Malayan Banking Berhad : “Bhangra” delights & festive joy at Maybank Deepavali celebration for special children

'All hands in the air and just dance away' - these were among fun moments at Maybank's Deepavali event where some 100 children from Tadika Pulau Carey (West & South), Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Pulau Carey (East, South & West) and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pulau Carey were invited to celebrate the festive occasion.

They were joined by members of the Maybank Board of Directors, as well as senior management led by Group President and CEO, Datuk Abdul Farid Alias and Maybank employees, in a fun-filled session at Menara Maybank Kuala Lumpur.

The event kicked off with a graceful dance by the Sri Rengganathar Dance Academy followed by an energetic Bhangra performance from a group called 'Dhol Fet' which created much excitement for the children and attendees as they danced to the uplifting beats of the troupe.

Dressed in their colourful traditional attires with smiles painted across their faces, the children were then presented with goodie bags and cash gifts by Datuk Farid and senior management members.

The event was part of the annual celebration of major Malaysian festivals organised by Maybank Group to spread festive joy to special segments of the community, especially those in need.

Group Chief Human Capital Officer of Maybank, Nora Manaf said, 'The Deepavali celebration is special to us as it provides opportunities for our staff to appreciate the rich heritage of respective communities where Maybank operates.'

'We strive to strengthen the harmony and understanding amongst different groups of people, as well as provide a platform for our staff to demonstrate Maybank's mission of humanising financial services when they participate in these activities,' Nora added.

She also said that the communities from Carey Island were close to the heart of Maybank as the Maybank Hindu Staff Society (MHSS) members have been engaging with them through various corporate responsibility (CR) initiatives over the past few years as part of their Group's Cahaya Kasih employee volunteerism programme.

'We hope that through our continuous efforts, we will be able to create meaningful differences in their lives,' she said.

Nora also said that prior to this Deepavali celebration, the Group had organised a charity
screening of the award winning movie 'Jagat' for its staff. The proceeds for the screening
were used to purchase sports equipment, story books, educational materials as well as ten
bicycles which were given to selected children of Carey Island who live far from their
schools.

One of the attendees at the event, Deeshandini Sivakumar, 12, from Sekolah Rendah Jenis
Kebangsaan Tamil Pulau Carey (East), expressed her gratitude to be given the opportunity
to attend the celebration. 'It was a wonderful experience and I hope to come again next
year. Thank, you, Maybank' said Deeshandini.

Abineshwary, 12, from Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Pulau Carey (West) who
was one of the children who received a bicycle said, 'I love this gift given by Maybank and
I will use it to go to school and cycle with my friends. Thank you Maybank!

To further spread joy for the 'Festival of Light', Maybank staff were presented with Indian
traditional snacks such as Achimuruku and Muruku at the main entrance of Menara
Maybank.