KUANTAN: Octogenarian S. Muthalimah's Deepavali celebrations has been a quiet affair over the past few years.
The 85-year-old from Tanah Putih Baru here will usually celebrate at home accompanied by a daughter who stays with her.
She was anticipating another small-scale Deepavali celebration this year when Yayasan Petronas through its " Uplifting Lives Sentuhan Kasih Deepavali programme" invited her for dinner at a hotel here yesterday and distributed Deepavali-themed grocery items and snacks.
"My daughter and I will usually spend Deepavali at home. Two of my children are no longer around while another daughter lives in Kuala Lumpur.
"This is my first time attending the dinner. It is memorable as I met some old friends here. Thank you, Petronas for providing us with a festive atmosphere through the Indian performances and food served during dinner," she said when met after the event yesterday.
Meanwhile, M. Kasthuri, 30, said her family was extremely grateful for the assistance which included grocery supplies such as rice, cooking oil, sardines, chocolate milk along with Deepavali-themed items including biryani rice, masala powder and kesari (popular Indian sweet) mix.
"We were invited to dine at a hotel, served with various Indian traditional food, watched traditional performances and given bags containing grocery supplies. I could not be more happier.I can now start preparing for Deepavali.
"My three children were excited to see all these grocery supplies. I will prepare some special dishes on Deepavali day," she said.
Muthalimah and Kasthuri were among 100 B40 families in Pahang, who were selected to receive aid from Petronas through the programme in conjunction with the Festival of Lights on Nov 12.
Recipients received the aid from State Social Welfare, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Sabariah Saidan, who was accompanied by Petronas East Coast general manager M. Ahmad Shazly Ramli.
Meanwhile, Shazly described the assistance as an effort by Petronas to display their continued commitment in bringing cheer to the underprivileged communities across the country during Deepavali.
"The distribution of festive essential food items and festive food hampers began on Oct 25 at 11 states across Malaysia, with the support of dedicated volunteers and the Social Welfare Department.
"In Pahang, 100 families namely 50 in Kuantan and 25 each from Pekan and Bentong were picked to receive the aid.
"Petronas understands the difficulties faced by low-income families due to the current increase in the price of goods. Therefore, we hope this assistance will be able to ease their burden especially during the festive season," he said.
Meanwhile, Sabariah said the Pahang government was grateful to Yayasan Petronas for stepping forward to bring early Deepavali cheer to the selected B40 families in Pahang.