All communities have freedom to celebrate their culture and traditions: DPM Singh

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh has asserted that various indigenous communities have got an opportunity to openly celebrate their cultures and traditions after achieving democracy in the country.

Addressing the Tamu Lhosar Festival organized at Tundikhel in Kathmandu by Tamu Lhosar Main Organizing Committee today, DPM Singh viewed that one of the major milestones of establishment of democracy in the country having multilingual and multi-ethnic societies is that the communities could protect and enrich their ethnic identity.

Calling for the need to preserve language, costumes, cultures and traditions, the DPM emphasized the need to handover these treasures to the future generation.

He argued that all sides should fulfill their duties to protect and promote the rights achieved after huge scarifies and struggles without causing inconvenience to others.

He opined that the festival celebration clearly showed that the Tamu community was very aware and active in promoting its community's culture, tradition and identity.

Gurung community's population stood at 545,791 in the country as of the recent national census data. The ethnic community is known worldwide for qualities such as gallantry and trustworthiness. This tribe is closely connected to nature and thus credited to safeguarding water, forest and herbs. They have a strong presence in Gandaki province.

Also speaking in the Festival, former ministers Dev Prasad Gurung, Sita Gurung and Parbat Gurung among others praised Gurung community's richness in terms of celebrating its culture, customs and festivities. They univocally pointed out the need for the government to protect and promote those cultural heritages.

On the occasion, various personalities from the Gurung community were feted in recognition of their significant contributions to diverse sectors.

Karna Bahadur Gurung, President of Tamu Hyula Choja Dhin Gurung National Council, urged the government for special attention in preservation of the Gurung community's festivals, languages and cultures.

The festival featured over 100 stalls showcasing Gurung community's customs, cuisines and cultures. Cultural performances were also held in the Festival.