News nibbles

Flowering business ahead of Ponggal

KUALA LUMPUR: Santha Ramachandran’s flower garland business in Brickfields has picked up in anticipation of Ponggal.

The 53-year-old stall owner said sales are on the rise.

Ponggal is a four-day harvest festival which originated and is celebrated on a massive scale in Tamil Nadu. Celebrants in other parts of the world, including Malaysia continue the tradition. — Bernama

Body of drowning victim found after a week

KOTA BARU: The body of 12-year-old Mohd Alif Aiman Mohd Adli has finally been found after he fell into Kelantan River a week ago.

Mohd Alif was swept away last Wednesday when he went in to clean his feet. His body was found miles away in Tumpat.

Alif’s father Mohd Adli Mohd Nor said he was informed on Wednesday night that a body had been recovered at Pengkalan Kok Majid in Tumpat.

“By 11.30pm that night it was confirmed that it was my son’s body,” he said.

Mohd Alif fell into the river at 4.30pm on Jan 3 in Kampung Pak Limah, Salor.

Trading traditional medicine know-how

NEW DELHI: India and Malaysia are keen to share know-how to enhance co-operation in the traditional medicine sector.

Officials from both countries held a discussion here on Wednesday. India’s Ministry of AYUSH hosted a delegation from the Malaysian Health Ministry. AYUSH stands for ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy.

The two sides also discussed the setting up of an ayurveda chair at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and co-operation in the field of medicinal plants. — Bernama

Pakistani worker charged with bribery

KUALA TERENGGANU: A Pakistani plantation worker was charged in the Sessions Court for bribing a policeman.

Zeb Gulab, 24, allegedly offered RM200 to Lans Koperal Sebri Shukri in Kijal, Kemaman, on Jan 8 at 8.30pm as an inducement not to take action against him for failing to produce a driving licence.

However, no plea was recorded from the accused as he could not understand Malay and English well. Judge Mohd Haldar Abd Aziz set Jan 31 for the court to find an interpreter and did not grant bail. — Bernama

Rural school hit by floods forced to close