SRI Ramar Temple management and devotees at Solok York in Datuk Keramat celebrated Ponggal today with additional joy when they received news that their application for financial aid to refurbish their temple was approved by the state government.
The good news was relayed to them by non-Islamic houses of worship (Ribi) chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who is also the Datok Keramat assemblyman as well as the state Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman.
Jagdeep turned up at the temple to pray and later presented a mock cheque for RM50,000 to the temple treasurer K. Rishi. Among others present were assistant treasurer V. Ganesan and committee members C. Surendren, M. Radahakrishnan and M. Muralitharan.
Ponggal, which means “to boil over” in Tamil, is celebrated as a thanksgiving festival for an abundant harvest.
“This is an auspicious day and I hope this year’s Ponggal will bring us good health, good luck and prosperity.
“I’m happy to announce that the state government has approved the maximum aid of RM50,000 under the Ribi fund to help the temple fix a major roof leak. I remember they have to use pails to collect the dripping rainwater,” said Jagdeep.
He said the state government would continue to assist all eligible Ribi’s throughout Penang, whereby as of now the balance of the said fund stands at RM3.8 million.
The Ribi fund was set up in 2016 with contributions by housing developers who are unable to surrender some land to the state government and the money is disbursed to Chinese temples, Indian temples, churches and gurdwara.
Jagdeep said RM4.98 million had been disbursed so far to 129 non-Islamic places of worship, with 66 Chinese temples receiving a total of RM2.56 million, 38 Indian temples (RM1.46 million), 19 churches (RM700,000) and gurdwara (RM249,000).
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan