01  November 2018
Maybank lights up Deepavali celebrations for specially invited children

The vibrant colours and energetic performances at Maybank’s Deepavali celebration stole the hearts of 100 specially invited children who attended this auspicious annual occasion at Menara Maybank today.

Seventy children from Kapar Methodist Tamil School and 30 from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ananda Cares had a treat as they were hosted to a delicious lunch after being entertained by spectacular traditional Indian cultural performances as well as energetic Bhangra dances.

There were further smiles all around from the children when they were presented with gifts comprising stationery items and Deepavali money from Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsudin, Chairman of Maybank; Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, Maybank Group President and CEO, as well as other Board and EXCO members.

“The Maybank Deepavali celebration is part of our annual efforts to bring joy to special segments of the community during each festive season. During such occasions, we not only celebrate the festive season with our guests, but also remind ourselves and others that we can bring about change for the better in society,” said Nora Abd Manaf, Group Chief Human Capital Officer of Maybank.

“Through such celebrations when we take time off our schedules to host special guests, all of us are also reminded of the rich heritage of the different communities where we operate,” she added. “This is very much in line with our mission to humanise financial services as well as our commitment to embrace diversity amongst our communities.”

The celebration saw Maybank Board member, Datuk R Karunakaran, signifying the start of the event by lighting up the ‘Kuthu Vilakku’, a traditional Indian lamp that was placed beside a colourful and beautiful Kolam located at the main entrance of Menara Maybank.

One of the children at the event, Sri Kannan, 9, from the Kapar Methodist Tamil School said that it was his first time attending such an energetic celebration. “The sound of the drum beat is very exciting and makes me feel like dancing.”

Meanwhile Krisshantini, 11, from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ananda Cares said, “Events like these are always something that I look forward to. I want to buy new shoes with the Deepavali money that Maybank has given me as the pair I have is already old and worn out.”

In conjunction with the festive celebration, the Group also organised a bazaar at the foyer of Menara Maybank from 29 October – 2 November where selected organisations were invited to sell traditional Deepavali goodies and other miscellaneous items to Maybank employees and members of the public. Part of the proceeds from the sale of items would be donated to Kapar Methodist Tamil School and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ananda Cares.

Prior to this event, Maybank had also organised a charity drive amongst its employees who donated food and other essential items such as flour, oil, rice and toiletries to be distributed to the guests. Over 200 “celebration boxes” of these essential items worth over RM50,000 were collected.

The drive was part of an initiative by the Group to cultivate a sense of sharing amongst its employees through collective efforts that could make a difference in the lives of others. The donated items were then added to the gifts from the Group and distributed to needy families.

The Deepavali festive joy was also evident among Maybank employees - many of whom were dressed in traditional attire - who were treated to festive snacks which were distributed by the Bank’s board members and senior management.