A delegation led by Mr. Batu Sergeyevich Khassikov, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia of the Russian Federation, arrived in Yangon by air on 8 December. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, regional ministers, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Myanmar, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and ethnic national people welcomed the delegation with waving miniature flags of the two countries.
On 9 and 10 December, the delegation led by Head of Russia’s the Republic of Kalmykia visited the following places:
- The delegation paid homage to the Shwedagon Pagoda and visited religious edifices, the Buddhological Museum and Photo Gallery, viewed the historical data and pilgrimage guide at the pagoda.
- They also visited the National Museum, the City Hall, the Ministers’ Office, Kandawgyi Lake and Karaweik Hall as well as the jewellery shops of the Myanmar Gems Museum.
- The delegation paid homage to members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee led by Chairman Sayadaw Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa at the hall on Kaba Aye Hill. The guests offered Dhamma gifts and alms to the Chairman Sayadaw who returned a picture of the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone as a Dhamma gift.
- The delegation visited Uppatasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw and the Maravijaya Buddha Image, where they paid their respects and made monetary donations. They also visited the White Elephant Lodge, feeding white elephants with nutritional supplements.
The Head of the Republic of Kalmykia supplicated that the Republic of Kalmykia is striving for the propagation of Buddhism. He invited the Chairman Sayadaw to attend the Buddhism Forum to be held in 2025. He expressed his belief that his republic will propagate Buddhism and he expects the cooperation of the SSMNC in propagation of the Buddhism. On 9 December, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein hosted a dinner in honour of the Head of the Republic of Kalmykia and the delegation. On 10 December, Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin hosted a dinner in honour of the Kalmykia delegation, it is reported.
Source: GNLM (11-12-2024)
- The delegation led by Head of the Republic of Kalmykia of the Russian Federation, paid homage to the famous pagodas in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon Region and visited some famous places in Yangon.