Gymkhana Club Miri celebrates Diwali for multi-racial members
MIRI: Gymkhana Club Miri (GCM) held a Diwali celebration in the 1Malaysia spirit for its multiracial club members and their families along with other guests last Friday night.
Diwali or Festival of Light is a popular Hindu festival.
Before dinner was served, oil lamps were lit as is the tradition to signify the victory of good over evil just as light overcomes darkness, rejoicing at the return of Lord of Virtue Ram to his kingdom after 14 years in exile.
Club chairman Vincent Lu led the management committee members including GCM general manager Murugayah Veloo in lighting the lamps.
Vincent was the guest-of-honour at the lively celebration held on a moderate scale, where the over 100 guests were treated to signature cuisine such as chapatti, mutton pratal, dhall, potato masala and vadai.
Among the performers was Subhashini who performed an Indian classical dance, Miri Bangra Group and children from the Sunflower Centre.
GCM staff from various races impressed the audience with two modern Indian dances while the young and old joined in a floor open dance at the closing of the celebration.
There were also a lucky draw and games that involved men putting on sarees to learn an Indian dance.
Vincent said Diwali celebration was held in line with GCM’s focus on being a family club that organises activities for its multiracial members and the public in Miri to interact and promote understanding.
He commended the organising committee headed by Murugayah for organising various celebrations and activities throughout the year.
He hoped that improved facilities and new strategies in managing the club could increase its membership.
GCM recently introduced temporary membership to cater for the working group including government servants and expatriates transferred to Miri for a short duration.
“Temporary members pay a monthly subscription fee of RM100.70 for individual and RM159 for family (with a refundable deposit of RM500,” he said.
Currently new members get a RM1,000 rebate on the entrance fee, meaning they only pay RM2,090.
Starting January 2018, the club’s restaurant will be operated independently by a local catering company to meet the expectations of patrons.