpay Beikman.

The Prime Minister explained about the efforts of Sarpay Beikman for acquiring knowledge for the people by compiling and publishing Myanmar treatises, journals, magazines and translation books.

Sarpay Beikman library was established in March 1957 and Sarpay Beikman Association in July 1960. Sarpay Beikman organizes literary seminars and paper reading sessions and World Book Day as well as presenting literary awards such as Sarpay Beikman, art, national literary and Sarpay Beikman literary for the development of Myanmarsar language along with compiling literature.

Sarpay Beikman compiled and published many books for the benefits of the State and nurtured many writers and literati. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciations on the staffs who served in Sarpay Beikman during 75-year.

In his conclusion, the Prime Minister expressed his belief that Sarpay Beikman will take part actively in the role of literature field while the government is endeavouring for the interests of the state and the people as well as building for better socio-economic life of the people under the motto, “Keep Moving Forward to achieve our goal”.

Later, a short documentary video clip on the history of Sarpay Beikman was shown. Later, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn gave a speech marking the celebration and Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko also gave a remark.

On behalf of families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and well-wishers, Adjutant General Lt-Gen Myo Zaw Thein presented cash for literary fund to Sayar Gyi U Maung Maung Lat.

The Yangon Region Chief Minister also donated cash for the literary fund. Commemorative gifts contributed by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) for doyen literati and persons who served at the Sarpay Beikman were also presented by officials.