DISTED COLLEGE NEWS
28 January 2010

Green Thaipusam celebration

In celebrating Thaipusam this year, DISTED College Hindu staff and students not only capture the spirit of sharing and goodwill but also, the love for environs.

They set up a thaneer panthal (refreshment stall) outside the campus to serve vegetarian food and drinks to devotees joining in the long overnight return chariot procession of the deity Lord Murugaperumman from the Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in Waterfall to the Natukottai Chettiar Temple in Georgetown.    

DISTED staff planting a mukurtha kall, a pole representing the Hindu deity Lord Murugan, at the site of the DISTED Thaipusam refreshments stall.

“We’ll not be using polystyrene containers and cups in giving out food and drinks like in the past. Instead, paper wrappers and recyclable cups will be used, which is a more eco-friendly practice,” said Kalaiselvan Rajamanickam, DISTED Indian Cultural and Welfare Society vice-chairman. 

“This is in line with the college’s Let’s Go Green campaign to care for and green the environment. 

“Let’s be mindful of environs and invoke the blessings of the deity for a greener earth,” he said. 

Getting ready for the Thaipusam celebration prayer ceremony are DISTED staff (clockwise) Shanmugam, Latha Bhaskaran, DISTED Indian Cultural and Welfare Soceity vice-chairman Kalaiselvan Rajamanickam and event organising chairman Arumugam P. Suppiah.

Event organising chairman Arumugam P. Suppiah said: “As Thaipusam is a festival of thanksgiving and atonement for wrongs, we like to share glad tidings with the devotees.”

“This kind deed is also to a prayerful wish for the well-being and good fortune for all in the college community,” he said.

“The project is funded by donations. It’s heartening to see the multi-racial staff and students of the college contributing generously to this goodwill celebration,” Arumugam added.

Event organising chairman Arumugam P. Suppiah (kneeling) taking his turn to do the prayer ritual.

Marketing assistant Latha Bhaskaran participating in the Thaipusam celebration prayer ceremony.

Prior to putting up the tent, a prayer ceremony was held on 28 January 2010.

During the Panda Kaal Muhurtham ritual, a bamboo pole adorned with turmeric powder, mango leaves and kolam, representing the Hindu deity, was planted at the site of the stall.

DISTED Hindu staff gather at their Thaipusam refreshments stall site for a prayer ceremony.