By P.Chandra Sagaran
The festival of lights has brought joy to several B40 groups,children and the elderly to celebrate Deepavali after several organisations and the state government presented them with goodies, dry food and attire.
They had not been forgotten as the NGOs wanted the less fortunate to join in the celebrations.
In another related event, a total of 50 people received food items from the state government.
It was given through Persatuan Kebajikan dan Sukan Kinta,Perak headed by P.Palaya.
GJ Vanavil Production in collaboration with Ipoh MIC Bandaraya branch organised a similar event with a cultural show to entertain the crowd.
Apart from enjoying the event, the organisers handed over dry food to 60 people.
Some of them went home with lucky draw prizes .V.K. Kalyana Sundram Foundation donated goodies to 30 students.
Meanwhile Little India Traders Association Chairman K.Jeeva said:”The rain had affected the business at the Deepavali carnival..at times the rain comes twice a day.
“The sales had dropped 30 to 40 percent as people could not come out to shop.
“Coupled with these problems the online sales had also made an impact to those selling products at the stalls and shops,” he added.
This year those going to the carnival at Little India could shop in comfort.
The association had arranged 200 lots to ease the traffic jam and solve the parking problem. A toilet had also been built for the convenience of the shoppers.
There was no such facility for decades.
The association also received a boost after the Housing and Local Government Ministry contributed RM20,000 for the carnival and other activities.
A mock cheque was represented by its Minister Nga Kor Ming during his walkabout to Little India.