A Low Key Affair With No Open House Under New Normal

---

 
All in the family: Sugumaran (second from left) with his nephew K. Kaathigeyan, his wife Tamil Selvi and his niece K. Hommisha making a kolam in preparation for Deepavali tomorrow. Looking on are his son Nimalan and his mother P. Pavalakodi. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: This year’s Deepavali celebration will be a modest affair for S. Sugumaran who could not play host to his friends and relatives under the conditional movement control order.

“It’ll be a low-key event, a celebration meant only for the four of us (his wife, his mother and his son).

‘Maybe my nephews and nieces staying nearby will join in.

“I foresee it won’t be a joyful celebration as there won’t be an open house or gathering for my guests.

“It’s a pity I can’t continue with the tradition this year,” he said when met at his apartment in Madrasah Lane in Jelutong.

Last week, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said those celebrating Deepavali tomorrow in landed homes could host up to 20 people at a time whereas those living in strata homes of 2,500 sq ft and over were limited to 15 people at any one time.

Those staying in 1,500 sq ft and below strata units could host a maximum of 10 people.

Sugumaran, 57, said he was grateful that they could still perform prayers on the first day of the celebration, as Penang was not placed under the enhanced MCO.

“After praying, we will celebrate the festival at our house.

“The restrictions under conditional MCO may have caused inconvenience but our health is of utmost priority now.

His wife M. Tamil Selvi, 52, is saddened that she would not get to celebrate with her siblings from Kedah due to the travel restrictions.

“Every year they will visit our apartment and pray with us.

“It will be only us this year,” she said.

The housewife said she did not have much preparation to do, except making savouries like murukku and sweets for immediate family members.

Thanabalan Nanda Kumar, 36, said it was vital to adhere to the standard operating procedures as this was one of the ways to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.

“This year there won’t be a big celebration like what we normally did previously, for safety reasons,” he said adding that his friends from other races will not visit him in Taman Bukit Juru, Butterworth. - Star

---