DiGi lights up Deepavali

DiGi lights up Deepavali
'Little India' a hive of activity

GEORGETOWN, 4 Nov 2007: Deepavali arrived early in Little India tonight as Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon lit up the Kuttuvilaku oil lamp to mark the start of the DiGi Deepavali Carnival at the popular tourism spot.

DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd teamed up with the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to showcase Little India as the hub for Deepavali shopping.

Together, they transformed the area into a fun and entertainment zone that enables shoppers and tourists to participate in various outdoor games and competition as well as watch street dances, cultural performances and mini concerts.

Indian traditional dancers will perform the Kollatam (Indian folk dance using sticks), Banghra and Mayil Attam (Peacock Dance) by the hour during the day. At night, local artistes Yogi B and Natchatra together with Attam 100 Vagai dancers, Astro's Denes, Aruna and Bern and THr's Helmi will wow the crowd.

The country's fastest growing mobile operator decorated the streets with buntings, 17 colourful "peacock" lights and a Deepavali-themed arch to welcome shoppers and tourists. It put up 20 canopies at King Street, with many taken up by small traders, to create a carnival atmosphere.

DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Morten Lundal, who also lit the oil lamp, said: "It is a celebration of people interacting with one another in a simple act of being together at the same place for Deepavali. DiGi is actively engaging the community to forge ties among people, between DiGi and its supporters and the same time do our bit for the community."

Lundal added, "Besides connecting with people, the carnival presents an opportunity for DiGi to work closely with government agencies and community leaders. We thank them for their cooperation in making the carnival a success."

Also present were State Exco members YB Teng Chang Yeow (Tourism Development and Environment) and YB P. Subbaiyah (Health, Welfare and Caring Society).

Mr N. Gobalakrishnan, President of the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "Having the carnival in Little India will certainly boost its profile as a major tourist attraction while enriching cultural experience for shoppers and tourists alike."

A colourful fireworks display added festivity to the pre-Deepavali celebration which was also attended DiGi Head of Segments and Marketing Loong Tuck Weng and DiGi Head of Northern Region Siew Chee Kong.

The carnival, which began on 26 October, will end on 6 November.

About DiGi
DiGi is Malaysia's fastest growing mobile operator driving innovation, simplicity and best value through DiGi Prepaid, DiGi Postpaid and DiGi Business.

Issued by:
Corporate Communications Department
DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd