Malaysia’s Little India comes alive for Deepavali celebrations

October 9th, 2009 SELANGOR - Authorities in the Malaysian state of Selangor have put off the demolition of the 130-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman temple, which is located in Jenjarom. A decision to put off the demolition was reached after an agreement between the temple committee, the developer and the Kuala Langat police, reports The Star.

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 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 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.

October 6th, 2009 GEORGETOWN - The Hindu Endowment Board of Malaysian state Penang has proposed to convert a site in Balik Pulau as a Hindu burial and cremation ground. Keeping in view the overcrowded Hindu cemeteries in the state, the board had estimated the need 20,334 square metre land.

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 22nd, 2009 DUBAI - The preparations for the celebration of United Arab Emirates' 38th national day have started in the country, WAM news agency reported Tuesday. The programme for the celebration of the 38th anniversary of the UAE federation, which is celebrated Dec 2, would have 61 events, organised by the ministry of culture in conjunction with other state bodies.

September 4th, 2009 MOSCOW - Many events were organised to celebrate 'Year of India' at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow on Thursday. A concert 'Sahasra Patra' (a lotus of thousand petals) was held at the theatre that coincided with the visit of Indian President Pratibha Patil.

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.

July 14th, 2009 PARIS - Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in Paris late on Monday night to participate in the National Day celebrations of the Republic of France.

July 14th, 2009 PARIS - Vandals in France set fire to 317 automobiles on the eve of Tuesday's Bastille Day celebrations, France Info radio reported Tuesday. That represents an increase of about seven percent over last year, French police said.

July 3rd, 2009 GUATEMALA CITY - A man who raped his nine-year-old daughter was lynched and burnt alive by a mob in the Guatemalan town of San Juan Sacatepequez, the police said. Some 200 people responded to a call for help from the girl's younger brother while Samuel Cotzajay Cubule, 52, was sexually abusing her, the police said.

May 15th, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR - The government in Malaysia's Kedah province has been criticized in the Malaysia Nanban for failing to fulfill promises made to the Indian community. Alternative Action Team chief B.

April 4th, 2009 KLANG - Attempts to change the name `Little India' in Malaysia's Klang area have led to protests by both traders and residents. The Klang Municipal Council had put up a signboard renaming the famous field Laman Sukan Majlis Perbandaran Klang.

March 19th, 2009 KLANG - Despite constant opposition from elected representatives, businessmen and tourists, the Klang Municipal Council has decided to change the name of Klang's famous Little India to Medan Kelana. The municipal council plans to remove the name Little India from two signboards here, and put up new ones declaring the place as Medan Kelana, the Star Online reports.