VOLUNTEERS of the charity organisation Penang Malaysia Hindudharma Maamandram are sharing the joy of Deepavali by making ‘murukku’ for the inmates.
Its president N.S. Thanabalan said the organisation has been giving away ‘murukku’ to the inmates during the Deepavali celebration, for the past 20 years.
“When they taste the ‘murukku’, they will feel loved.
“We are doing this out of compassion for the prisoners.
“We have 40 volunteers helping to make and pack the ‘murukku’.
“We didn’t call for more volunteers because of the Covid-19 situation we are in now.
“We take three days to make about 4,000 packets for the inmates in the Seberang Perai Prison in Jawi and the Penang Prison,” he said when met at the Sree Mariamman Hall in Jalan Mengkuang, Butterworth today.
He thanked the state Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs office, Om Sakthi Spiritual and Charitable Association Malaysia (Butterworth branch) and the Penang Hindu Endowments Board for making the event a success.
Penang Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng lauded the effort by the organisation.
“This is a good programme, aimed at sharing joy with the people in need.
“We encourage those who have a little extra to share them with the needy. Think of them.
“Let us foster unity among people of different faiths,” she said. Her office contributed RM5,000 to support the charity effort.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad