Features | Online edition of Daily News

Myanmar, originally known as the Union of Burma, is the largest country in South East Asia that is not an island, partly considered as South Asian.

It is bordered by China on the North, Laos on the East, Thailand on the Southeast, Bangladesh on the West and India on the Northwest, with the Andaman Sea to the South, and the Bay of Bengal to the Southwest. There are over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) of coastline.

In 1989, Burma name was changed to Myanmar. It also made a new name in English for places in the country, such as its former Capital city, from Rangoon to Yangon.

The official name of the country in the Burmese language, Myanma did not change. As a destination Myanmar offers great natural beauty, magnificent archaeological sites, stunning pagoda and temple architecture, warm and hospitable people.

For the majority of the population, Buddhism is the center of individual life and the monastery is the center of the community.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Model school bag

Dear Children,

I am sure this would be some good news for those who may have become the victims of heavy backpack. This is a common problem faced by schoolchildren specially those who use public transport.

According to Education Ministry sources the model bag designed by the Ministry in association with the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry will be available in the market soon.

As you may have experienced normal school bags used were found to cause certain adverse health effects on carriers.

According to experts normal school bags have not been properly designed to suit the physical requirements of children. The new bag comes as a backpack model along with a waistband.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry will also take steps to reduce weight of heavy textbooks by splitting them into many sections as different volumes from 2011.

A volume will contain a few lessons only. Schoolchildren are also advised not to use exercise books containing more than 80 pages.

World Red Cross Day on May 8

World Red Cross Day has been dedicated to all those people who do their very best to make the world a better place to live in. We should do our little bit to show the less fortunate how much we care for them.

The day focuses on the plight of people affected by disasters, armed conflict and other situations of violence, to take challenges to reaffirm our commitment to working together for humanity.

It is this aspect of togetherness of people working towards a common goal of helping others that enables us make a true difference in the lives of the victims of catastrophes, hostilities, poverty and health crises.

Let’s say thank you to all the volunteers who are doing their bit to make the world a better place.

- Aunt Anji

The winning team of the Form 2 quiz: (from left): Nafisa Ahmed, Shanelle de Silva, Rajiv Peiris, Thisaru Padmasiri and Aravindhan Sathiyanathan.

The AIS Geography Quiz

The Geography Department of Asian International School held four geography quizzes recently for the middle school and pre O-Level classes. All students participated.

The quizzes covered the world’s elite (highest, biggest etc), capitals, flags, identifying countries and famous buildings. There was also a round on Sri Lankan geography.

The top two teams had a lightning round of one minute with questions from all categories.

The quiz was organised and conducted by geography teachers Sabeeha Akbarally and Tasneem Ashroff.

Sachi devises a plan

- Part 20

In ‘Kid’s Den’...

Four children, Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika and Chinthaka, go on a trip to the woods with their parents for their school holidays. In the middle of the night the children are awakened by a strange noise. On following their dog, Scooby, Chinthaka is snared by the spell of the ‘luring stones’. Pramodaka departs with Ruwi, a pixie, to recall a book of spell to cast off the spell while the others remain behind with Sachi, a gnome. A storm breaks and the kids are scattered.

Meanwhile Sulo, the goblin who is always trying to make trouble for the mythical creatures, comes up with a nasty plan. She rushes off gang up the rest of her pack and reveals an age old secret.

However the group discovers that it is not only Sulo’s secret that is uncovered by the storm. Something dark and deadly had been hidden in the depths of the earth waiting to release itself and return for revenge...

While Ruwi and her friends were standing by the Elders’ headquarters the subject of their concerns was not far away. He was wriggling out of his colourful robe under Mallie’s sharp eyes.

“What is that you have got in your hand? Some cheap human gadgets!” Mallie went on, enjoying herself at Sachi’s discomfort.

“Not cheap at all. Cost me a pretty buck...” Sachi muttered but focused his attention quickly back to studying a small tear in his robe once Mallie’s glare met him.

“Well, you had better wait to see Gerry. He was called off for a meeting with the chief along with the other Elders,” Mallie snapped once Sachi had put away his garments and had replaced the snow cap with the straw hat.

“Oh, I say... Somethings up?” Sachi forgot all about his troubles and picked up his ears. An Elders’ meeting was rarely held and is a sure sign of something brewing.

“He tried to recall the situation before he left for his assignment and vaguely remembered helping Ruwi perform some deed at the ‘Mythicscope’. Now what was that all about?

“Yes. Jay wanted a meeting - probably about the storm that took over the woods this morning... But then, it is none of your concern I may add,” Mallie growled.

“Sachi shot her a sly look. Anyone can see that the old woman was on tender hooks to spill the beans. All you need to do is butter her up and look timid and you will hear all the news from the horse’s mouth!

“I understand. I was caught up with human habits and gadgets to notice what is taking place at home. It is all my fault and I feel very guilty... I am a disgrace to gnome kind...” he whispered, lowering his eyes.

Mallie stared at him for a while puzzled by his words. When she spoke again it was with a tone that was less harsher than before.

“Well you have learnt your lesson. What is done cannot be undone. You can expect a long lecture from one of the Elders all right and no doubt he will fix your mind... Still they are all caught up with matters these days. I just heard The Seeker telling the The Titan that there is danger in the air,” she said.

(To be continued)

A competition among Western Music Bands from 10 girls schools was held at Ananda Balika Vidyayalaya recently. The Western Music band of Sanghamiththa Girls’ School (Primary) Colombo participated in the competition in the company of senior contenders. Here the band with teachers. From left: Deputy School Principals, Padmini Perera and M D Malini, Principal V E Jayaweera, Trainer cum Music Teacher Priyanka Gamage.

Students performing a dance item at the Sinhala Day of Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda Primary Section at the school’s auditorium recently.