Ministries took part in a first Htamane making contest in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, showing the unity and friendship of the governmental bodies.
The festive activity was held at the Wunnatheikdi Sports Grounds with the presence of Union ministers, the Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, deputy ministers and their wives, permanent secretaries of the ministries, directors-general, officials and staff of the ministries.
The contest was participated by 21 teams representing Ministry of Information, Ministry of Planning Finance, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Sports, Ministry of Border Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nay Pyi Taw Development Affairs Committee, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Electricity and Energy, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Construction.
First, the judges of the contest inspected preparations by the teams including their personnel hygiene, cleanliness of items used in making the traditional delicacy.
The teams took part in the Htamane delicacy concocting contest accompanied by the folk music troupes and made the traditional food within an hour.
After an hour, the judges evaluated the food whether it is up to the standard.
In the contest, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement team won the first prize; Ministry of Commerce team the second and Ministry of Ethnic Affairs team the third.
Union ministers Dr. Myint Htwe and U Ohn Maung awarded the third-prize winner with K300,000 and a trophy, Union ministers U Ohn Win and U Khin Maung Cho awarded the second-prize winner with K400,000 and a trophy and Union ministers Dr. Pe Myint, U Thant Sin Maung and Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council Dr. Myo Aung awarded the first-prize winner with K500,000 and a trophy.
Deputy ministers U Soe Aung, Dr. Mya Lay Sein, U Aung Htoo, Dr. Tun Naing and U Aung Hla Tun awarded K100,000 each to 18 teams which won the consolation prizes in the contest.
At the festival, the modern music band of the MRTV, vocalists and winners of the Peace Music Festival entertained the visitors with songs.
The festival of concocting Myanmar delicacy Htamane is also quite a festive activity of Myanmar people and it is held in Tabodwe, the last month of the winter.
Htamane concoction is a communal activity in which Myanmar people of all age groups have to participate.
Preparation of Htamane provides a social occasion for the community.
If contest is held, the winner partings will make a jubilant round of rejoice of their victories with music dance and songs in the compounds of monasteries or precincts of Pagodas.
— MNA
(Translated by GNLM)
