Chief Minister Attends Naumariamlak Kut Festival

Vathuampui, January 2026: One of the biggest and most significant festivals of the Pang community under the Pang Zirlai Pawl, Naumariamlak Kut (Nau Lawm Kut), was celebrated at the playground of Vathuampui. Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma attended the event, and in his address, he announced that the long-pending demand of the Pang Zirlai Pawl for a Pang Hostel would be fulfilled, and the hostel would be constructed at Aizawl Ainawn Veng.

In his speech, the Chief Minister said that different Zo ethnic groups have their own distinct values and practices. He cautioned that there is always a danger that these ethnic identities may gradually be forgotten. He stressed that the younger generation must take responsibility for preserving their rich cultural values, language, literature, and songs so that they are not lost. He said that student organizations play a vital role in uniting different communities, and in the case of the Pang people, no organization is as strong and effective as the Pang Zirlai Pawl in bringing the community together. Therefore, he said, he deeply appreciates and supports the initiatives taken by student bodies.

Stating that the Pang community is believed to be among the earliest clans within the Mizo society, the Chief Minister said that despite being a large community, very little has been written about Pang history. He urged educated members of the younger generation to take up the responsibility of researching and documenting their history in writing. He added that the government is giving importance to tracing the roots of Mizo history and is moving forward in this direction. He expressed confidence that Pang history would occupy an important place in building a credible and widely accepted historical narrative.

Speaking about development, Pu Lalduhoma said that southern Mizoram would one day become a gateway for the state. He noted that he serves as the Chairman of the High Level Task Force on the Northeast Economic Corridor under the Ministry of DoNER. Discussions are ongoing on how northeastern states can benefit from improved connectivity with neighboring countries. He said the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) is eagerly awaited not only by the people of Mizoram but also by neighboring states, and there is a strong desire for its early completion. He informed that he recently met representatives of the company constructing the KMMTTP road inside Myanmar, who expressed hope of completing the work by 2027. He added that the time when the project will be effectively utilized is not far away, and Lawngtlai district will be the biggest beneficiary. He elaborated on the overall progress of the KMMTTP.

The Chief Minister also highlighted several areas where visible progress has been made during the two years of the present government, including financial management, public health and healthcare, marketing of agricultural produce by farmers, connectivity, the power sector, higher education, and sustainable development. He said the state is moving on the right path.

Encouraging students to prioritize education, he said knowledge and wisdom enhance human capability and drive overall societal development. To help Pang youth progress in education, he reiterated that the long-demanded Pang Hostel would be constructed at Ainawn Veng. He emphasized that communities that value education continue to advance and urged Pang youth to give due importance to learning.

He also appealed for maintaining a peaceful and progressive society by staying away from drugs and other social evils and extended his best wishes for celebrating the festival with joy and harmony.

The festival gathering was chaired by Pu Lalramliana, with an invocation prayer offered by Pu Lalbiakkiman. Pu Albin Lalhruaitluanga, President of the Pang Zirlai Pawl, delivered the welcome address, and Pu Laldikzuala presented the report.

It was stated that at present, over one thousand members of the Pang community reside in Mizoram, around two thousand live in Bangladesh, and a significant number are also settled across different states of India.