By RK Indumathini
KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 16: A three-day international festival held here to celebrate the arts, culture, trade and history and contributions of the People of Indian Origin (PIO) ended on a high note today with a high number of visitors to the event as well as good response to its various activities.
Held at the Vivekananda Schools and Ashrama in Brickfields from Sept 14-16, the festival attracted more than 20,000 local visitors, 5,000 participants and over 1,000 visitors from other countries, said Sashidharan Santhesegaran, Organising Chairman of the festival and Secretary General, GOPIO Malaysia.
Jointly launched by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Saturday, Sept 14, the festival saw a steady stream of visitors for the various activities the organisers had carried out at the Vivekananda school.
Among others, there were conferences on the ancient practice of Yoga, Ayurveda and Siddha with entrances free for all the events.
On Monday, a Malaysia Day Unity Forum with chief guest Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, represented by a special officer from the ministry, was also held before the closing ceremony later in the evening with chief guest being India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia B.N. Reddy.
Among other activities, where focus was particularly given to the youth, an exhibition on the history and heritage of PIO as well as cultural performances were also held.
At the opening of the festival, Gobind said the events were aimed at promoting the art and culture of the PIO diaspora while facilitating trade linkages and other exchanges.
He also said the festival was also intended “to remember and honour the contribution of our ancestors and the challenges they faced, along with their history.”
— WE
