KUALA LUMPUR: THOUSANDS turned up for the MIC Deepavali open house at Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
Guest-of-honour Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was all smiles as he and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor joined more than 5,000 people to celebrate the event at the Merdeka Hall.
Najib and Rosmah, both clad in matching cream and gold traditional Indian garb, arrived at 10.20am and were greeted by MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, deputy president Datuk Seri S Subramaniam and other party leaders.
They were then treated to a sumptuous Deepavali feast, including tosai, putu mayam, muruku and mee mamak.
Najib also took part in a cake-cutting ceremony with Palanivel and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Speaking to reporters later, he said the celebration was held true to Indian customs and was a showcase of Malaysian unity.
“It is during these kind of festivities that we can all meet our friends and work towards maintaining and strengthening the harmony of living in a society of many races and religions,” said Najib.
Also present were Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri and Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan, Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan, MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
MIC secretary-general A. Prakash Rao said the country was unique, with religious or cultural holidays being celebrated together by all Malaysians of various backgrounds.
“It's not just Deepavali. During Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, everyone gathers to enjoy each other's traditional food and learn about each other. It is this unity that we must preserve,” he said.
The guests included tourists such as Ghazal Nabil, from Syria, who said it was her first time attending a Deepavali celebration.
“Before this, I didn't know anything about Deepavali, but now I want to know everything.
“I like the traditional celebration and the people here. I hope Malaysia stays peaceful and wish the same for my country,” the 40-year-old said.
Spaniard Jonas Pons, 28, said he arrived in Kuala Lumpur three days ago, after meeting with a Malaysian-Indian friend in India.
“I like the country and its different cultures. It's very peaceful and harmonious here,” he said.
Asia-Pacific University of Technology and Innovation administration director Dr Teh Choon Jin said he brought his whole family to the celebration so that they could learn more about Indian culture.
“It is a good day for my family to know about other cultures and try different types of Indian food, which we seldom have.
“It is also a great way to mingle around. It's important for us to know each other so that we can be more aware of the racial sensitivities in the country,” he said.
Najib and Rosmah later attended another Deepavali open house, hosted by Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) at HGH Convention Centre in Sentul, here.
MAICCI president Tan Sri K.K Eswaran said Deepavali, like all religious festivals in the country, was another ideal occasion to forge greater unity and understanding for the people.
“It is also perfect time for all to celebrate the era of the 'Moderate Malaysian' subscribed by Najib who wishes all Malaysians to live together in peace and harmony.
“In celebrating the Festival of Lights, it is my hope and prayer that Indians nationwide work as one cohesive unit for the betterment of the community,” he said.
The event also saw some 500 underprivileged children and senior citizens being treated to Indian traditional food and entertainment.
In Malacca, some 1,000 guests attended the Deepavali Open House hosted by state MIC chairman Datuk M. S Mahadevan at Taman Paya Rumput Indah, near here yesterday.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron's special secretary P. Shanmugam also hold an open house at his residence in Taman Pertama, Batu Berendam.
In Ipoh, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir spent Deepavali by visiting several homes, starting his day by visiting the homes of A. Valiamah and R. Latchmy in Ayer Tawar and Manjung respectively.
Zambry said he had been visiting selected homes since becoming Menteri Besar in 2009.
“The homes we chose are of the poor. This is how we show our caring ways to the people,” he said.
Zambry also visited the homes of Perak MIC secretary Datuk V. Elango, who is also his adviser and Ipoh Barat MIC division chairman Datuk G. Rajoo.
In Alor Star, hundreds of Hindu devotees thronged Sri Murugan Alayam Temple in Tanah Merah, Jitra near here yesterday to celebrate the Deepavali.
In Kota Baru, 21 students from Kok Lanas Matriculation College near here could not return to their hometowns to celebrate Deepavali as due to their examination which is scheduled to commence next week.
B. Priya Shini said they had to stay back because they had to study for the examination.
“It is sad to be away from home and family members, but we have no other choice," the 18-year-old said, adding that she her friends conducted their prayers at the Siva Subramaniam Alayam temple in Jalan Hamzah here.
Additional reporting by Hana Naz Harun, Aina Nasa and Teoh Pei Ying