1 February 2010: The 62nd anniversary of the Chin National Day is being celebrated by the biggest Chin Christian group in Gangaw Township in Magwe division, western Burma.

The historically important day is being observed in Daidin village in Magwe by the Christian Association for Christian Communication (CACC) based in Hakha, the capital of Chin State.

A source from Kalemyo told Khonumthung that people from Kalemyo, Hakha, and Thantlang townships will participate in the national day and preparations are on. The participants from Kalemyo will go by train to Gangaw and will then walk to Daidin.

As in earlier years various Chin traditional dances, wrestling and other ceremonies will be performed. Some Chin singers will also perform at the celebrations.

Ms. Sui Hniang and Mr. Sui Hnin from Thantlang, Mr. Tha Lian Bawi, Mr. Dawt Ceu, Ms. Ni Hlei Sung, Mr, Van Siang Mang and John from Hakha will participate.  

The organizers have invited the Kalemyo culture group to perform three different traditional dances. The Hakha youth group will perform four culture dances.

The junta has been bent on banning the “Chin National Day” for many years and has changed it to Chin State Day, and Chin flower Day respectively. The Chin people therefore are confused as to how to go about celebrating the national day.

"I think, authorities will not allow Chin National Day banners to be used on the stage. I have no idea what will be done, but I really don't like it being called Chin State Day," said a person on condition of anonymity from Kalemyo.

Chin National Day has been celebrated around the world under the Chin National Day banner without any restriction abroad. But in Burma, the junta objects to the celebration and forced it to be called the Chin State Day at the function in Vuamtumaung stadium in Hakha, Chin state last year.

The Chin National Day was renamed Chin State Day during the rule of the Burma Social Programme Party (BSPP) led by General Ne Win, who assumed power in a military coup in 1962.