Kolam joins record list

IPOH: A total of 2,040 students and 103 teachers of SM Methodist (ACS) here slogged for two months to create the country’s biggest kolam for the 50th Merdeka celebration. 

The hard work paid off when Malaysia Book of Records listed their creation as the Biggest Kolam by a Group. 

The kolam, measuring 73.3m by 41.3m, was made from 6,600kg of coloured rice glued to 4,080 pieces of polystyrene boards to form a “Merdeka 50 years” logo. 

An aerial view ofa giant kolam ofthe JalurGemilang towhich students ofSM Methodist(ACS) Ipoh wereputting thefinishing touchesyesterday. Thekolam, measuring73.3m by 41.3m,earned them anentry in theMalaysia Book ofRecords.

The project was the brainchild of Bahasa Malaysia teacher Dr D. Kathivesan. 

“Last year, we were thinking about what to do to celebrate this year’s National Day. 

“I decided to select something that would symbolise the culture of one of our three races and involve as many people as possible,” he told reporters. 

He said the project helped to generate a sense of unity among the various races in the school. 

Dr Kathivesan said the school managed to raise RM90,000 for the project, which would be used to upgrade its facilities. 

Pride of school: The pupils and teachers of SJK (T) Jerantutcheering and waving flags while standing around their kolam creationyesterday.

In Jerantut, 140 pupils of SJK (T) Jerantut took three hours to create a kolam depicting 50 years of Merdeka. 

Over 200kg of coconut waste were used to make the13m by 12m kolam. 

Headmaster R. Kalachelvi said the school wanted to do something to mark the special occasion. 

“The proposal was mooted to instil a spirit of patriotism among the pupils,” she said.