BY: LYNDY ANG

Like most religious festivals this year, the Hindu celebration of Diwali was toned down and muted owing to an economy that is still not up to the mark for Malaysians, who are now wondering when the nation would come out of the woods.

While many Malaysians are hopeful that the future will augur well for the country, pundits are forecasting that next year will also be a hard year and this is why people must be prudent and wise in managing their lives.

But Diwali, while being a low key celebration, did not deter the spirit of sharing and caring among Malaysians, and there was still that festive mood as many took the long holidays to go back to their hometowns.

Hindu temples were gaily and merrily decorated and there was a riot of colours at these places of worship while homes were also decorated and lit with lights to signal the dispelling of darkness on this auspicious day.

Many non Hindu’s took the opportunity to visit Hindu homes where they feasted on good food and drinks and where there was a show of camaraderie in the Malaysian spirit of forgiveness and unity among the people.

But it is hoped and it is wished for, not just by Hindus, but by all Malaysians that this country will be on the mend and recover from a number of years of sluggish economic growth that prosperity might be enjoyed by all Malaysians.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher