This image stinks!

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Piles of rubbish near Pasar Borong, Selayang, Kuala Lumpur, makes the whole area look unhealthy.

Published on Star Thumbnails on Tuesday, 5-July-2011

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Doesn’t fit the bill

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Having too many bills/posters posted near road signs is a ‘consonant’ struggle for road-users at Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur

Date : Friday, 20-May-2011

Stop Look Go
Motorists are confused with so many signboards including properties for sale/rent near traffic lights at Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. Swift action of the authorities is essential to avoid accidents.

Yearn To Live In Peace

The Prime Minister's call on all quarters to calm down and stop exploiting the issue of a purported attempt to make Christianity the official religion of the country and his advise to avoid any religion-related debate to create tension among the people must be taken into serious consideration.

I believe no one should jump the gun by pointing fingers to one another and creating disunity among our multiracial society. We have been holding to our peace for more than 50 years; Don't ever loose it in the name of religion.

We should stand together and stop any situation that could cause polarisation among the people of our beloved country. Malaysia is for all Malaysians regardless of religion, race, language or colour. Do not let the effort of our Premier to take 1 Malaysia concept to a greater heights becomes null and void.

No doubt, touching on religious issues are so sensitive like “playing with fire” and we should be careful handling it. No point arguing matters that has been reported by media that quoted bloggers. That's a shame!

Utusan Malaysia had recently published on it's front page quoting two blogs which claimed that a meeting had taken place in Penang, attended by Christian leaders who want Christianity to be the official religion in Malaysia. However, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has dismissed the report as a fabrication.

The Malay daily was only been issued a letter of caution by the Home Ministry for its article 'Kristian Agama Rasmi? (Christianity the official religion?)' that was published on May 7 even though the ministry considered it as "alarming to the public" and an article which contradicted the Printing Presses and Publishing Act 1984.

The government should also come out with strict guidelines to make sure that the media does not play up sensitive religious issues that will propagate hatred among citizens and disrupt racial harmony. The press should take full responsibility over it's reports that are published.

I truly hope the police will make a fair and just investigation into the case that is in their jurisdiction now. The truth will prevail! While then, let all parties stay calm and not to be indulge in any controversies that would jeopardise racial harmony.

Christians in this country have been facing so many tough times – arson attacks on churches last year, slapped with the 'Allah issue', Malay Language Bibles confiscated and now facing allegations that Christian leaders want Christianity to be the official religion in Malaysia – but never ones they slammed the government by rioting or causing national tension.

No matter what, Christians for generations have been praying for the peace of our country and for the well-being of the rulers and national leaders according to the Holy Scripture. They have been always involved in social concern works and nation building projects.

At the moment, our nation is in the eyes of the world for some achievements we are making. We might be loosing our reputation in the global arena due to these senseless issues. Don't let our foolish arguments shy away global investors. We should be transformed in our mind sets before bringing transformation in our country's economy and other things.

PM said that Malaysia upholds the Constitution which means Islam is the official religion and other religions are free to be practised. This is among the important principles that have been the main pillars in the formation of Malaysia as a nation and cannot be questioned. Hope everybody understands it by respecting one another and abiding by the law.

Recently, PM had a fruitful meeting with Christian leaders. Prior to that, he also had a meeting with Islamic leaders and intellectuals. I believe that he and the government officials should have similar dialogues with other religious groups and non governmental organisations (NGO's) from time to time to enhance greater unity and brotherhood.

As peace loving citizens, let us continue to promote love and tolerance by rejecting the enemy of peace. UNITY is achievable if all Malaysians rise up to the occasion and show:

Unconditional love,No partiality,Interdependent,Trust one another andYearn to live in peace.

Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Bed & (no) breakfast

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Date : Sunday, 8-May-2011

by Josephine Kumar

Specially designed for drunk drivers.

Hidden driver, watching tigers

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

“Don’t worry Mr Driver, we will look after your car,” said the pride leader. Picture taken in Cameron Highlands.

Date : Wednesday, 13-April-2011

Crouching tiger, hidden hydrant

This hidden fire hydrant in Gua Musang could cause dangerous delays.

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Date : Sunday, 10-April-2011

mStar Online : 10 Cara Untuk Mempromosikan 1 Malaysia

mStar Online : 10 Cara Untuk Mempromosikan 1 Malaysia

PENDAPAT

Rabu Mac 30, 2011

10 Cara Untuk Mempromosikan 1 Malaysia

Oleh B. KUMARATHEVAN

KITA harus belajar dari nenek moyang kita tentang cara untuk hidup secara harmoni.

Gaya hidup bangsa kita pada masa lalu telah menunjukkan kepada kita bagaimana masyarakat zaman dahulu tinggal bersama dalam toleransi dan penghormatan tinggi terhadap bangsa-bangsa lain, budaya dan agama walaupun berhadapan dengan beberapa insiden dan kejadian kecil yang tidak diingini.

Pada pandangan penulis, adalah sesuatu yang memalukan jika kita gagal untuk terus merangkul keunikan Malaysia ini.

Sepuluh cara yang dapat membantu mempromosikan konsep 1Malaysia untuk menggalakkan perpaduan yang lebih besar di kalangan masyarakat pelbagai etnik di Malaysia adalah seperti berikut:

1) Orang dewasa harus menunjukkan teladan yang baik dengan menghormati jiran tetangga, rakan sekerja, teman atau seseorang daripada bangsa lain.

2) Orang dewasa tidak harus berbicara secara negatif tentang bangsa lain atau agama lain secara sembarangan atau terbuka.

3) Jangan memanggil seseorang dengan panggilan yang kurang enak di dengar terhadap orang daripada bangsa yang berbeza.

4) Anak-anak harus didorong untuk bergaul dan bermain bersama kanak-kanak berlainan kaum tanpa melihat perbezaan di antara mereka agar semangat kekitaan dapat dipupuk dari peringkat awal lagi.

5) Guru-guru terutamanya pengetua sekolah atau para pendidik di institusi pengajian tinggi harus memainkan peranan yang lebih besar dengan memberi motivasi kepada para pelajar dan meraikan kepelbagaian budaya di antara rakyat negara kita.

6) Kerajaan melalui agensi-agensi tertentu harus menganjurkan acara-acara yang lebih mantap dan menyeluruh untuk mempromosikan perpaduan yang lebih besar. Jangan tunggu musim perayaan atau pilihan raya baru hendak menganjurkan sesuatu.

7) Organisasi bukan kerajaan (NGO) termasuk persatuan, kelab dan pertubuhan perlu bekerja sama dengan syarikat multi nasional atau industri kecil untuk menganjurkan kegiatan sukan, seminar dan kem-kem yang merangkumi penyertaan semua bangsa.

8) Kementerian Pelajaran harus mempertimbangkan untuk melupuskan sistem kuota bagi membolehkan cabaran kesetaraan yang positif dalam sistem pendidikan.

9) Para pemimpin agama yang sepatutnya menjadi soleh dan takut akan Tuhan harus berlatih mengamalkan sikap toleransi yang tinggi dan selalu bekerja untuk menyelesaikan perbezaan pendapat di kalangan masyarakat berbilang kaum dan agama secara ramah dan kondusif.

10) Para ahli politik perlu bijaksana dalam membuat kenyataan atau ketika mengambil keputusan mengenai isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan masyarakat berbilang kaum. Dengan sepuluh pendekatan ini, saya percaya kita boleh mencapai perpaduan yang lebih dinamik dan membantu merealisasikan hasrat 1Malaysia secara lebih sistematik.

Sekian untuk renungan dan iktibar kita semua.

- Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Tilt head to insert coin, thank you

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Any neck sprains caused while paying for your parking in Gua Musang is deeply regretted.

2 Malaysians among world's '100 most inspiring people'

2 Malaysians among world's '100 most inspiring people'

KUALA LUMPUR: Two prominent Malaysian women have been included in a New York-based global advocacy’s list of 100 most inspiring people around the world for their work in advocating the rights of women and girls.

Zainah Anwar - who founded Sisters In Islam (SIS) and is the project director of Musawah, an international collaborative group for equality and justice in the Muslim family - and blogger, women’s rights and HIV/AIDS awareness advocate Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir were named in the list put out by Women Deliver.

Zainah and Marina joined the rank of other distinguished personalities including former US first lady Laura Bush, ABC news anchor and tv personality Christiane Amanpour, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, CNN Hero of the Year and anti-sex trafficking activist Anuradha Koirala, talk show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

The list, announced in New York yesterday, was compiled based on the recipients’ work in improving the lives of women and girls in the fields of health, human rights, politics, economics, education, journalism and philanthropy.

Zainah who occupied the seventh position in the list, said she was informed of her inclusion in the list in mid-February.

“It is an honour for Sisters in Islam's work to be recognised at the global level. Our work breaks the myth that Muslim women are oppressed and victimised, and further breaks the myth that Islam is inherently a religion that discriminates against women,” she said.

Zainah described her biggest achievement was in empowering Muslim women to claim their right to be treated as human beings of equal worth and dignity.

She added Musawah, which was initiated by Sisters in Islam two years ago and led by an international committee of scholars and activists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Gambia, Nigeria, Iran, the United States and the United Kingdom, had become a source of hope for change in the Muslim world.

The organisation was also invited to Geneva to give briefings to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee).

Meanwhile, Marina, who occupied the 57th position, said Women Deliver contacted her through her blog last week.

“I am very honoured to be named in the list. I think it’s nice that Malaysia is recognised. It makes people aware of Malaysia and we get international recognition. People will also take us more seriously,” said Marina who is also a SIS board member.

In a press statement released yesterday, Women Deliver president Jill Sheffield said last year had been “widely viewed as the year women’s issues finally came to the fore in international development.

“This list recognises those who successfully navigated the corridors of power, along with those on the front lines, who have worked to expand the rights and choices for girls and women everywhere,” she said.

Other countries in the region mentioned in the list were Cambodia and Philippines with one and two representatives each. Representation from Sub-Saharan nations was the highest with 26 names followed by the Middle East and North Africa with 20 names.

Women Deliver, launched in 2007, promotes and advances the health of girls, women and mothers and serves as a global source of information for advocacy and action.

Among its advisors are Amnesty International, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

Read more: 2 Malaysians among world's '100 most inspiring people' http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2Malaysiansamongworld_s_100mostinspiringpeople_/Article/#ixzz1Fe63UDYm

You can make a difference

SPEAK UP! :: Letters KUDOS to MCA for its efforts to set up mobile service vehicles to serve the poor in the rural areas by providing free services such as health screening, counselling, legal consultation and crisis relief. Though the government and some NGOs are making efforts to help those who are in need and to promote racial unity, there are thousands who have been overlooked. Let’s stop blaming one another. All the efforts of some quarters to tackle the problem of the needy will be in vain if there are those who don’t take the responsibility to participate in nation building. Recently, a friend of mine sent me an encouraging email. He shared a little bit about Mother Teresa’s humility that taught the world the true meaning of love through charity. In 2008, I had the opportunity to watch the movie about the life story of Mother Teresa. There were tears in my eyes. That movie inspired me to take the challenge with my family to help in whatever way we can, especially in promoting unity. Just as her selfless work among the poverty-stricken people of Kolkata became an inspiration for me and my family, so I believe it will challenge every citizen to the core to make the difference in our society, nation and the world. Mother Teresa said: "God admires us not for what we do but for how much love we put into what we do. Together let us build a chain of love around the world." Whatever we are able to do, though it may seem to be unrealistic, out of date or insignificant to human minds, it doesn’t matter, just continue to pursue the higher calling by helping the poor and the needy with nation building in mind. "Legends leave behind legacy, so take the challenge to make the difference!" Kumarathevan BalakrishnanGua Musang

KJ Generation Resources newsletter (2011)

KJ GENERATION RESOURCES newsletter

Dear friends, 2010 was a great year for us and we thank God for the many wonderful experiences. 

We had the opportunity to conduct motivation seminars besides coaching the students to speak in  English at our training centre (KJGR) that focuses on character-building programme. The students showed interest in learning and progressed quite well.

Since we started to teach English and character-building programme in Gua Musang in October 2009, we have taught quite a number of students of various races including Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli and Pakistani.

They were aged between 5 and 55 years old. There were many others who attended the seminars that we had organised. Our seminars was facilitated by trainers and professionals from Malaysia as well as from overseas including America, Australia, Finland, South Korea, Mexico and Indonesia.  

We are continuing our effort to help educate and motivate the students who will be attending our trainings this year. We have started our classes for 2011.

Our aim is to teach English the easy way, organize motivational and character-building programmes, nurture the spirit of unity among people of different culture, race and religion besides organizing social concern activities. 


As we are involved in this community development and nation building programme, we are in need of financial and material support. You are most welcome to partner with us to touch and transform the community here.

Yours sincerely,

B.Kumarathevan and S.Josephine Kumar

Managers of KJ Generation Resources

Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia.

016-4734313 or 016-4687414

"BUILD CHARACTER, BUILD LIVES!"

 

K.Joash Kumararaj presenting "Humpty Dumpty" (Bollywood version)

‘Attractive’ rubbish

‘Attractive’ rubbish

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Instead of attracting tourists to Cameron Highlands, the rubbish pile found at the Simpang Pulai road bend leading to the hilltop will only attract flies and diseases.

Date : Friday, 10-December-2010

Note: Hope the authorities concern will take swift action.

‘Attractive’ rubbish

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Instead of attracting tourists to Cameron Highlands, the rubbish pile found at the Simpang Pulai road bend leading to the hilltop will only attract flies and diseases.

Published in The Star Thumbnails: Friday, 10-December-2010

Learning English with Arts & Crafts

Draw, cut, paste, pencil, colours, stick, glue, scissors, underline, paper, object, look, erase and much more were among the vocabularies used to help participants to bring out their hidden talents and creativity.

About thirty participants were enthusiastically drawing, colouring and were learning the ways and means to create some beautiful arts and crafts.

“Though it looks like an art class but it is actually an English programme with a difference.They were given the opportunity to learn and express their desires, emotions and creativity as they become so engrossed in the special programme.

“Simple instructions in English were used as part of language learning process,’’ said Josephine Kumar, Principal and assistant Manager of KJ Generation Resources (KJGR). 

The event was a two days school holiday programme themed: “Learning English with Arts and Crafts” organized by KJGR at its premises in Gua Musang, Kelantan. 

The participants age from three to 28 years old consist of nursery kids, school students and young adults. 

According to Josephine, the participants from various background and culture including Malay, Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli took part in portrait and cartoon drawing including different facial expressions, colouring and creating crafts using old magazines, books and cut outs.  

The participants also learned many vocabularies during the sessions conducted by a group of twelve professional trainers from USA, Australia, Finland and South Korea.

English was used continuosly as a form of communication to teach arts and crafts which made the langguage programme active and alive within the classroom.

Team leader, James Alen who is an artist said, this programme is another creative way to stimulate the imagination and the creativity of the individuals which subsequently helps them to learn English easily and effortlessly. 

"In this way, it can also help them to develop communication ability through teamwork. Whilst receiving compliments and praises in English for their artwork, the participants will also learn to respond by saying some basic greetings," he said. 

Josephine believes, using profesional trainers, mostly from English speaking countries occasionally will help improve the linguistic competence of the participants because they are forced to listen attentively, receive instructions from those trainers and respond to them intelligently. 

"This is our continues effort since we began our English training centre one year ago,'' she said adding, besides their normal English class, KJGR have successfully organized few programmes such as, "Towards Destiny", "Fun English Lessons with Native Americans" and "Using Music to Learn English".

She explained, KJGR wants to impart and achieve three most important elements in these students through all their programmes, one is to improve the students communicative skills, next is to build confidence in each one of them and finally to shape their character to be better citizens.

She said that the event is also to promote understanding and building relationship with one another from various background, cultures and traditions inline with the 1 Malaysia aspiration.

A participant, Rokimin Uda Din, 28, who desires to travel abroad said that the event has help boost his confidence and self esteem. "I want to improve my English in order  to be able to communicate boldly and fluently with English native speakers".

Another participant, Chong Tao Ying, 14, who loves to draw said, it is impressive to know that he could learn English through arts and crafts. 

For more information or update on other events, email KJGR at kjgenerationres@gmail.com or contact 016-4734313 or 016-4687414.

ends.

Kids learn English while drawing and colouring.

Anis Aqilah (student): "I know..this is the forehead. Am I right?"

One of the trainers, Aaron (middle), a doctor of chiropractic become the human anatomy for the children to learn about body parts.

Foreign trainers are observing and giving instructions in English to participants as they are working on their artwork.

 Professional trainers from overseas are having discussion in English with Orang Asli participants.

Kids and trainers enjoying "parachute ball game". It's an outdoor activity to learn English.

        Yes we did it! Kids showing thumbs up after finishing their drawing.

  

Todd (second from left) and Dave (right) helping the participants to draw sea animals.

        

      James teaching participants the method of how to draw human face.

Participants showing their drawing - human face.

Kids enjoy drawing on the floor at KJGR entrance.

Some of the participants and foreign trainers posing for the album at KJ Generation Resources, Gua Musang, Kelantan.

end.

Photos & Story by: B.Kumarathevan 

Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia.

016-4734313 or 016-4687414