KUALA LUMPUR: Deepavali was celebrated nationwide in a joyful mood yesterday as Malaysians of the Hindu faith offered prayers at temples and opened their doors to friends and family.
Celebrations as the Batu Caves temple complex here were among the highlights of the day as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joined more than 10,000 people of various races and backgrounds at the Deepavali open house hosted by Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
The crowd, who began to gather in the vicinity of the complex at 8am, were treated to a sumptuous spread of vegetarian Indian dishes. The open house was from 9am to 1pm.
To the sounds of beating drums and Indian flutes as well as clement morning weather, Najib, who is Umno president and Barisan nasional chairman, was greeted upon arrival at 10.30am by MIC president Datuk Seri G Palanivel, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam and other party officials.
Present were Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Malaysia’s special ambassador to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.
Other guests included Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar as well as several deputy ministers, political leaders and foreign diplomats.
Clad in a beige kurta with matching pants and a red shawl, Najib later cut a Deepavali cake, accompanied by Palanivel, Samy Vellu, Rais and other dignitaries.
MIC Deepavali open house
No comments:
Post a Comment