NFM latest to withdraw Divali Nagar sponsorship

Derek Achong

National Flour Mills Limited (NFM) has become the latest majority State-owned company to withdraw its sponsorship from this year’s Divali Nagar.

NFM communicated its decision through its chief commercial officer, Shyamal Chandradathsingh, in a letter sent to National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) chairman Surujdeo Mangaroo a short while ago.

In the correspondence, obtained by Guardian Media, Chandradathsingh did not explain the company’s decision not to participate in the upcoming edition of the annual event.

“Despite our absence, we wish the National Council of Indian Culture all the best for a successful event this year,” Chandradathsingh said.

NFM’s decision to pull out of the event comes days after First Citizens Bank (FCB) and bmobile took similar action.

Speaking with Guardian Media on Wednesday, after FCB pulled out following 18 consecutive years of sponsorship, Mangaroo said the event would proceed as planned.

“The Nagar is going to continue; we have every single thing in place, the start date, the finish date,” Mangaroo said.

He said this year marked the 40th anniversary of Divali Nagar, regarded as the largest Divali festival outside India.

Despite the sponsorship setbacks, Mangaroo said the NCIC would not cut corners or introduce an entrance fee.

He explained that the organisation relies on income from renting facilities to an Indian Expo and a car wash to help offset utility bills, maintenance and security costs at the site, which operates throughout the year.

He said the site operates 365 days a year and the annual electricity bill exceeds $250,000.

“We have ground staff, office staff and 24-hour security.”

Mangaroo said the cost of staging Divali Nagar was substantial, with police services costing close to $250,000 and private security exceeding $300,000.

“We have to pay for janitorial services, we pay artistes, we have to pay for sound systems, lighting, young artistes are given a stipend,” he said.

He said the NCIC had been engaging members of the business community, some of whom had pledged support following news of the State’s withdrawal of sponsorship.

Mangaroo said about five to seven corporate spaces remained available, but he was confident the event would continue to grow despite the financial challenges.

“I can assure the public that the Divali Nagar will continue; it is getting bigger,” he said.

“We will survive!”