MICCI PENANG DEEPAVALI OPEN HOUSE 2022
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW, THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
FOR MICCI PENANG DEEPAVALI OPEN HOUSE 2022
29TH OCTOBER 2022
Dato’ Seri N. Gobalakrishnan
President of the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MICCI) Penang
Dato’ S. Parthiban
Deputy President of MICCI Penang
Datuk SST. Muniandy
Vice President of MICCI Penang
Dato V. Munusamy
Honorary Secretary of MICCI Penang
Mr. Patmanathen
Honorary Assistant Secretary of MICCI Penang
Dato M. Chandra Kumar
The Honorary Treasurer of MICCI Penang
Dato’ N. Vasantharajan
Immediate Past President of MICCI Penang
Management Council Members of MICCI Penang,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
A very good evening and Happy Deepavali to all of you.
Following the Ponggal Celebration which I attended here in January 2022, I am certainly delighted to meet you all once again as we gather for yet another meaningful celebration.
Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals observed in Indian Culture. Deepavali signifies the triumph of good over evil, light over dark, and the power of freedom, hope, and knowledge.
Further, Deepavali has become an occasion for social togetherness, especially for us as Malaysians, to celebrate the diversity and promote inclusion that help us build stronger and more vibrant communities.
Hence, this evening's event is in fact, a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together and celebrate, bearing lights for peace and unity. This, is also in accordance with the main objective of the LovePENANG campaign, which is to foster a spirit of unity among Penang citizens by encouraging active participation of all Penangites in various engaging community activities.
Not to mention, Deepavali is also a time for us to remember the less fortunate and bring light into their lives, which in line with one of the state’s Penang2030 strategic initiatives to ‘uplift vulnerable communities and reduce inequalities’.
To that end, the Deepavali Hamper Give Away 2022 function recently organised by MICCI Penang and officiated by T.Y.T. Tun Dato' Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, the Governor of Penang, exemplifies one of the many initiatives and commitments of the Indian community in ensuring the welfare of the less fortunate people in Penang.
It is the intention of the State Government to continue to provide adequate support to all vulnerable groups, regardless of race, religion and background. And we are grateful to have calibre NGOs representing the Indian community, such as MICCI Penang, who are committed to supplementing the state's efforts.
On behalf of the Penang State Government, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Penang Indian community for your years of support, as well as your various contributions to the advancement of our people, state, and nation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
To show our appreciation to the Indian community, along with other efforts, the State Government has also undertaken a special project to upgrade the roadwork at Market Street and to construct an arch at the entrance of Market Street at the cost of RM 405,555.00 and RM 588,226.40, respectively. Currently the road works has been completed and the construction of the arch is expected to be completed by end of November 2022.
Additionally, to make this Deepavali Open House Celebration a great success, we, the Penang State Government had granted a sum of RM 50,000.00 towards this meaningful celebration.
As such, I would like to thank the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Penang, under the leadership of Dato’ Seri N. Gobalakrishnan, for their tireless efforts in organising the event. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all traders in Little India for their unwavering support of the event over the years.
Rest assured that the Penang State Government will continue to collaborate closely with you to ensure that the Indian community, as well as the people of Penang, are at the forefront of development and progress.
With that, I wish you all a pleasant evening and once again, Happy Deepavali! May this auspicious festival further the spirit of joy and well-being in our lives.
Thank you.