Tamil Murasu – LISHA Celebrates Pongal With The Elderly
With an aim to share the spirit of Pongal with the community, the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA) organised an event on Tuesday (January 14) to mark the Pongal festival.
The event gathered 60 elderly individuals from nursing homes like Jamiyah Nursing Home, Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home, and Sanlove Home to celebrate Pongal.
We organize this event annually to engage the elderly in Pongal celebrations and provide an opportunity for people from diverse ethnic backgrounds to experience our culture,” said Raghunath Siva, president of LISHA.
Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs & National Development, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. He joined everyone for the meal, took photos, and interacted with the attendees. Additionally, he presented each person with packets containing $20 and gift bags prepared by the organisers, while extending his warm wishes for a happy Pongal.
As part of the event, Pongal was prepared in a traditional earthen pot, accompanied by the rhythm of traditional South Indian music.
“Every festival we celebrate in Singapore is a celebration of our people and our nation,” Dr. Faishal told Tamil Murasu.
He noted that the Pongal event provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the festival as one united Singaporean community, transcending race, language, or religion, and was filled with camaraderie and a spirit of sharing. He also encouraged Singaporeans to continue the tradition of giving back to the community.
In another event organised by LISHA, free pongal was distributed to the public outside the Little India Arcade in the evening. The event is expected to serve approximately 10,000 people this year, from January 14 to 16.
Although the event was delayed by half an hour due to heavy rain, hundreds of people still gathered.
The Pongal distributed was prepared at three temples—Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, and Sri Siva Durga Temple—and brought to Little India Arcade.
The event provided an opportunity for both Singaporeans and tourists to taste traditional Indian desserts and celebrate the Pongal festive season together.
Arvind, a foreign worker based in Jurong East who had come to Little India after work, said the Pongal served reminded him of his home in India.
“This is our first time attending the Pongal festival in Little India. Since my daughter’s father is Indian, we’re especially happy to experience the traditional Indian music and food here,” said Stella, 38, a painter and children’s author, who attended the event with her daughter.
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