The Launching of PIO International Festival in Conjunction with PIO Day

The PIO International Festival launching was held on the 27^th of April 2023 at the Crystal Crown Hotel Petaling Jaya. The launch was attended by the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, the High Commissioner of Mauritius to Malaysia and several dignitaries, academics and NGO leaders.

The PIO International Festival is from Friday 2^nd to Sunday 4^th of June 2023 at the Vivekananda Ashram and School, Brickfields Little India in conjunction with Malaysia’s first PIO Day celebrations. The Festival is jointly organized with the High Commission of India.

This first PIO Day celebration is to acknowledge the sacrifices, challenges and contributions of the forefathers of the PIOs. The PIO Festival aims to celebrate the culture, history, arts and traditions of the PIOs in conjunction with the PIO Day or PIO Dhinam. The Festival is planned to cater for people of all age groups and backgrounds, including youth and children. GOPIO is also organising International participation in the Festival events.

The events include:

1. PIO Musical & Dance Showcase – 3 days
2. PIO History & Heritage Exhibition – 3 days, Kandiah Hall

• PIO Academic Conference – 1 day – 3^rd June 2023, Vivekananda Ashram Hall

1. Siddha Conference – 1 day – 4^th June 2023, Appadurai Hall
2. Yoga & Martial Arts Demonstrations – 3 days
3. Traditional Games – 3 days

• Rangoli – 3 days
• PIO Ethnic Costume Parade – 1 day

1. PIO Ethnic Foods & Handicrafts Exhibition – 3 days
2. Online Contests – Photography, Short Video & Sari

The PIO International Festival will be held at the Vivekananda School grounds, Kandiah Hall, Vivekananda Ashram Hall, and Appadurai Hall in Brickfields Little India, Kuala Lumpur. The Festival shall be open to the public from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm on all three days. About 2,000 artistes, academics, researchers, exhibitors, exponents, entrepreneurs, heritage enthusiasts, volunteers and NGO members are expected to be involved in this Festival. More than 10,000 people, including youths, students, enthusiasts and tourists are expected to visit the Festival.

The Festival is supported by the High Commission of India and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre. Artistes and Delegates from GOPIO chapters in Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore and India have confirmed participation in the Festival. GOPIO Malaysia is also inviting artistes and delegates from other countries to join in the celebration.

Malaysian Indian ethnic groups representing the Tamil, Malayali, Telegu, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Orrisa, Sindhi, Kannada, Marathi and Melaka Chitty communities are involved in this PIO Day celebrations. The co-organisers include Tamilar Sangam, Telegu Association of Malaysia, All Malaysia Malayali Association, Malaysia Bengalee Association, Melaka Chitty Cultural Association, Sindhi Association of Malaysia, Oriya Society of Malaysia and Gujarati Association of Federal Territories and Selangor.

Music, dance and art schools, artistes, exponents and enthusiasts are invited to participate in this Festival. School children, students, youths and all are encouraged to attend the Festival events.