THE Seberang Perai City Council’s (MBSP) Ponggal celebration achieved a milestone this year when its upcycled ‘ponggal pot’ entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) as the ‘Biggest Ponggal Pot Made of Recycled Materials’.
The pot stands at an impressive 3.84 meters tall and has a diameter of 3.62 meters, crafted from a total of 1,698 used motorbike tires, a mobile garbage bin, a RoRO bin, PVC pipes, wood, plastic bottles, and motorcycle inner tubes.
MBR chief operating officer Christopher Wong presented the award to MBSP councillor A. Ponnudurai during MBSP’s ponggal celebration held at Dewan Chai Leng Park on Feb 4.
It was witnessed by state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu.
MBSP Ponggal Festival 2024 Committee chairman, Rajeswary Subramani said that the ponggal pot replica was constructed in three weeks with the involvement of 10 individuals from MBSP’s upcycle team.
“After being selected as the committee chairman for this year’s Ponggal celebration, I wanted to do something different, especially for the Indian community.
“So, I came up with the idea of creating a ponggal pot using recycled items.
“It was a goosebump moment after learning about it making into the MBR, and creating the gigantic replica was not an easy feat at all.
“Starting from the paperwork, design, and finally, the construction required a meticulous process,” Rajeswari told Buletin Mutiara.
According to Rajeswary, who is also MBSP’s senior assistant environmental health officer, the ponggal pot was designed by MBSP Urban Services Department director Ahmad Zabri Mohamed Sarajudin.
She also expressed her gratitude to MBSP councillor Ponnudurai, the project advisor, for his encouragement towards the project.
“We would like to also thank YB Sundarajoo for being a great supporter in realising the Ponggal Pot initiative.
“Apart from moral support, Mr Ponnudurai and YB Sundarajoo have also assisted us financially with the project.
“Not forgetting my committee, and also the team from MBSP who crafted the pot, a big shout out to them for the wonderful job done,” Rajeswary said.
Rajeswary shared that the replica will be placed at Taman Kimsar, near Peacock Eco Park from next week onwards.
The project was a collaboration between the MBSP team and the Taman Supreme Village Community Management Council (MPKK).
Meanwhile, Sundarajoo congratulated the MBSP team on their achievement of earning the spot in the MBR and for successfully organising the ponggal celebration.
“Keep coming up with new ideas every year and keep achieving.
“I will always give my support to your endeavours,” said Sundarajoo, who is also the Perai assemblyman.
Sundarajoo also highlighted the importance of unity among the Indian community which would lead to greater strength.
“When we help to lift one another, then the entire community will be empowered,” he added.
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter