THE Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) boasts a history of more than 60 years in Malaysia, with its mission to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural and social interests of the Hindus remaining steadfast to this day, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
At the state level, MHS has been active not only in welfare services and religious development but also in empowering Indian students through education.
“The society places a strong emphasis on education for Indian students, offering religious classes, computer classes, and seminars at no cost.
“In line with these efforts, MHS Penang has also become a catalyst for the development of Indian women in social services, creating a formidable platform for women in Penang to grow, learn, and lead.
“The Women Bureau under MHS has also taken significant steps to create safe spaces for families, particularly those facing domestic violence, by supporting and empowering women in every aspect of their lives.
“Meanwhile, the Youth Bureau under MHS has been proactive in nurturing, training, and most importantly, empowering Indian youths to be ready to lead the community and address the various challenges they face.
“As a result, you are creating competent Indian youths who can bring our country’s progress to a higher level.
“The Penang government welcomes this progress from two of your bureaus.
“The progress is instrumental and crucial to the development of both Indian youth and women within the state.
“I strongly encourage further engagement and collaboration between the MHS Penang, the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) and the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC).
“Parallel to your cause, these agencies have been committed and steadfast in supporting the growth of youth and women through their comprehensive social, communal, and even personal developmental programmes.
“Therefore, I believe these collaborations will be the best fit for your society in moving forward,” Chow said in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Thirumurai recital programme at SJK(T) Mak Mandin school hall in Butterworth today.
The participants were Indian students from various schools in Penang, and today was the finale before they could earn their tickets to compete at the national level soon.
It is understood that Thirumurai music, an act of reverberating ancient holy verses, originated about 1,500 years ago and is still popularly sung by the Tamil people without much change to the original music compositions as rendered by the Thirumurai saints.
Teaching Thirumurai means teaching both Tamil music and religious knowledge together.
Separately, in responding to a question by a journalist on incentives for Penang athletes following the state’s success at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma), Chow said the RM4,000 incentive for each athlete remains unchanged for now.
“However, we will look into the possibility of increasing the incentives if state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen proposes it in the state executive councillor’s meeting,” he added.
Also present at the event were Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Senator Dr R.A. Lingeshwaran, MHS president T. Ganesan and Penang MHS chairman A. Tharman.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat
Video by Law Suun Ting