Poor families in Mantin given aid to celebrate Deepavali

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V. ARASAN was speechless when his five young children asked if they would get new clothes for Deepavali.

The 35-year-old employee with a solid waste management company in Mantin near Seremban was dreading the question as the festival of lights drew closer and he knew he did not have the means to fulfil their wants.

Even the water supply to his rented home in Taman Seri Mawar had been disconnected several months ago due to unpaid bills.

But when the state Special Affairs Department (JASA) officers heard of his plight, they immediately channelled aid for Arasan and some 30 other poor families in Mantin and Nilai.

Arasan expressed his gratitude for the gesture as he would be able to fulfil his children’s wish to celebrate the festival of lights.

“I have no words to express my appreciation for JASA’s contribution. All I can say is thank you,” he said adding that he had never received any form of aid prior to this.

Grateful receiver: Ganeson and Lai handing over aid to a recipient in Mantin.

The aid was given by state JASA deputy director Zazali Ahmad who was accompanied by Seremban MIC division head A. Ganesan and former Nilai assemblyman Datuk Peter Lai.

Single mother N. Vijaya, 41, was also lost for words when the group came with the good news.

“This means a lot as I would be able to put some food on the table in conjunction with Deepavali.

“My children will now be able to call their friends home to celebrate the occasion together,” she said.

Zazali said each family was given RM150 as well as other household needs such as rice and dry ration.

“This is part of our care programme for the poor families celebrating Deepavali in the Nilai constituency,” he said adding that similar programmes were also held during other festivals.

He said the programme was part of the government’s initiative that the poor were not forgotten.

“We are doing our bit so that the poor can also celebrate such occasions,” he said.

Ganesan said the MIC has also helped poor families apply for aid from the Welfare Department.

“Some of those eligible are unaware of such aid given by the Government. We will continue to go down to the ground and look for such families so that they will be given some form of cash every month,” he said.