DEEPAVALI STRENGTHENS UNITY, REFLECTS INDIAN COMMUNITY’S “PUTHIYA NAMBIKEI” SPIRIT - RAMANAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The Deepavali celebration this year symbolises the strength, unity and progress of the Indian community in Malaysia, which continues to thrive in line with the nation’s aspirations under the MADANI Government, says Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

Ramanan, who is also Sungai Buloh MP, said the spirit of Deepavali as a victory of light over darkness should be reflected through efforts to strengthen unity and empower the Indian community’s economy.

“The light of Deepavali is not merely a religious symbol, but also represents strength, love and unity. In the spirit of Malaysia MADANI, let us unite and play an active role in building a more prosperous and inclusive future in tandem with the nation’s development,” he said in a statement today.

The PKR vice-president also expressed hope that this year’s Deepavali celebration would be a beacon of “puthiya nambikei” or new hope, for the Indian community.

“Let us unite in achieving our shared mission to strengthen the Indian community’s economy. The MADANI Government remains committed to fulfilling and upholding the hopes of the Indian community,” he said.

Ramanan, who is responsible for Indian community affairs, stressed that the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP) remained committed to supporting Indian entrepreneurs and cooperatives through various initiatives, including the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Programme (SPUMI) and SPUMI Goes Big under TEKUN Nasional, with an allocation of RM100 million.

He said other initiatives include the Indian Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Programme (PENN) by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) with RM100 million in funding, the BRIEF-i Programme under Bank Rakyat with RM100 million in financing, the I-BAP SME Corp Matching Grant worth RM6 million, and RM50 million allocated by SME Bank for the Vanigham Programme.

Additionally, he said the SOORIAN Programme under PERNAS had allocated RM54.5 million — the first such special provision in the agency’s history.

“The Vanakam MADANI Entrepreneurial Training Programme is also being implemented with agencies such as AIM, Bank Rakyat, the Malaysian Co-operative Societies Commission, and INSKEN to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity within the Indian community,” he said.

According to him, the total initiatives implemented through KUSKOP agencies so far involve allocations exceeding RM500 million specifically for the Indian community, not including other initiatives by ministries such as the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), and the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA), which also provide special programmes for the benefit of the community.

“Under KUSKOP, we aim to see more Indian entrepreneurs succeed at both domestic and international levels. This is the true meaning of the Deepavali light — guiding, illuminating, and paving the way towards shared success,” he said.

-- BERNAMA