It is not every day that you can get the Group President and CEO of Maybank to attend the same “Bollywood” dance class as you do, let alone share the same stage, so it was a memorable day for 86 special children who had that opportunity at a Deepavali gathering hosted by the Maybank Group at Menara Maybank in Kuala Lumpur.
The children, from Yayasan Seribu Harapan Malaysia orphanage in Klang as well as the community from Carey Island, Klang were joined by Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, Group President and CEO, and some of the Maybank Group management team and employees in the dance session as part of the festivities organised to celebrate the upcoming “festival of lights”.
Apart from the dance session, the children were treated to a sumptuous lunch and presented with goodie bags and “Deepavali cash gifts” by Maybank Chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor and Datuk Farid. They were also entertained with a number of traditional Indian dances by the Sri Rangganathar Dance Academy and the children of Yayasan Seribu Harapan, as well as a Bhangra performance from the Malaysian Bhangra Group Kuala Lumpur.
The event was part of the annual celebrations of major Malaysian festivals organised by Maybank Group to spread festive joy to special segments of the community, especially those in need.
In welcoming the guests at the event, Datuk Farid Alias said, “We hold this celebration not because we have to. We do it because we want to. As Maybankers, the mission to humanise financial services is not just lip service. That mission defines us. It differentiates us. It is central to everything that we do.”
Datuk Farid added that both the communities from Carey Island and Yayasan Seribu Harapan Malaysia were close to the heart of Maybankers as Maybank Hindu Staff Society
(MHSS) members have been engaging with them through various corporate responsibility (CR) initiatives. “It is hoped that from our continuous CR efforts, we will be able to create a meaningful difference in your lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Latchumy Maneeswaran, 16, from the Yayasan Seribu Harapan Malaysia orphanage, said, “It is a wonderful experience; I am delighted and grateful to be invited by Maybank to join them for their annual Deepavali celebration and be honoured as one of the special guests for the day.”
Apart from the food and entertainment, Maybank provided booths for residents of Carey Island to showcase their hand-made products such as costume jewelleries which were on sale as part of the community’s efforts to sustain themselves. The Carey Island community is one of Maybank Group’s employee volunteerism projects wherein MHSS members engage actively with them on a regular basis - organising tuition classes, free medical check-ups, motivational talks, setting up of libraries and providing recreational resources.
The event also included a “Kolam Making Competition” for Maybank employees, which was participated by 24 teams. In addition, there was also a henna art hand drawing booth for Maybank staff with proceeds from the fees channelled to Yayasan Seribu Harapan Malaysia.
Maybank employees, many of whom were in traditional attire, were also treated to cooking demonstrations of traditional delicacies such as vadai, chapatti and murukku.
It was smiles all around from everybody on this vibrant and lively day, especially from the children who had an unforgettable time.