by NYI NYI
Rangoon (Mizzima) – A ban on liquor advertisements by the Burmese regime has adversely affected contractors who make Mandats (pandals) and collect fees from people playing with water during the water festival. Sponsorship this year is becoming hard to come by.
The contractors depend heavily on sponsorship for such pandals. This year, with the junta banning alcohol and beer advertisements and prohibiting any such pandal on Inya Road, which is one of the busiest places in Rangoon during the water festival, contractors are in a spot.
In Burma, Thingyan, water festival is celebrated on the eve of Burmese New year day, which is calculated by the lunar calendar. This year, Burma will celebrate the popular water festival from April 13 to 16. The government has however allowed for water pandals on Pyi Road, Kabar Aye Road and Saya San Road, which were not allowed last year.
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