A brand new start

Recently, we have just started establishing our new office bearers and that would describe our seldom updates for the blog. However now we have successfully initiated our first activity that was the Trip to Pangandaran. The purpose of this trip was to mend a good relationship among the Indian students in UNPAD alongside with promoting the new establishment of PMB.

So now that we have reconstructed PMB and have a wonderful committee we will be updating this blog quite frequent on our activities and charity events. Thanks for your support.

J.Sivasankaraan

MIED Loan

Loans are available for application right now.... The closing date will be on the 15th of August 2010... Applicants may download forms from the link below...

Link: http://www.mied.com.my/download-2009/MIED%20LOAN%202009%20V2.pdf

Importants of Tamil Language

Tamil, a language from Proto-Dravidian was believed to be spoken around the third millennium BC. Since then, Tamil has evolved to many stages from simple classifications such as old Tamil, middle Tamil & modern Tamil. It is a language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the India subcontinent. Ever since that, Tamil found its way through the flows of the sea & roads of the land, reaching many people all around the world. Today we can say that apart from India, one country that is proud of the existence of Tamil language is Malaysia.

Malaysia, well-known for its multi-racial societies, cultures, customs & traditions is also well-known for the diversity of language & its importance. Spoken languages in Malaysia vary according to the province, state & even village for what that matters, though the National Language of Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia. Although it may seem as such, the Malaysian education system does give equal importance to other languages to show their morale & respect to the society of multiple ethnic background. Tamil, long surviving in Malaysia ever since our ancestors set foot in Malaya as it was called "Swarnaboomi" those days; is perhaps the essence of the Indian culture that was started in Malaysia till today. Many Tamil schools & temples were built; along with associations that would nurture the Tamil language itself being established are one of the few indications that Tamil is significantly important as it is our mothertongue and depicted as a legacy for all Indians being part of our history.

Little do we know, that Tamil striving amongst very few of us to this very day, is yet to get diminished. One may ask why, but the answer lies within. Sure it is not necessary for each parent to send their children to Tamil schools in order to obtain the knowledge because free Tamil classes are provided in SK schools & there are private tuition centres, tutors, etc willing to teach Tamil. The real cause of this is the lack of Tamil speaking people as well as exposure to the importance of Tamil.

How many of us speak English more often than Tamil in our daily conversation, even within our own community? How many of us feel it is embarrassing to converse in Tamil while another friend of a different race is around? How many of us actually care that Tamil is being misused? All these are questions one must raise upon one's self. Even this article, speaking of the importance of Tamil is in English, what may one expect! As for now, we should indulge ourselves in activities whereby, we could learn & improve the quality of Tamil speaking among our people. Parents being Indian, it hurts to see their children calling them, "Mummy" & "Daddy". What are we, whites? Now looking at the fact, the European people have began learning Tamil & are easily conversing as they acknowledge its existence being one of the oldest language ever since time & space continuum was found! But we being Indians calling our parents, "Mummy, Daddy" is ridiculous! Sadly, this is the condition in Malaysia as for today!

Thus, parents should encourage their children to speak Tamil first, I'm not saying about the reading & writing part, just a mere speech where one child would be able to speak Tamil fluently is good enough. If they wish to make their children learn then indulge them in classes so on & so forth. Parents play an important role, as education for a child starts at home. Parents should not neglect the importance of Tamil as, as it is a globalised world right now. Even the online community have come across 'village without borders' in order to access the whole world's knowledge. It is then very likely for a non-Tamil kid to speak Tamil very fluently even than Indian kids. So when a Chinese & Malay kid comes & asks your kid a word or two in Tamil, what would you expect your kid to do? You want to let him/her to feel left out or embarrassed? Teach him/her Tamil you guys! Don't let him/her be a social outcast! Not in the own community nor the social circle. Let him/her learn his/her mothertongue, Tamil & of course English, we can't argue with the International Language here.

I hope many have seen from my eyes what lies in the importance of Tamil. It is basically to mold one's character based on culture. If you consider that one to be educated alone is character than it is false. But if you consider one to be educated & cultured is what builds character than Tamil should not be neglected as it is the soul of every Tamil-Indian; because language is the essence of culture.

Tamil Schools

Malaysia is the only country besides India where Tamil schools still survive. We know that Tamil schools have been established over 100 years ago. Since then we have witnessed changes in the education system of Tamil schools, along with students and their achievements both in curricular and co-curricular wise. Tamil schools have been the very foundation of many Indians today who we are proud of, sprouting the very basics of culture and the essence of Tamil language itself. If there is one thing that still makes Tamil strive in our country Malaysia, it is Tamil schools. However, little has been done for what these Tamil schools have done for our Indian community.

Recently, I have set my sights upon my own primary school, SJK(T) Subramaniya Barathee, Penang (picture below). While I graduated there since year 2000, I have noticed many significant changes as mentioned but sadly the school lacks infrastructure wise. The number of achievers have rapidly

increased following the UPSR results as by year 2010, that now this school stands tall as one of the best schools in Penang and still goes on to perform well. The displease that this school deserves much more just seems to grow even more now that the school currently, in the year of 2010, have yet to improve in their infrastructure.

Early this year after the SPM results were out, in Penang state, St. George's Girls' School (SGGS) published an issue in The Star newspaper about their top achievers'. One of them happened to be an ex-Barathee student, Deepa Manogaran (picture below).

She has made both her parents and her ex-primary school very proud. But people like this exist in almost every Tamil school, not denying the fact. But nonetheless, there are those who fail to sprout out of it. It is true parents play an important role, but those who are studying in Tamil schools are not exactly stable in financial wise. Education serves to improve the quality of human life, why not provide it fair to everyone, the rich and the poor? By studying in a moderate school, with poor infrastructure 1 out of 50 students could excel, imagine the outcome if the school had proper facilities! The rest as the nation has seen result to gangstrism, violence, committing crimes such as theft, working as a factory worker, and even some getting married at an early age. Do we want these series of events to continue to occur?

Tamil schools have the potential to strive among the Chinese schools and the SK schools provided they are given the equality. Statistics show that there are over 522 Tamil schools nationwide. And MIC alongside with the government have allocated RM80million assistance package for Tamil schools. It is necessary that these Tamil schools be redeveloped to provide its quality of education and culture for the new generation. Tamil schools are not to be forgotten or neglected whatsoever. It plays a major role in developing education and the Indian culture of Indian students and thus should not be looked down upon. I wish all the best to the aiding societies, and Tamil schools nationwide to continue their struggle to succeed in their doings. Vaazhga Tamil....

By,

J.Sivasankaraan

Happy Vikriti New Year

Pangandaran Trip Planning

Pangandaran is a small town and a subdistrict in southern Cianis regency, West Java, Indonesia. It is located on the southern coast of Java. Pangandaran is a popular tourist destination, having a beach which is considered to be one of the finest in Java and which offers excellent surfing.

A kite-flying festival is held on the beach in July each year. Locals regularly use kites in the evenings to catch bats,which are either eaten or used in Chinese remedies. There is a local belief that wearing any green garment in this area will anger Loro Kidul, the Javanese guardian spirit or goddess of the southern sea, and will bring misfortune.

The Penanjung Pangandaran nature reserve is nearby on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow neck of land. About eighty percent of the nature reserve is secondary rainforest. The flora of the nature reserve includes the Rafflesia.

Nyepi- Bali's Day of Silence

Tues, 16th MAR 2010- Today is Nyepi, Bali's Day of silence that falls on Bali's Lunar Year. It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation.

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles (ambulance, etc) carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.