The government pledged to strive for harmonious development of education, transport and health sectors of Naga ethnic national people, said State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the Naga Traditional New Year festival for 2023 in Lahe of Naga Self-Administered Zone yesterday afternoon.
In his address, the Senior General expressed his pride in attending the Naga Traditional New Year Festival for 2023 and made his wishes for Naga ethnics as well as all ethnic national people to be physical and mental well-being.
The Senior General stressed the need for Naga ethnics residing across the nation and all ethnic national brethren to preserve traditions and customs through the unity.
As the government is striving for ensuring peace and stability as well as national reconsiliation of the Union, all the entire people are to join hands with the government in respective sectors. All ethnic people must strive for further stablize the Naga region.
The Union government, the region government and Naga Self-Administered Zone administration body are to join hand in hand with the entire people for development of the zone. In this regard, all the persons need to take responsibility with goodwill in all measures. Departmental personnel are to serve the local people to have all-round development tasks in administration, education, health and other sectors.
As the government has contributed K5 billion from the State economic development fund for revitalization of the Naga Self-Administration Zone for enhancement of socio-economic life of the local people and the State economy which faced losses triggered by the outbreak of Covid-19, it is necessary to successfully implement agriculture, livestock breeding and other sectors for socio-economic development of the people.
The government pledged to strive for harmonious development of education, transport and health sectors of Naga ethnic national people.
A female Naga ethnic resident explained emergence of the Naga Traditional New Year festival.
The Senior General accepted the New Year gift given by Chairman of Naga Traditional Literature and Cultural Central Committee U Pao Khu.
The Senior General presented aid for development of the zone, agricultural aid, sports equipment and foodstuff to Naga Traditional Literature and Cultural Central Committee Patron U Maung Nyan and members.
The region chief minister presented K100 million for the festival to the chairman of the Naga Self-Administered Zone administration body.
The Senior General and party enjoyed song and dance entertainment of Naga ethnics and consumed the traditional foods.
After the ceremony, the Senior General presented the flower basket and cash award to the dance troupes. Then, the Senior General and party visited the traditional booths of Naga ethnics.
In the evening, the Senior General enjoyed a Naga traditional bonfire and lit the bonfire. After enjoying the dances of Naga ethnics, the Senior General presented the flower basket and cash awards to them.
On behalf of SAC members and Union Ministers, SAC member Jeng Phang Naw Taung presented cash award to officials. Then, the Senior General warmly greeted them.
The Naga Traditional New Year festival aims to preserve Naga traditions and customs as well as cultural heritages, enhance Naga traditional culture and fine arts, revitalize friendly relations and mutual understanding among Naga ethnics, participate in development of Naga region and forge the Union spirit based on fraternity among Naga tribes. As from 1992, the festival is held in townships of Naga region alternatively. International and local travellers pay visits to the festival and enjoy the bonfire happily.—MNA
