Double joy for former beauty queen
Thanuja keen to celebrate birthday and National Day
PETALING JAYA: Merdeka Day on Aug 31 is extra special for former Miss Malaysia Thanuja Ananthan, 33. It is also her birthday.
“Come Aug 31, I feel extra passionate about my country, Malaysia.
“It is a wonderful feeling, as I wake up to shouts of Merdeka and the Jalur Gemilang is hoisted in all public spaces,” she said.
“Aug 31 has a patriotic atmosphere where people are in a celebratory mood that gives me a special oomph feeling.
“We are of diverse cultures, races, religions, languages and dialects.
“But, whatever our differences, we must remind ourselves that we are Malaysians first. We must be moderate in our actions, speech and care for others.
“I love Malaysia and wherever, I go, Malaysia is home to me,” she said.
Thanuja, an acomplished actress and professional emcee, has signed up for the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk on Sept 2.
Calling the walk a great initiative, Thanuja said it had brought Malaysians together, regardless of race or creed.
She is part of a growing list of celebrities joining the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk 2018 to reinforce their love for a harmonious Malaysia.
Participating for the third time, Thanuja is among the influencers from the education, sports, arts and entertainment sectors who have lent their support for the unity walk.
Founder of Youth Development organisation Youths Today Jazz Tan, singer and songwriter Resh, Miss Tourism International 2011 Gabriella Robinson, Malaysian squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David, cartoonist Reggie Lee, and football legend Datuk Santokh Singh have signed up too.
“I am generally a very patriotic person. I am not sure if it is because I am a Merdeka baby, but unity, Malaysia and Merdeka are very close to my heart,” Thanuja added.
She said it felt good to see so many friends from the entertainment industry joining the walk.
The #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk is a wonderful opportunity that brings all Malaysians of different ethnicities together to enjoy the weekend in a beautiful parkland area.
It covers 3.8km and will be flagged off at 6.30am on Sept 2 at the Eco Ardence Sales Gallery, Persiaran Setia Alam, Setia Alam, Shah Alam.
The registration fee for the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk is RM40 (adult), RM20 (child) and RM100 (family package of two adults and two children).
The #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk is a collaboration between Malaysia’s well-known property developer Eco World Development Group Bhd and Star Media Group.
Other sponsors for the event include Panasonic (Silver Sponsor) and DRB-Hicom (Car Sponsor).
The organisers are expecting a crowd of more than 6,000 people.
For details, go to https://sites.thestar.com.my/aamwalk/