Deepavali for all, in a diverse country
SHAH ALAM - Deepavali is a celebration for all especially when you live in a diverse country like Malaysia where everyone regardless of their race enjoy almost all festivities.
This year, the Indian community are looking forward to a merrier Deepavali celebration, as some restrictions under the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) have been relaxed.
Deepavali or Diwali (commonly used in the Northern part of India) is one of the most grandiose festivals for Hindus and Sikhs, among others.
Popularly known as the "Festival of Lights", Deepavali celebration involves lighting lights where houses are decorated with sparkling lights and lamps.
During the celebration people will also be exchanging gifts and sweets.
Guests are offered Indian snacks, biscuits and banana leaf dishes which consist of sweet, sour, spicy and savoury flavours during house visits.
It is during Deepavali that we see places like Little India in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur lit up with decorations.
Other places in the city centre, Klang, Melaka, Seremban and Penang would be flooded with visitors who would go shopping for clothes, snacks, decorations, lights, kolam, flowers and firecrackers and most items would be on discount.
Based on Sinar Daily's observation at the Little India in Brickfields and Little India in Melaka, the most sold out items are snacks like murukku, achi murukku, jillebi, laddu, athirasam, paalkova, and biscuits as well as traditional Indian garments such as the saree, Punjabi suit, kurthi, lengha, (menswear) jippa and vesthi.
Gayaetari Tanaraj, 49, who hails from Melaka said she managed to shop for her whole family as there were great offers on the items she bought adding that she managed to purchase the items at reasonable prices.
Arun Raj, 30, from Kuala Lumpur said the decorations at Little India during Deepavali is always fascinating and that he enjoyed the atmosphere.
“It is great how the government and organisation allocated funds for this,” he said.
Preiya Tharshini, 27, who owns a business selling clothes at Little India Seremban said during Deepavali, not only her Indian customers would come to her shop to buy clothes, the Malay and Chinese customers also visit her shop to buy clothes for the celebration.
She said she was thankful that people in the country respected all festivals.
When it comes to holidays for any festivals, Malaysians would often take advantage of their time off from work to “balik kampung” (return to their hometown).
It does not matter whether it is the Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Christmas celebration, we get to enjoy the holiday seasons in the country.
Plus Malaysia Berhad (Plus) in a statement said a total of 1.9 million vehicles are expected to use the Plus Expressway during the Deepavali holiday and school holiday until Oct 26.
Although people are excited for the celebration, they are also concerned about the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
Some have expressed disappointment that the election is being held during the monsoon season.
Sundari Devi, 32, said the election could have been held next year after the floods and festive season and for her, it shows the selfishness of the government to hold the election now.
Meanwhile, Mahendran Raj, 50, said GE15 would definitely be a topic that would be discussed about between his family and friends when they gather during the celebration.
He said political parties will be busy campaigning during Deepavali as they wanted to win the election.
However, he said although the country seems divided by political parties, he believes that the people are united, especially during the festive season.
Regardless of the pressure, Deepavali which is the most glorious festival, will still be celebrated with great fervour and devotion.
If you want to wish your Indian friends, you can say "En Iniya Deepavali Naalvalthukal" which means "Wishing you a Happy Deepavali".
