Early Deepavali joy for 93 kids at Seremban hotel

What say you on the issue below?

Spreading happiness: Raja Salbiah (third from right) presenting goodie bags and money packets to the children. With her are (from left) state Wanita MIC chief Dr P. Thanaletchumi, Datin Kanagam Palanivel, wife of MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel, Ambank Group Club president Aziz Mohd Isa and MIC national information chief Datuk V. Mogan.

SIBLINGS R.Thatchaini, 16, and Nishathiny, 13, from the Nanthisar Home in Seremban were lost for words when they walked into the ballroom at Klana Resort in Seremban for an early Deepavali celebration organised by the National Council for Women’s Organisations (NCWO) and AmBank Group.

The sisters, who were among 93 children from four homes invited by the organisers for the occasion, were greeted by their host Raja Datin Seri Salbiah Tunku Nujumuddin, the wife of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The other children were from the Vivekenanda Home in Rembau, Rhema Home and Vinashini Home.

Seven-year-old R. Kavintharan from the Rhema Home was also elated when he shook hands and received angpow from Salbiah.

“My friend and I were looking forward to this early Deepavali party because it is the first invite we got this year. It feels so good to be treated like an important person,” he said in between giggles.

Sisters G. Anita 16 and Vuhashini, five were also happy to receive the goodie bags apart from being feted at the hotel.

The children and guests were also treated to traditional Hindu dances performed by various troupes.

Raja Salbiah, who is state NCWO head, commended AmBank Group for sponsoring the event.

“It makes me happy to see children from these homes having a good time. It is my hope that more organisations would emulate Ambank by holding such events as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes,” she said.

Raja Salbiah said the NCWO was prepared to work with any organisation to carry out programmes for the benefit of the less fortunate.

She later presented a RM3,000 donation to the Vivekenanda Home and RM2,000 each to the three other homes

Salbiah also handed goodie bags worth RM80, courtesy of Ambank Group to the children.

AmBank Group Club president Aziz Mohd Isa said the event was organised to bring some cheer to the unfortunate.

“This is our way of telling these children that they are not forgotten,” he said.

We hold similar programmes during other major festivals such as the Hari raya, Chinese New Year and Christmas as part of our social obligation,” he said adding that the employees would continue to hold such programmes to promote harmony between the multi-racial Malaysians.