KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stressed that Nepalese society must not forget its traditions and cultural identity, even as it moves forward with modernization.

While acknowledging the need to gradually eliminate harmful practices within culture, Prime Minister Karki emphasized that Nepal’s original traditions, customs, and traditional attire should be preserved and promoted.

She made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the Tamu Hyul Chonj Dhi Gurung National Council held on Sunday.

Members of the delegation were dressed in traditional Gurung attire, which the Prime Minister praised warmly.

Commending their traditional dress, Prime Minister Karki suggested that government offices could consider encouraging employees to wear their respective traditional attire at least one day a week.

Such a practice, she said, would help strengthen cultural identity and pride.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Karki noted that many societies today are struggling to rediscover their identity as modernization often pushes people away from their roots.

“Some societies are now searching for their identity. In the name of modernity, people are forgetting their originality and are even unaware of who they truly are. But we Nepalese are rich in identity. We have diverse and unique cultures and traditions, and these must be protected,” she said. “It might even be worth considering a system where government offices allow traditional attire one or two days a week.”

On the occasion, Rajendra Gurung, General Secretary of the Council, invited Prime Minister Karki to attend a special event marking Tamu Lhosar, scheduled to be held on Poush 15.