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Fulfilling Hopes & Needs Medical Camps Free Wheel Chairs Gift of vision (Cataract operation) Hearing Aids (Including Audio Test) Religious speeches Provisions for Orphanage and Hardcore Poor Families, Food Aid, Milk Powder, Pampers, Medical Aid & Medicines Scholarships for Deserving Medical and Dentistry Students Cremation / Burial of unclaimed Bodies Education, Motivation & Seminars School Aid, Uniforms & Stationery
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE First of all, in my capacity as the President of the Penang Hindu Association, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to the team involved in the second publication of the Makkal Sevai newsletter, which is the Association's printed platform to highlight news on the community services carried out by the committee and members of the Penang Hindu Association or PHA, as it is fondly known. Our Penang Hindu Association is a non-profit voluntary charity association and was established in May 2012. As a Non-Governmental Organisation, our main role is community service, which is clearly represented by our motto, 'Serve with Love' and is embedded in our vision statement, which is; “To promote and practice the ideals of Sanathana Dharma through the assimilation of values emphasised in the Hindu scriptures.” Over the past few years, a lot has happened with the advent of the corona virus disease, which profoundly affected our lives. Malaysians were faced with a very new and complex situation with isolation and contact restrictions becoming a norm in our society. This, together with the weakening of the economic conditions, resulted in massive lay-offs and winding-up of businesses, bringing about a complete change to the psychosocial environment in Malaysia. PHA became aware that household income was greatly affected and the number of rural and urban poor began to escalate, leading to the unavoidable consequential risks of children being undernourished, families unable to afford daily groceries and health-care becoming unaffordable, all these leading to emotional and mental stress. Thankfully, what did not change during these challenging times was the active engagement and mobilization of PHA members to act as a team in facing the challenges together and to look for solutions and opportunities to help those in need. This has kept us busy with our continuous effort to help those affected either directly or indirectly with the nationwide lock-down and economic slowdown due to the pandemic. During these trying times, PHA has continued with its on-going community service, and this includes providing grocery aid to needy B40 families, irrespective of race or religion. During the current post-pandemic times, appeals for food items have also been reaching us from needy families, not only in Penang Island, but also from Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam, Kulim, Sungai Petani and even from Perak. As such, PHA has decided to provide grocery aid on a monthly basis to help these hardcore poor families. Special grocery aid was also given to families who were affected by the major floods in 2021 where we responded to the 'white-flag' appeal from individuals and families who were unable to leave their homes to buy groceries due to the flood and lock-down. The grocery aid pack includes items such as rice, vermicelli, sardine cans, eggs, cooking oil, sugar, biscuits, coffee and tea powder, milk powder, spices, dhal, soap, anchovies and other related food items. During the movement control order, PHA was able to help more than 200 families with the grocery aid, which also included hand-sanitizers and a basic medical kit in each pack. Apart from the needy families, we also provide grocery aid on a regular basis to orphanages and old-folks homes. PHA also organises the Pournami Anathanam or feeding-the needy programme where cooked vegetarian food are served at orphanages and old-folks' homes by the PHA committee. This programme is carried out monthly on the full moon day in the final stage of the Shukla Paksha Ashtami, or the waxing period, which is considered auspicious by the Hindus. Penang Hindu Association has also taken upon itself to provide free final rites and burial/cremation assistance for unclaimed bodies from hospital mortuaries. Such assistance is also provided to poor families of the bereaved who could not afford the funeral expenses.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Apart from this we regularly receive calls from hospitals and the general public informing about senior citizens being abandoned by their families. In all such cases that we have attended, we managed to go through the legal formalities and have registered the abandoned senior citizens at charity homes for the senior citizens. PHA is also concerned about the future of young Indian children and is aware that raising young children takes a lot of time and energy, especially among working parents. Taking this into consideration, PHA regularly runs courses on parenting, exam preparation as well as strategies to apply for universities and scholarships. PHA has also regularly fulfilled appeals for academic assistance from poor families for stationary, uniforms, school bags, prescription eyeglasses, laptops and tertiary fees. Apart from academic concerns, we are also worried about the increasing number of unmarried Hindu population in Malaysia. A cursory survey revealed that youngsters nowadays are too engrossed with their careers that they neglect marriage and to start a family. Taking this concern into action, we organised the Suyamvaram programme in 2022, which is basically a charity matrimony service. Realising the response that we received and its success rate, we have decided to make it an annual event. Apart from these, other charity/community work that PHA has been providing include: i. Showcasing Hindu and Indian cultural heritage through talks and exhibitions. ii. Donating wheelchairs, hearing-aids and medical beds for the poor and bedridden. iii. Appealing to the relevant authorities for welfare aids and/or PPR Flats for the needy. iv. Providing necessary medical support to the poor in the form of equipment and medical fees. v. Jointly organising free medical talks and medical camps with Klinik Derma Sivasantha. Penang Hindu Association has always functioned on the principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, including the right to food, health, work and education. As such, PHA strives to provide compassionate care to these neglected and needy sectors of the society through our continuous community support. As an additional support, PHA has always been advocating the setting up of an Indian Affairs Wing in each state, overseen by the Prime Ministers Department. As the fabrics of our society is diverse, we need to recognise that each community is unique culturally and the setting up of the Indian Affairs Wing will make sure that policies, programmes and services will be delivered as planned to address their unique needs. Being a community-focussed NGO, PHA stands as a charity platform that connects donors, volunteers and beneficiaries. A wide range of our services aimed towards human wellbeing and social welfare was made possible with the support that we have been receiving from all sectors of the society. As such, on behalf of PHA, I would like to record our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Penang State Government, The Penang Hindu Endowment Board as well as to all our donors and well-wishers for the continuous support given in carrying out our charity programmes. We highly appreciate your contributions to help us lighten the burden faced by the underprivileged sector of the society. I am convinced that with such selfless support from the public and with the relentless work and dedication shown by the committee and members of PHA to bring a positive change in our society, we will go a long way in sustaining our charity P. Murugiah President Penang Hindu Association
DEPUTY PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE அ பான சேகாதர சேகாத க ெந சா த வண க . ப னா இ திய இய க தி ப கா றிய அைன உ ப ன க என மனமா த வா க பாரா க உ தாக . றி பாக ந இய க தி நடவ ைககள கல ேசைவயா றி ஆதரவள தைம ந றி மல கைள சம ப கிேற . இ ேவ ம க ேசைவய இர டா ெவள ய ஏட ஆ . ச க ேசைவக ம க வ தி ட கைள நட வதி எ க இய க பல சி க கைள எதி ேநா கிற . ச க ேசைவகள ப னா இ திய இய க மி த ஈ பா ைட அள கிற . ம கள ட க வ யறிைவ பகி ெகா வ எ க இய க தி தைலயாய ேநா கமா . நா க ச கர ன தமி சிவ சக தி .ஆ .ச க அவ கள தைலைமய பல ைசவ சி தா த வ கைள நட தி ேளா . எ கள இய க YB.Chew Khor Yew (மா மி சீ ேகா ), ப னா தலைம ச , ம Prof.Dr.Ramasamy (ேபராசி ய டா ட இராமசாமி), ப னா ைண தலைம ச ேபா ற மாநில தைலவ க ட நட தவ நடவ ைககைள ப றி அவ ைற வழிநட வத அவ கள உதவ ைய நா வ ப றி கல ைரயாட ெபா ட ஒ றைன ஏ பா ெச ேளா . அ ம மி றி, எ க இய க சிரம ப மாணவ க .ப .எ .ஆ , ப .தி.3 ம எ .ப .எ ேபா ற ெபா ேத கள ப டைற, க தர க ேபா றனவ ைற ஏ பா ெச நட தி வ கி ற . இ ப டைற அைன மாணவ க ேத ேக வ கைள ந அறி ெகா வத அவ றி வ ைடயள ைறைய ெகா ள ந லேதா வா பாக அைமகிற . ெவள நா உ நா பய மாணவ க எ க இய க நிதி உதவ ைய தவறாம வழ கி வ கிற எ ப றி ப ட த க . ேம , பார ப ய ெதாட பான ப ேவ நிக கள நா க ஒ கிைண ப ேக கிேறா . உதாரண தி , இ வ ட ஆர ப க ட தி ப னா கி நட ேதறிய உலக பார ப ய தின த எ க இய க வ றாத ஆதரைவ வழ கி சிற ப த . கலா சார , ப பா ெதாட பான தகவ க ப றி ெபா ம க ட பகி ெகா ள இ நிக சி பாலமாக அைம த . கட த ஆ கள நா க நட திய நிக கள இ திய ம பா ட க , தாய பாச , ேபா வ ைளயா க , ெபா க ைவ நிக , ெதா ெபா கா சி ஆகியைவ அட . ெதாட , ென ேகா காக கலா சார ைதெயா ஆவண பட எ த ெப ப கள க ஒ றாக இ பதிவ கிேறா . கலா சார நிக களான மா ெபா க , தாலி க த , ம ந ஆகியைவ ஆவண ப த ப ம கள கா சி காக ெபா அறிவ காக ேநர இைணயதள தி பதிேவ ற ப ட . அைத ெதாட , ெதாட சியாக பல நடவ ைககைள நட தி வ ஒ ப வாக வ ைளயா ப திக கிற என றலா . இ ப 12 வய ப ட ஆர ப தமி ப ள மாணவ கைள ேத ெச வ , பய சி அள ப ம ேபா கைள நி வாகி ப ேபா றவ ைற ெவ றிகரமாக நட தி வ கிற . இ வா இவ க பார ப ய வ ைளயா க தி டமி ளன எ ப வரேவ க த க ஒ றா . நா க ம ற அர சாரா அைம களான உலகளாவ ய இ டைம , ப னா இ மான ய , மேலசிய இ ச க ேபா ற ச க இய க க ட பல நிக கள அதி றி பாக ப னா கி ெவ ேவ இன க ட ந லிண க ைத வள க ஒ ைழ ஆதரவள வ கிேறா . xçªkì ¨ü. ÃVé·©«\MBD mçðÝ >çékì ¸ªVºz ÖÍm ĺïD P.J.K.
SECRETARY’S MESSAGE Vanakam, It is indeed my pleasure to pen my message for my association with the objective to 'serve with love´. Penang Hindu Association (PHA) is very committed to cater people, regardless of race, religion and diverse of ethnicity. The role of this association is to help those who need help, assistance and guidance. In this respect the association provides support, guidance and welfare assistance, medical assistance, manages unclaimed bodies, provide financial assistance to further education and other related services. It has been an arduous task for the association and its officials to reach the underprivileged hardcore poor during the pandemic era due to covid 19. Nevertheless, due to continuous perseverance and diligence, most of the needy cases were attended successfully. PHA has been invited to participate in outdoor activities by the state bodies and others. It is a great pleasure for us to be invited and participate in cultural activities arranged by Georgetown World Heritage Incorporated celebrations. The unique and exemplary performances by the members and invited participants has earned an award from Georgetown World Heritage Incorporated and UNESCO. Apart from this cultural activities PHA also is fully committed to education. PHA organizes many educational and motivational seminars to cater for students' needs, especially those sitting for UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM exams . Indeed, PHA is also involved in a lot of social and welfare activities for the benefit and betterment of the public, such as housing, health, economic, food and others. PHA also had brought up many cases/issues to the state and federal's attention. The success of all these programmes would not have been possible without generous sponsorship, donation and support from the public and well-wishers. I would again like to record my sincere gratitude and extend my heartfelt thank you for the generosity, thoughtfulness and support given to Penang Hindu Association. May the Almighty bless your kind deeds. Finally, I would welcome each and every one to serve with love. Serve with love MDS Paranjothi Sonaimuthu P.C.M., P.K.T. Hon Secretary Penang Hindu Association
COMMITTEE MEMBERS P. MURUGIAH President S. CHANDRASEKARAN Asst. Treasurer B. MURUGAN Comm. Member DR. S. BALASUBRAMANIAM Deputy President T. VALLI Comm. Member M. RAJANDRAN Comm. Member MDS PARANJOTHI Secretary K. POOMANI Comm. Member K. PURNA CHANDRAN Comm. Member DR. K.PONNEI Asst. Secretary KUMARATHAL@ VASANTHA Comm. Member T. VASUDEVAN NAIDU Auditor A. NOOKARAJU Treasurer K. SHANMUGANATHAN Comm. Member DATUK N. VAMATHEVAN Advisor DATO DR. S. SELLAPAN Advisor MADAM T. SOROJINI Advisor V. PALANISAMY Permanent Chairman K. GANESAN Comm. Member M. ARUMUGAM Comm. Member L. KAMALSEHWAREN Comm. Member
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Penang Hindu Association Annual General meeting was officiated by Honourable YB Wong Hon Wei, member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera on 20th September 2020
Education
EDUCATION - LAPTOPS Penang Hindu Association President P. Murugiah handing over the laptop to student Miss Sharvina a/p Yogi Iswaran, studying at AIMST University for Diploma In Nursing. Laptop has been donated by Mr. K. Shanmuganathan to unfortunate students Penang Hindu Association President Mr.P.Murugiah handing over a laptop to student Miss. Gre Shekinah A/P Dominic Xavier and Dr.S.Balasubramaniam, PHA Deputy President, handing over a laptop to student Miss. K.Dhaashayane. PHA donated a laptop to a student to ease her online learning during the pandemic PHA donated a laptop to Miss Shela Premanand, currently pursuing Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI).
EDUCATION - LAPTOPS PHA management committee members Mr. Arumugam, Mrs K. Poomani and Mr. Ganesan handing over the laptop to University students. Mother Teresa
EDUCATION - SCHOLARSHIP Miss Sharmilla Pandian, final year MBBS student at University of North Sumatra Medan, receiving scholarship cheque from Penang Hindu Association. Education Financial Aid for Mrs. R. Radhega Harbans Singh, at present she is studying Masters of Education at City University Malaysia, PJ. Management & Science University (MSU) Penang, student Naween A/L Anbarasan doing Diploma In Public Relation And Entertainment Management receiving scholarship cheque from Penang Hindu Association. PHA Scholarship and Financial Aid for 8 underprivileged students. The following students received scholarship cheques from PHA donor Mrs. S. C. Wong. A student receiving scholarship cheque from PHA donor Mrs. S. C. Wong.
EDUCATION - SCHOLARSHIP School Education Material Aid and bicycle donated to a poor secondary student Miss S.Tivya Dhasini, who had to walk a total of 4 kilometres to and from school to her home.
EDUCATION - SCHOLARSHIP
EDUCATION - SCHOLARSHIP Miss Bhairavi A/P Rajendran from AIMST university, receives a donation cheque from Penang Hindu Association. Yaganesh Kalidass receiving financial aids from Dr. S. Balasubramaniam for his studies. Recently, 3 students from B40 families, who are living in Penang, appealed to Penang Hindu Association for financial assistance to pay for their university fees and to purchase study materials. The parents of 2 of these students are single mothers. The third parent is solely supporting the family by working as a security guard. Student 1: Sarindran Vasu, studying MBA at USM, received financial assistance of RM2,000. Student 2: Kevin Vimal, studying Masters of Arts and Communication at USM, received financial assistance of RM1,000. Student 3: Ganga Rubini, a Medical student at UM, received RM1,000 to buy the much needed medical books for her studies.
EDUCATION WORKSHOP / SEMINAR Penang Hindu Association was able to collaborate with Penang State Education Department to organise a workshop for STPM students taking the Tamil. The workshop was held at SMK Tengku Abdul Rahman, Nibong Tebal from 8.30 am to 4.30pm. A total of 25 students attended this annual PHA program. This workshop was funded by the Penang state government “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever” – Mahatma Gandhi “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education” – Martin Luther King
EDUCATION WORKSHOP / SEMINAR The Tips Towards Winning A Place In IPTA And A Prestigious Scholarship The event was held at Sri Menakshi Sundaraeswarar Temple, 46 Waterfall Road, 10350 Penang on 10 December 2022 from 8am to 1pm. This event was jointly organizes by Penang Hindu Association and Sree Muniswarar Temple Jalan Waterfall Penang. Five teachers and an officer with 78 Form Six student from 7 schools participated in this event.The seminar was conducted by Mr. A. Thiruvenggadam.
Teen Enrichment Student camp at Pusat Agro, Relau from 19th to 23th , February 2023 organised by Penang Hindu Association. The following 7 tamil school students taking part in the TEC camp. Students form SJKT Azad, SJKT Ramathasar, SJKT Ramakrishna, SJKT Rajaji, SJKT Sungai Ara, SJKT Bayan Lepas, SJKT Subramaniam Barathi participated in this camp. EDUCATION WORKSHOP / SEMINAR
EDUCATION Penang Hindu Association donated school stationaries and school bags to the students from 5 Tamil schools in Penang (SJKT Azad, SJKT Ramakrishna, SJKT Rajaji, SJKT Sungai Ara and SJKT Bayan Lepas). The stationaries were donated by Mr Deva Rajan, General manager of Lotus’s, Penang
EDUCATION- PARENTING Parenting seminar on How to improve concentration, listening skills and time management. Speakers are Dr. S. Balasubramaniam and Mdm K. Poomani
Social & Welfare
SOCIAL & WELFARE Monthly Amavasai & Pournami Annadanam to Old Folks Home, Children Orphanage , Homeless and Needy Families
SOCIAL & WELFARE Monthly Amavasai & Pournami Annadanam to Old Folks Home, Children Orphanage , Homeless and Needy Families The monthly Annadhanam feeding went on smoothly on 3rd June 2023 with 50 persons including senior citizens and staffs at Pusat Jagaan Warga Emas Attha Arthi(Annai Tangge Rajalechumi Mutiyor Illam), Kulim, Kedah, The Penang Hindu Association is delighted to have served Yee Ran Jing Sheh Handicapped Centre, Jalan Belimbing, Ladang Chip Joo, 14000, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Mertajam in conjunction with Vaikasi Ammavasai on 19th May 2023 Chitra Pournami Annadhanam feeding for this month on 5th May 2023 was extended to Batu Grace Children Home, Karangan, Kedah.
SOCIAL & WELFARE Thai Amavasai Anathanam Programme at Senior Citizens' Home at the residents and staff of Evershine Home, located at 34 Kedah Road, Penang Penang Hindu Association provided a sumptuous lunch in conjunction with Christmas and New Year celebrations for senior citizens as well as children of the Little Sisters of the Poor and the Agape Care Home.
SOCIAL & WELFARE - MEDICAL AIDS Klinik Derma Sivasanta (KDS) and Penang Hindu Association (PHA) have been regularly offering assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Our recent service to the poor in our society was to provide the gift of mobility to the immobile disabled, accident victims, diabetic patients, senior citizens, and patients stricken with chronic diseases. PHA donated RM700.00 for the eye lens for Madam Nagamah. We would like to sincerely thank Mr. S. C. Wong for his contribution that made it possible for us to help Madam Nagamah to go through her eye surgery. We wish her a successful surgery and speedy recovery thereafter.
SOCIAL & WELFARE - MEDICAL AIDS Disabled man M. Rahman A/L Mariappan,(OKU due to accident) age 55, receives a new wheelchair from PHA. PHA bought a new IJC catheter for K. Arumugam, who is a haemodialysis patient at the Kidney Care Center, Penang General Hospital. PHA Helps a Security Guard Mr. K. Dorairaj, to p u r c h a s e s p e c i a l medicines for his Cardiac (heart) Diseases Klinik Derma Sivasanta and Penang Hindu Association (PHA), in its social service commitment, donated wheelchairs to B40 victims of accidents as well as to patients suffering from diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Milk Powder and Diapers for Needy Children and Senior Citizens.PHA and Klinik Derma Sivasanta (KDS) have come forward to supply groceries that include milk powders to the hardcore poor families in Penang Island, Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam, Kulim, Sungai Petani and Perak. Monthly Grocery Distribution Programme to help the hardcore B40 poor families by Penang Hindu Association and Klinik Derma Sivasanta for month of April and May 2023 SOCIAL & WELFARE - FOOD AID
SOCIAL & WELFARE - FOOD AID Food Aid by Penang Hindu Association and Klinik Derma Sivasanta The continuous humanitarian aid provided by the Penang Hindu Association and Klinik Derma Sivasanta to help the poor and needy was again carried out in the month of January 2023, with 60 deserving families, comprising of all races, receiving food aid to meet their basic needs. We thank MBPP Councilor Mr.Kaliyappan P.Renganatha, for attending the event and also for helping us.
SOCIAL & WELFARE - FOOD AID Monthly Grocery Distribution Programme to help the hardcore *B40* poor families by Penang Hindu Association and Klinik Derma Sivasanta
Deepavali charity event was organised by Penang State Government and Penang Hindu Association on 22.10.2023 at Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang. Penang Deputy Chief Minister II YB Jagdeep Singh Deo s/o Karpal Singh and YB Puan Syerleena Abdul Rashid delivered the Deepavali aids to the recipients. SOCIAL & WELFARE - FESTIVAL AIDS
SOCIAL & WELFARE - FESTIVAL AIDS Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and Klinik Derma Sivasanta (KDS) are helping to light up the lives of the poor and deprived during the Festival of Lights Deepavali 2022.
Deepavali Goodie Bag for B40 Indian pupils from Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Tembak, Jalan Padang Tembak, Ayer Itam. PHA gave 10 different types of Indian homemake traditional sweets, murukku, chocolates, face masks, exercise books, toothpastes and a token cash of RM5.00 to each of the students. SOCIAL & WELFARE - FESTIVAL AIDS
SOCIAL & WELFARE PHA providing sewing machine and cooking utensils
SOCIAL & WELFARE Donations for flood victims
SOCIAL & WELFARE - CHARITY AIDS PHA giving some charity aids for the needy people
SOCIAL & WELFARE PHA brought a homeless young mother with her infant baby to Batu Grace Children Home in Taman Desa Aman, Kulim, Kedah Penang Hindu Association (PHA) bought food and milk powder for destitute family during lock down. Mdm. R. Meneetha age 27, wrote an appeal letter to Penang Hindu Association to help her family. Her husband Ganggadaran age 29 is jobless and they have to support five (5)children. Their children aged from 5,4,3,1 and one month old infant.
SOCIAL & WELFARE - DIGNIFIED SENT OFF Penang Hindu Association Helps in Arranging the Final Rites of Yet Another Unclaimed Body.It is disheartening to be alone in death where no one comes to claim the body. Often, little is known of the deceased and hospital authorities are unable to track down relatives who usually decline to take on the responsibility, sometimes citing the high cost of a funeral and burial. Penang Hindu Association undertook two deceased inmates ; one from Pusat Jagaan Warga Emas (Old Folk Home), Kulim, Kedah the other one deceased were resident of the Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged, Green Lane Penang.
In line with its commitment to community services on humanitarian grounds, Penang Hindu Association recently undertook the responsibility of handling the cremation expenses for few deceased residents of an old folks home. SOCIAL & WELFARE - DIGNIFIED SENT OFF
Penang Hindu Association has been approached to help two poor families to arrange for the funeral rites and cremation of their deceased family members. Late Radhakrishnan A/L Manickam, age 52, passed away on 28/11/2022. He was residing in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. His death was due to the inflammation and fluid in his lungs (Severe Pneumonia).late Komathavalli A/P Palanisamy, age 47, who passed away on 24/12/2022. Her death was diagnosed due to Liver and Heart Disease. PHA has arranged for the funeral at the Penang Hospital Mortuary for Late Kentha Kumar a/l Suppramani, age 49 and Late Subramaniam a/l Ayakannoo, age 75. The total cost for the funeral expenses for the 2 bodies, which includes the payment for the final rites and the cremation fee, was RM1260.00. SOCIAL & WELFARE - DIGNIFIED SENT OFF
Heritage
HERITAGE RECOGNITION GTWHI Heritage Recognition & Award Presentation and Pongal Celebration In The Year 2022
HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION In conjunction with the George Town World Heritage Day 2023, Penang Hindu Association (PHA) held a Henna demonstration and workshop at the historic Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi on the 7th of July 2023.
HERITAGE In conjunction with the 2022 George Town Heritage Celebrations, the Cultural Workshops in the Garden event was held at the Armenian Park on the 7th of July. Penang Hindu Association was honoured to be invited again to set up an exhibition and workshop booth to showcase traditional Indian culture, which has become part and parcel of Penang's heritage. George Town Heritage Day Celebrations 2022
HERITAGE - PONGAL Penang Hindu Association organised Ponggal celebration at SJKT Rajaji and SJKT Bayan Lepas
HERITAGE
Revival of Pottery, an Indian Heritage by Penang Hindu Association The Street Festival takes place annually at the George Town World Heritage Site, as usual Penang Hindu Association is given an opportunity to shed some light on the Indian heritage, roots and identity of its rich culture and traditions. The Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has taken the initiative to revive and highlight this great tradition of pottery making traditional craft which had since existed centuries ago. The core objective of PHA is to create public awareness about the rich, unique and advanced craft traditions of India. In order to create awareness about this ancient old craft, PHA organised an educational workshop earlier to K. Devaraj Pottery Factory located at Parit Buntar on the 23th June 2018. This educational mission was supported by 35 participants which consists of PHA members, facilitators and fellow volunteers. The visit to the pottery factory was arranged in preparation to the grand event which will be held on 7th July 2018 in conjunction with UNESCO Georgetown Heritage Festival. On the heritage day, the event will be held at Ah Quee Street from 6 pm to 11 pm. It will be arranged and carried out in three stages: a. The first stage is the introduction of traditional handwheel pottery-making. The task will be demonstrated by an experienced traditional potter and public can also get a hands-on experience. All the participants are expected to have fun and excitement from their first experience handling pottery. At the vicinity of the hand-wheel pottery-making, all the different products will be exhibited such as jars, pots and vases, tea sets, cups and saucers, plates, jugs, ashtrays and napkin rings. In order to educate the public especially the younger generation on pottery, a workshop will also be conducted and it will be assisted by experienced potters. b. The second stage combines pottery with the infamous 'masala'(spiced) and mint tea to be demonstrated by experienced cooks and the ingredients used in the making of 'Masala' tea will be displayed. The prepared tea will be served in a mini claypot. c. The third stage is to test for artistic and creative talent. All the participants can paint the mini clay pot and it will also serve as a souvenir. HERITAGE
HERITAGE
Lakaran 'kolam' terapung terbesar diiktiraf MBOR (Malaysia Book of Records) Hotel Golden Sands Resort di Batu Ferringhi di sini, hari ini menerima pengiktirafan daripada Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) selepas berjaya menghasilkan lakaran 'kolam' terapung terbesar di negara ini. Lakaran kolam dengan lakaran imej burung merak, teratai dan logo huruf 'S' itu dibuat menggunakan 435 kilogram (kg) emping kelapa serta diapungkan di kolam renang hotel menggunakan kepingan 'styrofoam'. Pengurus Hotel, Noel D'Couto, berkata idea untuk menghasilkan kolam terapung ini mula dibincangkan secara serius sejak empat bulan lalu. "Pada mulanya kami tidak yakin usaha ini akan berjaya, namun berkat kerjasama dan dorongan daripada pelbagai pihak, akhirnya ia berjaya juga direalisasikan. "Kolam ini juga adalah sebahagian daripada kreativiti kami untuk bersama-sama menyambut perayaan Deepavali tidak lama lagi," katanya pada sidang media di sini, hari ini.Turut hadir Timbalan Pengurus Besar MBOR, Mohamad Alex Edward, dan Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Hindu Pulau Pinang, P Murugiah Mohan. Mattu Pongal One of Penang Hindu Association annual event organised is an auspicious and important cultural event known as Pongal Festival. The Pongal festivities take place over four days, the first day being 'Bhogi', when people burn their old clothes, mats and other items. This time around PHA on the first day which was Suriya Pongal was celebrated at SJKT Rajaji with great fervour and zeal. Normally, during these four days of Pongal, the entire family comes together to thank god for providing us with food. While the first day couldn't have gotten any better when it was celebrated by school including teachers, students, parents and community leaders. In order to understand the significance of Mattu Pongal a few questions can be contemplated or put forward. According to a legend, one day Lord Shiva asked his bull Nandi to visit Earth and tell humans to eat once a month and take oil massage and bath every day. Unfortunately, he told the mortals to take bath with oil once a month and eat daily. This enraged Lord Shiva and he asked the bull to stay on Earth only and plough fields to help people grow more food All the cattle are washed, bathed and their horns are painted. Apart from that, on the third day of Pongal, after the cattles are fitted with decorative items they are worshipped as they play an important role in farms. Usually, their horns are covered in metallic caps, their necks are prettified and decorated with bells, beads, garlands, sheaves of corn etc. On this day people carry out aartis after which they touch the feet and head of the decorated bull. After that, the bull is offered the prasad. HERITAGE