Don't Miss it-Watch it LIVE.

As most of us would aware,tomorrow will be the day for solar eclipse as I mentioned in my earlier post that is Once In A Life~Interesting.

A total solar eclipse will darken some of Earth's skies on Friday, but geography, weather, the economy and even the Olympics are combining to make it a hard and expensive for people to see it..Nah...that's not the problem for us for in Malaysia because even if the weather permits,we won't be able to see it because this solar eclipse can be only be seen in mostly remote places: the northeastern edge of Canada, the tip of Greenland, parts of Russia, China and Mongolia, including the famed Gobi desert. Too bad for Malaysia and other unlucky countries....sob sob sob...

Anyway,with Internet facility in finger tips,we,who can't be there, can watch it live on the Internet..How good...Some of the areas where the eclipse will last the longest _ including parts of the Arctic _ have a 75 percent chance of bad weather that will make it tough to see. This eclipse at its peak will last for 2 minutes and 27 seconds.

NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak, who has been chasing eclipses since 1970,will be in China just to watch this rare and unusual phenomena....huhu.....how lucky those people who be in the eclipse coverage countries...

  

Museums, such as the Exploratorium in San Francisco, will have eclipse events. NASA, the Exploratorium and others will broadcast the eclipse live on the Internet. It reaches its peak at 7:09 a.m. EDT.

WATCH THE ECLIPSE LIVE FROM CHINA 10:30 - 11:30 UT 8/1/2008  here .

-Transvestites : Not humans??

                    Islamic officials bust transvestites gala in Malaysia..

Islamic officials in Malaysia detained 16 transvestites for taking part in a beauty pageant, according to a newspaper report here Sunday.

The participants were held as they contested the "Miss Universe Asia 2008" title at a resort hotel in the northeastern state of Kelantan, which is ruled by the Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS), the New Sunday Times said. 

The PAS wants to turn Malaysia into a theocratic state under Islamic rule, and has made headlines for ordering fines for women wearing skimpy clothes and stricter enforcement of laws on separate male and female queues in shops. 

Mohamad Abdul Aziz, chief assistant director of enforcement in the state, told the paper that 16 people aged between 20 and 30 were detained. 

Some were dressed in Malay traditional outfits and others in evening gowns, the paper added.

Mohamad said another group of 50 transvestites who were preparing to join the competition managed to escape arrest, while about 300 people were present at the hotel to watch the event.

The Sunday Times said most contestants were teachers and bank employees.
Mohamad said action would be taken against the transvestites under Islamic Sharia law "for dressing and acting like a woman."

They could be fined or jailed for six months if found guilty, he said.

-Bernama.

What's wrong of being transvestites?? Aren't they humans with feelings? Who are transvestites? “Someone who dresses in the clothes usually worn by the opposite sex. Transvestites may be bisexual, heterosexual, or homosexual ” Do they harm anyone??Well,it's alright if PAS wants to fine for wearing skimpy clothes. But not for being transvestites.... After all,whats wrong transvestites join the competition ?? They not going for banging or what..

Come on,after all,it's just "Miss Universe Asia 2008" contest folks! Transvestites are humans too and they should be given freedom to lead a normal life as others and rights to join contests.And if you did read the news,most of the contestants were teachers and bank employees. See,they are leading a normal and standard life..Not prostitutes,as most of the transvestites would end up.. But why are they ending up in such kind situation?? It's not that they wanted to do that kind job badly but it purely because of our so-called perfect humans who feels it very hard to accept them in community..What to say community,even toilet facilities are not given to them!!!!!

Just put ourself in their situation and think how would they feel.

Islamic officials,

This is not a matter of social problems which will affect or influence the attitude of the people in Kelantan...Between,you guys should watch for more worse problems such as in the video below.You guys are too busy nabbing and slamming those who are really not a big problem but letting the real social ill youths and some even are among you people.

Come to the topic of transvestites , an adult has freedom for his own choices. His choices may be reasonable or erratic, but until they are not disturbing the freedom of other individuals in the society, society has no reason to brand them immoral or to punish them by banishing.The problem occurs when these eunuch/transvestites/ transsexual people starts to trespass the lines of freedom.They’re comfortable the way they’re living . They’re comfortable with the way they lead their life. Why so much fuss about a simple thing than can be simply changed by changing your mindset?

In most of the cases, the change is biological. Some people naturally start having the change and calling them immoral or even passing, a laugh against them is extremes. The first thing that will comes to mind of most people when talk about transvestites will be "they are prostitutes, bapuk, pondan " which degrades them. Look at yourself before degrading them. Not all transvestites are prostitutes and not all girls are good. There are some successful eunuchs and transsexuals living standard life and in fact some are in administration ,teaching and etc. Just accept them and their life will be better. Most of them have to resort to sex work (prostitution), because the society don't want to accept them.

Instead of detaining them for no apparent reason that is "for dressing and acting like a woman.",this individual rights must be looked after by the system and must be respected by the society. On Individual level, one may like/dislike them though. They must be provided the proper individual rights, and their rights must be safeguarded. They must also be regulated to respect others individual rights. Folks,accept them in this society and don't discriminate them. Perhaps,a washroom specifically for this individuals will be a good start.

Friendship and Love

Love and friendship....Which comes 1st?? Love or friendship or both,is it possible? When asked most of the people,they will go for friendship but when it comes to critical point and where you have to choose one,most will choose Love and I wonder why is that so..It's not that i hate love or what..It's just a big disappointment for me when it comes to friendship. Now I'm talking about girl-guy friendship..Can a guy and girl be true friends? Not friends but true friends like the one in one tamil movie acted by Sneha and Cheran,can't get the movie's name...In the movie,they are life long friends....This exist as a story only or does this really exist in real life?? How many of you have opposite gender as true friend without LOVE problem?? Well,if we see,most of the guy-girl friendship end in love,either both in love or one side and there goes all the problems if it is one side love...So,it's really hard for me to see a girl and guy be friends without this love problem...eh,I'm not bullshitting,I have the experience..Is it love and friendship two different things or one...Ya,Love blossom from friendship. So,is it one?

As one of tamil song's lyrics goes, Natpaachchu Love Illaiyae, Love Aachchu Natpillaiyae ( when there is love,there is no friendship and vice-versa ).Now,that's true..Everything will goes wrong in friendship when it turns to love ( one side love )...So,I feels it's really hard for opposite genders to be true friends or even just friends..There are few who can make it but it's really hard..Most of the time it is the guys who screw it up by proposing the girl and the girl will be rejecting like in the video below.Most of the guys will be friend with girls first to flirt later on...Haizz...



The lyrics of the above song that I feel have the meaning :

mugha nagha natmadhu natpalla
nencha thaghanaga natpadhu natpaagum
kaRka kasadara kaRpavai katrapin
maRakka seivadhu love aagum

Love is such a big mistake
Listen to me boy I know - No
Only friendship takes you higher everyday
As friends we grow

The lyrics that is in bold,is it true?
My question is..Can a girl and guy be true friends??

Alright,thats all for girl-guy friendship...Now it's for love and friendship..

One day, Love and Friendship met.

Love, proudly, said, "You know, all people in this world seek me. Without me, they cannot live. And you, you are useless. Without you, there is still me... People have their faith to have their beloved one. When they find their soul mates, you are nothing!!! Muahahahaha..."

"Ya, I know," said Friendship, "People can easily forget me if they find you."

"So," Love continued, "Why do you exist if I already exist? To be forgotten and hurt?"

Friendship just nodded. He said, "Friendship exists to put smile when love leaves tears."

Is it true?? Really this kind friendship exist?? When it comes to friendship and loves,most of people will say they give importance to friendship..As for me,it's bullshit..People dun really give a damn about it...Maybe not for some..But this is what happening..When it's the time to choose between this two,people tend to leave friendship for love...maybe one or two or three might not.But most of the time,love beats friendship and if u choose friendship over love, that's something really weird..or wow?

Love and friendship seems two different things that is really hard.Some prefer to be single thinking that love is headache and most of the time,love exist in the absence of friendship.No friendship,the next we will be looking is most probably will be love..or leaving alone without friends and love..Friends nowadays are merely for fun and when need help only..Friends in need are friends indeed,that is 'someone who needs your help becomes friendly in order to obtain it' or as most people understands it as 'someone who helps you when you are in need is a true friend'. Love vs friendship?? Which comes first?? This sorta of problem won't come if gf/bf and friends are understanding. But if not? Which comes first? Gone are those days where friends comes first..Now what comes first is the people who can satisfy our needs of life..sigh.

My next view will be on "so-called friendship".

# Reflection #

This story explains the LIFE that we are living.

"A little boy and his father were
walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself
and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh! !!"

To his surprise, he hears the voice
repeating,
somewhere in the mountain:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh! !!"

Curious, the little boy yells: "Who
are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

And then the boy screams to the
mountain: "You're Stupid"
The voice answers: "You're Stupid"

Frustrated at the response, the boy
screams: "I Hate You"
He receives the answer: "I Hate You"

He looks to his father and
asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son,
pay attention."

The man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a
champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not
understand.
Then the father explains: "People call
this ECHO, but
really this is LIFE. It gives you back
everything you
say or do. Our life is simply a
reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world,
create
more love in your heart. If you want
people
to respect you, respect them.
This relationship applies to
everything, in all
aspects of life. Life will give you
back everything you have given to it.

Your Life is not a Coincidence.
It's a Reflection of You.

Newton's Third Law suits the life very well..
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

So,we must be ready to face the music of the action....

Celebrities rules the world??

I have been wondering about this for quite a long time. And now I pen it down...eeerr...type it down..Why do so many people going crazy after this actress and actors? As for me,they are not the life for us..Acting is their career as doctors , engineers and etc. This celebrities set the style,no matter dressing or hair...They are the icon. And yeah,from a friendster comment up to Deepavali cards.And,what does actor/actress got to do with Deepavali? Isn't something related to Deepavali should be the symbol for the warm wishes?

I just want to know in what way they ( actor and actress ) are contributing to your life? Why is that hoo and aah whenever they come down for any shooting? What's the point?? Ican't get a point from it. But it makes me wonder when one so excited after meeting an actor or actress. And even double excited if he/she shook hand. Damn.!! Seriously,what's with that? You met and alien and did it contribute to NASA ?? No right...Come on,those people wont even remember you after a few seconds meeting you. For you,they might be the world,but for them,you are no one. Get a life people!!

And some crazy with the rooms full with their (actor/actress ) posters...Arrgghhhhh.....Why why why? Not only that,displaying their picture as the primary picture in friendster..And the caption for the picture will be,hey,it's me...Isn't that so lame?? It's seriously damn lame..Whats so great displaying their picture?? Shame on you..You should be proud of your own look and identity or you don't have your own identity? And there is even fan groups for this celebrities..And you will be wasting your time of arguing who is the best and who is not and create the problem among yourself where the related actor/actress have a good relationship between them and seriously don't give a damn for this all.. What have they done to the world for you to be a fan of them?Alright,it's your problem.But it's useless.I'm not a fan of any actor and actress.

For me,it's really an idiotic act to follow actor and actress style or whatsoever. You watch the movie,finish,thats it...No more thinking of it or going crazy of it..And a BIG NO for making pooja or prayers when the movie is released or for their birthday or wedding!!!

And alot of people seems to be so interested with this celebrities personal life..From their wedding up to whatever they do..Hey,come on,it's their wedding,what you so kepoh-kepoh wana know what they wear for the wedding all..And last year,if I'm not mistaken,a big fuss was made for Siti Nuhaliza's wedding..Damn!!

Heck cares with who they get marry or with who they sleep?? It's their bloody private life!!Give them a little bit privacy you people...Haizz..I'm getting too emo....

And it will be a BIG HOT news even for a small matter such as a problem between the producer and actor/actress..Just a waste of time...Do they mind the problem you having at your work place..Why giving a damn about this all?? Just because they are actor/actress and well known??
Haizz....I wonder where this gonna end especially to those who remember this celebrities full details in detail...Sigh.

Going crazy after them not gonna change the status of your life unless they get you a chance to act.

Blogging rocks!

Blogging rocks? Isn't it?

For eight years, Arnold Kim has been trading gossip, rumor and facts about Apple, the notoriously secretive computer company, on his Web site, MacRumors.com.

Blogging about Apple becomes a more lucrative practice for one former doctor..Yes,former doctor...Dr.Kim earned earned his medical degree and kept it aside to be a full time blogger..But is that worth it and can he earn as much as he can earn if he be a doctor? Dr. Kim’s Web site now attracts more than 4.4 million people and 40 million page views a month, according to Quantcast, making it one of the most popular technology Web sites and that it is enough to make Dr. Kim hang up his stethoscope..How many of doctors would give up their profession if blogging can earn them as much as they earn as a doctor?

Dr. Kim is not a millionaire blogger yet, and given the slumping online advertising market, he faces some hurdles as he expands the site. But he has reason to be optimistic.

Stepping away from medicine felt somewhat strange, he admits. Dr. Kim was bringing home a six-figure income as a doctor, but he recognized that blogging was becoming more lucrative. He says the site also yields a six-figure income for him.

Still, he hesitated to make it a full-time job because he enjoyed medicine — and he had invested almost $200,000 in his education. But he finally concluded that “on paper, it was an easy decision.” He also had a practical reason for wanting the ability to work from home. Her name is Penelope, and she is 14 months old.Talking about his website,his website plays the role as one of the original Web sites about Apple, MacRumors was well positioned to become a destination for users and a clearinghouse for gossip. MacRumors “knows more about Apple than Apple management does,” the blog 24/7 Wall St. declared last spring.

The site placed MacRumors No. 2 on a list of the “25 most valuable blogs,” right behind Gawker Media and ahead of The Huffington Post, PerezHilton.com, and TechCrunch.

Dr. Kim is branching out beyond MacRumors. He helps run a spinoff Web site, Touch Arcade, that tracks the new games available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. But he is remaining coy about his other expansion plans. Apple, it seems, is not the only company trying to keep secrets.

Blogging rocks till Doctor kept his medical degree aside? More to follow Dr.Kim's step? Good Luck!!

iPhone 3G coming to Malaysia..

Perhaps a good news for Vickn3s who wanted iPhone badly and bad news for Novin because Vickn3s will have a better phone than him... How kind hearted Novin is eh....

Alright,at 1st,it was announced that iPhone will not be launched in Malaysia due to this n this n this problem which I dunno... hehehe..

Anyway,now it is reported that iPhone will be launched in Malaysia...Got this piece of news from The Edge Daily.It seems Maxis will be the one bringing iPhone to Malaysia at the price of below RM1000.However,Maxis declined on the speculation of the price.Since they decline to comment on that matter,does that means iPhone will cost more then RM1000? Anything might be possible in Malaysia..after all Malaysia Boleh!

So,for those who really want iPhone,if u are user of this and this,are you ready to move to this?

Conditon At Malaysia's Southern Gateway Can Spoil Country's Image

Foreign visitors' good impression of Malaysia may evaporate once they step into the country's southern gateway via the Johor Causeway. After passing through the Immigration checkpoint, those taking a walk to Johor Bahru city centre, a stone's throw away, will have to go through an underpass or tunnel that connects to Jalan Tun Razak.

This is where the visitors would be greeted by dimness and the litter and filth at the underpass, in stark contrast to the signboard in Bahasa Malaysia which if translated into English roughly means, "Welcome to Wonderful Johor Bahru City, the Southern Gateway to Malaysia",there is a Malay proverb that suits this, "Indah Khabar Daripada Rupa " means it's just wonderful fro the word. This eyesore had been raised with Tourism Malaysia in Singapore early this year because thousands crossed into Malaysia from the island republic daily, including those who use the underpass, while Malaysian tourists have also brought the matter up with the local authorities but to no avail.

Perhaps they are waiting for the new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex to be ready, expected to be soon. In the meantime, the underpass still needs sprucing up as Malaysia targets to welcome 10.2 million tourists from the island republic this year, not including the day trippers. Malaysia expects to draw a total of 22 million tourists this year, hence the beauty and cleanliness of its tourist spots are vital to keep the tourists coming.

"TRULY JOHOR"

Beauty Fades, Dumb is Forever

Most of you will definitely be familiar with the overused term ‘battle of the sexes’. Perhaps it was originated from the olden days, when women fought for equal rights, equal access to education, and the likes. Our foremothers tirelessly pursued the seemingly farfetched vision of the day when our women would be able to stand by a man not as his secretary or his trophy wife, but as his equal counterpart.After buckets of blood, sweat, and tears were shed, we now have co-ed schools; women are allowed to work, and we can wear pants! (Bye-bye poofy skirts and corsets!) Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but in my opinion, absolute equality among both genders is probably next to impossible. We advocate for better treatment and dream of having a ‘gentleman’ one day to call our own. But what constitutes a gentleman? One who opens the door for you? Pulls out your seat at the swanky restaurant? Then uncomplainingly pays the explosive bill for the lobster you ate in the end?So I ask: Why would you girls want that? We are perfectly capable of physical and financial exertions. Is it that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when someone ‘treats you right’? What about the guys then? Don’t we have to ‘treat them right’?To put it simply, we are the result of classical conditioning. When mummy and daddy found out that you were a girl, chances are, they bought you nice pink little booties with matching dresses. You were cute and cuddly while your brother was tough and will grow up to be a ‘big, strong man’. They rewarded your cries by attending to you when you fell down. As for the guys, try to recall when tears rolled down your cheeks because of the mean old school bully. Your dad probably quoted Russell Peters: “Be a man! Do the right thing!” And the right thing here is, ladies and gentlemen, to suck it up and fight back. Punch if you will, kick and scream if you might – truth is, society condones manly quarrels more than girl fights. On that note, to the public eye, our abilities seem to be limited to scratching, clawing, and hair-tugging. Impressive!

To make things worse, people whom society deems as idols are laughable. Look at newly-turned skank Nelly Furtado or air-headed bimbo Jessica ‘is tuna chicken or fish?’ Simpson. Look at hit reality TV series ‘The Simple Life’. There’s no denying that ‘dumb’ is ‘hot’. Yes, it is a scientifically supported fact that men are genetically-engineered to look for physically attractive women because they signal health, youth, and fertility. Then they’d have strong children running about, bearing their father’s name. They don’t need women with high-flying careers and 1001 calls to take. I say, so what? Are we going to dumb ourselves down and dress ourselves up according to what the ‘fashion bible’ Cleo and what not says? “Mini skirts are in and pumps are so yesterday.” “Match your pink handbag with a nice glittery accessory.” And the ever ridiculous “Five Tips on How to Satisfy Your Man.”

I. Don’t. Care.

Once In A Life~Interesting.

We are lucky but we are not....On Friday, 2008 August 01, a total eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half the Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in Canada and extends across northern Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia, and China...This is why we are not lucky...But a partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbra shadow, which includes northeastern North America, most of Europe and Asia.

For those select few, day will turn to night, the stars will come out if weather permitting- it's not a miracle because star is on sky during the day too but is not visible due to sun light.The moon's blackout of The sun will provide a dazzling visual spectacles that sky watchers will never forget..wow...how lucky...That will a beautiful view....Should not miss it.

Many people go a lifetime never witnessing a total solar eclipse. And in fact we happen to live in a rare moment in the 4.5-billion-year history of our planet when total solar eclipses are just barely possible due to some remarkable solar system alignments.

Alrite,lets c how it works..back to standard 6 science i guess..Solar eclipses occur when the moon moves in front of the sun. This can happen only at the time of a new moon, when the moon is between Earth and the sun, therefore making the latter no longer visible in our daytime sky. You must be wondering how come moon can cover the sun when the sun is bigger then moon..It is because although the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, the moon in turn is about 400 times closer to the Earth than is the sun so,the result is they both appear virtually the same size in our sky....virtually reminds me of my physics during STPM..something with maya,real thingy...

Back to the story,why is this phenomena called rare when the phenomena of eclipses are not really rare?It is because an eclipse of the moon (when Earth blocks sunlight from lighting up the moon) is visible from half the planet, solar eclipses are visible only from a narrow path.In this case, the swath of Earth in total darkness, called the path of totality, will be only about 157 miles (252 km) wide.

Any given spot on the Earth's surface will play host to a total solar eclipse on an average of once every 375 years.

Surrounding the umbra is the penumbra (Latin, paene-umbra, "almost shadow"). It is much wider, touching the surface of Earth on a swath about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) wide. Anyone inside that shadow can see a partial eclipse, weather permitting. From Earth, it will appear as if a bite has been taken out of the sun, but the sky does not typically grow noticeably darker unless 70 percent or more of the sun is blocked out.

Since this is a phenomena that is very interesting,you might be so kepoh-kepoh go and see it with naked eyes..DON'T DO THAT!! unless you want to go buta...There are special eyewear designed for viewing the sun and can be found at some science and astronomy stores and online.Eh,thats for sure will be damn expensive when most of the people here going pokai,how could they will buy this stuffs...Well,there is an alternative way that is to purchase a piece of number 14 welder's glass from a welding supply store or use the method I used to use during my school time..Get a mirror and cover d side of the mirror leaving the about 1/2" square and hold the mirror at right angle and project the Sun onto a shaded wall...or make our own version of so-called telescope or binocular..whatever u wana call it...1st,you need two piece of white paper..Dun ask how big,just grab a white paper,poke a small hole on one of the paper.Not big hole,not 2 fit ur head into it,poke with a pencil o pen..And then let the sunlight go through that hole and fall onto the second piece of paper, held a foot or two below the first, in its shadow.

Still cant get it,view this.

And yeah,sunglasses are not suitable as it can permanently damage your eyes by even looking for a fraction of a second at any eclipses.Same goes to the telescope and binocular unless they are designed for eclipses.

Malaysia - "Truly Asia"? Or a Cynical Marketing Ploy?

After such a long time i came across this article in my draft,so decided to publish it.

For many years, Malaysia has enjoyed an image that suggests it to be a rapidly developing prosperous nation that is liberal and modern in its outlook and charitable towards all its residents.

Indians particularly marvel at its bright and clean cities with their many examples of modern construction. They also have the impression that unlike the Islamic states of the Gulf, Malaysia is a "secular" country. As a consequence, Malaysia attracts Indian tourists in very large numbers and is a particular favorite with the Gliterati Bollywood crowd.

But sadly, it has taken the HINDRAF (Hindu Rights Action Force) only one rally to expose the myth that is Malaysia. For all its mask of being a secular nation, the despotic and heavy-handed manner in which a peaceful march was repressed - the cynical manner in which its brave and patient organizers were arrested (without charge and without recourse to due process) exposes the utter hollowness of Malaysian claims to "democracy". Democracy is not merely about rubber-stamping an election ballot every few years. It is also about a process in which all citizens must be free to communicate their genuine concerns - especially if they are as systematically discriminated against as are Malaysians of Indian descent.

Contrary to what one would normally expect from a genuinely secular and democratic nation, Malaysia has systematically practiced institutionalized religious, legal, economic and educational favoritism on behalf of its Malay "bumiputras" - a word that comes from the Sanskrit (bhoomi-putra) meaning son of the soil. Under the garb of "affirmative action" - Malaysians of Indian origin (who were brought to Malaysia by the British Colonizers as indentured servants - i.e. semi-slaves to work on the plantations) are systematically denied a comparable level of funding for education at all levels. Whereas "bumiputras" are given preferential treatment in government jobs and business contracts, Indo-Malaysians have to fend entirely for themselves.

Considering that the Indians arrived in Malaysia as near-slaves and performed all the most undesirable work, if anyone should have been beneficiaries of affirmative action, it should have been the Indo-Malaysians. To go on and on about the "poverty" of the "bumiputras" while ignoring the far greater historic and present disadvantages of the Indo-Malaysian is simply a cover for closet racism and religious chauvinism and intolerance (since the vast majority of Indo-Malays are Hindus). In fact, as the Star Online (Sept 30, 2005) revealed, Indians continue to earn much less than the national average. Several poor Indian families survive on less than 4$ a day (i.e. less than a third of the average per capita income). The Economist (22/2/2003) revealed that Indians comprise 60% of urban squatters and 41% of all beggars.

Yet, Muslims and Hindu liberals of the Indian sub-continent often point to Malaysia as an example of an Islamic-majority nation that can also respect its minorities. Indeed?!

Consider that when UMNO Youth wanted to have a raucous protest (without permits) just a few days before the HINDRAF protest -they were allowed to have their way on the streets. No one was arrested, there was no teargas, and no governmental outrage. Whereas at entirely peaceful HINDRAF rallies, the government has used teargas right from the get-go and police have beaten participants including women and children. When young girls tried to present roses as peace offerings to the violent policemen, they were coldly refused and the beatings on the rally continued. So much for Malaysia's liberal image.

However, police brutality towards Indians is hardly new. Every year, one reads of Indians working in Malaysia who are summarily rounded up as though they were illegal aliens even when they had all their documents and were hired by government-approved Malaysian corporations. Rarely ever have such Indians even received a formal apology let alone compensation for the insult, inconvenience and psychological terror meted out on them.

But police brutality is a life-threatening reality of Malaysia's citizens of Indian-origin. HINDRAF has noted how 60% of crime "suspects" shot dead before trial by the Malaysian police have been Indians. 60% of custodial deaths (of citizens detained without charge or trial) are of Indians. The suicide rate of Indians is ten times that of Malays.

Unfortunately the mainstream Indian media has done a very poor job of exposing the systematic ethnic discrimination that takes place in Malaysia. Consider the facts: Of the 5 major Malaysian banks, only ONE is multi-racial. The rest are controlled by the "poor" Malays. The directors of Malaysia oil-giant PETRONAS are virtually all Malays. Virtually all PETRONAS gas stations are owned by the "poor" Malays. All contractors working for PETRONAS must also be Malays (after all, they are all so poor). Malay businesses are NOT required by law to hire any non-Malays. But Chinese-led businesses are required by law to hire at least 30% Malays. No quotas for Indians however. Only 5% of new intake for the police or army (or even nurses) are non-Malays. Business licenses for taxis and other small businesses have only been granted to Malays in recent years, and 95% of government contracts have gone to Malays even though they comprise just slightly above 50% of the population.

Between 1968 and 2000, 144 Indian primary schools and 48 Chinese primary schools were deliberately closed. At the same time, 2637 primary schools were built exclusively for Malays. Of Malaysia's education budget, less than 1% goes to Indian schools even though Indians comprise approximately 8% of the population - a sharp drop from 12% in 1957. In other words in 50 years, Malaysia's racism has driven out every third Indian from the country. The Chinese-origin population has meanwhile dropped by half to now roughly a quarter. In the period that half a million Indians left Malaysia, 3 million Indonesian citizens were naturalized and given "bumiputra" status. In other words, Indians who had been in Malaysia for almost a century are still not considered sons (or daughters) of the soil, but Indonesians not even born in Malaysia can be considered "bumiputras".

Every Malay (rich or poor) is given a 5-15% discount to buy a home. The Malaysian government has never built a church or a temple in housing estate. But every housing estate that it builds comes with a mosque.

Taken in its totality, one cannot but help observe that the economic practices of the Malaysian government greatly resemble the medieval practice of Jizya that Islamic invaders imposed on all "infidels". In fact, this is not surprising because every Muslim Malay is subject to the Shariah code. In case of disputes between Islamic Malays and non-Muslims, Shariah law takes precedence. This means that even Hindu or Buddhist or Christian or non-religious Indians and Chinese must submit to the Shariah if they ever have the misfortune of displeasing a Muslim Malay.

Malaysians Citizens Against Racism and Discrimination have noted how the Malaysian government has repeatedly refused to accede to demands to abandon its systematic policies of discrimination towards non-Malays and non-Muslims.

Hindus in Malaysia are particularly incensed that even as the Malaysian government has a policy of building mosques in every housing estate it builds for the Malays, it has torn down hundreds of temples built by Tamils on private or plantation lands that were built by their own sweat and by their own initiative. Temples have even been demolished while devotees were still praying inside.

As many on-line bloggers note: "Malays automatically get on a platter what is denied to other communities."

Perhaps, the real tragedy of Malaysia's Indians is not just that they have been victims of such pervasive discrimination but that it has taken so long for it to be revealed to the whole world. What must be especially galling for Malaysia's Indians must be how they have received so little support and help from their mother country. Even as the brave and courageous leaders of HINDRAF languish in custody, the Indian government has remained cynically silent and is on the verge of negotiating a "Free Trade" deal.

This abominable betrayal of a community in distress typifies the present political make-up of the Indian nation. The Congress and its allies and all the liberals in the mainstream media bend over backwards to hide the truth and keep trumpeting how the Malaysian state is a "liberal", "secular" and "friendly" state. Perhaps it says something about how the Indian Congress views "secularism". Positive discrimination in favor of Muslims is fine, but god forbid if non-Muslims - whether they be Hindus, Buddhists or non-religious demand fairness and justice.

The truth is that the Malaysian state - beneath a veneer of "democracy" is actually far more autocratic than Indians realize. It is practicing the same type of "divide and conquer" stratagems that the British so perfected during colonial rule. The silence of Malaysia's ASEAN neighbors is also perhaps revealing - how ASEAN is mostly about capitalism and helping the region's capitalists thrive. It is not about ensuring the human rights and dignity of all of the citizens of the ASEAN countries.

ASEAN countries have yet to chastise Malaysia for the enormous inequities that exist in the country. For instance, Islam is the ONLY official state religion. While Malaysia's Muslims are free to propagate Islam and convert non-Muslims to Islam, non-Muslims are provided no such freedoms. In fact, they are strictly enjoined NOT to try and convert Muslims to other faiths. In most provinces, attempting to convert a Muslim can lead to lengthy jail terms and whippings.

Children of inter-faith marriages are automatically treated as Muslims. What is more , in most cases, a Muslim Malaysian cannot even voluntarily give up his or her Islamic faith. In a Nov 19, 2006 article in the New Straits Times, it was reported that in Perak, Malacca, Sabah, Terengannu and Pahang conversion is a criminal offense even punishable by a jail term. In Pahang, converts may even be punished by being caned.

Mosques routinely use loudspeakers to call Muslims to prayer which can be at 5:30 in the morning - hours before official businesses open. When the Malaysian Bar Council described this practice as unnecessary and disturbing, this was condemned.

The Malaysia tax code is also discriminatory. Muslims are given tax breaks that other communities do not get. Moreover, in most provinces, a Muslim may not make a will that favors any person "opposed" to Islam. The latter prescription is easily distorted to prevent non-Muslims from inheriting anything from a Muslim.

The Shariah laws also permit widespread censorship on any film or literature that might even indirectly annoy Muslim sentiment. Malaysian law also requires mandatory IDs that state a person's religion. Recently, a Malaysian Minister decried how too many "effeminate" men were entering Malaysian universities.Some fear that it was presumably to lay the ground for mandatory beards on campus. Others fear that this was intended intimidate it target young men who might be perceived as gay or bisexual.

But discrimination at Malaysia's Universities extends at many levels. For instance, Malaysia's Open University has weaker admission requirements for "bumiputras". Some years back, it was revealed that Malaysia's universities rejected 500 top-scoring non-Malays, even as it failed to fill 7000 slots that had been reserved exclusively for Malays. For instance, Malaysian universities have a goal of ensuring that 75% of their students are "bumiputras" even though their total population is only now roughly 60%. Websites for several universities openly state their pro-bumiputra focus. According to some studies, non-Malay faculties have shrunk to possibly as low as 5%. Because of negative admission quotas imposed on Indians, a medical education for an Indian in Malaysia is almost impossible.

SEAPA (South East Asian Press Alliance) has noted how the atmosphere at Malaysian universities stifles any form of legitimate dissent. Malaysian laws allow universities to prosecute students merely for speaking to the media without permission from designated authorities. They may not join political parties, or even start their own political action groups. On entry, they must take a pledge of obedience to the government.

In 2003, the Chinese Language Society was suspended because its members campaigned against a law that permitted detention without trial. Students were suspended for expressing their views on native language education. In 2001,Choo Chon Kai - a chemistry topper was suspended for possessing and selling badges to protest the detention-without-trial law. The same law that has been used against HINDRAF leaders. Unfortunately, there is also a huge paucity of lawyers to defend Indians who are arrested far more frequently than any other Malaysian.

As things stand, the Indian community in Malaysia faces enormous obstacles in its struggle for justice. Without support from its Indian brethren and genuine human rights activists around the globe, their battle is likely to be a very arduous one.

We can only hope that more Indians begin to express solidarity with Malaysia's Indians and other discriminated communities and call upon the Indian government to exert maximum pressure on the Malaysian government to reform itself. Malaysia's odious practices must be widely exposed and the government lambasted for its obnoxious treatment of its Indian citizens.


Notes and References

(Data for this article has been compiled from various on-line sources, including a few (understably) anonymous sources.)

The main sources are listed here:

** For HINDRAF's Summary of Oppression see:
http://hsfn.nl/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=179&Itemid=1

http://www.hindraf.org/

** Minority Travails (by Aditi Bhaduri)

"Revathi Massosai, 32, a Hindu woman was giving interviews to the media and narrating the harrowing weeksshe had had to spend in an Islamic rehabilitation centre in Malaysia for declaring herself a Hindu. Massosai, born to Hindu parents who had convertedto Islam, had been raised as a Hindu by her grandmother. She married a Hindu man and when she went to register herself as one, the authorities seized herand put her in detention for six months to 'rehabilitate' her to Islam". "In a recent essay 'The Struggle for Democracy in Bangladesh', academicians Amena Mohsin and Mehna Guhathakurta note that in Bangladesh 'The growth of communal forces, attack on minorities, specially the Hindus, emergence of stunt figures like Bangla bhai, clandestine organizations like HikmatulJihad and the attack on Ahmediyas are viewed with much concern.'" IN a world where voices against Islamophobia, not without cause, are quick to be raised, it might make sense to keep in mind the words of NaeemMohaiemen, a film-maker from Bangladesh, specializing on political Islam,'The strange...thing is that even hyper-minority status in other spaces(North America, Europe, India) have not given the Muslim ummah an extra sensitivity, or sense of responsibility, or even historical prerogative (excerpts from MINORITY TRAVAILS by Aditi Bhaduri on Cobrapost)

Source

- GeNeRaTiOn Gap -Who is to blame?

Are our parents from a different planet? Why can't they see eye-to-eye with us? Why they always have the contrast idea from ours?

There always has been generation gap since the dawn of civilization. Old people act like a frog in the well. They are fully convinced with their ideas as ultimate and ideal. They ignore certain vital factors that are no longer valid in modern days..

Elder generation tend to complain of younger generation of not listening to them while younger generation tend to complain that elder generation are being outdated thus breaking down the communication between these two generations.But who is to blame? I think both go amiss now and then.

There is a great hue and cry raised by the elders and the young both that the communication between them has broken down and they accuse each other for and bemoan this state of affairs. They attribute it to generation gap. Majority in the society carries along with this moroseness and never pauses to think the why and how of the problem.

The elders are more critical of the younger generation with a big inventory of complaints against the young and the young mostly tend to ignore the grumbling, mumbling and occasional loud protestations of the older generation. But now and then they do protest. They resent the petting attitude of the elders.

This problem occurs because of different views between the old and young generations on matters such as :

• Of ideas on general conduct comprising dress, food habits etc.
• Morality, marriage & career
• Of tastes on art, music, literature, and in short total outlook.
• Choice of tertiary education.
  
• Attitude.

It is generally observed that the old behave like a frog in the well. They are fully convinced that the ideas they have had throughout their lives are the ultimate and ideal. They ignore certain vital factors that are no longer valid in the case of the modernity. There always has been generation gap since the dawn of civilization. The young have always deviated from the older standards and it was well that they did or there wouldn’t have been any progress today.

The younger generation naturally differs in dress,food,habits,friends etc as these were not available to the older generation. With the world is going on modernization,elder generation should change the way they think and follows the current mind setting. With the world changing,how can the new generation be asked to stagnate or move backward to the ancestors’ way of life?? In the olden days,the Indian society has been always sticked to arranged marriage because at that time the socializing level among them was very low. But if we see now,the socializing level has increased with more Indians working and continue their studying thus give them chances to explore the attitude of humans and choose the best for them.Well,I'm not saying that love marriage is the one suitable as both arranged and love marriage have pro n cons...but elder generation should be flexible to both options instead of sticking to arrange marriage only.

Leave the marriage aside,let's see how the views of older n younger generation differs on career and education.It will be generally agreed that most fathers want their offspring to adopt the same profession that they themselves followed without giving due weight to the aptitude of the offspring. This causes tension between the elders and the children. The younger generation is more intellectually evolved than the preceding one. But the ego of the older people does not permit them to accept this hard truth and they would always like to play the role of the destiny makers of the younger ones.

The modern age has a wider field of study courses and job which maybe it was not available during the ancestors time hence fathers had no choice except following their ancestor's profession. And since this "culture" has been followed for few generation,the younger generation's fathers will be expecting the same from their offspring. This not only lead to arguments but it might leave the younger generation doing a job they have no interest at all...How can we do a job perfectly when we have no interest 2 it?So,u see,this will lead to many problems....................So,you old folks,please let your kids to choose what they want to be.. It's ok if u can't lead them but don't discourage them.

Alright..Now come to youths issue..Well,all this while I was talking about youths too but this issue is the most biggest problem that most youths are facing. Friends,usage of hand phone,computer,partying,camping n the list goes on as we face when was a teenagers esp for girls.. Most of the parents happens to be very strict when it comes to social life and studies...I wonder why..You see,this parents always thinks of the worst while wanting the best for us...In their eyes,we are still little babies or still not matured enough to take decision...But at a certain age,youngsters should be given the freedom to take decision which is still lacking esp among Indian parents...I will write about this some other time...Back to topic...Well,in a way,bringing up kids in this way is good as parents can avoid their teenager kids from ending up with the wrong group of friends and flunked in their studies...But..there is a but..there shouldn't be too much of restriction as younger generation will miss the youths fun time..Just give them freedom but at the same time keep an eye on them instead of blocking their freedom and nagging them all the time.

However,it seems hard for parents to accept the changes and change them self for a better relationship among parents and youngsters.The world has changed, our parents will never change...

The young generation can’t survive if it doesn’t change. No power on earth can prevent the natural gap owing to this evolution.

The old have to leave early after having lived their lives. They would be wise not to interfere in the pace of development of the new. It was high time they stopped complaining. The young should see this predicament of the old and be tolerant and reverential towards them. It will ensure harmony in the society and add joy and peace to the daily life.The younger generation should also be on their guard against the evils coming in train with the fast life. Stress, depression, frustration as a result of a race for ascendancy shouldn’t be ignored or they can rob them of the fruit of their labor and their dreams.

They young should listen to the old while the old should let the young to make own decision and not controlling their life. Both generation should view the life from both side.Youngsters should think from the point of elders and vice versa...Make things easier and life smoother.

Phew....

Spark with your ashes and stay alive after death.

Mummification ?? Frozen? Nah....now you can go for sparkling diamond which the diamond happens to be someone you loved who has passed away...thanks to a peculiar chemical transformation. Sounds cool uh? It might don't sound cool for all but u see,humans all don't think alike.. N yeah...there is a fee will be charged...certainly this type things won't be done for free.

Well,there is a company called Algordanza in the eastern Swiss canton of Graubuenden offers a service to turn ashes into precious stones. At the firm's laboratory, about 15 machines run non-stop alongside employees wearing plastic protective glasses who work behind a yellow and black line that visitors are not allowed to cross -- out of respect for the dead.

According to one of the co-founders of Algordanza,Rinaldo Willy said that five hundred grams (one pound) of ashes is enough to make a diamond while a human body leaves behind on average 2.5 to three kilograms of ashes.

Here goes the process on the transformation of ashes to diamond :

• Potassium and calcium, which makes up some 85 percent of the ashes, are first separated from the carbon.
• The carbon is then subject to extremely high pressure and heat --1,700 degrees C, a process which compresses it into graphite, a carbon allotrope or a structurally different form of carbon.
• More pressure and heat are applied to the graphite to turn it into diamonds -- the hardest allotrope of carbon.
• The entire process takes six to eight weeks, hardly a fraction of the time it takes for the formation of natural diamonds which take thousands of years.
• When the process is complete, the crude diamond still requires polishing and cutting. Many are cut into heart-shaped stones which can be worn as a pendant or mounted on a ring.

"Each diamond is unique -- the colour varies from dark blue to almost white," said Willy. "It's a reflection of the personality."

If you are not sure that the diamond is not made from the ashes that given,DNA test can be done to prove that each diamond is indeed made from a particular person's ashes.

But the "chemical imprint" of the ashes, determined at its arrival to the laboratory, allows for documentation to be made and for the finished product to be traced, he said.

The whole process costs between 4,500 and 17,000 Swiss francs (2,800 to 10,600 euros or 4,400 to 16,700 dollars), depending on the weight of the resulting stone (from 0.25 to one carat), and does not include the setting of the stone.

And yeah..though most life gem requests come from family members,some even start asking the services for themselves in living will before they die.Individuals can even pay beforehand, with an insurance policy that covers their wish to become a diamond... forever. Should I make a will too??

Well,some thinks this is the way to be forever with the loved ones while some thinks that this is against of the ethics of burial and remembrance thus won't go for this process...Hmmm....

1 Year Old Kanisha Needs Your Help.

LETS HELP THIS YOUNG FAMILY....




Hi All,

A fortnight ago, I met a young couple(Mr & Mrs Gobi - Parameswari) who came to Senawang Branch to apply for a personal loan but due to lack of income the loan was not approved.Upon talking to them,I found out that the loan that they applied for,was for their daughter's medical expense.Gobi and Parameswari both (aged 20) have a daughter named Kanisha (1year old) who is very sweet in appearance.Unfortunately, this baby girl has a very rare disease since birth.She is affected by 'Venous Malformation' at the left hand side of her lower lip.It's a disease which causes swelling at the affected area.It is indeed very sad for young girl to suffer from such a disease and the swelling is growing gradually.This girl need financial assistance to enable doctors to remove the growth.The cost of the operation ,including hospitalization fees is estimated between RM10K - RM 15K

Letter given by her doctor.

It would be a great help if u can donate .Shoot me an e-mail to confirm ur willingness to help including the amount you would like to pledge.

Details:

Patient : Kanisha a/p Gobi

Father : Gobi a/l Avedian

( 880407-05-5547)

Mother : Parameswari a/p Arjuna

( 880622-23-5110)

Add : No 71A, Taman Sri Intan,Rantau

71200 Seremban.

Contact Number : 016-2356987

Account Detail : Kanisha & Parameswari

0507-0000216-20-2

CIMB BANK


Kindly help.........................

For further info ,u can cal me,Bawani at 016-2122460.

THANK YOU.

** Thx to IP for the email.

**Updated : Since CIMB acct is closed,you can bank in the cash to BSN Acct : 0510229000112448.

For further clarification,you may contact Bawani at the num above.. thx.

Would you dine in the loo?

Would you love to have your dinner at d place below? Or bring your gf/bf to that place for your 1st date??

It may take a strong stomach to eat curry or chocolate ice cream out of a toilet bowl but a loo-themed restaurant in Taiwan does booming business serving up just that.

Would you love to eat your ice-cream?

Wonder what will run in mind while eating?? Eating or shitting? Or both??...This themed restaurant will make humans life more easier..after eat,lepak there for a while,then done with your "after meal work" and head back to home....Save water n save time too..

Diners have their meals on toilet seats at a toilet-themed restaurant in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province June 29, 2008. The restaurant, which opened on June 1, features toilet seats as dining chairs and food served in miniature bathtubs and toilet bowls.

Two guys got a negative response : These two guys probably asked a couple of hot chicks to dinner, then took them to this toilet-themed restaurant. Now they’re wondering why the women left to “powder their noses” an hour and a half ago, and never came back. LOL.

A restaurant named Marton Theme Restaurant, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan has a toilet theme and is a great hit among people. The restaurant has a bathroom decor, with colorful toilet seat being the standard chairs at the restaurant. It also serves food in plates and bowls shaped like western loo seats and Japanese “squat” toilets. Customers sits by a tables converted from a bathtub with a glass cover while looking at a wall decorated with neon-lit faucets and urinals turned into lamps.

The restaurant is named after the Chinese word “Matong” for toilet and is doing really well. The owner Eric Wang says “We not only sell food but also laughter. The food is just as good as any restaurant but we offer additional fun. Most customers think the more disgusting and exaggerated (the restaurant is), the funnier the dining experience is.”

The good news is, the toilet bowl is made by a ceramic company and never being used by people to commit s#it or crime before.



Will this theme restaurant will be a hit if there is one to come soon in Malaysia?