By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BARU: There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour,” said Charles Dickens.

And that’s what the Johor Baru Happy & Joyous Club has been doing for the past 15 years.

The club, formed in 2008, has been celebrating World Laughter Day since 2009.

To mark the occasion the club organised a senior citizens walk for health which saw a number of elderly participating.

Later at Pelangi Leisure Mall, there was the clown dance and members participated in the mini drum circle.

Also included were the reading of peace messages which was followed by a laughter king and queen contest. The winners walked away with a hamper, trophy and certificate.

The final leg of their event was at Plaza Pelangi where those present took part in some laughing activity exercises and ended with a laughter march.

Event organising chairman Fung Lee Jean said the members attended the event to promote good health, joy and world peace through laughter.

Lee Jean said the event was also to increase awareness of laughter benefits to the community and to have an outdoor fellowship among the club members and the community at large.

Also present for the occasion were the club  president Koh Mui Cheng and publicity head Pauline Foo, the organising team, club members and guests.

In his address to mark World Laughter Day, state assemblyman for Stulang, Andrew Chen Kah Eng congratulated the club for organising the event.

He said Johor Baru has become the hub for Laughter Yoga activities with the club’s collaboration with NGOs and governmental organisations.

He noted that the club is the most active group for laughter compared to all the laughter groups in other parts of the country.

“It is amazing to note that your club has members from all walks of life and can laugh, organise community events and work together harmoniously too,” he remarked.

He explained that we all need laughter at work and in our lives and laughter is such a profound tool for physical, physiological and mental benefits.

“This annual celebration for the public serves as a reminder for the public to feel happy and content with what life has to offer,” he said.

Mui Cheng said the first Sunday of May is designated as World Laughter Day.

The day is selected to build global awareness of health, happiness and world peace through the daily practice of Laughter Yoga.

She said, “The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation of world peace and it is intended to build global consciousness of friendship through laughter.”

She added that laughter is a positive and powerful emotion that has all the ingredients required for individuals to change themselves and to change the world in a peaceful and positive way.

World Laughter Day was initiated by Dr Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement in 1998.

Dr Madan started the Laughter Yoga movement in 1995 with the aim of the facial feedback hypothesis, postulating that a person’s facial expressions can have an effect on their emotions.

Members and guests taking part in the laughter yoga exercise at Plaza Pelangi

Koh Mui Cheng (second from left) addressing the participants before the start of World laughter Day event.