Diamond Jubilee event of Sarpay Beikman held

Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a video message to the Diamond Jubilee ceremony of Sarpay Beikman of the Printing and Publishing Department under the Ministry of Information yesterday.
The ceremony was held at the Sarpay Beikman Hall at the corner of Merchant Road and 37th Street, Yangon and attended by Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing of the Ministry of International Cooperation, Union Minister U Ko Ko of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Lt-Gen Thet Pon from the office of Commander-in-Chief (Army), Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Myo Zaw Thein, Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Nyunt Win Swe, the deputy ministers, regional ministers, departmental heads, the Myanmar Press Council chairman, literary scholars and guests.
First, the video message sent by State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was played, and the documentary video of the history of Sarpay Beikman.
(The speech delivered by SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is reported separately.)
Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn said the SAC presented Lifetime National Literary Award, National Literary Award, Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award to ensure the social status of literary scholars. Moreover, it awarded honorary titles and medals. It also arranges to provide healthcare services to the lifetime national literary award winners.
Arrangements are being made to construct an Art Centre to carry out artworks of literary, film, theatrical performances and music industries keeping abreast of international countries. Similarly, it is nearly to build the Sarso Beikman to support the creations of great writers and literary scholars, ensure the collective work of people of the literary world, lifelong existence of Myanmar literature development activities and chances for book lovers to be able to study.
The Union minister also expressed thanks to the SAC Chairman for his care and efforts in the literary arena.
He continued that the ministry is also working hard to accelerate the drive for the publishing enterprise of Sarpay Beikman and facilitate the Myanmar literature development programmes, explore good literature, publish books that meet the trend and proper literature that support the public, especially the youths.
All literary scholars should participate in building a Union based on democracy and federalism.
He also urged them to keep supporting the processes as they supported the country’s development with the power of the pen.
He then highlighted the important role of literature and extended best wishes marking the Diamond Jubilee event of Sarpay Beikman.
Afterwards, Union Minister U Ko Ko expressed his willingness that the Sarpay Beikman will accelerate the momentum to improve Myanmar literature and open the people’s eyes to the world of literature by preserving tradition.
He said Sarpay Beikman is the representative of the government, the original literature award winner, organization that provides Myanmar literature and lamp for the people.
Then, Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) families, donors and the Yangon Region chief minister gave cash donations and presents to respective officials.
After the gift exchange occasion of the officials, Sayagyi U Myat Thu expressed words of thanks.
The Union minister and attendees to the event also viewed the displayed record photos, books and journals published by Sarpay Beikman, Myanmar Encyclopaedia, year books of Myanmar Encyclopaedia, books published by the Myanmar Translation Society, Shwe Thway Journal and record photos of the National Literary Award.
After the ceremony, the Union minister and officials enjoyed lunch together with the literary scholars who attended the 75th anniversary of Sarpay Beikman.
Sarpay Beikman created its milestones in the history of literature by serving its duties as per the motto “Light, where darkness was”. It supported people’s lives by publishing school textbooks, People’s Handbook Series, Myanma Encyclopaedia, Thuta Padetha or Magazine of General Knowledge, Shwe Thway or Children Journal, translation and so on. — MNA