Library dev. and reading promotion: MOI UM attended the opening of festival

A festival for library development and reading promotion was held at Basic Education High School No. 1 in Loikaw, Kayah State in the afternoon of August 25.

Chairman of the Myanmar Libraries Development Cooperation Committee and Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn and Patron of the State Library Supervision Committee and Chief Minister of Kayah State U Zaw Myo Tin attended the event. They toured the exhibition booths and academic/physical competitions before giving necessary instructions in the assembly hall.

First, the Chief Minister and other officials cut the ribbon to open the festival gate. The Union Minister then activated the gate with the push of a button and awarded cash prizes to the drum and bugle corps, dancers, and pom pom dance groups.

The Union Minister and officials, along with several artists, toured and observed the library and the physical and academic competitions. The second part of the ceremony began in the assembly hall with students from Basic Education High School No. 1 performing a song and dance titled "Let's go to the Library, the Bank of Knowledge."

Afterward, the Union Minister gave a speech. He then donated 30 MRTV DTH satellite dish sets and 80 MRTV T-2 set-top boxes to the Kayah State Government, which were accepted by the Chief Minister. He also donated 20 MRTV DTH dish sets and 40 MRTV T-2 set-top boxes to the local military station, which were accepted by Brigadier General Aung Kyaw Khine.

The Union Minister, the Chief Minister, and other officials then awarded prizes and cash to the winners of the competitions and presented books to various institutions.

In the evening, the Union Minister and the Chief Minister visited Loikaw University. They inspected the ongoing renovation and construction of the main building, library, class rooms, and convocation hall.

Later that evening, artists including Academy Award winners Yan Aung, May Than Nu, and Soe Myat Thuza, as well as Dein Daung, Ohn Thee, Nyein Chan, Yin Lat, Thinzar Myint Mo, and Nay Chi Nyein Chan, performed for the residents of Loikaw. The performances featured traditional dances by local ethnic groups, and included a Anyeit dance as well as popular songs. Departmental staff and local residents enjoyed the show, singing and dancing along.

After a power outage in Loikaw's urban wards due to security issues at the end of 2023, electricity was restored in May 2024 through collaborative efforts. Now, 20 wards and 23 connected villages in Loikaw receive a full 24 hours of electricity. Officials are working to increase power generation and contribute it to the main grid, it’s learnt.