Inaugural Deepavali Bazaar in Kuching celebrates unity, cultural diversity, says Mayor

KUCHING (Oct 23): The first-ever Deepavali Bazaar 2024, jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and the Indian Association Kuching (IAK), marks a historical milestone for Sarawak’s Indian community, said Datuk Wee Hong Seng.

The Kuching South Mayor said the bazaar is a platform to foster harmony and unity across Sarawak’s diverse communities.

“As Sarawakians, we learn to seek out the common humanity that unites all of us. Participating in one another’s festival is one of the many ways we strengthen this sense of unity and common humanity.

“I hope this event will be carried out next year and hope that organisers will have more participation from the Indian community, giving more opportunity to sell more variety of Indian items,” he said in his speech when officiating the bazaar here today.

The bazaar at the IAK multipurpose hall car park runs daily from 2pm to 9pm until Oct 27, featuring a variety of stalls and vendors selling Indian cuisine, garments and Henna artworks, as well as cultural performances.

IAK president Ahtmanathan Vengidasalam in his speech said the bazaar is about creating meaningful engagement between the Indian community and various ethnic groups here.

He noted that the Indian community here has grown to over 5,000 people and has made significant contributions across various sectors.

“Currently, IAK is working alongside six other non-governmental organisations as well as religious organisations, demonstrating the strong foundation of unity that events like this help to strengthen,” he said.

Among those present were Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Association Kuching president Shankar Ram Asnani, Penghulu Lucy Lingam, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts deputy permanent secretary Desmond Douglas Jerukan, and Sarawak United People’s Party Batu Lintang branch chairman Sih Hua Tong.