STATE Administration Council Member, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Defence General Maung Maung Aye, accompanied by a council member, union ministers, the Sagaing Region chief minister, senior Tatmadaw officers and relevant departmental officials, attended the Traditional Naga New Year Festival for 2025 which was held in Lahe in the Naga Self-Administered Zone on 15 January.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the need to preserve the relevant tradition and customary law from generation to generation by Naga ethnic people and ethnic nationals living in unity in the country. He appreciated the efforts in preserving the tradition, customs and dance of the Naga people.
He added that the government initiated 82 projects with the Union government budget and 158 projects with the region budget in the 2024-2025 financial year aiming for sector-wise development of the Naga region.
Sagaing Region Chief Minister U Myat Kyaw made a New Year remark, and Naga Traditional Literature and Culture Committee Chairman U Paung Khu presented a New Year gift to the Union Minister.
General Maung Maung Aye and the party also presented regional development materials to the relevant officials, and the ceremony was concluded.
They proceeded to the traditional booths of Naga ethnics.
At noon, the Deputy Prime Minister and party inspected the Hway Htike hydropower project in Lahe township, People’s Hospital, Government Technical High School, Moe Dan lake resort construction, vocational training centre for women and Training Schools for the Development of Nationalities Youth from Border Areas.
In the evening, he enjoyed a traditional Naga bonfire and lit the bonfire together with the participants. After enjoying the dances of Naga ethnics, he presented the flower basket and cash awards to them.
The Traditional Naga New Year Festival aims to preserve Naga traditions and customs as well as cultural heritage, enhance Naga’s traditional culture and fine arts, revitalize friendly relations and mutual understandings among Naga ethnics, participate in the development of the Naga region and forge the Union spirit based on fraternity among Naga tribes. International and local travellers pay visits to the festival and enjoy the bonfire happily. — MNA/KTZH
