GILGIT: The Nauroz festival was celebrated across Gilgit-Baltistan with traditional zeal on Sunday.
Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan, cabinet and opposition parties’ members, civil and military officials participated in the festivals in their respective areas of Gilgit, Hunza-Nagar, Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang and Ghancha districts.
The festival marks the beginning of new year in the Persian calendar.
A Jashn-i-Nauroz function was held at the Municipal Ground in Skardu, where Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, Senior Minister Raja Zakirya, Tourism Minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan, the commissioner of Baltistan division and a large number of locals were in attendance.
On the occasion, famous Balti breaking of eggs competition was held, where every competitor brought an egg and tried to break it with another egg. Each time the egg was broken the winner was given an egg by the loser.
A function was held in the Galmit area of Hunza to celebrate the day, where Commander of the Frontier Corps Northern Areas Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed Qazi, minister Ubaidullah Baig, Hunza Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed and local residents were in attendance.
Traditional dances were performed on music.
On the occasion, a spring tree plantation drive was also launched.
Similarly, functions were held in Nagar district to celebrate Nauroz. Dry fruit, homemade traditional dishes and sweets were distributed among the participants.
With the start of the new year, people in some districts start ploughing their fields, planting trees and cleaning water channels.
To mark the day, men, women and youngsters wear new clothes and go to relatives and friends’ houses to greet them. Households also prepare traditional dishes to serve the guests.
Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2021
