MELAKA, Oct 19 – More than 30,000 visitors are expected to benefit from the Pesta Deepavali (Deepavali Festival) sale that is going on now until October 24 at ‘Little India’ in Jalan Bendahara Banda Hilir here.
State Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman V P Shanmugam said the festival is also a good opportunity for the Indian community to generate income in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration, which falls on Monday (Nov 24).
He said a total of 64 stalls with 50 tents involving 25 traders were opened on the left and right of the 85-metre long route in conjunction with this year’s Deepavali celebration.
“The public can shop for various items such as clothes, food, prayer equipment and jewelry in a very comfortable condition as compared to before.
“This time, traders are allowed to operate from 8 am to 11 pm starting from Oct 10 and this gives enough time for the public to shop in preparation for Deepavali,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
Shanmugam said various activities were also provided such as cultural performances organised on the main stage at Padang Nyiru in addition to a lucky draw for visitors.
“This festival indirectly opens up space and helps small traders in the Indian community to regenerate income after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So we hope that the presence of more than 30,000 visitors who will stop by during the festival will have a positive effect on the traders here in addition to enlivening the Deepavali celebration,” he said.
In the meantime, he said a total of 50 children from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) across the state were also given the opportunity to choose new clothes with no price limit at a clothing store in Little India, Jalan Bendahara here.
He said the programme was the result of cooperation between the state government, the Melaka Tamil Youth Bell Club council and the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) in helping the underprivileged to joyously celebrate the festival.
