Guest guest Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Time for a break ... By Shanti Gunaratnam in New Straits Times, 25 Jan 2009 (In brief) THE wind of change is blowing towards many age-old traditions, particularly spending the lunar new year in the homes of matriarchs and patriarchs. Instead of returning home to spend Chinese New Year with their parents, in-laws and relatives, many are packing and heading for some exotic destinations. In the case of Billy Fong, his idea of a good Chinese New Year holiday is to spend time in Puttaparthi, north Bangalore, India, with his spiritual guru, Sai Baba. But Fong, who owns his own seminar consulting firm, will not be alone on this annual trip. His wife, two children and some 400 members of the various Sai Baba organisations will be joining him, as in the pervious years. In Puttaparthi, which is transformed into Chinatown during the festive season by the hundreds of Chinese who converge there from all over the world, is one big happy place to be during the lunar new year. The whole place will be decorated with cherry blossoms, ang pow packets. lights and lanterns, filled with activities such dragon and lion dances, plays and dramas and fantastic vegetarian meals, all prepared by the devotees themselves. "Puttaparthi is a wonderful place to be during Chinese New Year because of the activities there. We learn so much about the importance of filial piety and values from Sai Baba himself" says Fong. "We never miss home and the lunar new year celebrations when we are in Puttaparthi." Sai Baba's ashram in Puttaparthi, which has the capacity to house thousands of devotees, is called Prashanti Nilayam. Fong and his family often spend three to four days in Puttaparthi before returning home to continue with the Chinese New Year festivities in Malaysia with their family and friends. Stressing the importance of filial piety and values, Fong says he goes home to Penang one or two days before Chinese New Year to have the reunion dinner and spend the first day of the lunar year with his octogenarian father and siblings before leaving for India on the second day. Spending time with his father, he says, is just as important as his trip to Puttaparthi. "I leave for India only after fulfilling my obligations to my father and siblings." ..... Full article: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Focus/2461533/Article/index_htmlNo virus found in this outgoing messageChecked by PC Tools AntiVirus (5.0.1.1 - 10.100.084).http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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