Among the activities held during the ‘Pongal’ celebrations include cultural dance performances, ‘Kolam’ drawing demonstration and ‘kabbadi’ games. — Bernama file pic
KUCHING, Jan 18, 2014:
The harvest festival, or Pongal, was celebrated by the Indian community in great merriment in a special function in Sarawak today.
Being a minority group in Sarawak did not stop them from enjoying the joyous occasion at the Kuching Waterfront here.
State Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, who officiated the celebration, said she hoped the festive occasion would become an annual event in Sarawak.
She also encouraged the organisers to come up with a bigger event next year, adding the state government was ready to request for more non-governmental organisations to join in.
According to Fatimah, an event such as this enabled social interaction to foster understanding among the races and pave the way for respect and harmony in a multi-racial country.
More than 108 people took part in the Pongal celebrations organised by the Malaysian Hindu Sangam Sarawak State Council today, most of whom gathered to cook a sweet dish made of rice and milk.
Other activities held during the celebration include cultural dance performances, ‘Kolam’ drawing demonstration and ‘kabbadi’ games.
Also present was Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Datuk Mohan Shan and Malaysian Hindu Sangam Sarawak State Council president, Krishnarao Subramaniam.
In his speech, Mohan Shan said he was happy to see a large turnout at the event, comprising people from various races, despite the drizzle.
He said one of the functions of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam was preserving the culture and traditions of Hindus and the event held today was a great achievement for Indians in Malaysia.