Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Asia Samachar | 12 April 2015
The air of festivities around Vaisakhi in Malaysia, one of the most significant Sikh festivals, will get a boost with the Malaysian government including it in the nation’s tourism calendar.
In essence, this means the function will be get state sponsorship.
This was announced by the Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz at the launch yesterday (April 11, 2015) of Festival Vaisakhi 1Malaysia (MyViasakhiFest2015).
The three-day fest, which ends today, has been partly sponsored by the Federal government.
It is co-organised by the Malaysian Punjabi Chambers of Commerce and Industries led by Dalit Singh Dhaliwal, a former Senator.
The Vaisakhi Festival will be listed in Malaysia’s tourism calendar to promote the rich culture and heritage diversity to put Malaysia on the map as a must visit destination, according to a Bernama report.
The festival with amazing music, wonderful performance, exuberance and delectable cuisine would attract more tourist to visit Malaysia.
“Our multi culturalism has made Malaysia a gastronomical paradise and home to hundreds of colourful festivals.
“I sincerely believe our warmth and hospitality is unparalleled and we do it in our truly unique Malaysian way,” it quoted the minister in his speech at the launch in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
Although Viasakhi is not a public holiday in Malaysia, nevertheless Sikhs civil servants are allowed to be take unrecorded leave as stipulated in the Public Services Department circular, the report added.
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The Vaisakhi festival although a re;igious festival also doubles up as a cultural festival. The Vaisakhi festival and the Punjabi (Sikh) weddings are the most colourful ang vibrant festivals with a variiety of food. We should open up the Vaisakhi festival to all Malaysians through open huses not only at the National level but also the district level and in Gurdwaras.