Mongolia celebrated the lunar new year holiday, Tsagaan Sar or White Moon, nationwide on February 8, the day when Mongolians visit the eldest of the family to greet and pay honor, and see the first sun of the year.

On the morning of the first day of the lunar new year, the Year of Earth Rat, President N.Enkhbayar, together with the First Lady, O.Tsolmon visited Megjid Janraisag Temple at the Gandan Monastery, the center of Mongolian Buddhism, to pray for the well-being of the nation in the upcoming year. He burned incense and prayed in front of the 25-meter Megjid Janraisag god. “Destined man saw the Year of the Rat, as the Mongols say from the ancient times. The Year of Rat is the one that heads the 12-year cycle of the lunar calendar. I strongly believe that the new year will bring happiness to all of us,” he said.

After visiting Gandan, state officials visited the eldest people of the capital city. President Enkhbayar visited T.Dogsmaa, 107, the eldest resident of Ulaanbaatar city who lives in Chingeltei District. Dogsmaa was born in Gobi-Altai aimag in 1901. Her family consists of over 70 people including her nine children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. The oldest daughter of her is now 81 years old. The President gave her an apartment house, door #7, being built in Bayanzurkh township.

The Prime Minister S.Bayar visited D.Luvsandorj, 90, a resident of Sukhbaatar District of Ulaanbaatar, a native of Khovsgol aimag. “I’m more than happy to see the government officials visiting my family, so destined,” said Luvsandorj. He and his wife N.Darisuren, 86, were married in 1941, have four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The Prime Minister talked with him about his well-being, children, and life after which he gave a gift to him.

The Speaker of the State Great Hural (Parliament) D.Lundeejantsan visited S.Choindonbal, 88, who has been working for the Ministry of Construction since the 1940s. “We have recently approved a law on construction, which I think it is a very good law. We will work hard to continue your minds,” said the Speaker at the meeting, which was attended by the government minister in charge of construction sector.

The UB Post

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