DEEPAWALI Laxmi Puja and lighting festival was organized by Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association with the collaboration of the Indian Embassy to Myanmar at Myawady Media Centre in Yankin Township in Yangon yesterday.

Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Abhay Thakur, Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association Patron and Education Committee Chairman U Nay Oke (Saint Paul) and Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association Chairman U Zaw Zaw Naing and relevant officials first offered flowers, water, oil lamps and fruits to the Buddha image at the Maha Laxmi Goddess temple in Baukhtaw Butayon Street in Yankin.

For the lighting festival at Myawady Media Centre, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of India to Myanmar, Chairman of the Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association, and Chairman of the All-Myanmar Hindu Central Council cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the event.

The Indian Ambassador and relevant officials pressed the electric button to inaugurate the signboard of Deepawali Laxmi Puja and lighting festival, and lit the oil lamp together with the guests.

The ambassador and relevant officials made remarks, and festival organizing committee chairman Mr Naresh Kumar expressed gratitude.

The Indian Embassy hosted a dinner event and performed Myanmar-India cultural dances.

The event was attended by YMBA (Central) Chairman U Ye Tun, Myanmar Interfaith Dialogue Group (Central) Chairman U Wunna, Indian diaspora members, and invitees from Hindu associations. — MNA/KTZH