Malay eatery to host “Banana Leaf Food Fest” in UK in conjunction with Deepavali

October 12th, 2009 GEORGE TOWN - As Malay-Indians get ready to celebrate Deepavali in their traditional north and south Indian ways, a couple in George Town has merged both traditions to make the most of the festival of lights. Administrative assistant Ramesh Sharma, 48, of North Indian origin, is married to Sumathi Sharma, 48, a Tamil.

October 10th, 2009 LONDON - Researchers are pioneering a new technique for the use of banana plants in the production of plastic products. The Polymer Processing Research Centre (PPRC) at Queen's University, Ireland, is taking part in the study known as the Badana project.

October 9th, 2009 GEORGE TOWN - Malaysia's "Little India" area in George Town has come alive with shoppers flocking to buy clothes, prayer paraphernalia, provisions, traditional Indian delicacies and decorative pieces in preparation for Deepavali, the festival of lights. The shops are decked with festive decorations and, in the background, popular Tamil songs from the latest movies are blasting away on speakers placed outside the shops to the sweet smell of incense wafting in the air.

October 8th, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Indian school children will get an extra day off to enjoy the coming Deepavali festival, the government has decided following numerous requests from schools and parents. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced Thursday that the states' education directors had been told to approve requests from schools for an extra day off Oct 20.

October 8th, 2009 PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly cleared a proposal that instructs state education directors to approve requests from schools for an extra day off on October 20 to celebrate Deepavali. "The decision was made to enable parents to make plans for their families to travel earlier and avoid traffic jams," The Star quoted him, as saying after he had inspected students sitting for the first day of the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) at SMK Presint 8 (1) yesterday.

October 7th, 2009 MALACCA - Deepavali came early for 500 underprivileged families here who received cash aid totalling RM100,000 from the Malacca Welfare Department. According to The Star, Malacca Chief Minister Mohammad Ali Rustam, who presented the money to the families, reminded them to cherish the stability in the country and to not sow discord among the races.

September 29th, 2009 GEORGE TOWN - With only three weeks remaining, 'Deepavali' preparations are going on in full swing in Malaysia's 'Little India'. Colourful banners proclaiming "Deepavali sales" are strung across the streets in the Penang's Indian enclave, which encompasses Market Street, Penang Street, Queen Street and King Street, The New Strait Times reports.uring this festive season, the whole area takes on a carnival atmosphere as temporary stalls selling colourful Indian sweets, delicacies, clothing and decorative items are set up by the roadside.

September 7th, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) chief N. Siva Subramaniam has urged NGOs working for the upliftment of Malay-Indians to inform Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak about the issues concerning the community.

September 4th, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Human Rights Commissioner N. Siva Subramaniam has said that almost 5,000 children from the Malay Indian community have not attended school.

September 1st, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - Muruku, the savoury Indian snack, is on its way to fast become one of the most popular bites during the festival of Eid ul-Fitr, also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, in Malaysia. Primary school headmaster D.

August 7th, 2009 NEW YORK - Fellow customers at former 'Top Chef' contestant Spike Mendelsohn's Good Stuff Eatery in DC had their cellphones temporarily confiscated when U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters visited there.

July 11th, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - Accepting a request by the Malaysian Indian Business Association (MIBA), the Indian government has decided to set aside a quota for Malay Indians, who want to invest in India. The Star Online quoted Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok Kantha, as saying that MIBA had become the bridge between India and the Malay Indian community.

June 6th, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Women Development Bureau chief, Vimala Nair, has urged widowed Malay-Indian women to be bold and brave in facing challenges that lie ahead. Vimala called upon the Malay-Indian women to be more vigilant and aware of their environment and activities, the Star Online reports.

May 7th, 2009 LONDON - Russian police is investigating a lusty chimp, named Otello, after it tried to rape a female zookeeper. Valentina Kirilova was trying to give the animal a banana at Rostov Zoo, but instead of taking the food Otello grabbed her hand.

April 25th, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is reportedly concerned that many Malay Indians may not have the financial means to take up the 15 per cent quota of Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM) units allocated to the community. Party president S.