Daily Archives: January 20th, 2008

Thaipusam

Thaipusam is now a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Hindus in these two areas plus those in Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor will enjoy the holiday. As courtesy demands, the Indians must say thank you to the Prime Minister Ahmad Badawi. Without his intervention the holiday would not have been possible. All said and done the Indians have been given a privilege and I am sure the new holiday will be most welcome in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

In our jubilant mood let us not forget the five Hindraf people who are under detention in Kamunting under the dreaded ISA and all those who suffered the effects of the tear gas and chemical water at the rally on November 25th., as well as those who were arrested, charged, faced the trauma of imprisonment and the courts, in a cause that they felt was justified. A big thanks to them as well, but, this will not erase away the anguish, and the pangs of suffering and the pain of separation from their family that they underwent and are still going through now. The gratitude of the Indians should be even greater now that a small permanent change has come about. What joy and fulfillment will the Indians feel if the other problems for which Hindraf stood firm will come to pass, maybe not now but in the days ahead.

There are so many other matters to comment upon. Let me stop here with a happy note the Indians have been recognised by the Prime Minister. The Tamil saying goes, “siru thulikal, beru vellam” meaning floods are caused by little drops of water. Indians have seen the little drop can they now anticipate, expect a few more drops for the water to end the drought the community has been facing.

Previous Posts

Pre-Election Goodies(2) (Jan 20)

Pre-Election Goodies (Jan 20)

Teaching Maths (Jan 20)

Form Three student K. Yashovan (Jan 19)

Tourist Ministry (Jan 19)

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Pre-Election Goodies(2)

Selangor Govt Giving Attention To Indian Kids Without Birth Certs – Khir http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=309045

Trying to recollect all goodies given to the Indians for election:

1 Ponggal Holiday

2 Indian Cultural Centre

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/20/nation/20069284&sec=nation

3 Indian Kids without Birth Certificates.Please update or inform me if I have left out anything.

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Pre-Election Goodies

There are two articles in Malaysia Today. The first from a lady, lamenting the fact that Indians are treated like ladies of the night. She refers to the visit of the Prime Minister to celebrate ‘Pesta Ponggal Bukit Bintang’  last night in Masjid India, organised by the The Malaysian Hindu Sangam. The Prime Minister has also promised that Ponggal will be made a Public Holiday. She believes this stunt is akin to tempting the Indians with scraps of carrots – how apt. The celebration place should have been somewhere in Bukit Bintang, or did the organisers failed to correct the publicity material from Bukit Bintang to Masjid India. She wants to know why at Masjid India and not at Klang or Brickfields where there will be crowds celebrating Ponggal. This  hypocrisy of care is meaningless  because Indian sentiments were thrown to the wind when the UMNO assembly was held on Deepavali.

Other points raised are:

The way the Hindraf crowds were treated is like kicking the arse and at the same time shake the hands. Yes, I think this is true. When the community is begging for help they are abused. With elections around we are brothers sharing the joy of the festival. Only Mahathir said Melayu muda lupa. Indians can’t forget what happened on 25th November last year.

She next touches on education. Education for the Indians in as far as  further education is concerned, is totally nil.

Employment is another thorn. Indians in Government jobs don’t dream. I dare say, the efficiency of the civil service started eroding when there were no intake of  Indians and Chinese for the retired staff. Many will agree with me.

Another relevant matter sometimes overlooked is how foreigners with their low wages have now taken over by Indians.

Ethnic cleansing is also practiced with the demolition of temples.
Keris brandishing, and a caring UMNO government is visible. Schools, air-time, aid, etc are all promised.

Read the full account here. http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/1434/46/

Indians ladies have a very important part to play. I believe they are consistent when they vote and I hope every Indian lady voter will ensure proper opposition to the UMNO/MIC policies we have tolerated for the last 50 years. I was surprised at the anger of the Indian ladies shown after breaking of the temple in Padang Jawa. They are a force to reckon with and men should support by registering them, if not done, and they are available on voting today.

The second letter is also from Malaysia today, and reflects on another aspect of the Ponggal festivities in Masjid India. It is more to the losses suffered by the traders. Please read this here. http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/1459/46/

So the Prime Minister is for all Malaysians and not for UMNO alone. Do you think this will last when elected for the next five years. Or, are we going to see something worst than what is seen now. I have my doubts the Government will change dramatically unless there is opposition and an awareness all Indians are not stupid.

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Teaching Maths

Teaching Mathematics

How math lessons have changed through the years.

1. Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
2. Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)
6. Teaching Math In 2007
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80.

I think this is true. Do you think so?

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