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Deepavali puts us all in a festive mood. Although some of us Indians came to Malaysia more than a century ago the festival has always been a part of our lives with certain traditional rituals remaining intact in our celebrations. Most of these, like the early morning oil bath and also offering prayers to the dearly departed relatives the day before, are still observed in every Hindu Indian home.

I recall the Deepavali we celebrated in Penang in the 1950s and 1960s. The spirit and atmosphere then was different. Every one prepared the traditional ‘cakes’ like murukku and also cooked breakfast and meals on Deepavali day.  In fact a special day and special time was auspiciously selected to start the festive mood; be it in the preparation of sweets or purchasing of new clothes.

In those days we never had the opportunity to purchase new clothes or shoes or other personal items like bags or belts whenever there was a sale. It was Deepavali that brought us the distinct pleasure of owning new things. Everything would be new; shoes, shirts, trousers, socks and even schoolbags. If you missed out on any item, you will have to wait for the next Deepavali!

The run-up to Deepavali day was very exciting too. The eve would be the most exciting with relatives arriving from distant places. Normally everyone works without sleep. For example, new curtains would be hung and if one couldn’t afford to buy new curtains then the old ones were washed and promptly put up again. My mother would work throughout the night, preparing for the next morning prayers, while I could barely sleep waiting for the first burst of sunlight so I could play some fire-crackers.

This would be followed by my sisters and me carrying trays of cakes to our immediate neighbours and to other close relatives. We lived in Kelawei Road. Ours was a very small kampong with only three houses adjoining a Burmese village and Siamese village. My house was a stilted attap house made of wood with brick walls for the kitchen portion.

Our immediate neighbour on the left was a Malay lady whom we fondly referred to as Mak Jan and the house to our right was occupied by a Chinese lady. Carrying a tray of home-made Indian cakes and sweets to Mak Jan’s house was our first task. Then we would go to the Chinese neighbour’s house. After that we would carry trays of cakes to other Malay and Chinese homes located along Kelawai road. Often our trays were returned with some coins or a heap of sugar. The coins, mostly twenty cents, would make me skip with excitement and I would happily pocket it.

I must add here that during the Hari Raya and Chinese New Year festivals, the process was reversed and my Malay and Chinese friends would visit us with trays of their goodies. Such was the spirit of the old Malaya and the newly formed Malaysia during the 1950s and 1960s. We were already practising then what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib  has now re-introduced – the concept of 1Malaysia. Thank you to the Prime Minister for bringing back the old spirit of the 50s and 60s where people of all races lived together in a naturally and mutually respectful manner without any sort of artificiality. There was of course less politics then.

By late afternoon on Deepavali day the excitement would slowdown and by 7 pm, everything would be quiet. I would be content on the one hand for having spent a happy day and   a little sad on the other hand because it would be a long wait for the next Deepavali!

Nowadays, Deepavali is different with ‘open houses’ and things becoming ‘commercialised’. More and more people are embracing things that money can buy and forgoing on things that take effort.  The well-to-do celebrate Deepavali differently, the not so well-to-do will try and manage while the poor who can ill afford will face hardship in trying to please their children.

Malaysia is a land of plenty. All of us can chip in to make the lives of others happier. Although we do see that happening, the caring spirit should spread to every poor home.

My Deepavali wish is that every one of us should try to make as many people as possibly happy. We must make many feel loved and cared for and our efforts to bring cheer to everyone should continue beyond the festival of light!  Happy Deepavali everyone!

The press has been chasing me to come out with my comments on the recent media stories relating to MIED.

Frankly speaking I have been busy with a myriad of things – Bagan Pinang by-election, functions in the Hulu Selangor constituency, preparations for Deepavali events for the poor, etc.

Besides I have never been one to burst out with comments on issues without giving it thought and certainly not before reading and researching issues in greater depth. I have never been in a rush to instantly react to some happening. I believe in giving people a chance to view their opinion or explaining why things were spoken of in the manner it has appeared. I don’t make attempts to be seen as a champion for things when there is no necessity to do so.

Last evening when I was in Bagan Pinang, I managed to get a few minutes with Datuk Seri Samy Vellu and ask about the MIED matter and he gave me his explanation. He said he meant to say that the MIED was a ‘separate entity’.

Yes, we all know that it is a separate entity governed by trustees. The MIED is a child of MIC. It was born in the MIC with its president, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, as its founder. All the trustees and most of the board members are all MIC leaders at various levels, both past and present.  Therefore, it is a well placed organisation, structured to serve the community for the long haul.

In a recent conversation with me at the MIC headquarters, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu said that even when he is no longer President of MIC he will still be coming to the MIED office, which is in the same building to work. I had jokingly replied, “That means the people will not be coming to see me!”

Let us put to rest the question of MIED walking away or being hijacked. MIED is the pride of the Indian community. Let us keep it that way!

I start my blog today to thank all my supporters who worked hard, stood by me and delivered a historic victory to me and to the MIC.

To the MIC delegates who chose to stand by me, work with me for a better future and who overcame many obstacles, I congratulate you on this victory. This win is not mine but a collective one! It is OUR victory. Thank you very much.

I am humbled by the support, devotion and belief in me and my work. You give me great confidence to continue with my journey and my mission. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to work with so many people who have much to contribute and share. I will work hard to reflect all of their collective goodness and abilities.

While we celebrate this victory we must do it with due respect to those who lost and hope that they have the grace to close ranks and work together because our goals are the same – to work for the betterment of the Indian community and all Malaysians.

Thank you and God bless all Malaysians!