Secretary-1 inspects all-round renovation of ancient Shwehsandaw Pagoda in Twantay
(Sunday 6, August 2002)

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt, accompanied by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, the Vice-Mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and officials, arrived at Dalla Jetty from Yangon by boat this morning.

The Secretary-1 and party went to Twantay Shwehsandaw Pagoda where they were welcomed by departmental officials, members of the pagoda board of trustees and local people.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party climbed up the top of the pagoda and paid obeisance to Shwehtidaw, Hnetmyatnadaw and Seinbudaw and inspected all-round renovation tasks of the pagoda. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions to the officials there. At the Tazaung on the pagoda platform, the Secretary-1 and party heard reports on all-round renovation tasks being carried out and tasks to be undertaken by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge and officials.

The Secretary-1 gave instructions on all-round renovation tasks of the pagoda to be carried out systematically and upgrading of roads in the region.

At Mayruda Aungmyay Tazaung, the ceremony to donate cash towards the funds of the pagoda was held.

Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Cooperatives Lt-General Tin Ngwe, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi and Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein accepted K 27 million donated by wife Daw Mya Mya and family of 87, Phongyi Street, Lanmadaw Township, in memory of the late husband U Chit Win; K 10 million by Police Col Sein Tun Aung (Retd)-Daw Htwe Nyunt and family of Ngwe Kyar Yan Yeiktha, South Okkalapa Township; K 7 million by U Ba Thet-Daw Khin Yi and family of Zaythit Ward, Twantay; K 5 million by (U Lun) -Daw Hsar and family of Bikho Village, Twantay Township; K 1.5 million by U Maung Maung Kha Swe (Managing-Director of Integrated Marketing Ltd)-Daw Aye Aye Soe (Director of Yangon International Educare Centre) and family; K 1 million by U Shwe Lun and family of Pyathataik Village, Twantay Township; K 900,000 by U Sein Han-Daw Aye Yi and family of North Okkalapa; two gold plates worth K 900,000 by U Aung Bu-Daw Kyin Aye and family of Ohnbinhsu Ward, Twantay; K 700,000 by U Tin Hsan (ACE Company)-Dr Htay Htay Nyein and family of Yangon; K 555,555 by U Win-Daw Thein and family of Gayet Lamee Village, Twantay Township; K 500,000 by U Ei Teik-Daw Than Kyi and family of Ohnbinhsu Ward, Twantay; K 500,000 by U Nay Win Htun (Jade Dragon Co Ltd); K 50,000 by Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Sein Hla Win-Daw Phyu Phyu Khin and family; K 350,000 by U Aung Myint-Daw Aye Ngwe (Ngwe Family) of Ohnbinhsu Ward, Twantay; K 300,000 by U Thein Oo-Daw Khin Sein; K 300,000 by U Win Kyi-Daw Kyin Nyunt of No. 33, Kwinkyaung Street, Ahlon Township; K 300,000 by U Kyaw Hein and family; K 300,000 by Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein and family; K 200,000 by U Min Thoung-Daw Aye Mi San of Bagan; K 200,000 from the funds of Shwe Nan Kyin Statue; K 200,000 by U Bo Shi-Daw Aye and family of Ohnbinsu ward, Twantay; K 200,000 by U Thu Kha and family; K 180,000 by U Sein Htwe-Daw Su Sandar Hoke (Ginza Hla Construction Co) and family; K 150,000 by U Hla Than and family; K 150,000 by U Hla Shein-Daw Nyunt Yi and family of Bogyoke Street, Minpaing Ward, Twantay; K 100,000 by U Swe-Daw Khin Thet Maw and family of Yangon; K 100,000 by Lt Okkar Aye-wife May Pearl Aung Ko and family; K 99,999 by the commanding officer, officers and other ranks of the local battalion; K 100,000 by (U Ohn Maung)-Daw Shan and family of Ohnbinhsu Ward, Twantay; K 100,000 by wife Daw Yi Yi and family of Yangon, in memory of the late husband U Maung Maung; K 100,000 by husband U Kyaw Nyunt and family of Minpaing Ward, Twantay, in memory of the late wife Daw Hla Ohn; K 100,000 by U Thet Lwin-Daw Sein Yi of Bogyoke Road, New Market Ward, Twantay; K 50,000 each by Dr Soe Tint-Daw Khin Hsint and family of Htaukkyant, Mingaladon Township, and Daw Kyin Myaing and family of Thawuntaw Village, Twantay. Then, certificates of honour were presented to the wellwishers.

In his address, the Secretary-1 said today's ceremony was the second time cash donation ceremony for all-round renovation of the ancient historic Shwehsandaw Pagoda in Twantay. The Shewhsandaw Pagoda in Twantay is the third greatest in terms of height in Myanmar and its design is similar to that of the Shewdagon Pagoda. The Shewhsandaw Pagoda was once struck by lightning.

He said that to ensure the pagoda's durability and to enable the pilgrims to pay homage to it with peace of mind, he himself inspected the pagoda reaching its top about a month ago. He said he found no serious damage to the pagoda but he saw weakening strength due to vagaries of weather.

According to the findings of the experts and under the Ovada of Ovadacariya Sayadaws of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, the all-round renovation work committees at different levels were formed with ministers, deputy ministers, heads of departments and experts and measures are being taken accordingly.

As the wellwishers donated cash for renovation of the pagoda, the tasks will be successful.

Donations amounted to over K 84 million. Religious structures in the precincts of the pagoda will be renovated in accord with the Ovada of the Sayadaws.

The Secretary-1 thanked the wellwishers.

Master of ceremonies Staff Officer U San Thin Hlaing of Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department shared merits gained and the ceremony came to an end.

Today's donations for all-round renovation of Twantay Shwehsandaw Pagoda were K 58,785,000 and the first donations held on 15 September were K 25.8 million, totalling K 84,585,000.

The renovation committee members will undertake all-round renovation tasks of the Seinbudaw, the Hngetmyatnadaw, parts of the Htidaw and the Pivot of the pagoda in accord with the advice of Ovadacariya Sayadaws.

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