MIRI: Miri Indian Association (MIA) will celebrate the Indian New Year on a grander scale on April 16 this year, to be held at one of the leading hotel here.
According to its president Karambir Singh, this year is the fifth consecutive year MIA will hold the celebrations for the Indian New Year, which normally falls on April 13.
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: Karambir (standing, second left) with the organising committee for the Indian New Year celebration in a group photo.
In India, owing to its vast cultural and ethnic diversity, the New Year’s Day is celebrated in different times of the year at different places.
He said this New Year celebration in Miri will be unique as the celebrations will merge the 10 regions or Indian communities together.
The Indian New Year, celebrated around the world would included ‘Vishu’ celebrated by Malayali, ‘Puthandu” by Tamils, “Baisakhi’ by Punjabi, ‘Ugadi’ from the state of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, ‘Gudi Padva’ celebrated in the state of Maharashtra, ‘Naba Barsha’ by Bengali, ‘Aluth Avurudhu’ by Sri Lankans, ‘Vaishakha’ by Biharis, ‘Nau Roz’ by Kashmiri and ‘Goru Bihu’ by Assamese.
“MIA is proud to be the pioneer in bringing all segments of the Indian communities together with the other Malaysian communities,” he commended.
“This gathering shows that Mirians are very progressive and broadminded in our approach to community relations,” said Karambir to The Borneo Post yesterday. Thus he encouraged all Indians, particularly in Miri, to join the dinner and celebrations.
He said the festivities will include dancing, singing, games, cultural shows and lucky draw.
Meanwhile, only 180 tickets are made available and those interested are urged to contact the organising team to book their seats.
Tickets are priced at RM40 each, and further information can be obtained from Bharathi Anand at 012-6532846, Thomas Sadasivan (016-8606955), Bartholomew Joseph (013-8215477), Shiela Gopinath and Terinder Singh (010-9739485) as well as Karambir himself at 016-8785500.