Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday celebrated Pongal festival with Tamil origin people at the newly built Tamil academy.
Sisodia said, “Delhi has always been a multi-cultural city celebrating its rich diversity and communities. It is with this sense of unity and spirit, we’re celebrating Pongal with our Tamil communities organised by the Tamil academy.”
Sisodia, who also hold the portfolio of tourism minister accepted the invitation of the Tamil academy as Tamil communities from various parts of Delhi gathered on this occasion at this residence which was decorated with banana trees and sugar cane as per the tradition.
He and his family inaugurated the celebration by lighting the lamp. Additionally, an array of cultural events were performed keeping in touch with the Tamil culture— Mangala isai (Nadhaswaram) was performed by Valivalam Rajendran and Saravanan groups. Bharatanatyam dance was also performed by the children of GD Dance group with Guru Smt. Thayammaal on this occasion. The children were then honoured with a shield by Sisodia and his family.
N Raja, vice chairman of the Tamil Academy welcomed him and his family with special garlands.
Seema Sisodia, wife of Deputy Chief Minister also poured rice on the traditional pots. Pongal was prepared with a traditional slogan “Pongalo Pongal” by the gathering and was distributed to all the guests present.
Members of the Tamil Academy — G. Jawahar, R. Mani, R. Rakesh, Selvanayagam, Sudha Raghuraman, and Mr. Krishnan were presented on this occasion with their family members.