A ceremony to promote library development and enhance reading habit in the Inlay region of Shan State was held yesterday afternoon at the Basic Education High School (Thalay) in Nyaungshwe.

Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, who also serves as Chairman of the Myanmar Libraries Development Cooperation Committee, and Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung opened the Library Development and Reading Promotion Festival.

Following the opening, the Union Minister, the Chief Minister, and officials presented cash awards to the school bands and traditional ethnic music and dance troupes that performed at the ceremony.

The officials then toured the event, observing the sports and intellectual competitions, as well as viewing the photographic displays and book exhibitions. The ceremony continued in the school hall, An MRTV-produced video clip titled Marching Forward to the Goal was also screened.

Delivering his opening speech, the Union Minister remarked that the world-renowned Inlay area is peaceful and tranquil, facilitating development across all sectors, including tourism. He noted that although the region had experienced an earthquake, the combined efforts of the Union Government, the Shan State Government, Tatmadaw, and residents had helped restore normalcy. He encouraged the youths to study hard to excel in their education and to cultivate a habit of reading both fiction and non-fiction.

Subsequently, the Shan State Chief Minister outlined the library development and reading promotion activities being implemented across Shan State.

The Union Minister then presented 50 sets of MRTV DTH receivers, along with books and publications for libraries, to the Shan State Government. Additionally, the Union Minister and the Chief Minister held a lucky draw to award 10 sets of MRTV DTH receivers to winner attendees.

Furthermore, the Shan State Chief Minister contributed over K10.8 million and donated books and publications towards the festival. Daw May May Ni, Chair of the Shan State Libraries Foundation, also donated books for local libraries.

The event concluded with performances of traditional ethnic songs and dances by students from BEHS (Heya Ywama) in Nyaungshwe, after which the Union Minister presented cash awards to the performing groups.

The festival was jointly organized by the Ministry of Information and the Shan State Government, in collaboration with the Information and Public Relations Department and the Department of Basic Education.

MNA/KZL

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