KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) —Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching hopes Deepavali will bring joy and happiness to Malaysians while strengthening unity in the country’s multicultural society.
She said the festival, celebrated by the Hindu community, was also embraced by Malaysians from different backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of celebrations and traditions that unite the nation.
“I hope this Deepavali will also bring happiness and joy to everyone.
“At the same time, during this festive season, make sure we watch what we eat. So, let us have more ‘sweetness’ in our smiles but less sugar in the food we eat,” she said.
Teo was speaking to reporters after attending the Kolam Decoration Programme and Deepavali Greeting Recording Session with the management and staff of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) at Wisma Bernama here today.
She also urged Malaysians to appreciate the freedom to celebrate festivals together and enjoy the wide variety of food that reflects the country’s cultural diversity.
During the event, Teo joined Bernama’s management and staff in decorating a kolam at the building’s lobby.
Kolam is a traditional South Indian floor art form created at the entrances of homes, temples and business premises.
The decoration was sponsored by Hong Leong Bank, while the event area also featured “Rang & Chhaap – The Art of Wooden Block Printing”.
Also present were Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (News Services) Mohd Shukri Ishak and Economic News Services deputy editor-in-chief Harlina Samson.
The programme also featured a Deepavali greeting recording session involving Teo and Bernama’s management and staff.
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