Hinduism is a religion full of fasts, feasts and festivals. For today, there is a reason for celebration - Ponggal. Ponggal is a harvest festival which falls on 15th of January, today. Literally, it means 'boil and spillover". This festival of thanksgiving is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar and it signals the end of the traditional farming season. Named after a sweet rice dish, this major festival is celebrated for four continuous days with each of these days hold a significance of its own.

Bhogi is the starter which observed a day before Ponggal. On this day, people clean out their homes and collect all unwanted goods including household articles and clothes to burn them in fire. The second day would be the Surya Ponggal festival, which is the most important day of all. On this day, the Sun-God is given great importance. After the prayers in the morning, Ponggal rice is cooked with milk in a earthenware pot. According to the ritual, this Ponggal rice is allowed to boil and spill over symbolizing happiness and prosperity. The children and adults as well will shout out 'Ponggal-o Ponggal!'. I'm missed the fun again this year!

On the third morning, it's 'Mattu Ponggal' which is the day of Ponggal for cows. The cattle are washed; their horns are painted and tinkling bells and flower garlands are tied around their necks. It is a day of thanks giving for them, appreciating their valuable contribution in giving milk and ploughing the fileds. Mattu ponggal is only famous among farmers as we do not even get to see cows nowadays. But I do see some buffalos everyday at my campus. I shall try to celebrate with them then!

Well, the last day would be 'Kaanum Ponggal'. On this day, people travel to see other family members to share their joy and happiness. So, what are your plans for Ponggal? In case you wanna try cooking the Ponggal Rice, here's the recipe from MIndsblog. Wish all of you a Joyous Ponggal!

I was in Johor Bahru yesterday evening when received a phone call from a friend to inform that Datuk Krishnasamy was shot dead in the late afternoon. It was a real shocking news for the people of Johor to know that the people friendly state assemblyman was shot dead by an unidentified assailant at the MIC Johor headquarters while on his way to attend a meeting. According to Bernama, Johor deputy police chief Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Sharif said Krishnasamy's body was discovered lying in a pool of blood by Johor Puteri MIC chief R Vithayamohan around 2.10pm. The Star quoted that he might be shot by a professional gunman as the gunpoint was below his left eyebrow and the bullet went through to the back of his head.

Datuk Krishnasamy known as a hardworking and a people oriented leader who never fails to help the needy. He was the ADUN for Tenggaroh for 3 terms, and was known to be a man with good reputation. He cared for people of all races. Money was always allocated to Chinese schools and temples in his constituency. He has helped financially to build places of worship regardless of religious background. His nature to keep his promises has also become one of the reason people are going to miss him deeply. He often keep his words in anything he promises to the people. Recently he has helped to rebuild SJK(T) Jalan Ismail, Mersing under his close supervision and the construction was completed within a month before the school reopens, as promised.

He was a bold and daring man who worked hard for his constituents and the Indian community. He was one of the potential leaders to lead the state MIC. His death is a great loss to the people of Johor and MIC. May his soul rest in peace.