Najib joins thousands at MIC Deepavali do

At the compound of the Batu Caves temple complex here, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor spent about an hour at the Deepavali open house organised by the MIC which was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life as well as tourists.

Drum beats and trumpet music added to the sense of gaiety in welcoming Najib, who is also Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, when he arrived at 10.15 am.

On hand to welcome him were MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and other party leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Malaysia's Special Envoy to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai were among the other VIPs who graced the event.

Donning a white "kurta" (traditional Indian shirt), Najib then cut a cake together with the other dignitaries.

Najib and Muhyiddin then attended another Deepavali open house hosted by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the HGH Convention Centre in Sentul here.

Meanwhile, a Spanish tourist from Barcelona who only wanted to be known as Raphael, 66, said he was amazed to see various races joining the celebration at the Batu Caves complex.

"This is my first time here and I'm so excited with the colourful celebration as well as the various delicacies on offer. The Indian fare is very nice," he told Bernama.

Senior citizen, Mary Yim, 68, said she and her husband came there specifically to "soak in the atmosphere" apart from enjoying traditional Indian food which they did not have the opportunity to taste before.

In IPOH, former Perak state executive councillor Datuk G. Rajoo hosted a Deepavali open house at his residence in Taman Lim.