KUALA LUMPUR: Several Cabinet ministers wish "Happy Ponggal” to the Tamil community celebrating the harvest festival.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, in a Facebook post, said he hopes that the festival of Ponggal, which means an overflow of abundance in Tamil, brings prosperity to this country.
"I and all those in the National Unity Ministry would like to wish ‘Happy Thaiponggal’ to the Indian community in Malaysia.
"With the Malaysian Indian community celebrating the Thai month, which marks a new beginning, I would like to take this opportunity to wish 'Ponggal Vaalthukal' and may it also bring an abundance of prosperity," he said on Sunday (Jan 15).
Also wishing a Happy Ponggal is Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil on his Facebook and Twitter accounts.
"Happy Ponggal to the entire Tamil community in Malaysia. May this year bring prosperity, good health and great fortune for all," he said.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa expressed hope that this year would bring prosperity to all.
"Today, the Tamil community in the country celebrates the Ponggal festival which marks the beginning of a new life and it is an important celebration, especially for farmers. May this year's Ponggal celebration bring prosperity to those celebrating it," she said.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu hopes that this year's Ponggal festival will be celebrated with joy and happiness.
"The word Ponggal in Tamil means ‘to overflow’, hence the tradition of cooking the new rice in fresh milk in pots until they overflow to symbolise abundance of wealth,” he said.
Ponggal is celebrated for four days beginning from the first day of the “Thai” month in the Tamil calendar, as a form of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. - Bernama
