SHAH ALAM, Oct 31 — Over 5,000 visitors of various ethnic backgrounds attended the Selangor-level Deepavali celebration at Dataran Klang @ Padang Chetty in Klang on Sunday (October 26).
The event, officiated by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, was enlivened by various activities, including cultural performances and traditional Indian cuisine.
He presented RM1.54 million in educational aid for tuition fees for Indian B40 students attending public and private higher learning institutions.
Additionally, aid was provided for infrastructure repairs at Tamil vernacular schools in the state via the I-Seed programme (RM1 million), as well as allocations for houses of worship (temples).
Also present were the Menteri Besar’s wife Datin Seri Masdiana Muhamad, state executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication V. Papparaidu, and state executive councillor for agriculture and infrastructure Izham Hashim.
Others include state executive councillor for local government, new village development, and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, state executive councillor for rural development, unity, and consumers Rizam Ismail state executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin, as well as Klang MP V. Ganabatirau.
In preparation for Deepavali, Little India in Klang and Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations for the Indian community to purchase goods and new clothing.
Photographers Ahmad Zakki Jilan, Nur Adibah Ahmad Izam, Fikri Yusof, Remy Arifin, and Harun Tajudin captured some of the lively celebrations and the bustling crowds shopping for Deepavali, which falls today.