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Deepavali, Little India Singapore
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DEEPAVALI: ONE EXTRA DAY OF HOLIDAY FOR ALL?
MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel will make a proposal to the Government to set aside two days of public holiday for the Deepavali celebrations.
TWO DAYS OF HOLIDAY FOR DEEPAVALI? WHY NOT? IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AND PASSED AGES AGO!
Many years ago, there were only two teachers of Indian ethnicity in a private school. They were both women. They asked for leave of one day before Deepavali Day to make preparations, and even then, they would be really rushed for time. One day of holiday was insufficient. Relatives and friends had to be entertained on the Day itself and in the next few days, so they also wanted leave the day after Deepavali. Both women took two days of unpaid leave, one day before and one after Deepavali, and even then, it was reluctantly granted.
A few years later, there were 6 women of Indian ethnicity. They asked the school to grant them one extra day for Deepavli, and it would be paid leave. The school decided to give ALL teaching staff two days of holiday, and allowed those 6 women one extra day before Deepavali, on paid leave.
See how things can change over time?
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Star
Wednesday October 30, 2013 MYT 12:25:34 PM
Palanivel to propose two-day public holiday for Deepavali
PUTRAJAYA: MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel will make a proposal to the Government to set aside two days of public holiday for the Deepavali celebrations.
Malaysia currently observes a one-day public holiday for the festival, which is predominantly celebrated by the Indian community.
“Deepavali is an important festival that is celebrated by Hindus, Indians (and the) Sikhs throughout the world.
“Those days it used to be a one-day festival, nowadays it has become a 30-day festival.
Palanivel to propose two-day public holiday for Deepavali
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Malaysian Insider photo
A woman tries earrings at the Deepavali bazaar in Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Most Hindus in Malaysia celebrate Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, this Saturday. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, October 30, 2013.
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Malaysiakini
A number of Hindu primary school teachers in Penang are being forced to change their holiday plans this coming weekend because of a last minute re-scheduling of a course that they have been instructed to attend.
Those affected are Year 4 English teachers in vernacular schools. The course is to brief them on changes to the curriculum following the implementation of the Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) in 2011.
The course was originally scheduled to run between Oct 23 and 26, but the affected teachers were only informed on Monday about the new dates, which will be from Oct 28 to 31. The course is conducted by the Penang Education Department at the District Education Office in Seberang Perai Utara.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy told Malaysiakini that he had received several complaints from the affected teachers who are celebrating Deepavali.
“The course ends two days before Deepavali. It spoils the plans of those teachers who need to leave for their home towns a few days earlier,” he said.
Another pre-Deepavali briefing for teachers
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THE EDUCATION MINISTRY IS INSENSITIVE TO INDIAN TEACHERS!
Free Malaysia Today
‘Insensitive to hold briefing on Deepavali eve’
An assemblyman slams the Education Ministry for being insensitive to Indian teachers by holding a compulsory briefing for the SPM and STPM examinations a day before Deepavali.
GEORGE TOWN: A DAP state representative here has called on the Education Ministry to cancel its compulsory briefing for teachers invigilating in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examinations on Nov 1.
Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer slammed the ministry for being insensitive to Indian teachers who would be celebrating Deepavali the next day.
He demanded that the ministry change the briefing to another date if the Barisan Nasional federal government was serious about upholding its “1Malaysia” spirit and not just using it as a political slogan.
“The ministry’s scheduled compulsory briefing has caused the teachers celebrating Deepavali much anxiety and anguish.
“The DAP called on the Education Ministry to immediately cancel and re-schedule the briefing to another date,” said Rayer in a statement today.
‘Insensitive to hold briefing on Deepavali eve’
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On September 21, FMT reported that the Deepavali bazaar which used to be an annual attraction will no longer be held in Brickfields following an announcement by Dr Loga Bala Mohan on the ministry’s decision.
The new venue will be on at Masjid India on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
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Star
Tuesday October 15, 2013 MYT 7:10:27 AM
Toe the line or face the music, errant Little India traders warned
ACTION will be taken against business operators flouting rules and blocking walkways and tactile paving outside their premises in Little India, Brickfields, says Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib.
He said this following a StarMetro report that some of them had placed tables, chairs and merchandise outside, blocking access to the public.
He said DBKL enforcement unit personnel would be sent as soon as possible to take action against the errant traders.
Toe the line or face the music, errant Little India traders warned
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NST
Monday October 14, 2013 MYT 6:51:52 AM
Business operators place trading wares along walkways in Little India
SOME residents in Little India, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, are angry that some business operators are flouting the rules by placing their wares along the walkways and tactile paving outside their premises despite being warned about it.
They said it was now difficult to walk along the affected stretches as they were covered with tables, chairs and merchandise for the festive season.
Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan had said recently that business owners in the area can set up stalls outside their premises to promote their merchandise during the Deepavali period but that they must follow stipulated rules such as ensuring stalls were located 2.4m from the road curb and the walkway as well as tactile paving are not blocked.
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“The walkways have now been reduced to a small passage,” said a disgruntled resident living in Crescent Court.
The resident, who only wished to be identified as Malar, said corner shoplot owners were also taking up the entire walkway near their premises, eating into the public walkway.
Business operators place trading wares along walkways in Little India
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Free Malaysia Today Video:
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Free Malaysia Today
Deepavali bazaar draws mix reaction
While some shop owners welcome the decision to shift the annual bazaar to Masjid India; others seem against the idea as it may pull the crowd away from Brickfields
KUALALUMPUR: The Federal Territory Ministry’s decision in not allowing Deepavali bazaars to be set up at Brickfields this year drew mix reactions from business owners within the vicinity.
Though some oppose the idea of having stalls in front of their shops as it might affect their businesses, others are more welcoming as it might draw bigger crowds.
Saree shop owner M Mahadevi, 50 said that they are expecting more sales this.
“Last year’s sales were not as good as previous years and it could be due to many reasons; one being the Deepavali bazaar at Bukit Jalil,” she said.
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“Stalls and bazaars will never affect the sales in shops as people return to us if they want quality sarees,” he said.
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An Indian national, Balaji, said that the trend in Malaysia is very different as the government’s regulation can be an obstacle to daily operations of businesses in Brickfields.
“Deepavali is the time where we anticipate good sales for our shops but if the sales are diverted elsewhere, how do you think shop owners will survive then?
Balaji works in a saree shop that also sells cosmetics from India.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/09/28/deepavali-bazaar-draws-mix-reaction/
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Star
Wednesday September 25, 2013 MYT 7:01:34 AM
Keep off the walkways, Brickfields stakeholders tell traders
In the way: The pedestrian walkways in Brickfields are meant for pedestrians, and not for Deepavali bazaar business operators. — filepic
NO BAZAAR on walkways!
That pretty much sums up the sentiments of the Brickfields stakeholders living and trading in the Little India district in regards to the Deepavali bazaar to be held on pedestrian walkways.
“No bazaar on walkways and areas with tactile paving.
“That was what we asked for last year and that is what we hope the authorities will stick to,’’ said blind activist G. Gunabalan.
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“There is a reason that it is called pedestrian walkways,’’ Gunabalan said.
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Brickfields Rukun Tetangga president R.K.K. Naidu said he hoped Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would not give in to pressure by allowing some parties to trade on the walkways.
Resident K. Raman, who lives in the Palm Court condominium, said he was dreading the congestion that was inevitable in Brickfields during each Deepavali season.
“There cannot be different rules for different people. Impose a blanket ban on any trading on public walkways,’’ he said.
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Star
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 400 Deepavali bazaar stalls this year will be allocated at Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman, while less than 80 will be allocated at Lorong Chan Ah Tong in Brickfields.
Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan said the relocation of the stalls was to ease traffic congestion and other problems in Little India.
He said the 76 stalls at Lorong Chan Ah Tong in Brickfields would remain while the 92 bazaar lots in Jalan Berhala would be moved to Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
“Shop owners in Brickfields however, will be allowed to set up tents in front of their premises, as long as they sell their own products and do not block the blind pedestrian pathway,” he told a press conference Wednesday.
Loga said the voting process for the 601 stall lot numbers would be conducted at the City Hall Sports Club Hall in Brickfields this Friday.
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Apart from Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman which has 406 stalls and Lorong Chan Ah Tong (76 stalls), City Hall has allocated five other locations for the Deepavali bazaar.
They are Wakaf Pemuzik Buta (23 stalls), Jalan Masjid India (42), and Lebuh Ampang, Jalan Ipoh and Sentul, which have 18 stalls each.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/09/25/Deepavali-Brickfields-Bazaar.aspx
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YAHOO! NEWS MALAYSIA
Deepavali bazaar re-located to Masjid India
The Malay Mail Online – 30 minutes ago
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — It will be a dim celebration for many Deepavali bazaar traders as they will not be able to conduct business at the lucrative annual fair in Brickfields this year.
This follows a recent decision by the Federal Territories Ministry and City Hall to ban temporary stalls at the main thoroughfare in Little India during the Deepavali celebrations.
Its deputy minister Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan said the bazaar would be moved to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman at Masjid India.
The stalls in Jalan Tun Sambanthan saw numerous complaints from business owners who claimed the bazaar resulted in huge losses for them and posed safety issues.
Brickfields Stakeholders Association president Dr R. Narkunan said the move resolved many issues relating to the Deepavali bazaar.
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1,500 stalls to be balloted
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said a new balloting system would be used to allocate the 1,500 stalls for the Deepavali bazaar in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Masjid India, Sentul and other areas.
He said the system would ensure transparency and resolve allegations of middlemen raking in thousands of ringgit by sub-letting lots to third parties.
Last year, some traders claimed that they had to pay three to four times more to secure lots in Brickfields via middlemen.
A City Hall spokesman said the decision was taken after a group of traders defied City Hall’s instructions by setting up stalls along the main road without licences.
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Free Malaysia Today
No Deepavali bazaar at Brickfields this year
Federal Territories Ministry says move is due to complaints that these traders are blocking entrances to existing shops, affecting their income.
PETALING JAYA: The Federal Territory ministry has confirmed that they would not allow Deepavali baazar to be set up at Brickfields this year.
Its deputy minister Dr J Loga Bala Mohan said the Deepavali bazaar, which used to be an annual attraction in Brickfields or also known as Little India, will be moved to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman at Masjid India for an unknown reason.
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Deepavali Bazaar, is an annual affair at Brickfields but it became became a major issue last year after shop owners staged a protest against setting up Deepavali stalls on public walkways.
The shop owners complained that the stalls on the pavement blocked the entrances to their premises and as a result, their business dropped by as much as 60 percent compared to the previous years.
However, it was reported that more than 80 bazaar traders in Brickfields claimed that they would lose RM4 million from poor sales if they were moved to the new site.
No Deepavali bazaar at Brickfields this year
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backpackingmalaysia
Little India Brickfields
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http://www.backpackingmalaysia.com/things-to-do/little-india-brickfields/kuala-lumpur
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