A VIBRANT ponggal celebration, accompanied by ‘mellam’ (traditional Indian drum) and ‘nadeswaram’ (Indian wind instrument), made the ever-buzzing Little India a lot livelier this evening.
Ponggal or the harvest festival was just celebrated by the Hindu community on Jan 15.
To make the event more significant, the Little India Arch was also launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy and other dignitaries present.
Chow said he was delighted that after many years, the Little India Arch project was finally completed on Nov 30 last year at a cost of RM588,226.
“In addition to attending the Ponggal Festival today, I am equally delighted to be here to officiate the launching of the Arch Monument in Little India.
“I would like to thank the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), especially its secretary Datuk A. Rajendran, for helping to complete this project.
“The design of the arch was done by the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Penang together with Liga Muslim Pulau Pinang and the consultant.
“Thank you for the collaboration,” Chow said during his speech at the event.
Chow also said before the completion of the arch, an upgrading work of the road took place at Market Street at a cost of RM405,555.
It was to help alleviate the flash flood issues in the area.
Apart from that, Chow added that the arch will not only serve as a structure to welcome visitors and tourists to Little India, but it is also a symbol of appreciation towards the Indian community for its enormous contribution to Penang’s development.
Meanwhile, MICCI Penang president Datuk Seri N. Gobalakrishnan said the arch belongs not only to one but to all Indian communities of different faiths.
“The Little India Arch belongs to Indian traders who are Christians, Hindus and Muslims and that is the beauty of Penang.
“We would like to thank the state government and MBPP for making the arch project a success as well as for the road upgrading work,” Gobalakrishnan added.
Ramasamy said that the opening ceremony of Little India Arch in conjunction with the Ponggal Festival made its launching event a momentous one.
“It will enhance the attractiveness of Little India as a whole while being the identity of the Indian community,” he said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat