FOMSO Forum Vol 3

FOMSO Forum Issue 1/2014 • www.fomso.org

Federation of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations (FOMSO)

Books ER & Writers V O C CUS The Long Literary Traditions of the FO Malaysian Ceylonese Community

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF FOMSO A. GNANARAJAH JSM, JMW, AMN

I

am honoured to be asked to write this message for the third issue of the FOMSO FORUM.

The first two issues were spearheaded by Mr S. Rasanayagam and Ms K. Neelambika, and the other members of the Editorial Board appointed by FOMSO, as well as the Malaysian Jaffnese Tamil Business Association (MJTBA). These issues contained a lot of information on a variety of subjects affecting the Ceylonese community in this country. The people, places and personalities who have been featured clearly reflect their tremendous contribution to the development and growth of this country. FOMSO, being very pleased with the two issues, have decided to re-appoint the Editorial Board and MJTBA, to continue its production and to find ways and means to improve on its production.

In my view, it is a credit for FOMSO, being the umbrella body of some 22 affiliates, to chronicle the “goings on” within the Ceylonese community. It would be true to say that FOMSO FORUM is the only production for the Ceylonese community by the community in this country, and should be supported by the community.

I am told that the Editorial Board is continuously inviting and encouraging members of the community to contribute articles and photographs for inclusion in the FOMSO FORUM. In this regard I appeal to members of the community to respond to their call on a regular basis.

It is my hope and prayer that FOMSO FORUM will prove to be the “Voice of the Ceylonese community” in this beautiful country for generations to come.

God Bless

A.Gnanarajah JSM, JMW, AMN Deputy President of FOMSO and President of PERMA

FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

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EDITORIAL Editor

K. Neelambika

Contributors

Pushpaleela Ayadurai K. Sabapathy Pillay Rathy Mahendran M. Vickneswaran Elisabeth Sugairtha Malar Alfred Dr E. Sivananthan Dhanya Surtharalingam N.J. Singam David Chelavasingam Alfred Ramindra Rajaram Datin Sivamani Rasiah K. Neelambika

FOMSO Editorial Committee N. Rasanayagam (Chairman) S. Logarajah V. Mahalingam

Creative & Design

Mahendran Sivanesan @ Mac Campus Media Resources Sdn Bhd

Publication Sponsored by Brickfields Asia College

Published by

Federation of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations (FOMSO) No: 24, Jalan Teh Hung Kiat (12/13) 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: +603-7954 2269 Fax: +603-7954 2321 Website: www.fomso.org E-mail: kneelambika@yahoo.com

FROM THE

EDITOR T

ime sure flies. We are now into the second year since the launch of the inaugural edition of the FOMSO FORUM in January 2013.

This year, we have come up with a Cover Focus for the magazine. Issue 1/2014 is themed on ‘Books & Writers’, where we extol a selection of our writers and authors in ‘The Long Literary Tradition of the Malaysian Ceylonese Community’. We have also had the pleasure of personally chatting with some of them, and you can read the inspiring stories on the research and writing process by S. Apputhurai, R. Visvanathan and K. Thuraisingam. While on this theme, we share with you the joys that writing brings, from the article on ‘Why I Enjoy Writing??’ by Elisabeth Sugairtha Malar Alfred.

In this issue, we celebrate the achievements of our long standing Affiliate Members on ‘Feature on FOMSO’s Affiliates’. Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association is proud of the 110 years of its existence, whileTamilians’ Physical Culture Association (TPCA) celebrates its centenary. Ceylon Association of Perak, Ceylon Association Taiping and Young Men’s Hindu Association, Taiping are also featured.

A diary of events provides the upcoming planned activities of FOMSO & its Affiliates.

The recent activities of FOMSO & its Affiliates are covered in the ‘News Highlights’

‘Youth & Personal Development’ features the ‘JCS Youth Camp’ that was held in December 2013. One of the participants, Dhanya Surtharalingam, shares her personal experiences. ‘Take Five with the Youths’ provides some inkling of what our youths are aspiring to be. Following from the article on ‘Public Speaking: The Toastmaster’s Experience’, that appeared in the September 2013 issue, we bring you in this issue, the formation and growth of the Tamil Toastmasters Clubs in Malaysia. Do you want to do your part in contributing towards global peace and understanding? Then ‘The Joys of being a Host Family with the American Field Service Intercultural Programs’ will tell you more.

In this issue we pay tribute to the father and founder of the Rainbow Nation, Nelson Mandela. ‘Starting an Online Business’ provides helpful steps for entrepreneurs who want to learn more about an alternative platform for their business ventures. You can immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of the religious and cultural life of Myanmar in the ‘Senior Citizens’ Trip to Myanmar’.

Well, sit back and enjoy reading what we have all put together for this issue, and that you are able to take away a thing or two. We do welcome contributions from our members and readers of the community. I would like to thank those who kindly consented to be interviewed, and not forgetting the contributors for their articles.

For this issue, we feature Tan Sri Datuk G. Gnanalingam, FOMSO’s Advisor which you can read in ‘Feature on FOMSO’s Advisor’.

Join us on Facebook @ fb.com/fomso.org

Read our magazine online @

You get to learn how the performing arts are preserved during the Navarathiri Kolu celebrations. Continuing on our column on ‘Entrepreneurs’, T.L. Yogeswaran shares with you how his grandfather, the legendary N. Thamotharam Pillay, was influential in his success in the printing business. We have for the needy students the ‘Malaysian Ceylonese Welfare & Educational Fund’ that provides details on study loans to pursue their higher education.

K. Neelambika Editor On Behalf of the FOMSO Editorial Committee

Note: You may submit your article by E-mail to kneelambika@yahoo.com, or alternatively, you could post it to FOMSO’s address at No: 24, Jalan Teh Hung Kiat (12/13), 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan

www.issuu.com/fomso NOTICE OF BIRTHS, WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES We would like to make the FOMSO FORUM a more community orientated magazine. In this regard, we would like to invite our members and readers to send in their photographs with a brief caption of their Births, Weddings & Anniversaries. This will be a great feature in our magazine.

Please send the photographs with full contact details to the Editor Ms. Neelam, email: kneelambika@yahoo.com.

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CONTENTS 3 What’s Coming

Planned Activities of FOMSO & Its Affiliates

4 News Highlights

Recent Activities of FOMSO & Its Affiliates

8 Feature on FOMSO’s Advisor

Tan Sri Datuk G Gnanalingam

10 Feature on FOMSO’s Affiliates Tamilians’ Physical Culture Association (TPCA) – Celebrating 100 Years

24 The Performing Arts

Navarathiri Kolu and the Preservation of the Performing Arts

26 Entrepreneurs

T.L Yogeswaran, Managing Director of NTP Print Station

Development

JCS Youth Camp

Ceylon Association of Perak Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association

Take Five with the Youths

Ceylon Association Taiping

Public Speaking:Tamil Toastmasters Clubs in Malaysia

16 COVER FOCUS

Books & Writers The Long Literary Traditions of the Malaysian Ceylonese Community In Conversation with S. Apputhurai In Conversation with R. Visvanathan In Conversation with K. Thuraisingam Why I Enjoy Writing??

by Elisabeth Sugairtha Malar Alfred

23 Education Fund

10

28 Youth & Personal The Experience of Dhanya Surtharalingam, a JCS Youth Camp December 2013 participant

Young Men’s Hindu Association, Taiping

4

18

The Joys of being a Host Family with the American Field Service Intercultural Programs

24

40 Feature

A Tribute to Nelson Mandela

42 Feature

28

Starting an Online Business

44 The Globetrotters

Senior Citizens’ Trip to Myanmar

36

44

48 FOMSO Board of Management

Malaysian Ceylonese Welfare & Educational Fund

Directory

Planned Activities Of FOMSO & Its Affiliates Ceylon Association Kedah/Perlis (1965) Thaipusam Ubayam Ceylonese Association Kluang, Johor Ponggal celebration Tamil New year Celebration Siri Jayanti Association New Year blessing Maha Pirith (Annual All Night Chanting) Senior Citizens’ Appreciation Day 28 Buddhas Puja Dana in Memory of the late Ven. Pandit K. Siriniwasa Maha Thero and the late Ven. G. Dharmeswara Nayaka Maha Thero & All Departed Ones Dhamma Youth Camp Poson Poya

15th January 2014 January 2014 April 2014 1st January 2014 11th to 12th January 2014 16th March 2014 19th April 2014

11th May 2014 5th to 8th June 2014 12th June 2014 FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

RECENT ACTIVITIES OF FOMSO & ITS AFFILIATES Federation of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations (FOMSO)

FOMSO’s Annual Road Show with Affiliate Members based in the Klang Valley

The Executive Committee and Bureau Chairpersons of FOMSO (EXCO) conducted its annual road shows with its Affiliate Members over the period of September to October 2013. The sessions were held at the PJ Club in Petaling Jaya for the Affiliate Members that are based in the Klang Valley. The sessions for the Malaysian Sinhalese Association and Siri Jayanti Association were held at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul. The EXCO travelled to Johor Bahru, Muar, Melaka, Ipoh, Seremban, Sungei Petani and Taiping to conduct the sessions with the Malaysian Ceylonese Association South Johor, Persatuan Kaum Ceylon (1979) Muar, Yarl Sports and Cultural Association Melaka, Ceylon Association Perak, Ipoh, Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association, Ceylon Association Kedah/Perlis (1965), Ceylon Association Taiping and Young Men’s Hindu Association Taiping respectively.

The purpose of the road shows was to have a dialogue session to provide updates by the EXCO as well as the Affiliates on their activities, voice out concerns and challenges faced by the Affiliates, and for the EXCO to brief the Affiliates on the background, the facts and the current status of the Malaysian Ceylonese National Community Centre.

A common concern highlighted by the Affiliates outside the Klang Valley, is the absence of youths

as members in their associations.

Currently, the senior citizens make up a majority of the membership.

The children and grandchildren of the members have moved to the capital city for further studies and for better economic or career opportunities.

There is an urgent and dire need to engage with the new generation of young people and draw them into the fold, in order to ensure the survival of our Ceylonese associations. A suggestion was put forth, for a visit to be made to the universities in the Klang Valley to make contact with our students and appoint representative.

These representatives can then rally the Ceylonese students to join the associations based in the Klang Valley.

Reference was made to the Malaysian Ceylonese Welfare & Educational Fund and the Malaysian Community & Education Foundation.

The Funds provide financial aid in the form of interest free loans to needy and deserving students to pursue tertiary education. There has been a poor take-up rate. This could be attributed to the small amount of study loan and the higher financing offered by PTPN. A suggestion was made to consolidate the two funds, so that a larger pool of funds is available to disburse a bigger loan quantum.

The Malaysian Jaffnese Tamil Business Association (MJTBA) gave an overview of its association.

As MJTBA is the first Ceylonese organisation to focus on business,

Members of Ceylon Association Taiping and Young Men’s Hindu Association Taiping at FOMSO’s Annual Road Show

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FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

Members of Ceylon Association Perak, Ipoh at FOMSO’s Annual Road Show

it offers networking opportunities to promote business opportunities amongst the community. Among its members are entrepreneurs in freight forwarding, printing, transport and tours, insurance, security home devices and appliances and pest services. The Affiliates were encouraged to get their children to join MJTBA to leverage on the business opportunities.

A proposal was made on the need to revamp FOMSO’s website. Due to its limitations, the FOMSO FORUM magazine could not be displayed prominently on the website. In this connection, it was explained that the FOMSO FORUM is not the normal newsletter, as it is the community’s first magazine to showcase all aspects of our community. It is also a published forum to communicate and exchange information and ideas for the benefit and betterment of our community. Hence, all the Affiliates, and in addition, all members of the Malaysian Ceylonese community are encouraged to actively contribute to the FOMSO FORUM. Accordingly, FOMSO’s official website needs to evolve into a dynamic platform, attracting advertisements to help build up FOMSO’s financial resources, facilitating access to information on all Affiliates, and further to feature payment facilities to receive financial donations and subscriptions.

A committee led by Geetha, was setup to develop this initiative.

Members of Ceylon Association Taiping and Young Men’s Hindu Association Taiping at FOMSO’s Annual Road Show

Members of Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association at FOMSO’s Annual Road Show

Members of Ceylon Association Kedah/Perlis (1965) at FOMSO’s Annual Road Show

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Jaffnese Cooperative Society (JCS)

Mr. S. Makeswaran , the Chairman of JCS, (left) together with 4 youth leaders, unveiled the JCS 90th Anniversary 1924-2014 logo

JCS is proud to inform that 2014 will mark 90 years of its continuous existence. A soft launch of the JCS 90th Anniversary was held on 15th December 2013 with Mr. S. Makeswaran PPN, the Chairman of JCS, together with 4 young members

of the community unveiling the 90th Anniversary logo. This was held during the closing ceremony of the JCS Youth Camp at Paya Indah Wetlands. Over 40 members and 36 youth camp participants witnessed the event.

Ceylon Association Taiping Visit to the Heritage Sites in Perak

by Rathy Mahendran

The Ceylon Association Taiping organised a leisurely day adventure to the heritage sites of the Gopeng Heritage House, Gopeng Museum, Gua Tempurung, Kinta Tin Mining Museum and Kellie’s Castle in Perak. Putting the word around to get more people to participate, the Inner Wheel Club of Taiping and the Taiping Heritage Society expressed an interest to join in the tour as well. Early in the morning of 29th September 2013, a group of 70 people from the ages of 10 to over 80 years left Taiping in two coaches for Ipoh.

In Ipoh, 4 more members joined us and after having breakfast, we headed for the Gopeng Heritage House and the nearby Gopeng Museum. Next destination was Gua Tempurung, the largest limestone cave complex in the Peninsular. First identified in 1887, its five gigantic domes resembling coconut shells are interconnected by tunnels and streams. With a guide, our group took the two hour tour climb of sturdy metal and concrete steps, through the various caves until we reached the ‘Top of the World’.

Altogether, we climbed about

1,200 steps. It was an exhilarating experience with the realisation that we were in the passage of history, a tunnel first used by the Malayan Peoples Anti-Japanese Army as their secret passage from Kampar to Gopeng, and later as a prison during the Japanese Occupation. At the end of the two hour expedition, we emerged all sweaty and thirsty due to the high humidity and the exertion, but happy and proud that we had learnt a lot more about our country’s history.

We proceeded to Kampar for lunch and to buy the famous Kampar biscuits and other delicacies.

Once done, we visited the Kampar Open Cast Tin Mining Museum, showcasing the tin industry, which in the days gone by made Perak the richest state. We were awed by the artefacts, documents, books, maps and other paraphernalia belonging to that period in history.

We then proceeded to our final stop, Kellie’s Castle. This castle was the ambitious plan of a rich Scottish Planter, Kellie Smith. Kellie Smith was only 20 years old when he came to Malaya. He married his childhood

Gopeng Museum

The group at Kellie’s Castle

sweetheart and raised children.

He made a fortune, and began to build a castle in Moorish style with craftsmen, builders, bricks and tiles brought from India. But his early death while on holiday in Scotland

left the castle unfinished. The castle was abandoned and neglected for many years, and all that remained was a legacy of an unfulfilled dream. This majestic incomplete castle, atop a hill surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens is a sight to be witnessed. There are secret tunnels under the castle, but due to the unstable terrain, visitors are not allowed to explore them.

It’s both beautiful and eerie, and the caretaker there claims to have seen ghostly figures dressed in period costumes walking along the parapets of the castle at night.

Persatuan Kaum Ceylon (1979) Muar

The group at Kellie’s Castle

The members of the association participated in the Ceylonese Ubayam on 10th October 2013, during the 13 days Annual Festival of the Sri Muthumarimman Temple in Muar held from 6th to 18th October 2013. The association sponsored lunch and dinner on 10th October 2013 for 500 people.

FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Siri Jayanti Association The Kathina (Robe Offering Ceremony) was held on 27th October 2013 at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul. It is an annual traditional Buddhist ceremony held after the vassa (3 months rainy season retreat), whereby the lay devotees will offer robes and requisites to the monks.

The 16th Buddhist Novitiate Training Program was conducted from 23rd November to 1st December 2013 at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple. The program was organised for participants between the ages of 12 to 18 years.

The aim of the program is: • To study the principles and practices of Buddhism • To practise Buddhism in one’s daily life • To honour parents, teachers, elders and monks • To live a significant and peaceful life alongside people from other religions

According to the teachings of the Buddha, this noble act of offering robes to the monks is a highly meritorious deed. The robes will be offered to the monks in countries such as India, Myanmar, Laos, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka where the monks are in dire need of the robes.

The association jointly organised Educare with Yayasan Maha Karuna.

Educare is an annual charitable project whereby essential school items such as school uniforms, bags, shoes, stationeries and exercise books are distributed to needy students to begin their new school term. All deserving Malaysian students, regardless of race or religion, are eligible to become recipients. The selection of recipients is done by the teachers of the respective schools.

Educare is a yearlong program that consists of many stages, culminating with the launching and presentation ceremony in the month of December. The program starts in the month of July with the distribution of registration forms to all schools in the Klang Valley and the selection of deserving recipients by the teachers. In the months of August to October, these students will visit the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple on any one Sunday morning to officially register and for the volunteers to take their measurements for shoes and uniforms.

The committee members are also involved in sourcing for the best suppliers for the school items, funds to organise this program and liaising with the partner organisations that are assisting with organising Educare in the other states.

The founder of Educare is the Venerable B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera, the Chief Monk of Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple. The program was initiated based on many parents approaching the Chief Venerable Saranankara for financial support. The success of the project is due to the support and contribution from various Businesses, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), Foundations, Religious Organisations, Devotees and Well Wishers. 2013 is the 13th consecutive year of Educare, where 10,000 needy Malaysian students from 300 government schools, orphanages and NGOs benefited from the project. The presentation ceremony was held on 15th December 2013 at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, and the recipients were also treated to meals, games and entertainment programs.

The needy students at the presentation ceremony of Educare

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A charity fair was organised on 8th December 2013 at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple. The fair was held to raise funds for charity programs such as Educare, Siri Jayanti free clinic, metta home, free tuition, Maha Karuna mobile free clinic and senior citizens appreciation.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Persatuan Perkhidmatan Masyarakat Ceylonese Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMA) PERMA visited the Agathiar Sanmarka Sangam in Dengkil on 27th December 2013, and donated school uniforms, shoes, socks, etc to 35 needy children.

PERMA also gave away food parcels to some 50 needy old folks living in and around Dengkil.

The needy old folks living in and around Dengkil

The children of Agathiar Sanmarka Sangam with their school items

On 29th December 2013, PERMA visited Sri Saradha Illam in Rawang, and handed over school equipment to 40 girls housed in the centre who are all attending school.

The needy old folks with their food parcels

The girls of Sri Saradha Illam waiting to receive their school items

On 31st December 2013, PERMA visited Philea Home in Kapar, Selangor, and handed over school equipment for 2014 to a lovely group of children who were abandoned, neglected or abused. They all live in the home and attend school from the home. They are a well disciplined group of children.

PERMA Youth visited Rumah Kebajikan Anbu Illam in Ulu Kelang on 10th November 2013.

Mr Dinesh Singhi, Director of Finance from Synthomer handed over 10 desktops to Mr Surendran Seelan, PERMA Youth President which was then handed over to Mr Sri Dharan from Rumah Kebajikan Anbu IIam, Ulu Kelang. The home has 27 children, from the ages of 7 to 15 years. The home has promised to get a tutor to help the kids to understand and use the computers better.

The children of Philea Home with their school items

Synthomer has agreed to assist PERMA Youth in similar initiatives in the future by pledging more computers. We are happy to work hand in hand with Synthomer to help children be more accessible to one of the most powerful tools currently.

The desktops donated by Synthomer

The children of Rumah Kebajikan Anbu Illam

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FEATURE ON FOMSO’S ADVISOR

Tan Sri Datuk G. Gnanalingam

Executive Chairman, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd Tan Sri Datuk G. Gnanalingam, well known as Tan Sri G, is a prominent Malaysian businessman who is the Executive Chairman of Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The Singaporeborn captain of industry grew up in Port Dickson and Kuala Pilah. He gained his early education in the Royal Military College, and graduated from University of Malaya and Harvard Business School, Boston.

acknowledged for his marketing skills once again when as marketing consultant, he turned the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games into a money-making event. The Olympic Council of Malaysia Building, built at a cost of RM6 million at that time, stands testimony to the success. Tan Sri G is also widely regarded as a man behind such projects like bringing live telecasts of football’s World Cup to Malaysian homes in the 80s.

T

an Sri G started his career as Sales Representative with the British American Tobacco group, and in a period of 10 years, he became the Marketing Director at the age of 34. After a 19-year stint as the Marketing Director, Tan Sri G then started his own marketing company, G-team Consultants. The company handles the commercial operations of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the national broadcast station. Hailed as a marketing genius by many in the industry, Tan Sri G proved his prowess by increasing the revenues of RTM from RM55 million to RM360 million during his tenure ship.

In the year 1989, he is

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FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

and creating public-awareness, and adopting “garden port concept”, making Westport probably the only such port in the world.

As the Chairman of Westports, with his strong leadership and determination, Westports contributed to Port Klang’s world ranking in container volume to advance from 26th position in 1995 to 13th in 2011.

He is known for “de-mystifying” general perception of the industry by the public, making port more publicfriendly and creating public-awareness, and adopting “garden port concept”, making Westport probably the only such port in the world In 1994, he started Westports from a barren, swampy island, and turned it into the leading container terminal operator in Port Klang today. Under the helm of Tan Sri G, Westports today is one of the top 5 terminals in the world in terms of productivity achieved by 100% Malaysian staffs, it holding 70% market share in container throughput of Port Klang.

He is known for “demystifying” general perception of the industry by the public, making port more public-friendly

He has transformed the port into a state-of-the-art multi-cargo seaport terminal which is powered by the latest and advanced technology and equipments. With current quay length of 3.7 kilometers, which includes 6 container terminals, Westports is capable of handling up to 9 million TEUs yearly, with the potential to expand further.

Tan Sri G has been rewarded for his efforts as the Transport Man of the Year in 2001. In 2007, he received the Malaysia Tatler 18 Years At the Top

Award for his accomplishment and contributions to society, followed by the SME Platinum Award, the CILT Malaysia Achiever of the Year Award and elected a Chartered Fellow by the CILT, United Kingdom.

He was also presented the Outstanding American Alumnus Award 2007 in the field of Logistics and Transport by the American Universities Alumni of Malaysia for achieving outstanding entrepreneurial skills and leadership excellence in different industries, The Brandlaureate Brand Personality Award 2008/2009, Asia Human Resource Development (HRD) Congress Award and “Old Putra of the Year” in 2010 by the Royal Military College.

Tan Sri G was also bestowed a ‘Datuk’ and ‘Tan Sri’ by His Majesty, The Yang Dipertuan Agong, in 1998 and June 2000 respectively.

Besides his career as Executive Chairman, Tan Sri G also held other posts as a Member, Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (PEMUDAH) and Director of the Government’s Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC). He is also currently the President of Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia since 2004.

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FEATURE ON FOMSO’S AFFILIATES

by Edwin Francis

Tamilians’ Physical Culture Association (TPCA) Celebrating 100 Years

T

o recognise and celebrate this achievement, Edwin Francis, the Centenary Celebrations Organising Chairman has planned a host of sporting and social events beginning from October 2013 and culminating with a grand gala dinner on 1st March 2014. The theme of the Centenary celebrations is “The Past to the Present and Forward to the Future”. Being an association rich with strong sporting traditions, the various activities that were organised were events that TPCA had promoted

and played a part in the development of the sports since 1914, such as hockey, football, badminton, netball and cricket.

Special invitations were extended to many of TPCA’s old sporting rival associations/clubs with whom TPCA had in the past participated in many keenly contested matches, with the aim of re-kindling that competitive spirit. One special mention was the football invitational in which a nostalgic football re-match of veterans was played on 16th November 2013.

In addition to the sporting

2014 marks a milestone for Tamilians’ Physical Culture Association (TPCA) as the association celebrates 100 years of its existence since its incorporation on 1st March 1914.

events, a motor treasure hunt was organised on 12th January 2014. A total of 40 cars comprising approximately 160 individuals made up of family members and children of the association participated. They were flagged off at National

On behalf of the MJTBA, I am pleased to extend an invitation to all Malaysians of Jaffnese origin to join our community of Businessmen and Women.

OVERVIEW :

À~Ò Æ Æ[⿺[«´°×Ñ °Áâ ×Ñ´° ƒÆ™ Å MALAYSIAN JAFFNESE TAMIL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

PERSATUAN PERNIAGAAN JAFFNESE TAMIL MALAYSIA (No pendaftaran 4685-11-WKL)

AN OPEN INVITATION to join the MJTBA

www.mjtba.com.my

Word-of-mouth has long been recognized as one of the most cost-effective form of marketing.Very few really know how to network or generate word-of-mouth effectively. One thing is certain; you will need to generate word-of-mouth yourself.

Last year members passed hundreds of introductions which generated thousands of Ringgit Malaysia worth of business for each other. MJTBA is a business and professional organization that allows only one person from each profession to join a branch. Belonging to MJTBA is like having dozens of sales people working for you because all other members carry several copies of your business cards around with them. When they meet someone new, who could use your products or services, they hand your card out and recommend your services.

It’s as simple as that!

How can MJTBA help me and how does it work?

The member earns an exclusive right to market his product and services within the group. Thus, once you have joined, none of your competitors can participate.

It’s simple because it’s based on the proven concept of what goes around”. If I help you, you’ll help me and we will both benefit as a result. Would you like to increase your business by as much as 100% or more? You can see results like this!. Many have. Some participants have added as many as 10 to 20 clients in the first year!

How do I participate?

No amount of literature could possibly explain MJTBA. It can only be experienced!

Successful business depend on word of mouth.

Word-of-mouth advertising is the most effective way of doing business nowadays and MJTBA provides a structured and supportive system of giving and receiving business. It does so by providing an environment in which you will develop personal relationships with dozens of other qualified business professionals.

By establishing this “formal” relationship with other people, you will have the opportunity to substantially increase your business.

98% of businesses rely on introductions one way or another.

Unfortunately, less than 3% has any strategy to generate it.

Please visit us at

Plantation Hall, Petaling Jaya, and covered a route around the Klang Valley, including passing the previous TPCA grounds at Jalan Raja Muda and making a trip out to TPCA’s new grounds at Kajang to solve the treasure hunt clues. FF

Networking has evolved into an integral part of today’s increasingly competitive world. Having people from a diversity of industries will extend your circle of contacts and opportunities.

What are the benefits Members will enjoy an increase in business and clients.

Being in MJTBA is like having a free sales force. MJTBA appeal is also its provision of a continuous education system made possible through workshops and forums which focus on business related skills.

Visit us and see for yourself. Participation is strictly by invitation. Our group is currently looking for people to whom we can introduce business. I would like to personally invite you to attend so that you can see for yourself how you would be able to generate a steady source of new business for yourself.

Come pay us a visit at our fortnightly meetings held at Kelab PJ and see how networking can help you grow your business.

Just email or call, Eric Kanapathy - 012 273 8071 info@sasa-aircargo.com T.L Yogeswaran - 012 213 0672 tlyoges@ntpprint.com.my Yours Sincerely, K. Kanapathy (Eric) President MJTBA

by K. Sabapathy Pillay

FEATURE ON FOMSO’S AFFILIATES

Ceylon Association of Perak The Ceylon Association of Perak is located at a building which it owns at 18, Jalan Tun Perak (formerly known as Connolly Road), Ipoh.

I

t is now moving into its 97th year, being in existence somewhere in 1918. Unfortunately the records for the earlier formative years are not available. We could only trace records back to 1949, when Mr. M.S. Arulappan was the President.

The membership is open to all persons of Ceylonese origin residing in the state of Perak.

Persons out of Perak can also apply to be Outstation members.

Others who also wish to partake in the activities of the association can also apply to become Associate members. However, they cannot hold positions in the Management Committee.

Some of the activities that are organised by the association are: • Dinner parties on special occasions like Deepavali, Mother’s Day, Tamil New Year, etc.

• Excellence Awards are presented to children of members who excel in the public examinations, such as STPM, SPM, PMR and UPSR. • Trips to temples, museums and other places of interest

Members of Ceylon Association of Perak attending a talk on Vedanta

What What Our Our Members Members Say Say MJTBA MJTBAhas hasgained gainedmany manycontacts contactsfor forme, me,which whichhas has assisted assistedmy mybusiness businessgreatly. greatly.

I Ihave havealso alsobenefited benefitedthrough throughregular regularbusiness businessfrom from the themembers membersand andearned earned$$$$ $$$$ K.K.Kanapathy Kanapathy Director, Director,Sasa SasaAircargo AircargoExpress ExpressSdn SdnBhd Bhd 012-273 012-2738071 8071 Sincejoining joiningMJTBA, MJTBA,I Ihave haveenjoyed enjoyedgreat great Since networkingwith withwonderful wonderfulpeople. people. networking RasanayagamNadarajah Nadarajah Rasanayagam Chairman,Aqua AquaFilta FiltaSdn. Sdn.Bhd. Bhd. Chairman, ProtableWater WaterFilter Filter, The , Thefirst firstofofits itskind. kind.

Protable 013-3643948 3948 013-364 wouldlike liketotoexpress expressmy mythanks thanksand andgratitude gratitudetoto I Iwould acceptme meas asaamember. member.I Iam amaamember membersince since2009.

2009. accept Therewas wasaalot lotofofbusiness businessgenerated generatedfrom from There members,family, family,friends. friends.My Mybusiness businesshas hasincreased increased members, substantiallyand andi iam amvery verybusy busytrying tryingtotocope copeup up substantially withthe thejobs. jobs. with

MJTBA is a great place for networking. My business has improved and I have introduced business to my fellow members. Its good to have members of other profession together as we do not have to look outside to get our work done. The members have high ethical standards and jobs given to them are done to the utmost best.

K. Kanageswary Director, McCurry Restaurant Sdn. Bhd. 017-888 7588 I have been a member for the last 15months and found MJTBA very beneficial in increasing my circle of contacts. It has benefited me tremendously.

T.Rajenderan Director, RK Sasty Marketing 016-247 3809 MJTBA - It is a good platform for Jaffnese Tamils to share their expertise and network. We must work together to achieve mutual success for our community.

Andy K. Singam Director, AK Success Sdn.Bhd. 012-206 0159

PunchSoma Soma Punch Director,Punchout PunchoutPest PestServices Services Director, 013-3418073 8073 013-341 MJTBA MJTBAhas hashelped helpedme metremendously tremendouslywith withmy my transport transport&&tour tourbusiness businessby bybringing bringingininaaconstant constant flow flowofofhigh highquality qualitynew newclients clientswithout withouthaving havingtoto expand expandprecious precioustime timeand andmoney moneythe thetraditional traditional way. way.

S.S.Jayakumar Jayakumar Director, Director,Dayangti DayangtiTransport Transport&&Tour TourSdn. Sdn.Bhd. Bhd. (One (OneStop StopPassenger PassengerTransportation TransportationTravel TravelCenter) Center) 013-341 013-3412353 2353 Besidesgetting gettingmany manyintroductions introductionsand andleads leadsfrom from Besides MJTBA,I Ialso alsomake makelots lotsofofnew newfriends friendsand andlearn learnaa MJTBA, lotabout aboutthe theins insand andouts outsofofthe themembers members lot profession.As Aswe wehave haveregular regulardinner dinnermeetings meetingsand and profession. alsomeeting meetingoutside outsidethe themeeting meeting(MOM) (MOM), we , we also developstrong strongbonding bondingand andgive giveeach eachother other develop supportand andbusiness businessintroductions. introductions.I Iwill will support recommendbusiness businessowners ownersofofJaffnese Jaffneseorigin origintotojoin joinMJTBA. MJTBA.It’s It’s recommend fantastic.Bring Bringlots lotsofofbusiness businesscards cardsand andjoin joinus ustotomake makethe the fantastic. differenceininthe theway wayyou youdo doyour yourbusiness. business. difference T.L.Yogeswaran Yogeswaran T.L. Director,NTP NTPPrint PrintStation Station Director, (Digital&&Offset OffsetPrint PrintServices) Services) (Digital 012-2130672 0672 012-213

• Participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities like the Pan-Malaysian Games organised for Ceylonese based associations.

MJTBA comprise of wonderful and friendly people.

This group has enabled me to increase my network contacts and we members are able to capitalize on each others business opportunities and introductions.

Ranjini Rasalingam Business Owner, Ranjini Caterers 012-218 9760 In MJTBA you will gain new contacts to expand your business circle.

Sr K. Sivaganam Licensed Land Surveyor, SK Survey Consultancy 012-356 0079 "A Fantastic One Stop Centre for fellow Sri Lankan Tamils to Meet, Mingle and Network". The classification system which MJTBA practices is laudable, ensuring members from a wide range of Business and or Profession to gather in a common place.

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• Organise motivational talks and educational seminars for adults and students.

The association also has a wall of fame where photos of prominent members of the community are hung up.

The hall, named as Rayan Hall in honour of the Past President, Dato’ R.C.M. Rayan, houses four badminton courts and is heavily utilised for functions like weddings and dinners. There are also smaller rooms available for meetings and lodging. A separate dining hall is also available.

The Ceylon Association hall has been a community centre for the Ceylonese community in Ipoh and Perak for a very long time, and will continue to be one in the future. FF

It has been a privilege to have joined MJTBA. It has created a good avenue through networking for me.

The introductions and leads which I have received from the other members has enabled me to increase my business. Above all the fellowships that follows after each meeting has kept us united.

Arumugam Ratnasingam Group Sales Manager Great Eastern Life Assurance (M) Bhd. Overseas Assurance Corp. (M) Bhd., Kurnia Insurans (M) Bhd. 019-2102318/012-3910947 MJTBA has been a great association in assisting me with referrals connecting to various industries for the energy saving business I am involved with. I have had the opportunity to also make many new friends within our community.

Kamal Ragupathy Distributor, Sumber Pasifik Sdn.Bhd 012-551 5528 MJTBA is a great way to increase your network of contacts and increase your personal introductions.

It is one of the best ways of generating quality business leads.

Yuvan Kumar Director, Leanis Solutions (IT Solutions) 012-290 1523 With MJTBA’s down to earth , effective meetings and fellowships, one will surely acquire the success you have always dreamed of. MJTBA is a perfect platform for today’s volatile business environment.

Roy Ramesh Vallipuram Distributor, PRO - AQUA Malaysia.

(Multi - Functional Cleaning System of the Future) 017-200 4415 "The evolution of time has negatively impacted our community. We alone must realise that our continued success is in our own hands. MJTBA, which is modelled on a proven business approach adopted, offers a platform upon which business is referred to members towards preserving and gaining financial freedom in a variety of fields. I, for one am inordinately pleased to be a part of such an establishment Sumita Gnanarajah Advocate & Solicitor 012-339 5100

FEATURE ON FOMSO’S AFFILIATES

by Pushpaleela Ayadurai

Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association

The Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association, in its various incarnations, has been in existence in the state of Negeri Semiblan for one hundred and ten years.

T

hroughout its history the association has had as its foremost goal, the care and well-being of the Ceylonese community in the state. This write up offers a cursory glance at the birth, progress and development of the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association over the last one hundred and ten years.

Vivekananda Student’s Hall 1904 saw the demise of the great Hindu philosopher, educationist, and spiritual leader, Swami Vivekananda.

His passing, dawned an era of realization among Hindus around the world. His philosophies and teachings which were already wide-spread began to affect social change around the Hindu world. In Malaya, many institutions bearing his name and embodying his ideals of social and educational reforms were initiated.

Negeri Sembilan witnessed one such initiative with the formation of the Vivekananda Student’s Hall in the year 1904. In 1908 the Vivekananda Student’s Hall was formally founded under the triple leadership of Mr. S. Adchalingam, Mr. W. Ponnudurai and Mr. N.V. Viswalingam. The original aim was to provide pre-school and primary Tamil education for 12

the children of Indian homes in Negeri Sembilan.

A few years later, Mr. W.E Rajagopal who was a clerk of works with the Malayan Railways undertook to provide the Vivekananda Student’s Hall a permanent premise with the support of Mr. K. Ampalavanar, Mr. Y.K. Sabapathy, Mr. Cellayah, Mr. R.P. Candyah, and Mr. Chelvanayagam. Through their efforts, enough money was raised to purchase a piece of land in the heart of Seremban.

The building was strategically located at the meeting point of Labu Road, Birch Road and Lemon Street. It also lay ideally close to the Railway Station and the railway quarters, where many Ceylonese resided. The original building was a two storey structure with a concrete ground floor and a wooden floor above it. The building also housed the Swami Vivekananda library and was the centre of social and recreational activities.

The Ceylon Tamil Association of Negeri Sembilan The early 1930s saw the birth of ideas for the formation of the Ceylon Tamil Association of Negeri Sembilan. Meetings between office bearers of the Vivekananda Student’s Hall and the Ceylon Tamil Association led to the germination of concepts for the formation

FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

of a social organization for the Ceylon Tamils of Negeri Sembilan. The increase in the Ceylonese population in the state in the 1920s further increased the demand for an association to meet the needs of the community.

In 1934 the Negeri Sembilan Ceylon Tamil Association was formed and it took over the premise of the Vivekananda Student’s Hall.

The first president of the Association was Dr. A.S. Muthu, a prominent neuro-surgeon with the Seremban General Hospital. He was awarded the Royal Jubilee Award for his contribution to the state. The new association undertook to maintain and safeguard the culture and values of the Ceylon Tamils in the state.

The association organised many social and cultural activities for the Ceylonese community. In 1938 the association took a radical step to form a women’s wing by way of acknowledging the roles played by Ceylonese women in the progress of their community. The Negeri Sembilan Ceylon Tamils Association also adopted the logo “Unity is Strength”, both to promote unity in the community and demonstrate the strength of the organization.

Between 1942 and 1945, during World War Two, the activities of the Negeri Sembilan Ceylon Tamils Association slowed, primarily because its

building was turned into an administrative centre by the Japanese. After the war, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylon Tamils Association was one of the first organizations to be re-registered in Negeri Sembilan. In the 1950s, the teachers of the Vivekananda Tamil School were absorbed in two government schools; Java Lane Tamil School and Lobak Tamil School.

The Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association In 1949 the Negeri Sembilan Ceylon Tamils Association was dissolved, and in its place, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association was formed. The main reason for the change of name was to demonstrate a unified front and to present an image of total representation of the Ceylonese community. The Association opened its doors to other descendents of Sri Lanka origin, including the Sinhalese, Ceylon Burghers and Ceylon Malays. On 8 March 1950, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association was officially registered and housed at the Vivekananda Hall.

The main aims of the association are to: • Encourage and promote the general welfare of the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese community • Promote cultural enrichment and continuity

Wisma Ceylonese (new building of the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association)

• Represent the views of the community on matters of politics and public interest to the appropriate authorities • Provide relief and assistance to needy members • Maintain statistical data and records about the community • Reform social customs, habits and modes of life • Promote higher education through the provision of scholarship, loan and endowment • Provide avenues for social and cultural interaction • Provide and maintain a community building At the Annual General Meeting held on 21 January 1951, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association made a proposal for the formation of a complementary youth organization. The proposal was unanimously accepted, and the first meeting of the committee of the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Youth Forum (NSYF) was held on 21 February 1951.

At its election of office bearers, Mr. R. Supramaniam emerged as NSYF’s first president.

However, the Youth Forum was only officially registered on 20 February 1954. Amongst the significant events related to the Youth Forum was the participation of Ms. Vicki Muthu (Vice-President NSYF) at the World Youth Council Meeting

1954 held in Singapore. The years that ensued, saw the dwindling of the NSYF membership with Negeri Sembilan youth seeking employment and greener pastures in other parts of Malaysia. On 17 March 1976, the NSYF was de-registered due to inactivity. After this point, all youth related activities of the association were carried out, first by the Youth and Sports wings, and later, the Youth and Sports Sections.

Over the years, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association has seen it necessary to amend the association’s constitution, a total of six times to ensure that it remains relevant to the changing demands and needs of the community. In terms of activities, the 1990s saw the association develop a greater interest in the multiracial communities of Malaysia, apart from forging ahead with its original commitment to the educational, social and cultural preservation of community interests. Throughout its history, the association participated and hosted numerous events or programmes for the Ceylonese community and other Malaysian communities. These include events in the field of sports, culture, religion, social work and community service, education, and nation-building.

Vivekananda Hall (old building)

The Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association flourished and remained the spiritual home of the Ceylonese of Negeri Sembilan under the able and charismatic leadership of its many presidents. The Captains of the Community never failed or feared in setting progressive and pro-active courses for this pioneering community. In the list of guides, we include amongst others, the names of the leaders of the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association, from its earliest incarnation.

replaced with a new one. June 2008 saw the hundred year old building being demolished, and now in its place, stands a majestic looking, three-storey building, the Wisma Ceylonese.

• Dr. K. Murugesu • Mr. V Thambiah • Mr. R. Velayutham • Hon. Mr. M. Nadchitram • Mr. E.P.E. Ananda • Mr. S. Rajah • Mr. C.Harichandra, PJK, JP • Mr. A. S. Maniam PPN • Mr. C. Marimuthu PMC • Mr. S. Manickavasagar, KMN, PPN, DNS, PJK, PKL, JP • Mr. K Gunaretnam • Mr. R.Tharmalingam, PMC, PJK • Mr. G. Paramasivam PMC, PJK • Mr. S. Kumarasamy DNS, AMN, PMC, PJK

Today, one hundred and ten years from its small beginning, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association is still the only spiritual home for the Ceylonese of Negeri Sembilan. Its building stands elegant and proud, steeped in history and memory of the great Ceylonese sons and daughters who reside, and have resided, or have passed through the beloved state of Negeri Sembilan. Its location has become even more strategic, due to its location at the heart of Seremban, and its closeness to both the Railway station and the bus terminals.

It continues to strive for the community, to contribute to its political, social and cultural wellbeing. Through time and tide, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association has never wavered in its allegiance to God, Country and the state of Negeri Sembilan. FF

Over the years, the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association building bore the brunt of the natural elements and had to be repaired a number of times.

Then there came a time when it was weathered down so badly that the old building had to be

The Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association will be celebrating its 110 years anniversary in the year 2014.

To celebrate this auspicious occasion, various activities have been arranged and these activities will be carried out throughout the year.

FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

13

FEATURE ON FOMSO’S AFFILIATES

by Rathy Mahendran

Ceylon Association Taiping

T

he first passenger service was on 12th February 1885. Sad to say, today the physical evidence of that part of history has been erased with a tarred road over the railway lines.

With the increasing numbers of migrants, there was a need for them to have social and cultural activities, and in 1899, the first Ceylon Association in the country was formed here in Taiping. It was situated in a shop house along the Barrack Road. The British Council had established a library known as the Victoria Reading Room in the early 20th century, but with declining membership it was closed down. The Ceylonese community petitioned the British administration, and around 1925, the building situated at 19, Jalan Stesen was gifted to the community. The association moved its premises to that Ceylon Association building where it stands till today.

Later when the Government Departments were established, more and more Ceylonese came into the country and at one time they formed the backbone of most of the departments in the town. They were mainly Tamils from Jaffna as they were all English educated.

The first English newspaper, Perak Pioneer was published in 1894, followed by the Tamil newspaper, Perak Varathamanan.

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The British established the Malayan Railways in 1880. When the first railway line in Malaya was built in 1885 between Taiping and Port Weld, the British encountered problems because of the marshy condition of the soil and invited the Ceylon Pioneer Corp to complete the task and to administer the railways.

There was a small Singhalese community in Taiping, and they were mainly businessmen especially, jewellers, and they were then and even till today, the most skilled workers in gold and precious stones in our country. In addition to the Singhalese community, there was an even smaller Ceylon Burger community. All these communities played a major role in the development of Taiping.

The Ceylonese being a resilient set of people, regrouped after the war, and in 1945, organized a grand get-together for Ceylonese community in Malaya and Singapore at the Association’s premises and formed the Ceylon Federation of Malaya. Mr.R.M.Thambidorai was elected President, with Mr. Kala Kandan as Secretary. Later, Datuk E.E.C. Thuraisingham became the President.

In the early days, the Ceylon Association Taiping was the focal point and a vibrant social, cultural and sports centre for the whole community. In 1937, the great Indian national leader, Jawarhal Nehru visited Taiping, and all the Ceylonese Associations gave him a grand reception.

There are records to show that the Taiping team was the Inter Ceylon Association Games Champions in 1950, 1952 and 1953.

Games played included hockey, cricket, volleyball, badminton, football and billiards, and during the 1930s, these teams would have regular friendly games with the Ipoh Ceylon Association. In 1939, when war broke out in Europe, all travel was banned, but a special pass was given to the Taiping teams to travel to Ipoh for the annual games, until the Japanese Occupation in 1941.

Sadly, during the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese took over the building, and in the process destroyed all existing and previous records; even the billiard table was cut and used as a bed.

FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

In 1995, during the Merdeka celebrations, the local council organized a lighting festival for the major government and association buildings in Taiping. The Ceylon Association Taiping participated, and with wicks, oil and a variety of oil lamps only, (no electricity was utilized), the members worked enthusiastically and finally, we were awarded the first prize.

It was a proud moment for us on 13th January 2013 when we were given the opportunity to highlight the contributions and achievements of our ancestors at the exhibition on ‘The Contribution of Sri Lankans in the Development of Taiping 1883-1963’ at the First Galleria, Taiping. The Guest of Honour was the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Major-General S.W. Lalith Daulaga, who declared open

the exhibition. In addition, Dato’ S. Kulasegaran, the FOMSO President, led a delegation to grace the opening ceremony.

Since the 1990s, due to migrations away from Taiping to the larger cities for better work opportunities, there was significant decline in membership. Currently, the membership stands at 45 and although much smaller as compared to the past, the Association continues to thrive and manage to organize activities in orders to keep the community together.

Today, THE GRAND OLD LADY, stands on 19, Jalan Stesen, majestic, old, worn out, badly needing cosmetic surgery for which she is financially lacking.

For her to be restored to her former glory, we need funds of at least RM250,000, and we have appealed to the various authorities, and so far received RM5,000 from YB Dato Tan Lian Hoe, the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Consumerism.

We, the members of the Ceylon Association Taiping, have not given up hope, and will continue working towards our goal of restoring this ancestral home which also happens to be in the Taiping heritage trail. FF

by Rathy Mahendran

FEATURE ON FOMSO’S AFFILIATES

Young Men’s Hindu Association, Taiping YMHA’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations officiated by Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam

I

n 1917, some prominent members of the Ceylonese community in Taiping decided o form an organisation along the lines of the Young Men’s Hindu Association (YMHA) in Jaffna.

This was after World War 1. On January 1918, 61 members of the community met at Dr A. Visvalingam’s quarters at the General Hospital to discuss the possibility of forming an organisation to promote Hindu religion and culture.

In February, at an extraordinary general meeting held under the chairmanship of Dr Visvalingam, a committee was formed with Dr Visvalingam as President, Mr S. Elagupillay, as Secretary and Mr N.Thamboo, as Treasurer.

At this meeting, it was decided to form the YMHA in order to enable Hindus to have a deeper understanding of their religion.

To implement this, a temple and a hall were essential. The committee approached the Secretary to the then Resident of Perak, Mr Oliver Marks,

By the early 20th century, there was a large Ceylon Tamil population in Larut. Many of them were inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. who on 3rd September 1918, very kindly agreed to alienate a piece of land about 1a. 3r. 12p. in Upper Station Road (present site), as place of worship for the Ceylon Hindus.

In 1920, with the help of public donations, the first structure was built. It was a

During the turmoil of the Japanese Occupation, the association was made defunct, and was only revived in January 1946. From the time of its inception, the association became very active in the promotion of culture and religion by sponsoring lectures by distinguished men

In February, at an extraordinary general meeting held under the chairmanship of Dr Visvalingam, a committee was formed with Dr Visvalingam as President, Mr S. Elagupillay, as Secretary and Mr N.Thamboo, as Treasurer. At this meeting, it was decided to form the YMHA in order to enable Hindus to have a deeper understanding of their religion. small building, 30ft by 30ft with three rooms. The centre was the Shrine Room with a picture of Sri Vinayagar along with the pictures of Sri Subramanyiar and Mahalakshmi. There were about 200 Ceylonese in Taiping at that time, and all of them supported the undertaking. A Tamil school was also started, and a building provided.

from India and Ceylon, and by organising musical recitals, concerts, dramas, debates, and literary meetings. The old school building which had been the venue for all these activities became rundown and inadequate, and it was decided that a new building be put up in the open space between the school and the temple.

In 1958 under the leadership of the President, Dr T. Markandu, a resolution was made to construct a new building and Dr Markandu started the ball rolling with a donation of $10,000. There were more donations from our community as well as from the general public. The construction of the building was started in December 1963. The new building was declared open on the 22nd August 1964 by the Honourable Minister of Labour, Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam.

From the beginning, it was a great success. It was the first hall in Taping, and numerous weddings, dinners, meetings and other activities were held there. It was even used for government functions. The profits from the hall were used to organise the temple religious activities.

In 1978, YMHA celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a lavish tea party in the hall, officiated by Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam. FF

FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

15

COVER FOCUS - BOOKS & WRITERS

by M. Vickneswaran

The Long Literary Tradition of the

Malaysian Ceylonese Community The FOMSO FORUM pays homage to a selection of these writers and authors.

T

he Malaysian C e y l o n e s e community has a long and proud tradition in writing and publishing.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the first doyen amongst these distinguished literati is S. Durai Raja Singam, who has a huge corpus of published works, including 36 books. He was born in 1904 in Port Weld, the son of an early pioneer to Malaya, who had arrived in 1892, and served as a station master. Durai Raja Singam received his education in Jaffna College, and returned to Malaya in 1925, and became a teacher, retiring in 1959. His widely read books include ‘Place Names in Malaya: What

16

They Mean and Who They Commemorate’ (1939), and updated in 1954 and 1980, ‘Munshi Abdullah to Anak Singapura: Word Glimpses of Malaya by Malayans’ (1940) and ‘Tribute to Tunku Abdul Rahman’ (1963). His most renowned histography is ‘A Hundred Years of Ceylonese in Malaysia and Singapore (18671967): Being Records and Collections of a Community’.

This superb history of the community, published in 1968, is indeed inspired scholarship for he wanted the future generations to be aware of not only their heritage, but also the contributions of their forefathers in this nation’s development. In this history, Durai Raja Singam lists a bibliography of almost 60 authors from the Malaysian Ceylonese community who had written a wide array of books and papers, ranging from fiction to text books and academic works.

The first Tamil novel published in Malaya, 360 pages long, was written in 1927 by Arunachalam Nagalingam, a treasury official.

This novel, whilst incorporating the societal issues of the day, also dealt with the ills and dilemmas of westernization and the erosion in the daily use of

FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

the Tamil language, amongst the community. Arunachalam was honoured in a feature article published in the ‘Pathfinder’, October 2011 issue.

In 2006, T.Selvaratnam and S.Apputhurai, had published a magnificent history of the community, titled ‘Legacy of the Pioneers: 125 Years of Jaffna Tamils in Malaysia’.

This comprehensive work compiled together a history of the Jaffna Tamils, our customs, the migration to Malaya and the pioneers’ achievements in the Malayan civil service, the various professions and business, in sports, the arts and literature, politics and the many Ceylonese Associations, and importantly the Trade Union movement. T.Selvaratnam and S.Apputhurai issued a Volume 2 sequel in 2009. These two volumes taken together, is history par excellence, with an eloquent dedication: Many pioneers from Jaffna who many decades ago, left their land of birth, their beloved parents, and others close to their hearts.

They made great sacrifices, serving in the remote places, suffering loneliness and privations,

missing meals, sacrificing their health, comfort and some, even their lives.

They served this land with dedication and loyalty.

To these brave ones who bore their hardship with pride, fortitude and dignity, sacrificing much for their progenies, we humbly dedicate this book.

The writing tradition amongst the community in a wide range of subjects continues to flourish unabated. A selection is as follows:In 1948, Sybil Kathigasu had completed her memoir, including her heroic assistance to the People’s Anti-Japanese Army, her subsequent incarceration and torture by the Japanese Kempeitai. Her book, ‘No Dram of Mercy’, was published in 1954, after her death, and also after permission to publish was issued by the British Colonial Administration.

In the 1960s, Kukathas, who headed programming at RTM, had published several short stories, and was active in the nascent theatre scene. Subsequently, he achieved fame as the

Malaysian Bureau Head for the Far Eastern Economic Review under the abbreviated name, K. Das. His splendid journalism undoubtedly raised the profession’s standards in Malaysia. K. Das then left journalism to publish political commentary and critique, including ‘May Day for Justice’. The contemporary successor of this genre of political commentary is none other than R. Nadeswaran, a journalist famed for his crusading for better governance, transparency and accountability from public officials. S. Thayaparan, a retired Commander of the Royal Malaysian Navy, has found a fresh wind in his sails as a columnist, and recently, he collated several articles into a book titled ‘No Country for Righteous Men & Other Essays in a Culture of Offendedness’.

FOMSO’s Advisor had written several books on the Malaysian economy and in 2005, had also published his memoir, ‘My Life and Times’ (reviewed in the September 2013 Issue of the FOMSO FORUM). Another prominent economist from the community is Professor Rajah Rasiah, the Dean of the Economics Faculty, University Malaya, who has published extensively, nourishing the faculty’s stellar academic reputation.

The trained historian, Nesa Arumugam has written several books from the academic, ‘Silk Sarees of Tamil Nadu’ to recipe books and children’s books. In 2011, Nesa Arumugam launched her self-published ‘Stories of the Navagraha: The Nine Planets of Destiny’. The retired senior police officer, Dato’ R. Thambipillay had published ‘God’s Little Acre 1948-1998’ and in 2011, ‘The Last Post: Story of the Emergency and Commemorative Events (19481960). The ardent sportsman, Dato’ G. Vijayananthan published in 2012, his ‘The Memoirs of Mr Hockey’.

In literature, Dato’ Dr M. Shanmughalingam was a prize winner in the Dan O’Connell poetry competition in Melbourne in January 2000. His short stories were published as the Editor’s first choice from among 1,450 entries in the

Fish International Short Story Competition 2000 in Ireland, in The Merlion and The Hibiscus: Contemporary Short Stories from Singapore and Malaysia in 2002, in Silverfish New Writing 2, and in Petals of Hibiscus: A Representative Anthology of Malaysian Literature in English in 2003. Rani Manicka from Kuantan won the South East Asia and South Pacific Region 2003 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for her 2003 maiden novel, the ‘Rice Mother’.

The ‘Rice Mother’ was an international best seller, and was translated into several languages. Since then, Rani Manicka, who is now resident in London, has written two more novels, namely ‘Touching Earth’ and ‘The Japanese Lover’. Shamini Flint is famous for her Inspector Singh crime thrillers, publishing one a year since 2008. In addition, Shamini Flint has also written several children’s stories, and in 2012, ‘The Undone Years’, (reviewed in the January 2013 Issue of the FOMSO FORUM).

Recently, in 2013, R. Visvanathan, the retired headmaster of Penang Free School had published a history titled ‘The Tamils in India, Ceylon and Malaya’. In 2009, K. Thuraisingam had published ‘Tour of South Indian Temples’. In 2014, he will be launching ‘Ancient Hindu Temples of Sri Lanka. FF

After his retirement as the Head of Legal, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, PERMA President and FOMSO Deputy President, A. Gnanarajah published his four volumed ‘Laws of City Hall Kuala Lumpur with Cases and Commentaries’. Professor Dato Seri Dr. Visu Sinnadurai had also written extensively in the law, including the commentary of the judgements of His Royal Highness, Sultan Azlan Shah.

Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon Navaratnam, FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

17

COVER FOCUS - BOOKS & WRITERS

by K. Neelambika

In 2006, T.Selvaratnam and S.Apputhurai, had published ‘Legacy of the Pioneers: 125 Years of Jaffna Tamils in Malaysia’.

Selvaratnam and Apputhurai sought information from friends who had worked in the civil service, for the background information on the people who would be interviewed. Being new to this field, their friends’ children provided guidelines on how to conduct interviews.

The authors, T. Selvaratnam (left) and S. Apputhurai (right) at the book launch

T

his history of the community is the brainchild of Selvaratnam. Way back in 2002, both the authors met by chance at a funeral house in Brickfields.

The commonality they shared was careers in the Malayan Railways, but they weren’t exactly bosom buddies then.

Selvaratnam retired in 1975, and Apputhurai retired in 1991. It was on this occasion that Selvaratnam brought up the idea of writing a book on the Jaffna Tamils in Malaysia. Selvaratnam felt that the achievements and contributions of the Jaffna Tamils to the nation needed to be documented, to ensure that it was not lost forever. He also wanted our children and grandchildren to learn and emulate the exemplary lives of our forefathers.

Apputhurai, however, wasn’t taken up with Selvaratnam’s idea.

Nevertheless, Apputhurai met up with Selvaratnam regularly at Grand City restaurant. Over breakfast, they had preliminary discussions over the book project. After several

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meetings, the noisy environment of the restaurant wasn’t conducive for serious discussions. From then on, discussions were held in Selvaratnam’s house, and on occasions they convened at the Kalamandapam.

As the book was being conceptualised, the subject of financing was the least of the authors’ worries as they were motivated to publish a grand book that was worthy of the community. Deciding on the title for the book, the authors came up with about 20 possible considerations. In terms of the subject matter, it was determined that the controversial topics of politics, Tamil Tigers and the caste system would not be featured in the book. Only a watered down narrative of the caste system and its origins would be covered.

Selvaratnam and Apputhurai commenced work on the research and to collate and to compile materials. Selvaratnam made one trip to Sri Lanka, while Apputhurai made two trips. Apputhurai visited the Jaffna library and the Colombo Museum and many bookshops.

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He obtained books both in English and Tamil. Selvaratnam had his own personal collection of books. Other useful resources were the Vivekananda Ashram and Sangeetha Abivirithi Sabha’s libraries. List of addresses and telephone numbers as well as old files were obtained from the Jaffnese Cooperative Society (JCS) and Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association. As the authors didn’t know all the people in the community who deserve mention in the book, they had to rely on the network of families and friends. Flyers were sent out to members of the community.

People were contacted by telephone as this was considered to be more effective than to merely sending out letters.

Initially, the authors focussed on the narrative aspects of the book, and left the photography portion to a later stage. The number of pages was originally targeted at 500. At the point of publication, the book got extended to 654 pages.

The next process involved personal interviews. Before getting started on this step,

Selvaratnam and Apputhurai travelled extensively through the length and breadth of the country to meet people and conduct interviews. They also had the support of a relative to drive them, especially to the southern part of the country where they didn’t know anyone. The interviews were tape-recorded so as not to lose details, and to ensure high fidelity for the full story.

The authors sought the expertise of Professor Dato’ Seri Dr. Visu Sinnadurai, a former Judge of the High Court of Malaya, who also wrote the foreword for the book. They both spent hours with Professor Visu in his house, reviewing the contents and scope.

Professor Visu gave advice and guidance on the structure and presentation. Professor Visu was of the view that the book should feature people who have made contributions and were worthy of mention.

Selvaratnam and Apputhurai received both positive and critical reactions on their book project. There were members of the community who welcomed the authors into their homes,

and keenly recounted their stories or that of their families.

There were many instances of warmth and hospitality.

However, Selvaratnam and Apputhurai also encountered critical comments to their project which included, ‘Why are they doing this?’, ‘It was a waste of time’, and ‘The book will not sell as the community will not part with their money for this sort of publication’.

This endeavour had its other challenges. It was a frustrating journey when records were inaccessible for various reasons or the people, wanting to guard their privacy, were reluctant to grant interviews. Apputhurai felt dejected by these hurdles and difficulties. Selvaratnam was the positive minded one.

He provided encouragement to his partner to take the rejections in his stride and to remain determined.

Working on a joint project, there would naturally be areas of disagreement between partners. Selvaratnam wanted to include an article on the future of Jaffna Tamils in Malaysia as a conclusion, as well as his views to discourage mixed marriages by the Jaffna Tamils. Apputhurai was not agreeable as this would create controversy and alienation of families which have mixed marriages.

Once the draft of the manuscript was completed, the authors sourced for two editors. Their choice was to go for teachers. There’s a story about a candidate who was given a shot to edit a few pages of the manuscript. He actually edited every line of the manuscript, and in the process, changed the context. Naturally, this was not on. Subsequently, the final selection was two retired Kirkby trained teachers, namely Nallathamby Siva Gnana Segaram and Kanagasabai Durairajah.

On the subject of financing the project, Selvaratnam and Apputhurai used their own money for incidental expenses such as the substantial telephone and fax charges, printer ink and paper. Apputhurai maintained an account of their expenses, keeping a record of the bills and receipts. They did not solicit for financial assistance.

Somehow donations started to flow in. Selvaratnam’s daughter, Sitpah donated $20,000. There were donors who wished to remain anonymous. One of Apputhurai’s friends had learnt about the project, and asked how Apputhurai was managing

rates. Selvaratnam, being a meticulous and thorough person, even inspected the print machine and talked to the machinist. One of the authors’ criteria for the choice of a printer was one who would be flexible in meeting the customer’s requirements and specifications.

1,500 hard-back copies were printed at a cost of $70,000.

Despite their differences in opinion, and not having being very old friends, Selvaratnam and Apputhurai were both driven by a common cause for the interest of the community. They persevered against all odds.

Each of the authors brought their

S. Apputhurai

with the finances. He invited Apputhurai out for dinner, and gave him a cheque for $10,000.

There was another case where they visited a member of the community to interview, and were at once given a cheque for $20,000.

With funds unexpectedly and generously coming in, Selvaratnam and Apputhurai agreed that they would not make any monetary gain from the book. The proceeds of the sale after deducting their expenses would be donated to the Sri Kandaswamy temple, Sangeetha Abivirithi Sabha, Vivekananda Ashram, Tamil Relief Fund and Tamil schools.

Apputhurai’s daughter maintained a record of the donations. Selvaratnam and Apputhurai opened a joint account to issue cheques to the printer.

Selvaratnam and Apputhurai visited many printers, obtained quotations and negotiated the

see the publication of their second book. He told Apputhurai this, and that whatever happened, he needs to get the book published.

Sadly, Selvaratnam passed away in 2008. It was an emotional and distressing time for Apputhurai. He had to take charge and fulfil Selvaratnam’s wishes and see to the completion of the book. A Volume 2 sequel was published in 2009.

Following from the publication of the two books, Apputhurai was invited to be a contributing writer for ‘The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora’ that

T. Selvaratnam

own set of skills and expertise to the project. Selvaratnam was the ‘communications man’ calling up people to gather data and making appointments for interview.

Being an accomplished artist, ‘Artist Selva’ was also responsible for the design and product finish inside front cover design, the different colour markers and the use of ‘Yal’ a string musical instrument. Apputhurai was the ‘computer man’- writing and typing the manuscript.

Considering the magnitude of the project, and the arduous and monumental exercise, it was inevitable that contributions and articles on some people were omitted. Although the authors had no plans to publish a second book, they decided for a Volume 2, to accommodate these omissions.

While working on the second book, Selvaratnam fell ill and was going in and out of hospitals. He sensed that he would not live to

was recently published in 2013.

Apputhurai wrote the chapter on the communities in Malaysia.

Apputhurai’s favourite author is Jeffrey Archer. He has read all his books and found the author to be a great story teller. With his captivating stories, Apputhurai wasn’t able to keep the book down, and would be reading till the wee hours of the morning.

Archer’s first book that he read was ‘First Among Equals’. The story struck a chord in him, as it paralleled his working life with a group of friends, having climbed up the rungs, in the Malayan Railways. Apputhurai is now engrossed with a keen interest to read Tamil and religious books.

We are hugely indebted to both the authors for their dedication in publishing this magnificent book which in itself, is a historical document of the community, and its many and varied contributions to develop Malaysia. FF

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COVER FOCUS - BOOKS & WRITERS

by K. Neelambika

Visvanathan had recently in 2013, published a book titled ‘The Tamils in India, Ceylon and Malaya’.

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he book chronicles a broad overview of the history, language, literature, arts, religion and caste of the Tamils in India and Ceylon, their migration to Malaya, their role in the various professions in Malaya, the key ones being transport, agriculture and civil service, and sports and leadership.

A retired headmaster of Penang Free School, Visvanathan felt that ‘once a teacher, he was always a teacher’. He was motivated to embark on this ambitious project as he wanted the younger generation to know the background of their forefathers,

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and for his fellow Tamils to be proud of their race. Visvanathan felt that even though we refer to ourselves as Malaysians, we should not sever our roots to our motherland. We were small in numbers, and yet have competed with everyone, and achieved remarkable success.

Visvanathan wanted to highlight the tremendous contributions of the Tamils towards the development of Malaya, as there is a dearth of publications in this regard.

Researching and writing about the Tamils has been a tremendously satisfying process for Visvanathan. This labour of love entailed ten odd years of extensive research of history books and the Encyclopedia Britannica. The books, both in English and Tamil, were obtained from India, as well as given by his family and friends, and also accessed from the Jaffnese Cooperative Society (JCS) library. His children provided support with the editing.

Visvanathan has dedicated the book to his late wife for being a devoted wife and mother.

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Visvanathan is arranging for complimentary copies of the book to be sent to the Jaffna College library, Jaffna University in Colombo, the universities in Madras, Madurai and Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu.

81 years of age, Visvanathan is raring to go with a second book that would provide ideas to improve the lives of the impoverished people in Jaffna from the devastation caused by three decades of civil war.

Visvanathan’s favourite author is Charles Dickens. This author has influenced his thinking. His other favourite is Agatha Christie for her detective stories. FF

by K. Neelambika

COVER FOCUS - BOOKS & WRITERS

Since the early days of his career with the Civil Defence, Thuraisingam has been a contributor of articles to the department’s in-house magazines.

H

e was also a regular contributor of articles to the official journal of the Institute of Civil Defence, UK. After his retirement from the government service, Thuraisingam became a regular contributor of articles, including having his own column ‘Past Notes’ in the ‘Pathfinder’, a periodical newsletter catering for the members of the Jaffnese Cooperative Society.

In 1981, Thuraisingam joined a tour to South India. This was the first of several trips he made to South India. He gathered various materials and books relating to the many ancient temples that

he visited on the tour. It was here that he discovered that the Hindu religion is truly preserved in its pristine glory, and embodied in their many temples. In addition to being revered sites of spirituality, the temples are galleries of artistic beauty, with their majestically towering gopurams, the various and innumerable sculptures, intricate carvings, motifs and paintings. Marvelling at the sheer beauty and grandeur, and experiencing the spirit of devotion, adoration and divine bliss, inspired Thuraisingam to want to share the greatness of these ‘House of Gods’ with both visitors and pilgrims. The temples are not merely a place of worship.

They also serve as abodes for meditation and solace, as well as the nucleus around which the cultural life of the people revolved.

After two years of painstaking research, Th u r a i s i n g a m published his first book ‘Tour of South

Indian Temples’ in 2009. As most of the materials were in Tamil, Thuraisingam’s fluency in Tamil greatly assisted him to understand and present the information in lay man’s terms for the benefit of its readers.

Thuraisingam’s knowledge was enriched by the services of a very knowledgeable Tour Guide during the tour. All the photographs were taken by himself and his son. The book provides an excellent narrative of his tour of the 27 temples, with information on its legendary origins, the divine visitors who performed miracles and conducted their penances.

The book also provides details on the architecture, the layout, the location, puja times and special festivals of each of these sacred places for the benefit of visitors.

In addition, supplementary articles are provided on Hindu festivals and the construction of a temple.

Thuraisingam published the book at his own cost, and had distributed the books amongst relatives and friends.Thuraisingam had no commercial motives, and instead, was charged with noble objectives to share this divine knowledge with the community.

Having written on the temples of South India, Thuraisingam felt a personal responsibility to do the same for the holy temples of Sri Lanka. His second book, ‘Ancient Hindu Temples of Sri Lanka’ is planned for launch in May 2014. FF

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COVER FOCUS - BOOKS & WRITERS

by Elisabeth Sugairtha Malar Alfred

Why I Enjoy

Writing??

A

nd from here, I believe that I developed the love for writing – beginning with letter writing – then going on in later years after graduating as a nurse to writing articles for nurses’ magazines or church newsletters – and in the last few years writing as for journaling, before editing the Kuala Lumpur’s YWCA’s 100 years anniversary book in March 2013. That was quite a task that involved many months of writing some of the stories of people in the book, as well as editing various articles that appear in the book.

Why do people like me, enjoy writing? I believe that it is a form of communication of words that can be preserved for a period of time, like my keeping the letters that my dear father wrote faithfully to me each week, while I was doing my nurse training in Adelaide, South Australia. Now that he is gone for over 40 years, he still lives on in my memory each time I choose to reread his letters.

Yes, writing communicates a message from the writer to anyone who receives it, or to

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anyone who has access to read it. And through journaling for many years now, which was started basically as a dialogue session with my God, in the time each morning that I set aside to be in His presence and to read His messages as found in His Book the Bible, since I belong to the Christian faith. Words are powerful I believe, because they can encourage a disheartened person and motivate him/her to try again, but the opposite is also true. What do I mean??

Many a person has been damaged emotionally for life because of hearing harsh words spoken to them at some stage of their life and they have never forgotten those words! Today, many articles are being written about the importance of E.Q. Like I.Q. – the first refers to the emotional quotient, and the other of course, to the intelligence quotient which we are all very familiar with.

Let me encourage you to begin developing the art of writing through two ways write some thoughts about something that bothers you for e.g. the increasing crime rate in our country OR get a book and write some reflections before

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When reflecting on this when asked to write this article, I found it quite amazing that the art of writing should be attributed to my late father Dr. E.S.R. Alfred who was a faithful writer – not a writer in the way we would consider like writing a book or having a blog which is a common feature these days, BUT just writing letters to keep in touch with his brother in Sri Lanka and his only sister in England.

you sleep each night. I can attest to the fact that you will begin to enjoy doing this – then share with someone else like I am doing here. So let me now share first about the special privilege given to me to edit the YWCA’s 100 Anniversary book last year. Though tedious at times through just looking at words and more words and more words, but after each story was written about people, and after editing each article, there was a special experience of joy at the finished work. This was because I knew, that anyone who bought the book when it was launched, would be inspired by the lives of those who were involved in the life and activities of the K.L. YWCA over the past 100 years, PLUS to know how this organization was used by God to provide useful skills to marginalized girls, when the Vocational Training Opportunity Centre (VTOC) was purpose built in 1998.

“My Father, here I am waiting Waiting to get a touch from Your hand Your hands that are always outreaching Reaching down with Your magic wand

Finally, let me close with a poem I wrote while struggling with a relationship problem when I ‘felt’ rejected:

A commitment to belong to You only Never mind if others forsake and don’t care So help me to focus heavenly Because it’s there that I’ll always feel secure” FF

Today has been special Special because You spoke Spoke from Your Word that’s eternal To reassure me that I’m not broke!

Broke from feelings of loneliness And feeling fearful and anxious many a time Then You shared about Your own brokenness When You became the Living Bread for all time!

Help me Lord now to rest in You You who can give rest and contentment Let my thoughts never wander from You Since with You, I’ve made a new commitment

Malaysian Ceylonese Welfare & Educational Fund

EDUCATION

The Malaysian Ceylonese Welfare & Educational Fund was founded in 1972 with the objective of assisting needy students by granting Study Loans to pursue their higher education.

The Fund is financed entirely by well wishers from the Ceylonese Tamil community. Among them are trustees of wills of demised members, patrons, donors and life members, and several Ceylon Tamil Societies.

The Study Loans are made for studies at local institutions of higher learning. The basic criteria for determining the awards are Need and Merit.

Eligibility

The applicant’s parents’ total joint income should not exceed RM3,500 per month

Interest rate

Free

Maximum Loan Amount

RM20,000

Repayment Period

Depending on the loan quantum and discipline, within three to five years after completion of the course

The Fund is a revolving one and is managed by a Council. Its sustenance is dependent on the prompt repayment of the loan by the student borrower to help other needy students. To date, Study Loans have been awarded to 177 students.

If you know of any students within our Ceylon Tamil community requiring financial assistance to pursue higher studies or should you wish to become a member of his illustrious Fund, you may contact:

MR K. SIVAPATHY The Secretary Malaysian Ceylonese Welfare & Educational Fund No 35 Jalan Changgai 46000 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel. No: 03-79318302 / 012-9038302

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THE PERFORMING ARTS

by K. Neelambika

T

he festival is divided into sets of three days to adore different facets of the supreme Goddess. The first three days are devoted to Durga, to invoke grace for energy, strength and courage from God. On the next three days, Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and material wellbeing is venerated. The final three days are devoted to the worship of Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and learning. One needs to

a mother who has the love for and an ardent supporter of the arts, the children were provided with the opportunity.

They learned the violin, viola, carnatic music and classical dancing. The Navarathiri festival fosters the sustenance of the arts. So here was an excellent platform for the children to perform a rendition, at the end of the prayer session. Family, relatives and friends were all invited to join in the occasion.

Mr Kanthaswamy would painstakingly call upon them in their homes to extend the

and magnificent set in terms of its size and the sheer diversity of its religious and cultural representations. The altar is a universal embodiment of religion and culture. Apart from the numerous statues of various sizes epitomising the different Hindu God forms, there are also statues of Guru Nanak, Kuan Yin and Buddha, as well as figurines depicting the Nativity scene and Wedding scene. Various musical instruments such as veena, sitar, harmonium, percussion drums, tambura, guitar and didgeridoo which symbolise the diverse

Navarathiri Kolu and the

Preservation of the

Performing Arts Nava-rathiri means nine nights. Hence, Navarathiri is celebrated over a period of nine days.

evoke all these boons from the Supreme Mother, not only to live well, but also to evolve spiritually. The fundamental inspiration for our traditional music, song and dance is the veneration of the All-Mighty.

The Kanthaswamy family has been celebrating Navarathiri Kolu at their residence since 1966. The idea to hold the celebration was conceived by the late Mrs Thavapakiam Kanthaswamy. It all got started when her three young children expressed an interest in wanting to learn music. Having 24

personal invite. The children would eagerly accompany their father on his rounds.

This formality even involved bringing along kumkum to offer to the folks.

The festival was initially celebrated with a small altar of statues. Over the years, Mrs Thavapakiam devotedly built up the collection of statues.

These were acquired locally, as well as, abroad her travels.

Now in its 48th year, the altar has certainly come a long way, and has since been lovingly transformed into an elaborate

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cultural elements of the world complete the setting.

Preparations for the festival begin well in advance.

Preparations are intensive, with meticulous attention to details. This is a community affair with family, relatives and friends all coming together to be involved and to give a helping hand. The statues that had all been gathered for packing and storing away at the end of each celebration have now to be brought out and carefully unpacked. They are then assembled, with each of

the statues taking its revered place on the altar. A programme of cultural performances is planned to keep the culture and traditions alive, especially among the children.

A formal invitation card is then produced and distributed to the relatives and friends. Every single day at sunrise, over the nine days celebration, family members would go around the neighbourhood to pluck flowers for the purposes of adorning the altar.

On the first day of the Navarathiri Kolu celebrated last year, the students of Sri Harichandran gave a performance on the violin and mridangam. The following day saw Rhivakshini Jaya, a 9 year old student of Nimal Raj of Natya Rajyam – Regal Dance Theatre, performing a bharathanatyam.

Dhashani Ganesalingam, who qualified in Music from the Annamalai University, performed the vocals, on the third day, accompanied by Kuhan, a first year engineering student, on the mridangam. On the first day of the Lakshmi puja, Shanthi, Logendran and Umesh, all students of Mrs Kanagamani Vijendra, rendered a violin recital, accompanied by Shankar Menon on the mridangam. The ladies’ choir group from the Petaling Jaya Vinayagar Temple delivered a rendition on the keyboards on the second day of the Lakshmi puja. On the next day, Ustad Haider Salamat Ali Khan, an exponent of Pakistani music and carnatic ragas and who teaches this art in Kuala Lumpur, performed the Ghazals.

On the second day of the Saraswati puja, the children of the Malaysian Ceylonese Congress (MCC), Old Klang Road Branch Hinduism Class performed vocal recitals. The children rendered solo, duet and group performances. The idea for the Hinduism class was mooted by Mrs Thavapakiam’s daughter, Shanthi. Following the successful staging of the

much acclaimed ‘Ramayana - Our Visualisation’ as the Co-director in January 2013, Shanthi wanted to sustain the momentum of the children’s involvement and interest in the arts. Particularly, with the current fixation with smart phones and social media, its certainly a challenge to maintain the participation of the children in their cultural traditions.

Consequently, the Hinduism class was kicked off, four months after the stage drama.

The class, open to all children from the ages of 4 to 16, is held on Sundays at the family home.

Five months into the class, the children rehearsed to showcase what they have learnt, for the Navarathiri Kolu. They all gave a splendid performance. The final day of the festival was themed as ‘Grace and Movement. Tiny

performances. These include pukai (brown sugar rice), puli saatham (tamarind rice), lime saatham, ellu saatham (sesame seed rice), milagu saatham (pepper rice), vadai, mohthagam, kacang and aval (flat rice with sugar and coconut).

The traditional method is used to prepare each and every prasadam at home without the use of modern appliances. This involves pounding the rice flour in the grinding stone to the splitting of the green beans.

Its certainly been a labour of love. The next generation of the family, the nephews who are college students, have also come forward and have been involved in this task.

Apart from the religious and cultural significance and the

The final day of the festival was themed as ‘Grace and Movement. Tiny Toes, Big Steps’. The children performed a gypsy dance, followed by the older children performing the bharathanatyam that they choreographed themselves. It was a sensation experience for the children to be able to perform publicly in front of a live audience

The children of the Malaysian Ceylonese Congress (MCC), Old Klang Road Branch Hinduism Class performing vocal recitals

Toes, Big Steps’. The children performed a gypsy dance, followed by the older children performing the bharathanatyam that they choreographed themselves. It was a sensation experience for the children to be able to perform publicly in front of a live audience.

involvement of the children, the celebration brings family and friends together in an atmosphere of fellowship. A gathering of about 40 people turned up during the weekday prayers, and the weekends drew a considerable turn-out of about 100 people.

The parents who bring their children to the classes have also benefitted. Sitting in and joining the children, has promoted interaction and bonding with them. They themselves have been enlightened from the discourse. They believe that parents are duty bound to be involved in ensuring that their children are knowledgeable on their traditions, particularly, with the prevailing widespread exposure to western influences.

With sheer dedication and commitment, the children of Mrs Kanthaswamy have been carrying on the annual celebration of Navarathiri Kolu without fail, to uphold their mother’s aspiration of keeping the culture and traditions alive and rejoicing in the celebration with community engagement.

Admirably, Shanthi, in her own way, is selflessly engaged in nurturing the knowledge and pride of our rich cultural heritage among children, who in turn will carry forward our most important inheritance. FF

A wide variety of prasadam is served after each night’s

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ENTREPRENEURS

by K. Neelambika

T.L. Yogeswaran, Managing Director of

NTP Print Station

Yoges received his primary and secondary education at La Salle, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. His extra-curricular activities in school were badminton and taekwondo.

He then subsequently studied IT programming at Informatics. Upon graduation, Yoges had to decide on his career, and the magnetic pull of the family printing business proves irresistible.

Y

oges’ foray into the business sphere began at a young age of 18, when he picked up his early printing knowledge from his family business. He learnt every aspect of the printing trade from designing, product finishing, the technicalities of the actual printing processes and the final delivery to customers.

Through the hands-on learning of the processes and the tools, he acquired an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the technical know-how. After completing college at the age of 21, he took over the running of the printing business, which

26

he focussed on a full time basis.

In addition, he enrolled for a 3 year course in printing at The Institute of Printing, United Kingdom (Malaysia Branch).

The objective was to bridge his knowledge gap between the theory and practical aspects of printing, and obtain his formal qualifications in printing technology, to acquire the requisite professional competence for state of the art technology, and of course, the formal educational recognition.

Yoges set forth to becoming an entrepreneur when he bought over the printing business from his family in the year 2010.

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Being in a strong financial position is essential as capital is required for setting up business. The other key attributes required are planning, analysing the market in terms of its potential, market needs, and strategising accordingly, as well as knowing your estimates of revenue and expenditure He changed the name of the company from N. Thamotharam Pillay & Sons Sdn. Bhd. to NTP Print Station, taking after the initials of his grandfather’s name.

This exercise was not a mere change of business name, but in essence, was a rebranding exercise. Yoges has great ambitions for NTP Print Station, and the rebranding encapsulates this ambition to create an ultra modern high-tech printer who provides creative solutions for his clients. Yoges provides premium printing services for a wide range of products, from business call cards, invitation and wedding cards, office stationery, company brochures, annual reports, carton boxes for products, labelling, packaging and even buntings and banners. Yoges has also worked with authors and publishers to print books. Further, Yoges who is fluent in spoken and written Tamil, also offers proofreading and printing in Tamil as a speciality service. Yoges, quickly established his reputation as a premier solutions driven high quality printer, and he now has a strong clients’ base who give him regular repeat orders. This business success accords him with a deep sense of satisfaction.

In the early days, Yoges had his reservations on whether he was cut out for the family business. Over time, as his interest and business success grew, he came to enjoy and embrace his business career. It also opened up

the opportunity for meeting people from other industries.

Yoges’ grandfather, the legendary N. Thamotharam Pillay, was instrumental, and a driving force in shaping his grandson’s outlook of life. His grandfather didn’t want to see the abandonment of the business that he had tirelessly built. The late Thamotharam Pillay was a hardworking and devoted man, and kept himself involved in all his businesses right up to the ripe old age of 99. He was a voracious reader. He didn’t believe in wasting valuable time. He also invested in quoted shares. His must read was the ‘Investor Digest’, to keep abreast of the latest developments in the stock market, and was always on the lookout for new investment opportunities.

Thus, Yoges regards it as a great privilege to grow up under his grandfather’s influences and tutelage. Yoges took the initiative to learn as much as he could from his grandfather, and has clearly succeeded in his grandfather’s footsteps.

Competition is certainly fierce in the printing industry. The competitive advantage for Yoges to stay above the competition is to focus on creative solutions, quality and delivery on time. In his view, what is critical is to produce high quality printing work. His years of hands-on experience and professional competence, have stood him well in this business.

Being a member of Business

Networking International (BNI) has enabled him to access its networking channels and opportunities. He has also ventured into property investment and maintenance in his capacity as the Director and shareholder of the family company, N. Thamotharam Pillay & Sons Sdn. Bhd. Yoges’ advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to have a strong foundation in whatever field you choose to embark on. There is a need for great diligence to gain knowledge and to equip oneself with the relevant skills, before venturing into your own business. Hence one will be able to position oneself, especially in today’s ever-changing and evolving work and business environment. Being in a strong financial position is essential as capital is required for setting up business. The other key attributes required are planning, analysing the market in terms of its potential, market needs, and strategising accordingly, as well as knowing your estimates of revenue and expenditure.

Yoges is a founding member, and serves as the Honorary Secretary of the Malaysian Jaffnese Tamil Business Association (MJTBA). As a keen member, he aims to widen the membership of the association so as to provide a networking platform and to promote business opportunities among Ceylonese who wish to embark on business careers.

There is also a spiritual aspect to Yoges. For the last 20 years, Yoges has been devoting his time and energy with the Devotees Association Malaysia known as ‘Melmaruvathur Athiparasakthi’. This spiritual organisation is based in Klang, and its members participate in weekly prayer sessions, and charitable endeavours such as visits to orphanages and homes, as well as personally preparing festival goodies for distribution to homes, hospitals and prisons during Deepavali. Reaching out to those in need has been an immensely satisfying activity for Yoges. Annually, without fail, he undertakes a pilgrimage to Melmaruvathur in South India.

The spiritual journey has given him the strength to overcome challenges in life, energised him positively and helped him in his business. He believes that spirituality is an important aspect of one’s life.

Yoges’ hobbies include photography and travelling.

He purchased a Nikon DSLR camera and seriously pursued his interest by attending a photography course. To my question and curiosity, Yoges was quick to add that he has no plans of becoming a professional photographer.

That perhaps has to do with his undivided focus on his printing business which runs deep in his veins.

He also enjoys taking long drives traversing the country on the open highways and on the old roads, exploring and discovering new places. While on the road, he combines his other pastime, capturing, in particular, old buildings, through his lens. His love for photography has come in handy in his business as some of his clients having seen his works, have requested for these to be used as cover designs.

For your printing needs, you may contact Yoges at 0122130672. FF

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YOUTH & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

by Dr. E. Sivananthan

P M A C TH U O Y S JC 3 1 0 2 R E B M E C DE R TH CAMP FO U O Y S JC L A BER 2013.

ITS ANNU M D E L C E E H D Y H L T L 5 U F O1 JCS SUCCESS FROM 13TH T N E R D IL H C ’ RS THE MEMBE

The Overall Group Winners with their Prizes

T

he camp was held at Paya Indah Wetlands (PIW), which is under the management of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. PIW is

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located about 9 km east of Dengkil town, and about 40 km south of Kuala Lumpur.

The camp received good response from all parts of the country, including one from Sabah. The participants

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consisted of 19 girls and 15 boys, mainly between the ages of 14 to 18 years.

The youths were transported to PIW in a chartered bus, accompanied

by JCS Board Member, Mr. Sivangyanasingham, who was also the Camp Commandant and a facilitator. Other facilitators who kept the youths occupied with a variety of activities were officials from PIW and JCS Board

The Youths Participating in the Group Activities

Members consisting of Vice Chairman, Dr. E. Sivananthan, Treasurer, Dr. Christopher, and Mr. Dharmananda.

The youths participated with great enthusiasm and comradeship in the wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Among the activities that the youths were exposed to included JCS and the Community, Wetlands and Nature Conservation, Ecology, Hippopotamus and Crocodile, Kayaking, History of Tin Mining in Malaysia, and Trekking into the Peat land forest. One memorable session was the Night Safari that involved the youths taking a night walk into the forest, guided by the PIW facilitators to use their ears and torches to look out for nocturnal wildlife. The youths found the session thrilling and revealing, as they sighted several wildlife, including eagles and porcupine.

The students had a number of memorable sessions to interact among themselves, and together with the natural environment, contributed

towards their communication and leadership skills. During the kayaking and paddle boat ride, they had the opportunity to understand about water safety issues, and acquire coordination skills to maneuver with their partners on the lotus filled lake.

Camp as it assists in developing co-operative qualities among the youths of the community, which is in line with the objectives of JCS. In addition, the camp forms a bridging opportunity between the JCS and the youths who will be the potential future leaders to take JCS to greater heights.

The JCS Chairman also thanked Ms. Sim Beatrix of PIW for her assistance, the parents, and youths for their participation.

He hoped parents will enroll their children as child members, and later as JCS members to ensure the continuity of the cooperative in years to come. FF

The participants had also the opportunity to demonstrate their inherent talents during the karaoke session and final group presentations. In keeping with the objectives of the camp, the participants integrated the use of Tamil language and the concept of savings, for their benefit and that of the community. The final group presentations were held during the closing ceremony that was attended by about 50 parents, and graced by the presence of Mr. S. Makeswaran, the Chairman of JCS and Mr. Sukrathevan, Board Member and Chairman of JCS Brickfields District.

Mr. Makeswaran in his address at the closing ceremony reiterated that JCS will continue holding the annual JCS Youth

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‘

YOUTH & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

P M A C H T U O Y S JC 13 0 2 R E B M E C E D

The Experience of

DHANYA SURTHARALINGAM,

A J C S YO U T H C A M P D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3

PARTICIPANT

The JCS camp has slowly become one of the many highlights of the year for me, not so much because of the activities organized (which I have to mention never seem to bore us!), but rather, because of the people we meet and the experiences we gain from it.

The adventure really begins way before the camp officially starts, during the bus ride to our camp.

Loud comments are thrown from one end of the bus to the other. Jokes and laughter fill the atmosphere. Most begin to catch up and find out what’s happening in each other’s lives. Some prefer to keep quiet during the journey

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and just listen to music or read a book. We all know that after this, any alone or quiet time is out of the question until camp ends.

The loss of silence didn’t seem to affect anyone much though.

We enjoyed being in each other’s company far too much.

Throughout the camp, we kept discovering new and often interesting things about each other and ourselves. As cliché as it sounds, the JCS Youth Camp provided us with a platform for self-discovery. We learnt to push our limits and discard simple comforts like hot showers and comfortable beds (it was a camp after all, luxuries like these

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would defeat the purpose).

At times, we were forced to really abandon the “city-girl/ boy” behaviour we had gotten so used to. Having swamp mud in our socks, and pebbles in our shoes, mosquito bites and sunburns; it all came with the territory of being in a camp.

Another important lesson we learnt was to step up and lead when we had to. At times, the older campers had to step up as leaders, and as older brother/ sisters. It was taxing, I will admit that easily, but it was rewarding to know that someone depended on you, as shallow as it may have seemed. We learnt to adapt to

constantly having to look out for the younger campers, and make sure they weren’t doing anything dangerous.

All in all, I would say that the JCS Youth Camp was a success and I hope that it will continue. This year, I will be turning 18, and it will be the last time I attend this camp. However, I will continue to cherish the memories I had made, and the people I had gotten to know here, long after the last camper has gone home.

’

’

YOUTH & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

by K. Neelambika

WITH THE YOUTHS

Devan Suntharalingam Petaling Jaya 14 years old

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Veterinarian WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I have loved pets since I was young. I am good at Biology.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Finishing college, working part time while waiting for my results and getting a scholarship.

Rubini a/p Shanmuga Ratnam Kota Kinabalu 18 years old

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Accountant WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? It is a lifelong dream, spurred by the recent financial crisis.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Study hard. With good results, I hope to further my studies in a university in Australia.

Shruti Kuhan

Bandar Sri Damansara 14 years old

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Neuro surgeon WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I like to help people and am interested in surgeries.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Study hard. Get a scholarship to further my studies overseas.

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Computer Engineer

Praveen Dharmananda Rawang 16 years old 32

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WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I love computers. I am good at using the programmes such as Microsoft Word, Internet and You Tube, as I help my father with his work on the computer.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Put in the effort and not wait till the last minute.

Ruhielan a/l S. Parameswaran USJ 17 years old

Kishen Sivabalan Petaling Jaya 13 years old

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Actuarial Science

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Doctor

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I can earn a lot of money and I love Mathematics.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I like to help and interact with people. I like Science.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Finish A levels and get a scholarship to do my Degree and Masters.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Study hard. I am a member of the St John Ambulance in my school.

Divyashri

Klang 13 years old

Geethanjali Gombak 16 years old

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Accountant

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Graphic Designer of video games

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I want to follow in the footsteps of my uncles and aunties who are accountants. I like Mathematics. My father has motivated me to follow my dream.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I have an interest in the quality of the graphics of video games, the sound, the plot, the characters and the story behind each character.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Study hard, pay attention in class and listen to my parents.

Kirti Kuhan

Bandar Sri Damansara 10 years old

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Study hard. Do research, practice using the software and mix with people of the same interest.

Vaishnevy Vikneswaran Ipoh 14 years old

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Doctor

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? Forensic Science

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? My cousins and aunties are doctors. I had this dream since I was 7 years old

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AMBITION? I like DNA and the analysis of it.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Study hard and pay attention in class.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION? Study hard. With my parents’ blessings, I believe in reaching for the stars to achieve my dreams.

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33

YOUTH & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

by N.J. Singam

g n i k a e p s c i l b u p

Tamil Toastmasters

Clubs in Malaysia

C

redit for the first Tamil Toastmasters Club (TMC) to be chartered in the world goes to District 51 of Toastmasters International – when the Singapore Tamil TMC was established on 21st September 2001.

Upon Singapore being aligned out of District 51, the pride of being the oldest established Tamil TMC in District 51 was inherited by the Penang Muslim League Tamil TMC, chartered in June 2004. This was shortly followed by the Penang Tamil TMC, also in 2004; and then by the YMSC Penang Tamil TMC in September 2008.

In February 2008, a team of five stalwarts from the Tamil Clubs in Penang galvanized a Showcase Meeting in KL – and this resulted in the formation of the Tamil Toastmasters Club, Kuala Lumpur (Tamil KL) in June 2008, which then led to the rapid formation of nine other Tamil Toastmasters Clubs, namely:

From District 51, Tamil KL then helped in the formation of the Jubali Tamil TMC in Saudi Arabia in October 2011. And this was followed by the Jeddah Tamil TMC in January 2012; and yet another four more Tamil clubs in Saudi Arabia to-date.

Following the dissolution of three clubs, there are now 22 Tamil TMCs worldwide, with 10 of them in District 51. Five more clubs are now in formative stage – in Taman Sri Sentosa, Puchong Jaya, Seremban, Klang, and Rawang.

The goal is to have 15 active and vibrant Tamil TMCs within District 51 by June 2014; and hopefully 30 worldwide by that same time. It is hoped that upon 40 Tamil TMCs being chartered, Toastmasters International will accept

VIS TAMIL TMC JB TAMIL TMC SENTHAMIZH ROOBAM TAMIL TMC TAMIL TOASTMASTERS CLUB LAVANGAM TAMIL TMC ANBU TAMIL TMC EEVA GAANAM TAMIL TMC ACHIEVERS TAMIL TMC AATHI BILINGUAL TMC

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FOMSO FORUM ISSUE 1/2014

Tamil on par with its seven other officially recognized languages. This will make Tamil a ‘lingua franca’ in 122 countries worldwide.

In the September 2013 Issue of the FOMSO FORUM, we had highlighted the features of the Toastmasters movement as a whole. In this issue, we highlight the formation and growth of Tamil Toastmasters Clubs, especially in Malaysia.

District 51, which currently comprises more than 220 clubs in Peninsula Malaysia, continues to create history with respect to Tamil Toastmastery.

Are you interested to join a Tamil Toastmasters Club? Or even form a Tamil TMC under the banner of any of the FOMSO Affiliates? Or perhaps you are curious to attend a Tamil club meeting – just to observe how educational, interesting and lively their meetings are? You may attend any of their meetings in any of the clubs as a guest.

It has gained glory, not only for having chartered the first Tamil Toastmasters Club in the world, but also for having created the first ever Tamil Area in 2010; and now the first ever Tamil Division (Division T) – with effect from 1st July 2013.

The KL Tamil TMC meets at 3:30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at: 2nd Floor, Chitra’s Spice Mart 25-1, Jalan Thamby Abdullah Satu Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan Satu 50470 Kuala Lumpur

The vision is to move on to the creation of two more Divisions, so that the flag of a full-fledged Tamil District unfurls on 1st July 2018.

The President is Dr Thilla Chelliah.

You may contact Dr Thilla at 012– 281 0375, if you wish to know details of meetings of other clubs in the other localities mentioned above; or even to charter a new club under your initiative.

(The above brief has been compiled to the best of information available as of 15th January 2014)

SHAH ALAM JOHOR BARU KUALA LUMPUR PETALING JAYA KLANG KUALA LUMPUR PETALING JAYA BUKIT BERUNTUNG KLANG

JUN 2009 JUN 2010 MAR 2011 APR 2011 JUN 2011 JUN 2011 JUN 2011 JUN 2012 OCT 2012

YOUTH & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

by K. Neelambika

THE JOYS OF BEING A

HOST FAMILY WITH THE AMERICAN FIELD SERVICE INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS Susie Neelambihai retired as a Senior Training Manager of Standard Chartered Bank. She was invited to join the American Field Service Intercultural Program (AFS) in the late 1990s, by a colleague at her workplace.

H

owever, she was not ready to sign up, due to her family commitments.

It was only in 2007 that Susie got started with AFS as a volunteer, and became actively involved two years later, when she was close to retirement and her children were all grown up.

There has been no turning back since then.

In 2009, Susie had the first experience of being a hostmother to Carima, a 16 year old student from Switzerland.

The following year, she hosted Andreai, a 16 year old student from Portugal. In 2012, Susie welcomed Oriane, a 17 year old student from France into her home. She is currently hosting Raquel, a 16 year old student from Spain.

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AMERICAN FIELD SERVICE INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS (AFS) AFS began in 1914 as the American Field Service, a corps of volunteer medics and ambulance drivers who tended to the wounded during World War I and World War II. Following the wars, the organisation pledged to carry on its mission of volunteer service – working to promote peace and tolerance in the world through cultural exchange experiences. They believed that getting people of diverse cultures to interact and learn together would result in a better understanding of one another.

It is this intercultural immersive experience that would create a just and peaceful world.

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AFS functions as an international voluntary nongovernmental, non-profit organisation that provides international cultural learning opportunities. The organisation has developed programs in more than 100 countries across the world, operating with a global network of dedicated and committed volunteers.

Participants of the AFS exchange programs live with a host family while attending a local school or working within a community, to fully immerse themselves in a new and foreign culture.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE HOST FAMILY? • Open communication, encouragement, patience and sound advice

• A separate bed, which can be in a shared room with a host sibling of similar age and same gender • A quiet place to study • Three daily meals • Local transportation (AFS participants are not permitted to drive while on the programme) • Treatment as a member of the family, which may include household rules, responsibilities and privileges

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A HOST FAMILY? One must be prepared to generously open your home and your heart to a complete stranger from a different country. Hosting involves everyone in the family.

The parents are not the only ones taking on this role. Your family

Susie with Andreai, her second exchange student

too must be wholeheartedly willing, and prepared to accept the participant, and be actively involved in the newly expanded family. There is interaction not only between the host family and the student, but also with the extended family and friends of the host. Your friends and relatives will also be involved by your newly expanded family.

This does require having an open mind. Being in a totally new environment in an unfamiliar place and culture, you need to give time to the new family member to adapt, understand, feel at home, and subsequently integrate into the family, community and school. This also involves helping them to make the most of their stay here. It can be daunting for some participants to cope with the stress of having

Susie with Carima, her first exchange student (third from right), Raquel, her fourth exchange student (fourth from right), and her two sons

to adjust to a new environment.

These young people have taken up the challenge of living abroad with a new family.

conducted by AFS Volunteers for the participants and host families at different stages of the exchange experience.

The participant is here to discover and explore a new culture. Make their stay a worthwhile one and an intercultural learning experience by sharing your culture and customs. Stepping into your home, the house rules are explained to them.

So begins the process to slowly ease them in with your family. The student does not expect to be treated differently, but as part of your family. They require love, moral support and the basic needs, just as your own child.

To ensure a smooth process, orientation sessions are

While being in Malaysia for a year, the participant who is 15 to 18 years will go to a local school.

The host family can make a choice on the school they want the participant to attend. AFS will then liaise with the Ministry of Education to arrange placement with the selected school. You then need to get the student ready for school with items such as uniform, school bag and books. Transport needs to be arranged to and from school.

Oriane, the third exchange student with her host family, after performing the ritual of carrying a pot of milk

Susie involved her ‘daughters’ to the way of life in her home as well as to the customs such as going to temples, attending

weddings and participation in the various festivals. Susie has taken her daughters to the temples, not only in Petaling Jaya where she lives, but also as far as Seremban, the Maran temple in Pahang, Chemor, Taiping, Penang and Melaka. All of the daughters have taken to wearing the traditional saree for cultural functions. The day Oriane, her third exchange student, arrived in her host family’s home, a birthday celebration was in full swing. The occasion was in honour of Susie’s uncle’s 84th birthday. A gathering of about 130 people of various races had turned up for the party. This was an instantaneous introduction to what Malaysia had to offer in terms of its diversity of cultures.

The guests made Oriane feel at home right away.

Raquel preparing ‘muruku’ for Deepavali

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YOUTH & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT students along, when they meet up with their friends. The get-together would be over a glass of teh tarik at the mamak stall. This has been a mutually benefiting experience. Susie has also seen dramatic changes in her sons. They used to be quiet and reserved. Having hosted three daughters, the boys have become confident.

Besides, having a ‘sister’ has been a new experience. There are also interactions with other host families, for instance, through potluck sessions.

Susie with Raquel on Deepavali day celebrating her ‘daughter’s birthday

Oriane very quickly took to eating comfortably with her fingers. In the temple, Oriane has embraced the practice of clasping both palms over her chest in prayer. She has participated in the ritual of carrying a pot of milk with her family, up the 272 concrete steps to the Murugan temple in Batu Caves.

Through daily interactions in the household, close attachments are built with the host family. Oriane on her part took the initiative to prepare and treat her host family to special meals, such as duck and egg dishes. Oriane’s mother had packed duck meat for her daughter’s trip, so she could indulge the host family with the French delicacy. In fact, she went to great lengths to research on Indian food and beliefs, and thus avoided getting pork and beef products. Sitting

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around the table and sharing meals provided an opportunity for further understanding of different cultures and connecting with the host family.

Raquel, the fourth exchange student, was taken to Little India in Klang and Brickfields to experience the Deepavali festivities. At home, she became enthusiastic with the preparations for the festival. She joined the family in making a variety of the quintessential sweets and snacks such as murukku, ommapodi and thotachi. During the day of the celebration, she wholeheartedly partook of the festivities. She was dressed in the traditional Punjabi suit, accessorised with bangles and with henna embellished on her hands. She mingled with the multi-racial guests. She helped out by replenishing the several jars of sweets.

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Susie also had her daughters totally immersed in the Malaysian way of life. She reached out to engage and involve her relatives and friends from other communities. During the Chinese festivals, Susie sends her daughters to spend a few days in her Chinese friend’s house. Her daughters spend three to four days towards the end of Ramadan in the house of a Malay friend, and also get to celebrate Hari Raya with them. Hence, her daughters not only gain exposure to the Indian culture, but also get to experience the flavour of the various cultures in the country.

Her daughters are also engaged in social activities such as picnics, dinners, birthday parties and movies, as well as travelling out of state to visit places of attractions.

Susie’s two sons, who are young adults, would take the

There are challenges in being a host family. Susie had a delicate situation in her hands with one of her exchange students.

Raquel felt homesick and in tears when she first arrived. She was sorely missing her mother. Susie had to spend time consoling her and helping her to ease into her new environment. To alleviate the situation, Susie decided to compromise to allow her daughter to have pizza in the first few days, before she was ready for the traditional Indian diet.

THE EXCHANGE STUDENT I had the opportunity to meet and chat with two of the exchange students, Oriane and Raquel. Oriane grew up and lives on a farm in the south of France. Prior to her AFS stint, she had not travelled anywhere in the world. France had been her only world. Coming and living in Malaysia has been a totally new experience for her as she had no knowledge of the diversity of cultures that make up our country.

She highlighted some of her experiences and the differences from her life in France. With regards to the religious practices in her host family’s home, the

Raquel in school with some of her classmates

prayer paraphernalia are not mixed with the other items in the house and the importance of cleanliness before the lamp in the altar is lit. Taking a nap in the afternoon as a daily rhythm of life has also been a novel discovery.

Coming from a coeducational school, studying at the all girls’ Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Assunta in Petaling Jaya and wearing school uniform has been an experience in itself. She studied English, English Literature, Maths and Science in school. She spent her time in the library when subjects were taught in Bahasa Malaysia. Her classmates have been warm and friendly, and taken Oriane into their fold like a ‘big family’. In the case of Raquel, her interaction with her classmates has extended beyond the classroom. She has been to the Mall in the Mid Valley with her classmates and on a school trip to Penang. She discovered that the students here get to participate in the various clubs. This she found lacking in Spanish schools.

The intercultural programme has opened Oriane’s eyes to a whole new world. Its been

life changing, and she hadn’t imagined that she would get the opportunity to experience anything of this kind. In her view, seeing a place on television is entirely different from actually living there and right in the home of a local family. Never having left her home before, she has now learnt to be independent and self-reliant.

Her fluency of English has also improved considerably.

Oriane regarded her host family as her second family.

She was full of praises for her host mother. Her host mother had taught her how to engage with people, and appreciate the cultural differences and accepting people from other cultures. This was an important learning lesson and key to helping her adapt to the different ways of life, and in so doing reap the full benefits of the program.

Raquel comes from Leon, a small town in Spain. As far as travelling abroad is concerned, she has been to France with her parents and to Italy on a school trip. The open house concept in celebrating festivals in Malaysia has been a new experience for Raquel. In

Susie hosted dinner at her home for two delegates of the World Delegates Conference from South Africa and Mexico

Spain, festivals are celebrated only among the family.

The exchange students are in regular contact with their family back home using Skype, e-mail and phone calls. The host family also communicates with the student’s family. The student acts as an interpreter if her family does not speak English. Thus the relationship extends beyond the host family and the student.

The close bond and friendship is maintained between the host family and the student and her family even after the student has returned home. A year after Carima, the first exchange student had completed her stint, she returned to Malaysia with her parents and brother. Susie welcomed the family into her home, where they stayed for a month. Carima was back in 2013 where she spent three weeks in Susie’s home, before leaving for Manila for volunteer work with the underprivileged children.

Overall, Susie has certainly found the program to be a rewarding and enriching experience. It has opened up a global social network not only with the students and their families, but also with

the members. As a volunteer, she has also conducted road shows for this program in 7 schools in the Klang Valley.

She is pleased that she has been able to do her part in contributing towards global peace and understanding.

Keen on becoming an AFS host family? You can host participants from either one of two programs: 1. School program: 15-18 year old participants who come to live with a family and attend secondary school 2. 18+ program: adults over 18 years of age who come to volunteer for a local community organisation and live with a family, but with more independence You have the option to host the participant for a year or consider a short term placement.

You can be rest assured that the participants and host families are screened, and carefully matched and selected for their adaptability. AFS Volunteers are available to provide the required support and information. You can access their website, www. afs.org.my to apply. FF

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FEATURE

by David Chelvasingam Alfred

Because the print and electronic media have spoken and written so eloquently about Mandela, I have decided to write instead a comparative tribute to the man, while his name and achievements are within the living memory of people.

M

andela who departed for his eternal home on 5th December 2013, was a towering South African, perhaps the only one so far or ever. He was the true father and founder of the Rainbow Nation. He was also the only statesman of the second half of the 20th century, although he had been born in the first half of that century.

His star did not ascend to its zenith in that earlier period because there were then occupying the world stage, three other statesmen.

The first was Mustapha Kemal, who was given the honorific Ataturk, meaning the Father of the Turks because he

40

was the founder of the modern day Turkey. In 15 years, from 1923 when the Caliphate was abolished, to 1938 when he died, Ataturk succeeded in transforming the sick man of Europe into a modern, secular functioning democracy.

The second statesman was the Anglo American (his mother was American) Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 2nd World War, from 1940-1945.

Churchill succeeded in rallying the free world to defeat the threat posed to civilization by Hitler and his master race Nazi Germans. Hitler wanted to set up a 1,000 year Reich or Nazi rule, but unfortunately for him, and very fortunately for the world, the Reich came to an

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end after 12 years. The master race had then become a people subordinate to the Americans, British, French and Russians.

of America in 2008. Barack Obama’s election was a shining but not followed example to the Third World also.

The defeat of Hitler was contributed to substantially by Churchill. However, Churchill made the same mistake in 1940 of thinking that the British Empire could last for a 1,000 years. The fact that it did not, was caused substantially by the actions of the third statesman, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was to gain the honorific Mahatma or Great Soul.

There can be no denying that the Gandhian vision and philosophy inspired Mandela in his long walk to freedom.

As I will show later on, Gandhi acquired and nurtured these principles when he lived in South Africa at the turn of the 20th century.

It was Gandhi’s peaceful passive non-violent noncooperation resistance to the British Raj that brought it to an end in India in August 1947.

In its wake, came inevitably the independence of all those countries in Asia, Africa, the West Indies and the South Seas which were coloured pink (or red) on the World Atlas.

Gandhi was the inspiration for Martin Luther King, the leader of the Afro or Black Americans no longer called by the derogatory terms of negro or coloured people, who in 1963, expressed his dream for the United States.

His dream was realized a mere 45 years later when the son of a Kenyan immigrant born in Hawaii was elected the first Black President of the United States

Mandela’s long walk had started even before his imprisonment on South Africa’s Alcatraz, Roben Island in 1963, from which he was only released 27 years later in 1990. He went on to be elected President in the first democratic Presidential election to be held in South Africa, in 1994. Although the country had obtained its Merdeka from the United Kingdom in 1910, until 1994 the elections for all offices of state had only been conducted with a white electorate and without universal suffrage. In other words, from independence, the Black South Africans had been left out to rot in the hot sun for three generations.

What did the release of Mandela in 1990 signify? It signified the end of Apartheid pronounced significantly as Apart-Hate, which had

been introduced in 1948.

This was a system of blatant and open undisguised racial discrimination practised by the Whites on the Blacks and the Coloureds, as if White was not itself a colour of skin.

A significant critic of Apartheid was Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaya. The Federation of Malaya had been established in 1948, and had obtained its Merdeka in 1957. In 1960 when attending the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference in London, the Tunku had walked out of the meeting in protest against South Africa’s racist policy. This precipitated a series of events which culminated in South Africa leaving the Commonwealth in May 1961. Thereafter, the turn of world events and the wind of change blowing through Africa meant the privileged white minority could not carry on things as before if they did not want to be ejected from power with violence.

The non violent end of apartheid and the inauguration of democratic government in South Africa was due to the attitude of Mandela who followed the example of Gandhi, and even more so that of his Lord and Saviour in forgiving his enemies who had

done so much evil to him and the African people, for so long, and turning the other cheek.

While lesser political leaders masquerading as national leaders took office to wreak vengeance on their former masters, Mandela went to tea with his former oppressors or their widows. He was even chided by his then wife, Winnie for accompanying De Klerk, the last white President, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

become the King’s First Minister to preside over its liquidation.

Because Gandhi was assassinated in January 1948, a mere five months after independence, his image as the Father of India has remained intact. What about Mandela?

Did he found a new nation like Ataturk, which still exists essentially the same 75 years after Ataturk’s death and with his image untouched?

the Black Economic Empowerment ‘was a white confidence measure made up by local white capitalists. They took malleable blacks and made them partners. But those who struggled and had given blood were left with nothing.

In concluding, I want to explore the future of the Rainbow Nation, and try to gauge the present appreciation of Mandela, and attempt to predict his future place in history.

I start by going back to Gandhi.

He had gone out in 1893 to South Africa as a barrister (lawyer), and did not return to his native India until 1915. In the 20 odd years in South Africa, he had been transformed from a barrister into a great soul. He had learned how to utilize the instruments he would later use to bring British rule to an end over the Indian sub-continent, a British Empire that Churchill had confidently asserted in 1942 he had not

Regretfully the chipping away at Mandela’s image has already started. A Professor at the University of South Africa, told a Chinese News Agency, in effect that Mandela as an elder statesman, had only a symbolic value and played only a very limited part in the direction of national events. I suspect that this was due to the fact that after only one five-year term as President, Mandela gave up political power in 1999. In this, he was so unlike the other Third World leaders who cling on to political power even after their shelf lives have expired as if they have some inherent right to retain power.

Another critical note about this nation that the Black South Africans are supposed to be inheriting was struck by Winnie, now the former Mrs Mandela. She is recorded as saying the Black Economic Empowerment ‘was a white confidence measure made up by local white capitalists.

They took malleable blacks and made them partners. But those who struggled and had given blood were left with nothing.

They are still in shacks; no electricity, no sanitation, and no chance of an education’.

In conclusion, I feel that already the writing has appeared on the wall. Those who succeeded Mandela have been found wanting.

The writing suggest that after all with the passage of time, the South Africa, the only country in the continent which is efficient and running well, will become like her neighbours. When that day arrives, will the noble memory of Mandela fade away so that people will consider him as a male equivalent of Mother Theresa, a saint, but whose departure from the scene means nothing, especially if the economic suffering of the Black majority after liberation from oppressive White rule remains unchanged under Black rule? FF

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FEATURE

by Ramindra Rajaram

STARTING AN ONLINE BUSINESS An online business has become a way for many people to earn an income from the comfort of their homes. So as more and more people move towards the internet, what is required and the best way of starting an online business?

T

here is a proven sequence of steps you can follow to guarantee your success when you’re starting a small business online. The following are the steps:

1. Find a need and fill it.

2. Write copy that sells.

3. Design and build an easy-touse website.

4. Use search engines to drive traffic to your site.

5. Establish an expert reputation for yourself.

6. Follow up with your customers and subscribers with e-mail.

7. Increase your income through back-end sales and upselling.

Step 1: Find a need and fill it Anyone, from newbie to seasoned online entrepreneur, can benefit from this process in learning how to start a business online.

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Most people who are just starting out, make the mistake of looking for a product first, and a market second.

To boost your chances of success, start with a market. The trick is to find a group of people who are searching for a solution to a problem, but not finding many results. The internet makes this kind of market research easy:

• Visit online forums to see what questions people ask and what problems they’re trying to solve.

• Do keyword research to find keywords that a lot of people are searching, but for which not many sites are competing.

• Check out your potential competitors by visiting their sites, and taking note of what they’re doing to fill the demand.

Then you can use what you’ve learned and create a product for a market that already exists - and do it better than the competition.

Step 2: Write copy that sells There’s a proven sales copy formula that takes visitors through the selling process from the moment they arrive, to the moment they make a purchase: 1. Arouse interest with a compelling headline.

2. Describe the problem your product solves.

3. Establish your credibility as a solver of this problem.

4.

Add testimonials from people who have used your product.

5. Talk about the product and how it benefits the user.

6. Make an offer.

7. Make a strong guarantee.

8. Create urgency.

9. Ask for the sale.

Throughout your copy, you need to focus on how your product or service is uniquely able to solve people’s problems or make their lives better. Think like a customer and ask “What’s in it for me?”

Step 3: Design and build your website Once you’ve got your market and product, and you’ve nailed down your selling process, now you’re ready for your small-business web design.

Remember to keep it simple.

You have fewer than five seconds to grab someone’s attention - otherwise they’re gone, never to be seen again.

Some important tips to keep in mind: • Choose one or two plain fonts on a white background.

• Make your navigation clear and simple, and the same on every page.

• Only use graphics, audio or video if they enhance your message.

• Include an opt-in offer so you can collect e-mail addresses.

• Make it easy to buy - no more than two clicks between potential customer and checkout.

• Your website is your online storefront, so make it customerfriendly.

Step 4: Use search engines to drive targeted buyers to your site Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is the easiest way to get traffic to a brand-new site. It has two advantages over waiting for the traffic to come to you organically.

First, PPC advertisements show up on the search pages immediately, and second, PPC advertisements allow you to test different keywords, as well as headlines, prices and selling approaches. Not only do you get immediate traffic, but you can also use PPC advertisements to discover your best, highest-converting keywords. Then you can distribute the keywords throughout your site in your copy and code, which will help your rankings in the organic search results.

Step 5: Establish an expert reputation for yourself People use the internet to find information. Provide that information for free to other sites and you’ll see more traffic and better search engine rankings. The secret is to always include a link to your site with each tidbit of information.

• Give away free, expert content. Create articles, videos or any other content that people will find useful. Distribute that content through online article directories or social media sites.

• Include “send to a friend” links on valuable content on your website.

• Become an active expert in industry forums and social networking sites where your target market hangs out.

You’ll reach new readers.

But even better, every site that posts your content will link back to yours. Search engines love links from relevant sites and will reward you in the rankings.

Step 6: Use the power of e-mail marketing to turn visitors into buyers When you build an opt-in list, you’re creating one of the most valuable assets of your online business. Your customers and subscribers have given you permission to send them e-mail.

That means: • You’re giving them something they’ve asked for.

• You’re developing lifetime relationships with them.

• The response is 100 percent measurable.

• E-mail marketing is cheaper and more effective than print, TV or radio because it’s highly targeted.

Anyone who visits your site and opts in to your list is a very hot lead. And there’s no better tool than e-mail for following up with those leads.

Step 7: Increase your income through back-end sales and upselling One of the most important internet marketing strategies is to develop every customer’s lifetime value. At least 36 percent of people, who have purchased from you once, will buy from you again if you follow up with them. Closing that first sale is by far the most difficult part - not to mention the most expensive. So use back-end selling and upselling to get them to buy again: • Offer products that complement their original purchase.

• Send out electronic loyalty coupons they can redeem on their next visit.

• Offer related products on your “Thank You” page after they purchase.

Reward your customers for their loyalty and they’ll become even more loyal.

The internet changes so fast that one year online equals about five years in the real world. But the principles of how to start and grow a successful online business haven’t changed at all. If you’re just starting a small business online, stick to this sequence. If you’ve been online awhile, do a quick review and see if there’s a step you’re neglecting, or never got around to doing in the first place. You can’t go wrong with the basics. FF

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THE GLOBETROTTERS

by Datin Sivamani Rasiah

SENIOR CITIZENS’ TRIP TO MYANMAR

I was fortunate to join this trip organised

by Mr Gnanarajah Ayathurai, the President of Persatuan Perkhidmatan Masyarakat Ceylonese Selangor and Wilayah (PERMA).

Our tour group was made up of 24 people, consisting mainly of senior citizens. So the holiday was catered to be at a leisurely pace, in air-conditioned coaches and accommodation at 5 star hotels and most of the meals provided.

The 7N 8D tour covered Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan.

Wooden Shwenandaw Kyaung Monastery, Mandalay

W

e flew into Yangon, and as we were being driven towards the city, we were impressed by the beautiful homes and buildings along the airport road.

However, most of Myanmar –its infrastructure, buildings, economy, etc, is about three to four decades behind Malaysia.

But tourism is fast becoming a money earner, as we saw a lot of tourists –Americans, Europeans, Japanese, and especially senior citizens like us. We also saw some young backpacking tourists energetically cycling around.

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Our tour guide was San Lwin, a youthful 44 year old senior guide. Our first introductory dinner was at the glittering royal barge-shaped Karaweik Restaurant in the royal lake.

We were welcomed and ushered by traditionally clad young Myanmarese men and women and serenaded by traditional musicians. The buffet dinner offered a whole range of Burmese food, desserts and drinks. As we ate, we were entertained by a cultural show on the stage.

Our first two nights and the last night stay were at the Sedona Hotel, where Hillary Clinton was

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supposed to have stayed. The rooms were very comfortable and the buffet breakfast was very good, with a variety of Burmese and western food. We even had thosai with chutney, and pal appam, the influence left behind by the Indians.

central edifice is surrounded by other smaller stupas and many Buddha images. Despite the blazing mid-day sun, many locals were performing their prayers by pouring water over the images, offering flowers and chanting their scriptures.

Our first tourist attraction was the most magnificent and spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda, the most recognisable landmark seen in postcards and posters of Myanmar. One thing good that the Military government did, was to convert the tons of gold leaf rubbings on the pagoda into gold plate, which was then fastened on to the pagoda. The

We also spent some time at the photo gallery, where we saw photographs of the donations dangling from the pagoda spires. We, ladies, gasped at the size and amount of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, pearls, golden images and bells.

Lunch was at the Green Elephant restaurant, where we

One of the many smaller stupas with Buddha images around the main Shwedagon Pagoda

Some of the rubies, emeralds and golden Buddha image hanging from the top of the Shwedagon Pagoda

Golden bells with gold leaf chimes dangling from the Shwedagon Pagoda roof and spires

The ornately carved and guilded ceiling of a meditation hall in Yangon

reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. It is very attractive, and has realistic looking glass eyes.

had traditional Burmese food. The soup, however, tasted like tom yam soup! Next, we were driven down the older part of Yangon to see the colonial buildings, some of which are still being used as government offices. We also passed the famous Strand Hotel.

We stopped at the Yangon river side and stretched our legs, fed the sea gulls and chatted with some locals.

Back on the bus, we continued our tour and saw two functioning Hindu temples, the 67 metre long Botataung Pagoda and the Sule Pagoda. We got down to see the Chaukhtathgyi pagoda which has the fourth largest colossal

Wilting in the afternoon heat, we were dropped off near the Bogyoke (Scott) market, built during the British rule.

We perked up at the sight of clothing, jewellery, precious gems, antiques, handicrafts, and so on. Our guide took us to a reputable stall to buy gemstones and to a cotton T-shirt stall. Most of us just bought trinkets, not really trusting the quality of the precious gems. Too soon, the time given by the guide was over, and we reluctantly trudged back to the bus.

Thank God, our guide had arranged for us to have most of our lunches and dinners in airconditioned restaurants. We had gone to Myanmar during the hot season, with temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius. We had a variety of food, ranging from Burmese, Chinese and Thai cuisine. On our last night in Yangon, our guide had even

arranged for chicken and fish briyani to be brought in to an airconditioned restaurant near the Sedona Hotel!

Yangon, despite having modern shopping complexes selling the usual branded goods, we saw that the majority of the people were living simple lives.

We were in Myanmar during their school holidays. So we saw a few ‘noviation’ ceremonies where the young Myanmar boys and girls are initiated to be monks and nuns for a few days or weeks.

On the third morning, we took an internal flight to Mandalay - a word which evokes visions of glass palaces, scented gardens, teak forests and wandering monks. Everywhere we went, we saw George Orwell’s ‘Burmese Days’ being sold.

Mandalay is the last royal capital of Burma, and the second largest city in Myanmar. It is Myanmar’s cultural and religious centre of Buddhism. The first place we visited was the Maha

Muni Pagoda, where the image is supposed to have been cast during the life-time of the Gautama Buddha. The Buddha was supposed to have embraced it 7 times, thereby breathing life into it. Devout Buddhists believe it to be alive, and call it the Maha Muni Sacred Living Image.

Women are not allowed to touch it, while men are allowed to climb up to paste gold leaf onto the image. Photographs show how the image has grown in size due to the large amounts of gold leaf rubbings.

Next, we drove through a village specialising in the making of marble statues. Our guide, concerned over the health of his senior citizen visitors, advised against getting down, to avoid inhaling the marble dust. I felt sorry for the dust-covered women and children working there without any masks for protection. We stopped at the bronze-casting workshop, where we saw large statues of Buddha being cast in parts.

We were taken to an artisan

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THE GLOBETROTTERS

A young man carving wood statues at the artisan workshop in Mandalay

Maha Muni in Mandalay, where only men are allowed to paste gold leaf on the body of this Buddha image

workshop and show room, where we saw young women deftly embroidering tapestry, and young men carving wood and jade statues. There were also beautiful marionettes for sale. In addition, we saw the laborious manual beating of gold into very thin sheets to make gold leaves.

In the afternoon, we visited the Mandalay Royal Palace that is surrounded by a moat.

The original magnificent palace complex was destroyed by fire during World War II, and was rebuilt. I felt sad looking at the deserted palace, and wondered whether the ghosts of those long gone, still wandered around!

We were taken to Shwenandaw Monastery, famous for its intricate wooden carvings. It had been part of the old palace, and was moved to the present site by the last king, Thibaw in 1880. This Palace Monastery escaped the fire, and is the only major original teak wooden building left of the original Mandalay Royal Palace.

Another novel that was being touted around was ‘The Glass Palace’ by Amitav Ghosh. It is a poignant chronicle of the downfall of the kingdom with King Thibaw and his family being exiled to Ratnagiri in India by the British.

After this sad reminder, that even the great will fall, we went to visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, the world’s biggest book. It was built in 1857 by King Mindon, and it is surrounded by 729 upright stone slabs on which are inscribed the entire Buddhist scriptures. Each 46

slab is housed in identical stupas to protect it from the elements.

We checked in to the beautiful Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel.

Our room windows looked out onto the swimming pool, which changed colours from green to blue at night, giving the impression of mermaids swimming! When we looked up, the hill was glittering with lights of the numerous monasteries and stupas.

After a good sleep and a sumptuous buffet breakfast, we were recharged, and ready for more sightseeing. First, we went to Amarapura to see the U Bein bridge, said to be the longest teak wood bridge in the world. In 1860, when the royal court moved from Amarapura to Mandalay, U Bein, the Mayor, ordered that a thousand teak columns be salvaged from the old palace to build the 1.2 kilometre long bridge, without the use of a single nail. Cautioned by the guide to keep to the centre of the bridge, we walked gingerly from plank to plank. Some of my older friends, without the security of side railings to hold onto, gave up after a short distance on the creaking bridge. The lake was calm. Padi was growing beneath the bridge.

The serenity, however, was spoilt by mothers and children begging along the bridge. Young boys and girls were touting handbags, hair clips and trinkets, made from water melon seeds. Others were selling fried tiny crabs and fish, presumably caught from the lake.

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Young women embroidering tapestry in Mandalay

We then went to Mahagandayon, commonly known as the monastery with a thousand monks. It was founded in 1914. These monks and novices reside here to pursue their studies. Every noon, they go through a ritual of wearing their robes in a special way, to prepare to receive their sole daily meal. We saw them, silently and patiently, lining up to receive their food from donors.

We were surprised that the Burmese monks were given non-vegetarian food, though I suppose this is in accordance with the teaching of the Gautama, to accept whatever is being offered as alms.

After we left, we were lucky that our bus got held up by a mile-long ‘noviation’ procession.

There were so many troupes of young men, women and children walking, dressed in glittering costumes of identical colours - red, orange, yellow, blue and green. Many of the women wore something similar to the short baju kebaya, our Malay women used to wear 40 years ago.

The highlight of the procession was two beautifully decorated elephants, each carrying a child novice and an older escort. Our guide, said it cost USD1,000 to hire an elephant for such a procession. The two novices privileged to be carried by elephants, are the children of a wealthy factory owner, the main sponsor for this event.

Other novices were carried on gaily decorated bullock carts and

Colourful marionettes on sale

horses. Several lorries carrying music bands, added to the gaiety of the occasion.

Amarapura, the ‘City of the Immortals’ is famous for silk and cotton weaving. We witnessed the process of silk and cotton weaving in a family-run cottage industry. We then adjourned to the showroom, where our group indulged in shopping to support Myanmar’s cottage industry. We then travelled to Sagaing, 21 kilometres west of Mandalay, and toured Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, an enormous domeshaped pagoda. After that, we went to Sagaing Hills, which has numerous pagodas, monasteries and nunneries, and is a retreat for Buddhist devotees.

In the afternoon, with some effort using bamboo poles for support, for the lack of a proper jetty, we boarded a private boat, and went for a 11 kilometre leisurely cruise up the Ayeyarwady river to visit the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi and the 90 ton Mingun bell, the largest ringing bell in the world.

During the long ride, our guide enlivened us by demonstrating the different styles of tying the longyi. He himself varied wearing the longyi and jackets every day, in the styles from the different parts of Myanmar. When we arrived at our destination, most of the senior citizens declined to disembark. They sat in the boat and enjoyed the local coconut juice. The eight of us disembarked, and walked

Mount Mingalazedi in Bagan (1268-1274) built by King Narathihapate. The Stupa’s shape resembles Mount Meru

Statue of Vishnu in a rare ancient Hindu temple in Bagan (Nathlaung Kyaung 1044-1077)

up the slope. Along the way, we were greeted by the local school teacher who was keen to practise his English and share his knowledge. Many children and women followed us, trying to hawk T-shirts and one-dollar postcards. I was amazed at how cleverly they had picked up a smattering of English (and other languages, I am sure) to talk to us. They were polite, smiling and gracious, even as we declined their wares. Dusk was setting as our boat made its leisurely way back. There was excitement over the orange coloured setting sun, as the photographers sought the best shots of the sun sinking behind coconut palms and stupas. The last night in Mandalay concluded with a Chinese dinner, a nice change for our palates!

After breakfast, we headed towards the jetty, to catch the 7am express boat from Mandalay to Bagan. The boat ride is supposed to take 10 to 11 hours with two or three stops.

Unfortunately, the water level in the Ayeyarwady was low, and we could see the vast bare banks on both sides of the river. We watched the boatmen using long poles to measure the depth of the water to find deeper waters to navigate the ferry. Luckily, the lower deck and dining room were air-conditioned. Our group moved from their seats in the lower deck to monopolize the dining room. Complimentary breakfast was a cup of coffee and a piece of icchakueh. Some of us played scrabble, others

Bell-shaped Dhammayazika Pagoda in Bagan, built between 1196 and 1198 by King Sithu 11

played cards, others read, some chatted, and some caught up on their beauty sleep! We had to vacate the dining room when the other passengers came for their lunch according to the schedule. Many felt that the one day spent travelling on the boat was a waste of time, though the rest was good for some.

Arriving late in Bagan, we went straight from the ferry to a restaurant for a Burmese dinner with a marionette show.

We were so glad to reach Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort that night. We were too tired, though, to take in the beauty of its setting. Early next morning, unable to sleep, I left the chaletstyle room at 5.45am, to go for a walk around the extensive grounds. It was so quiet and peaceful, indeed a sanctuary befitting its name. The resort is next to the Ayeyarwady. I could see its extensive banks, and one or two boats silently rowing past. In one corner, I found a marble slab, inscribed, with a dedication for peace for those who had fallen in World War II, in English, Japanese and Burmese. Someone had left a packet of incense sticks and match box. I lit an incense stick, and prayed for peace.

I saw many squirrels scampering up the mango trees, and a resident peacock wandering around. The Resort had excavated and restored an old stupa. There is a Buddha image in there, though not many

A child novice being carried on an elephant in a ‘noviation’ procession in Mandalay

people seem to come to worship here. With few worshippers, the resort is serene. I went to the swimming pool, and being early in the morning, I had the whole pool to myself. I thought that never in my wildest dreams had I ever imagined that I would lie, soaking in water, overlooking the Irrawady river. If ever, I decide to return to Myanmar, it would be after the monsoons to see the Irrawady, swelled up and gushing down in torrents, not this languid dried-up old lady meandering lazily along.

We enjoyed our breakfast, sitting out in the terrace, overlooking the swimming pool, the Ayeyarwady and the glorious colours of the bougainvilleas, in full bloom. Soon the bus arrived, to take us for a full day of sightseeing in Bagan. Our group decided that they did not want to see every pagoda listed in the itinerary. Our guide agreed that we could stay in the bus and be just driven around most of the pagodas which are in ruins. He insisted, however, that we should get down to see the Shwezigone Pagoda, which is home to the frontlet relic of Buddha and the Gubyaukgyi temple, which is noted for its wall paintings.

We admired Dhammayangyi, Bagan’s most massive shrine, from a distance. It was built between 1167 and 1170 by King Narathu. We were impressed by the Ananda temple which is the finest and the best preserved of all Bagan’s temples. It was also full of local worshippers.

Next, we went to a cottage industry, where we watched the laborious and intricate process of making lacquer ware.

Again, our group spent their money to keep these ancient handicrafts alive. Dinner was at the Queen’s Palace restaurant, where we witnessed a show of local dances and songs, as we enjoyed our dinner.

The temple ruins and stupas in the background, formed a marvellous backdrop.

The last morning in Bagan, was a relaxed one, as the heat was taking its toll on all of us. After checking out of the resort, we went to have lunch in the air-conditioned comfort of The Observatory. We then left for the airport for our evening flight to Yangon.

Our last night in Myanmar was spent in Sedona Hotel. At breakfast the next morning, we were pleasantly surprised to meet a large group of over 40 Malaysian Indians who had come from Klang, to celebrate the pangguni utiram in Myanmar. It was a public holiday for the full moon day in Yangon, and most shops were closed, much to the disappointment of the ladies! After lunch, we left for the airport for our flight home.

We thank our guide, San for his unstinting care, his humour, his wide knowledge of his country and Buddhism and his staunch patriotism. We also thank Mr. Gnanarajah for such a thoughtfully organised tour. Thanks to each and everyone on the tour who made it so enjoyable. FF

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FEDERATION OF MALAYSIAN SRI LANKAN ORGANISATIONS (FOMSO) BOARD OF MANAGEMENT DIRECTORY PRESIDENTS OF AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS 1. Ceylon Association Kedah/Perlis (1965) Mr P. Gunaratnam BKM, PJK H/P: 019-634 3553 e-mail: niclobb@gmail.com

2. Ceylon Association Kluang Johor Mr. N. Perimbanayagam H/P: 012-770 5252 e-mail: nayakham@hotmail.com

3. Ceylon Association Perak, Ipoh

9. Malaysian Ceylonese Association South Johor

16. Persatuan Kaum Ceylon (1979) Muar

Mr S.S. Chandran H/P: 012-733 1566 e-mail: aina@ssaps.com.my

Mr M. Jayasingam AMN, BSI, PHF H/P: 019-655 5790 e-mail: mjayasgm@yahoo.com

10. Malaysian Ceylonese Provident Fund

17. Persatuan Perkhidmatan Masyarakat Ceylonese Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMA)

Mr S. Mylvaganam PPS H/P: 014-663 8729 e-mail: dr.thava.k@gmail.com

Dr S. Rajadurai H/P: 017-579 8062 (wife) e-mail: rajaduraisellathurai@yahoo.com

11. Malaysian Ceylonese Welfare & Education Fund

Mr A. Gnanarajah H/P: 012-665 5359 e-mail: agrajah9@gmail.com

18. Persatuan Persahabatan Bangsar

4. Ceylon Association Taiping

Mr N. Thananayagam H: 03-7958 6716 e-mail: thana716@gmail.com

Mrs Rathy Mahendran H/P: 016-593 9655 e-mail: mahen207@gmail.com

12. Malaysian Jaffnese Tamil Business Association (MJTBA)

5. Ceylon Tamils Kalavirthy Sangam Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan

Muhammad Arif (Eric Kanapathy) H/P: 012-273 8071 e-mail: info@sasa-aircargo.com

Mr. A.K. Nelson H/P: 012-292 0747 e-mail: nelson.ak64@gmail.com

Mr S. Logarajah H/P: 012-305 9450 e-mail: loga@vathiry.com.my

13. Malaysian Sinhalese Association (MSA)

20. Tamilians’ Physical Culture Association (TPCA)

6. Jaffnese Cooperative Society (JCS)

Mr Gordon Varuna Piyadasa H/P: 014-221 9798 e-mail: gordonpeter.inc@gmail.com

Mr S. Perampalam H/P: 017-229 2655 e-mail:enquiries@srikandaswamykovil.org

Mr S. Makeswaran PPN H/P: 012-606 6322 e-mail: a_poovanes@hotmail.com

14. Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association (NSCA)

21. Yarl Sports and Cultural Association Melaka

7. Koperasi Suriya Berhad

Mr S. Kumarasamy H/P: 012-612 2075 e-mail: nsca_sbn@tm.net.my

Dr N. Gajendran H/P: 012-681 1176 e-mail: clinicmetro@yahoo.com.my

Mr S. Logarajah H/P: 012-305 9450 e-mail: loga@vathiry.com.my

15. Persatuan Ceylon Pahang

8. Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association

Dr. S. Sandraprakash H/P: 012-928 0455 e-mail: rainsand@pd.jaring.my

Mr S. Perampalam H/P: 017-229 2655 e-mail:enquiries@srikandaswamykovil.org 48

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Mr K. Tharmabalan H/P: 012-200 1143 e-mail: tharma_balan007@yahoo.com

19. Siri Jayanti Association

22. Young Men’s Hindu Association Taiping Mr. A. Amirthalingam H/P: 013-411 7189 e-mail: perumal.solai@gmail.com