Small festive do sparks great joy

(From left) Salvarani, Jaya, Jayanti, Alagesan, Mariadas and Ramachandran lighting the kuthuvilaku traditional lamp before the start of the Deepavali celebration. – CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

THRILLS and squeals filled the air the moment Peace Children Care Centre administrator Gan Jian Kai started opening a box of sparklers and fireworks for the children to play after their Deepavali dinner at the centre in Penang.

Among the 14 children was R. Tharun Kumar, six, who was celebrating his first Deepavali.

“I am happy to be here celebrating Deepavali with so many friends,” he said as he quickly rushed off to get another lighted sparkler.

Also giggling with joy were Tharun’s sister Vinita, seven, and siblings P. Vijayan, 12, P. Suwitha, 10, and P. Thivashini, eight, from Perak, and Solomon Vijay, also eight, from Penang.

Centre chairman Alagesan Ayaru said this year’s celebration had brought out cheer in the children after a low-key affair last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We bought the children new traditional outfits and also got some accessories for the girls.

“And for the boys, they had naturally asked for some fireworks and sparklers,” he said.

The event at the centre in Sungai Nibong kicked off after a prayer session and lighting of the kuthuvilaku by guests.

The children then performed songs, traditional dances and even a short play on the disadvantages of constantly using the handphone.

The children, all decked up in spanking new traditional clothes, also enjoyed a pizza dinner along with other delicacies such as fried beehoon, curry puffs, capati and dhall, cakes and cookies.

Alagesan said the event was made possible with the help of well-wishers, volunteers and kind sponsors.

“We merely want the children to experience the true meaning of Deepavali and for them to enjoy this celebration with the other children at the centre,” he said.

The children were also given Deepavali angpow during the event.

Also present were the centre’s advisors Datuk M. Ramachandran and Datuk Peter S.H. Cheah, well-wishers Datuk G. Mariadas and his wife Datin Jaya Athma @ J.J. Ooi, Ramachandran’s wife Datin P. Salvarani and the centre’s secretary Jayanti Kandayah.