Deepavali a school holiday in Sarawak

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MIRI: The state government welcomes the federal government’s decision to make Deepavali a school holiday in Sarawak starting this year.

Assistant Minister for Solidarity Rosey Yunus said the decision augured well in enhancing the long established unity and harmony among the multi-racial society in Sarawak.

“Deepavali is a holiday effective this year but only for students and teachers. Schools are not closed and principals and headmasters have to be at their schools.

“It is still a welcoming move in promoting unity and solidarity although Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia that lists Deepavali as a working day,” said Rosey when met at the Deepavali open house of Councillor Karambir Singh the president of Miri Indian Association, yesterday.

She hoped the federal government would also consider approving request of the Indian community in Sarawak for Deepavali to be declared a public holiday in Sarawak, although they were a minority group here.

“Although a minority group, Indians also have great enthusiasm and have the spirit of 1Malaysia and share the Deepavali celebration with the multi-racial community here.

“You can see their enthusiasm with the many traditional Indian dishes and delicacies served to the guests. We hope this unique tradition of ours is nurtured for lasting solidarity and greater Sarawak and Malaysia,” said Rosey.

The open house held from 11am to 3pm was a showcase of solidarity where more than 500 people from all walks of life came to wish Karambir and his family ‘Happy Deepavali’.

Karambir said he was happy that this year’s festival fell on a Saturday, thus allowing many to join them in the celebration and also to sample the many signature and mostly homemade Indian dishes and delicacies like nan and roti canai, samosa (Indian curry puff) kheer (rice dessert) ladoo, dhal, ghoobi (cauliflower) chana (chick pea), masala tea, barfi and ladoo (both Indian sweet).

In a true spirit of the Festival of Light, the local dignitaries coming to the open house were given the honour to light the lamps at the specially made Rangoli, a decorative design that evolved over centuries.

Former deputy chief minister and SUPP advisor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and wife Datuk Lorna, Assistant Minister for Land and Air Transportation and Safety Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis and deputy pro vice chancellor of Curtin Sarawak Professor Beena Giridharan were among those who came.