Starchild: Malaysian children send their Deepavali greetings

Msherman Singh, 9

Deepavali is an important festival mainly celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. It is known as the Festival of Lights, a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

Usually, Hindus will get up early in the morning to take an oil bath, symbolic of cleansing oneself. They would then pray as a family at home or worship in the temple. Kolam (or rangoli), beautiful intricate floor designs made with dyed rice and colourful powders, decorate homes.

Here’s what Starchild readers had to say on the topic, Deepavali.

Nine-year-old Msherman Singh says the most beautiful part of Diwali is that it is celebrated by different religious groups. “Each community has different legends and reasons for celebrating the festival, yet they all beautifully come together and observe it with the same thing: Light! There would be no human life without light. That is why we symbolically celebrate our victories in life with a row of diyas (clay oil lamps).”

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 9

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, nine, enjoys eating samosas, because of the aromatic spices in the potato filling. “I also love murukku, omapodi and besan sev because they are savoury and crunchy. These items taste and smell lovely. I wish everyone a Happy Deepavali and the best of health always.”

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 7

“Happy Deepavali to my friends who are celebrating the festival of lights. I hope to spend time at home with my family enjoying delicious Indian food – thosai, chapati, vadai and muruku on this special day,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven.

Wong Jie Ern, 6

Six-year-old Wong Jie Ern writes: “We will celebrate with our friends and teachers in school. I am looking forward to it. Deepavali is the festival of lights. I wish everyone a Happy Deepavali.”

Wong Cheng Yang, 8

Older sibling Wong Cheng Yang, eight, says: “Deepavali falls on Monday, and it is celebrated by many communities like Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. I love to eat muruku during Deepavali. I also like to see kolam patterns on the floor during this festive season.”

Elena Shreeya Vasu, 12

Elena Shreeya Vasu, 12, says: “In the darkness, the light always illuminates within us and also the world. The ray of hope, family’s love, blessings, gratitude and peace is what Deepavali means to me. I also enjoy participating in the traditions and enjoy delicious delicacies on Deepavali. Blessed Deepavali wishes to all!”

Find the hidden words!

ITEM: Sometimes, we come across people who are differently abled. They may be blind, deaf or in a wheelchair. They may be slow in their movements and need a helping hand. We can offer our support if we see them carrying a load or needing help crossing the road. Or we can ask our parents to help them. If a disabled person boards a bus or goes into a coffee shop and cannot find a place to sit, we can offer them our seats.

The International Day of Disabled Persons is observed on Dec 3. Do you know of anyone who has special needs? What disability does that person have? How can you reach out to these people with special needs?

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Nov 4. Please put “STARCHILD: Disabled Persons Day” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.

Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.

ITEM: Imagine you are a colour expert. You are asked to choose the colours for a new coat of paint for your house. What colours would you pick for the exterior and interior? Would you pick pastel or bold colours? Would you consider black or red? If so, where do you want to put these colours?

Do you want to choose one colour theme for the whole house or different colours for different rooms? What is the colour of the living room? Would you ask your family members for suggestions or would you go ahead and make your own choices? Tell us why you choose the different colours or just one colour.

Draw a picture of a newly painted house. You can show the outside or just one room or a section of the inside of the house. If your favourite place is the kitchen, show us what colours are used for the kitchen. If you like the staircase area of your home, tell us what colour you’d like it to be and how you’d decorate this area? Do you hang family photos on the wall, or paintings?

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Oct 28. Please put “STARCHILD: Colours” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.

Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.