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Tamils to usher in new year on Tuesday with prayers |
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Monday, April 12, 2004 |
 KUALA LUMPUR: Tamils in the country will welcome the Thaarana new year on Tuesday with special prayers in temples and their homes for a happy and prosperous year. The Tamil New Year falls in mid-April, or the month of Chiththirai in the 12-month Tamil calendar. It is expected to start at 6.35pm on Tuesday, with a special pooja (prayer) at the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple in Petaling Jaya.
An official said the temple would have special prayers everyday, with the statue of the Vinayagar deity taken for a procession in its compound in the morning and evenings. Lunch would be provided every day until April 14.
He said Hindus should wear red clothes and offer prayers at temples or their homes, cook the chakra ponggal (sweetened rice) and get the blessings of the elders.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, in his message, said he wanted to see the Indian community strive hard to succeed and gain the respect of others through its own efforts.
“The community should not be dependent on the Government but should harness their own resources,” he added.
He said that it was heartening to see many Indian parents placing emphasis on their children’s education as it was vital to bring out a change in the mindset of the future generation of the community.
“There was an increase in the number of Indian students scoring excellent results in the UPSR examinations last year and we hope the figure would continue to rise this year,” Samy Vellu added.
He also urged the Indian community to help strengthen national unity by telling other races about their various culture and celebrations.
“Indians should be responsible citizens and should work hard to upgrade their standard of living as there are ample opportunities,” he said.
Source: thestar.com |
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