A friend posted a cartoon on my Facebook page of a character trying to exorcise demons of stupidity. Stupidity,as far as I know is an incurable disease. It sometimes strikes when least expected. All human beings are vulnerable to this disease, some times we may regret what we do under the influence of 'stupidity', at other times, we dismiss it as, "Perhaps, it was for the best". However, in some cases, persistent stupidity seems to take over and all capacity for logical thinking is halted or simply blocked out, for a short time, hopefully.
In some places around the globe, especially in densely populated areas where there is a very high volume of vehicular traffic, like capital cities and metropolises, stupidity can be rampant. Symptoms of stupidity come in various forms. It may show itself in illogical action or snap decisions made by people driving or doing anything else without warning. Queue jumping in a traffic-jam may be a symptom of stupidity. It may confuse others and cause accidents that can be avoided, moreover it could worsen the traffic-jam instead of helping to disperse it.
Con men often like to use stupidity on their victims, where victims are stupified into acting on their suggestions without thinking. This happens very quickly, accelerated by threat or the apparent need for haste.Clear thinking doesn't come with haste. Still, we are all susceptible to such shock and grab tactics.
Stupidity comes in various forms. One of these frequently infect those under the impression
that the world beyond them is just the same as that within their 'walled up' area. This is called, living under a coconut shell, or "katak dibawah tempurung" ( frog under a coconut shell). This may seem rather strange to some of us but really, most of us are affected by these illusions, some in government, too.
A government is frequently, stupidly unrealistic in many ways. It may cling to the illusion that rigidity in implementation of certain policies and extensive bureaucracy makes it a more efficient and effective government, when these, in fact, cause many hardships to the common people by illogical implementation.
A ruling party may also imagine that it is most popular when its popularity is very near rock-bottom, so it will continue to act, not as people expect it to, but in a way that diminishes electoral desire for it. It might only realize this one day,when it finds itself completely unable to control a mob of angry citizens or is simply being ignored by all and sundry.
So, we have to be aware of this thing called, "STUPIDITY" and the demons that can possess anyone, big, small, human, or organization, even an inanimate object. It can suddenly seize control and cause utter and irrational chaos in our lives. Do look out for it, you'll never know when you get struck by it until later.
As for finding a 'cure', well, that may be in the realms of "Bolehland". No ancient herbalist or doctor has yet discovered a permanent cure for 'Stupidity'. We'll just have to live with it, for better or worse. Take care.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Saturday, 2 March 2013
Not Gone Altogether
We think that dying is the end of the story. Physically, yes. But in some circumstances, a death is the beginning of a whole series of events. It can even be the door to a new life. Just looking around me, in my little two roomed flat, I felt rich i.e. wealthy and content. I don't have any thing ultra valuable, just a lot of very sentimental, usable stuff, that I was thankful for. My late husband still provides for me. I'd have been worse off without all this - my own place to live in, even if it's rented, a stock of food in the refrigerator, clothes to wear, a computer to connect with the outside world, a car to move around in and all the basic necessities of life.
I'm lucky, much luckier than so many others who may have been left high and dry or have nothing at all after all debts are paid. He was a good husband, a gentle and kind man, who cared for me, even making sure I could continue life, independently without having to worry about basic needs. I like a quiet life, although I'm forced to leave the security of my shell to face the world when others may need an extra hand. It's not comfortable, but necessary. Much of the time, I like being left on my own to potter around in my own world, enjoying whatever I enjoy doing - reading, writing, building castles in the air...So, his going away, started my 'new' life.
A woman who dies in childbirth still gives the world a gift - her child, starting a new life, a new history and a new hope for the future. It is often hard to tell how this gift will be received by the world at large.
Princess Diana's death brought changes to the British Royals that probably would never have happened, until William comes to the throne. Yet, it had such an impact that now, William and Kate ( his wife) are public figures who are less remote, more humanly identifiable as normal celebrities, and more approachable. They have, in a way, stepped off their pedestals. Thanks to Diana Spencer for being a good mother, who understood what children need to lead a normal life, as normal human beings.
Back in the 1980s, the tragic killing of Benigno Aquino, father of the current Philippine president, Benigno Aquino III, whose mother, Corazon Aquino, was also a former president of that country, served to bring changes in the Philippines, for which all hope was almost lost. The country was freed from the clutches of dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.
So death actually brings new life, as Jesus said, " A seed, gives up its life for a tree to grow."
Death is not the end but a new beginning.
I'm lucky, much luckier than so many others who may have been left high and dry or have nothing at all after all debts are paid. He was a good husband, a gentle and kind man, who cared for me, even making sure I could continue life, independently without having to worry about basic needs. I like a quiet life, although I'm forced to leave the security of my shell to face the world when others may need an extra hand. It's not comfortable, but necessary. Much of the time, I like being left on my own to potter around in my own world, enjoying whatever I enjoy doing - reading, writing, building castles in the air...So, his going away, started my 'new' life.
A woman who dies in childbirth still gives the world a gift - her child, starting a new life, a new history and a new hope for the future. It is often hard to tell how this gift will be received by the world at large.
Princess Diana's death brought changes to the British Royals that probably would never have happened, until William comes to the throne. Yet, it had such an impact that now, William and Kate ( his wife) are public figures who are less remote, more humanly identifiable as normal celebrities, and more approachable. They have, in a way, stepped off their pedestals. Thanks to Diana Spencer for being a good mother, who understood what children need to lead a normal life, as normal human beings.
Back in the 1980s, the tragic killing of Benigno Aquino, father of the current Philippine president, Benigno Aquino III, whose mother, Corazon Aquino, was also a former president of that country, served to bring changes in the Philippines, for which all hope was almost lost. The country was freed from the clutches of dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.
So death actually brings new life, as Jesus said, " A seed, gives up its life for a tree to grow."
Death is not the end but a new beginning.
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
The Story of Dig It Dot Co.
Dig It Dot Co. was a cell phone and broadband provider in Anythingland. It kicked off on a wave of hype, widely advertising itself as THE hip provider with the best rates and simple, straight-forward connection packages without hidden costs. Many people, were persuaded to become Dig It's customers. Dig It grew richer and richer over a few years and continued to introduce various cellphone schemes, ultimately going into the internet broadband market. With this category of products, Dig It attracted many young internet users. So, Dig It became an important competitor in the mobile communications market.
In the mean time, other competitors came into the market using various strategies to corner as much of the Anythingland telecommunications market as they could. Dissatisfied customers of these competitors were known to switch over to Dig It for better service. So, life went on as rapidly as changes in IT and communications technology allowed.
One day Dig It decided to jump on the ecological conservation band wagon due to the hype about climate change and progressive environmental damage, to increase profits and lessen work involved in sending out hard copy bills to its customers. Dig It began encouraging them to opt for e-bills and e-payments. It was all set to phase out hard copy bills sent by post, but seemed not to consider that a small number of its customers perhaps, preferred to get paper bills in the post for personal reasons.
Dig It got very angry when this customer minority didn't opt for e-billing, and went on a tough campaign to force them to comply with the company's 'green policy'. It resorted to belittling these non-conforming customers, with messages suggesting that they were, not cool or eco-friendly, and were destroyers of the environment.
Yet, Dig It did not take any steps to put into practice, its own eco policies by using existing alternatives, like recycled paper, to produce hard copy bills. Dig It also introduced self-service payment at its kiosks, directing customers to its payment machines. However, customers could not pay the exact amount of the bills into these machines, as coins or non-rounded off sums of money were rejected. If a customer had a $54 bill, he/she could only pay $50 into the machine, bringing forward $4 to the next month's bill. The customer always seemed to be in debt even if they wanted to settle the full bill for the month.
Dig It thought it a good way to maintain customer loyalty by keeping them in debt. Dig It also thought that its customers were too stupid to see through this financial ploy or that they didn't mind being put in debt although they could actually clear the bills every month. Those who insisted on clearing the bills for the month were made to queue up to wait a long time to be served. Dig It's staff took their own sweet time dealing with the long queue of customers.
Some customers decided to pay bills by mailing checks to Dig It's Payment Departments, at its main offices. But, it took a long time to get their receipts. Some complained that when checks were presented to staff at Dig It's kiosks, staff didn't know what to do with the checks.
It never occurred to Dig It to consult or ask its customers before launching on the 'green policy' drive, nor did Dig It understand how to treat its customers with courtesy and establish good customer relations. Everyone's patience has its limits and eventually more and more customers began to terminate Dig It's mobile provider services.
Dig It, then went on to rigorously marketing the internet broadband facility and did reasonably well except for the continued 'green' e-billing policy. E-notifications could be viewed in a few seconds and forgotten immediately, if the customer was too busy working on something else online and had no time to make an e-payment.
Dig It's billing system was also so unclear, as it held onto the aim of keeping the customer in debt, confusing customers of whether, they were over-paying or under-paying Dig It. Dig It's staff (equally confused) were unable to clarify this confused system to customers. So, a number of these broadband customers also began to drift away to competitor internet broadband service providers.
The moral of the story is that wealth and prosperity do not make up for bad manners and arrogance. If Dig It had not become dictatorial towards its customers, it would still have the goodwill and cooperation of its former customers in promoting the eco-friendly green policy it launched. Sadly, unless Dig It learns something from this circumstance it will only succeed in turning away more customers and harming its own business. Dig It had dug its own grave.
Dig It Dot Co. is a fictional company and any similarities arising in this story to real situations are merely accidental and not intended to reflect on any existing telecommunications enterprise anywhere.
In the mean time, other competitors came into the market using various strategies to corner as much of the Anythingland telecommunications market as they could. Dissatisfied customers of these competitors were known to switch over to Dig It for better service. So, life went on as rapidly as changes in IT and communications technology allowed.
One day Dig It decided to jump on the ecological conservation band wagon due to the hype about climate change and progressive environmental damage, to increase profits and lessen work involved in sending out hard copy bills to its customers. Dig It began encouraging them to opt for e-bills and e-payments. It was all set to phase out hard copy bills sent by post, but seemed not to consider that a small number of its customers perhaps, preferred to get paper bills in the post for personal reasons.
Dig It got very angry when this customer minority didn't opt for e-billing, and went on a tough campaign to force them to comply with the company's 'green policy'. It resorted to belittling these non-conforming customers, with messages suggesting that they were, not cool or eco-friendly, and were destroyers of the environment.
Yet, Dig It did not take any steps to put into practice, its own eco policies by using existing alternatives, like recycled paper, to produce hard copy bills. Dig It also introduced self-service payment at its kiosks, directing customers to its payment machines. However, customers could not pay the exact amount of the bills into these machines, as coins or non-rounded off sums of money were rejected. If a customer had a $54 bill, he/she could only pay $50 into the machine, bringing forward $4 to the next month's bill. The customer always seemed to be in debt even if they wanted to settle the full bill for the month.
Dig It thought it a good way to maintain customer loyalty by keeping them in debt. Dig It also thought that its customers were too stupid to see through this financial ploy or that they didn't mind being put in debt although they could actually clear the bills every month. Those who insisted on clearing the bills for the month were made to queue up to wait a long time to be served. Dig It's staff took their own sweet time dealing with the long queue of customers.
Some customers decided to pay bills by mailing checks to Dig It's Payment Departments, at its main offices. But, it took a long time to get their receipts. Some complained that when checks were presented to staff at Dig It's kiosks, staff didn't know what to do with the checks.
It never occurred to Dig It to consult or ask its customers before launching on the 'green policy' drive, nor did Dig It understand how to treat its customers with courtesy and establish good customer relations. Everyone's patience has its limits and eventually more and more customers began to terminate Dig It's mobile provider services.
Dig It, then went on to rigorously marketing the internet broadband facility and did reasonably well except for the continued 'green' e-billing policy. E-notifications could be viewed in a few seconds and forgotten immediately, if the customer was too busy working on something else online and had no time to make an e-payment.
Dig It's billing system was also so unclear, as it held onto the aim of keeping the customer in debt, confusing customers of whether, they were over-paying or under-paying Dig It. Dig It's staff (equally confused) were unable to clarify this confused system to customers. So, a number of these broadband customers also began to drift away to competitor internet broadband service providers.
The moral of the story is that wealth and prosperity do not make up for bad manners and arrogance. If Dig It had not become dictatorial towards its customers, it would still have the goodwill and cooperation of its former customers in promoting the eco-friendly green policy it launched. Sadly, unless Dig It learns something from this circumstance it will only succeed in turning away more customers and harming its own business. Dig It had dug its own grave.
Dig It Dot Co. is a fictional company and any similarities arising in this story to real situations are merely accidental and not intended to reflect on any existing telecommunications enterprise anywhere.
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Behind the Gun Barrel
Pointing a gun at someone must feel like sitting behind the wheel of a car. In Malaysia, certain vehicle drivers seem to feel free to drive as they please without considering themselves a danger to the public. The power of speed is in their hands and all who value their safety or lives must get out of the way, or be run down.
If you hold a gun, you have the power to gun down or harm anybody you don't particularly like or who has deliberately or unwittingly hurt body or ego. So, you hold a source of power in your hands, and for the moment feel less vulnerable to being bullied or put in fear. You become the source of fear.
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook, Connecticut tragedy, it was shocking to see the headline of an online news site scream that gun sales had grown. More people decided to own guns. Why? Did this tragedy which cut short the lives of so many young children and teenagers who would have grown up into amazing adults, have virtually no effect or a completely reverse effect on American society?
Yet, should this be surprising, when children, youths and adults, young and old are gunned down on a daily basis in conflict zones all over the globe? Has human life become the ultimate disposable commodity in this age of biodegradability? Despite our delusions of freedom and security, the fear factor is very real, not only in apparently peaceful places like the United States, but also in Malaysia, where alleged suspects and teenage pranksters have been gunned down by police. It seems that the dead tell no tales.
On the contrary, the dead stimulate more questions, many which may remain unanswered for years, or become unsolved mysteries, and guilty secrets of secret perpetrators.
Fear creates a vicious cycle of irrationality and paranoia. Fear instills the need to defend or protect ourselves, using its own tools. So, it goes on, and doesn't solve anything.
Shooting unarmed civilians in any armed conflict is an expression of power, like the rape of women and children. However, this expression of power is an expression and revelation of cowardice in they who wield the power, but cannot control it, like driving a car at speed in a manner revealing the inability of the driver to control the car.
So can freedom be won through the barrel of a gun? In an instance of trigger happy power?To place power in the hands of those who like to wield it but become its slave, is to make slavery an accepted tradition. Will the human being ever be free?
Change must come, if the human race is to see the future, otherwise, we could ultimately face extinction by our own hand.
If you hold a gun, you have the power to gun down or harm anybody you don't particularly like or who has deliberately or unwittingly hurt body or ego. So, you hold a source of power in your hands, and for the moment feel less vulnerable to being bullied or put in fear. You become the source of fear.
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook, Connecticut tragedy, it was shocking to see the headline of an online news site scream that gun sales had grown. More people decided to own guns. Why? Did this tragedy which cut short the lives of so many young children and teenagers who would have grown up into amazing adults, have virtually no effect or a completely reverse effect on American society?
Yet, should this be surprising, when children, youths and adults, young and old are gunned down on a daily basis in conflict zones all over the globe? Has human life become the ultimate disposable commodity in this age of biodegradability? Despite our delusions of freedom and security, the fear factor is very real, not only in apparently peaceful places like the United States, but also in Malaysia, where alleged suspects and teenage pranksters have been gunned down by police. It seems that the dead tell no tales.
On the contrary, the dead stimulate more questions, many which may remain unanswered for years, or become unsolved mysteries, and guilty secrets of secret perpetrators.
Fear creates a vicious cycle of irrationality and paranoia. Fear instills the need to defend or protect ourselves, using its own tools. So, it goes on, and doesn't solve anything.
Shooting unarmed civilians in any armed conflict is an expression of power, like the rape of women and children. However, this expression of power is an expression and revelation of cowardice in they who wield the power, but cannot control it, like driving a car at speed in a manner revealing the inability of the driver to control the car.
So can freedom be won through the barrel of a gun? In an instance of trigger happy power?To place power in the hands of those who like to wield it but become its slave, is to make slavery an accepted tradition. Will the human being ever be free?
Change must come, if the human race is to see the future, otherwise, we could ultimately face extinction by our own hand.
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Trying to Force Love
I've been watching a few Taiwanese and Korean soaps on TV. Very often the plots of these stories bear close resemblance, Boy meets Girl1, Girl1 is crazy about Boy, but Boy is crazy about Girl2. So Girl1 goes all out to ruin Girl2 in Boy's eyes, taking the moral high ground to put herself in a good light. As the melodrama moves on, the lengths to which Girl1 is prepared to go to secure Boy's undying love and get rid of her rival become more and more extreme, including murder.
At the end of the day, one wonders if Boy can't make up his mind or has the inability to know how he feels about both Girl2 and Girl1. Are men in reality, so wishy washy? Looks like they're more controlled by down there than up there, or even by a beating human heart.
Even so, can one force someone to love you? Couples get engaged or marry for many reasons and not necessarily because of love. As a woman, I think many men marry because they don't want to be alone. They often depend on another human being for physical and psychological comfort and support. When this has been secured, they tend to take it for granted ( women also do that), life becomes normal and reverts mainly to the needs of each individual. It needn't have anything to do with love.
A few more years down the line, if the couple start drifting apart and finding their individual friends, divorce looms on the horizon. So, is trying to force someone to love you worth it?
Girl1 then, could be putting herself in hell by trying to force Boy to love her. Yet, why does she persist in this obviously lost cause? Her quest could be ego-driven and obsessive. It is an ego-driven greed for vengeance that can't be sated unless, the obstacle to her goal is removed permanently. Even then, I wonder, if she will ever have peace of mind living in fear of losing Boy's affection to anyone else?
Boy, on the other hand seems naively clueless about the 'contest' and rivalry between the two girls. Are men so naive? Or does it boost their ego to see two women fighting for their affection. Some men probably like it and thrive on jealousy. It's like a chain they can pull to reassure themselves that they still appeal to women.
Another favorite theme of soaps is emotional blackmail. A means to force someone to do what they are unwilling to, yet, give in under duress. This is another tactic Girl1 resorts to in order to get her way. Girl2 in contrast is often portrayed as not only naive but not too intelligent. She often succumbs to the treachery of Girl1, thinking it best to give in because she loves Boy. She is the victim and waits for her knight in shining armour to rescue her i.e. for Boy to wake up and make a definite choice. Sadly, because of his apparent naive nature, it's often too late when he realizes his preference is for Girl2. She may not be around by then or may have found a more reasonable partner. The joke is really on Boy who can't make up his mind.
If Boy had been single-minded, decisive and committed himself to Girl2, he may have avoided ending up with less than he hoped and dreamed for. Yet, many things in life are uncertain and unclear and often wrong decisions are made. So, one either lives with it or charts a new course.
We often think of what may have been, maybe for a reason, perhaps a very good one, that life plays out differently from our expectations.
At the end of the day, one wonders if Boy can't make up his mind or has the inability to know how he feels about both Girl2 and Girl1. Are men in reality, so wishy washy? Looks like they're more controlled by down there than up there, or even by a beating human heart.
Even so, can one force someone to love you? Couples get engaged or marry for many reasons and not necessarily because of love. As a woman, I think many men marry because they don't want to be alone. They often depend on another human being for physical and psychological comfort and support. When this has been secured, they tend to take it for granted ( women also do that), life becomes normal and reverts mainly to the needs of each individual. It needn't have anything to do with love.
A few more years down the line, if the couple start drifting apart and finding their individual friends, divorce looms on the horizon. So, is trying to force someone to love you worth it?
Girl1 then, could be putting herself in hell by trying to force Boy to love her. Yet, why does she persist in this obviously lost cause? Her quest could be ego-driven and obsessive. It is an ego-driven greed for vengeance that can't be sated unless, the obstacle to her goal is removed permanently. Even then, I wonder, if she will ever have peace of mind living in fear of losing Boy's affection to anyone else?
Boy, on the other hand seems naively clueless about the 'contest' and rivalry between the two girls. Are men so naive? Or does it boost their ego to see two women fighting for their affection. Some men probably like it and thrive on jealousy. It's like a chain they can pull to reassure themselves that they still appeal to women.
Another favorite theme of soaps is emotional blackmail. A means to force someone to do what they are unwilling to, yet, give in under duress. This is another tactic Girl1 resorts to in order to get her way. Girl2 in contrast is often portrayed as not only naive but not too intelligent. She often succumbs to the treachery of Girl1, thinking it best to give in because she loves Boy. She is the victim and waits for her knight in shining armour to rescue her i.e. for Boy to wake up and make a definite choice. Sadly, because of his apparent naive nature, it's often too late when he realizes his preference is for Girl2. She may not be around by then or may have found a more reasonable partner. The joke is really on Boy who can't make up his mind.
If Boy had been single-minded, decisive and committed himself to Girl2, he may have avoided ending up with less than he hoped and dreamed for. Yet, many things in life are uncertain and unclear and often wrong decisions are made. So, one either lives with it or charts a new course.
We often think of what may have been, maybe for a reason, perhaps a very good one, that life plays out differently from our expectations.
Monday, 26 November 2012
Battling the Demons of Enmity
In many countries the world over, there are terrible wars, tearing societies, communities, families and individuals apart. There are so many, yet we often only react to those that attract the most publicity. I needn't mention these, as all who watch or read the news bulletins everyday, are aware of them. It is natural to have a reaction on seeing or hearing such painful news of inhumanity committed against other human beings. Intra-familial wars are actually worse than being attacked by some outside aggressor, a common enemy. The enemy within is harder to eliminate.
In everyday life, there is a demon that can emerge out of our sub-conscious, it is the demon of prejudice, bigotry, generalization and stereotyping. It usually waits for an opportune moment to seize possession of us, suppressing our normal gentle, kind, forgiving and loving natures. When this happens, we can become raving, blood-thirsty lunatics who are capable of doing things we will most definitely regret, when the madness subsides.
If the madness is rationalized and justified, it continues and progressively erodes our humanity, turning the once gentle, humane person into an inhuman abomination, capable of anything.
Why do people run 'amok'? Why does the killing continue? It spares none.
Yet, those delusioned by the madness might still smile the smiles of hatred and glory in the blood they have spilt.
Here at home, in Malaysia, where racial and religious politics are the occupation of many of our politicians, especially those still hogging the reins of power, the common people are realizing the futility of in-fighting and the creation of division and disunity. People are trying to unify, trying to find common platforms and causes that counteract, the divide-and -rule system of governance that is our colonial legacy. This method of governance was adopted by the subsequent leaders of our 'independent' nation eversince we divested ourselves of colonial rule.
In truth, we have not really eliminated a neo-colonial structure. The same arrogance prevails, but by a different group of bureaucrats. Now, it is for us the common people to battle the demons as those who assume rule of this place have succumbed to their self-interests and given the demons full sway over themselves.
To help build this fortress of peace and unity we come together to talk honestly without antagonism, to forgive and heal the rifts that have frequently driven us apart in animosity and enmity. We dialog with one aim - to be united in our diversity. A family of a nation, accepting each other and being part of the spectrum of the cultural rainbow that makes up our unique Malaysian world.
If you would like to participate in this effort to build our rainbow, use this link to see how you can do it - http://www.projekdialog.com/
"Project Dialogue" is a project under the "Say NO to Racism Campaign" in Malaysia. Use the link to find out more about it.
You may find something you never thought was possible.
May the Light overcome the Darkness, and all demons be vanquished.
In everyday life, there is a demon that can emerge out of our sub-conscious, it is the demon of prejudice, bigotry, generalization and stereotyping. It usually waits for an opportune moment to seize possession of us, suppressing our normal gentle, kind, forgiving and loving natures. When this happens, we can become raving, blood-thirsty lunatics who are capable of doing things we will most definitely regret, when the madness subsides.
If the madness is rationalized and justified, it continues and progressively erodes our humanity, turning the once gentle, humane person into an inhuman abomination, capable of anything.
Why do people run 'amok'? Why does the killing continue? It spares none.
Yet, those delusioned by the madness might still smile the smiles of hatred and glory in the blood they have spilt.
Here at home, in Malaysia, where racial and religious politics are the occupation of many of our politicians, especially those still hogging the reins of power, the common people are realizing the futility of in-fighting and the creation of division and disunity. People are trying to unify, trying to find common platforms and causes that counteract, the divide-and -rule system of governance that is our colonial legacy. This method of governance was adopted by the subsequent leaders of our 'independent' nation eversince we divested ourselves of colonial rule.
In truth, we have not really eliminated a neo-colonial structure. The same arrogance prevails, but by a different group of bureaucrats. Now, it is for us the common people to battle the demons as those who assume rule of this place have succumbed to their self-interests and given the demons full sway over themselves.
To help build this fortress of peace and unity we come together to talk honestly without antagonism, to forgive and heal the rifts that have frequently driven us apart in animosity and enmity. We dialog with one aim - to be united in our diversity. A family of a nation, accepting each other and being part of the spectrum of the cultural rainbow that makes up our unique Malaysian world.
If you would like to participate in this effort to build our rainbow, use this link to see how you can do it - http://www.projekdialog.com/
"Project Dialogue" is a project under the "Say NO to Racism Campaign" in Malaysia. Use the link to find out more about it.
You may find something you never thought was possible.
May the Light overcome the Darkness, and all demons be vanquished.
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Celebrating the Light
Today is the eve of a very important festival for our Hindu friends, it is the day before Dwali (as some call it) or Deepavali ( as others in Malaysia, call it). Dwali is known as the Festival of Light, a triumph of Light over Darkness. I read the legend once, that was a long time ago. But, will tell it to you when my memory is refreshed. The story is about the battle between Good and Evil, where Evil is defeated and Good illuminates the world.
This is a Holy Day for Hindus (Hindoos) and many significant cleansing rituals are carried out. It is symbolic of repentence, renewal and rebirth.
In Malaysia, despite the many controversies prevalent in our pluralist society at the moment, it is customary to give a greeting of "Happy Deepavali" to almost anyone, not just the Hindus celebrating this special religious celebration. It is a friendly gesture, one that recognizes the importance of the day and the shared universal belief that Good will ultimately be victorious. That is what, most of humankind believes and aspires to. Whilst, this is still in the realms of an ideal within our minds and hearts, unimaginable to some in reality. Yet, the possibility raises hope of peace in our embattled circumstances.
Although it seems easy to revel in goodwill, it is far harder to recognize that the hardships arising from conflict situations at home and around the world are also situations we share, and indirectly or inadvertently, contribute to, in some ways. This brings to mind Barack Obama's presidential election victory. It is a first in history which was celebrated, not only by Democrat supporters of the United States, but joined in by peoples in Africa and Asia. His first presidential victory celebration was even more widespread.
To think that a single person is capable of uniting so many nations in one event, due to his variegated past is rather astounding. He is an international icon, not just small town US, or Afro-American minority.
It feels like the world is on the threshold of a new era, the era of 'internationality', where perhaps we will realize the dream of being world citizens, besides identifying ourselves as belonging to the subsets of citizenship i.e. of a nation, by ethnic, religious or cultural communities, language, or skin colour.
If this ever happens, the peoples of the world will find their own roles in combating the evils t overrunning our lives today, that will continue to enslave a majority of us till the end of time.
With this I wish all the world, a "Happy Dwali" and may Good be ever victorious, within ourselves and beyond ourselves.
Deepavali Eve 12th November 2012
This is a Holy Day for Hindus (Hindoos) and many significant cleansing rituals are carried out. It is symbolic of repentence, renewal and rebirth.
In Malaysia, despite the many controversies prevalent in our pluralist society at the moment, it is customary to give a greeting of "Happy Deepavali" to almost anyone, not just the Hindus celebrating this special religious celebration. It is a friendly gesture, one that recognizes the importance of the day and the shared universal belief that Good will ultimately be victorious. That is what, most of humankind believes and aspires to. Whilst, this is still in the realms of an ideal within our minds and hearts, unimaginable to some in reality. Yet, the possibility raises hope of peace in our embattled circumstances.
Although it seems easy to revel in goodwill, it is far harder to recognize that the hardships arising from conflict situations at home and around the world are also situations we share, and indirectly or inadvertently, contribute to, in some ways. This brings to mind Barack Obama's presidential election victory. It is a first in history which was celebrated, not only by Democrat supporters of the United States, but joined in by peoples in Africa and Asia. His first presidential victory celebration was even more widespread.
To think that a single person is capable of uniting so many nations in one event, due to his variegated past is rather astounding. He is an international icon, not just small town US, or Afro-American minority.
It feels like the world is on the threshold of a new era, the era of 'internationality', where perhaps we will realize the dream of being world citizens, besides identifying ourselves as belonging to the subsets of citizenship i.e. of a nation, by ethnic, religious or cultural communities, language, or skin colour.
If this ever happens, the peoples of the world will find their own roles in combating the evils t overrunning our lives today, that will continue to enslave a majority of us till the end of time.
With this I wish all the world, a "Happy Dwali" and may Good be ever victorious, within ourselves and beyond ourselves.
Deepavali Eve 12th November 2012
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