More than 3000 devotees lined the streets of Taman Sentosa, Klang to celebrate the Masi Magam Magotchava Vizha, which is held on the 1st day of the Masi month on 20th February 2011, coinciding with the full moon.The festival is kicked off by the hoisting of the Koodi Maram, located in the heart of the temple.During the nine days festival, many events like pooja, homam, and milk pot carrying are held at the Rajeswari Temple.

Chariots (ratham or ther in Tamil) ferry the idols of Hindu gods around the Taman Sentosa and nearby housing estates on the seventh day. The chariots are gaily decorated and lined with colorful lights with the procession lasting more than 8 hours.

It is the belief that when the Gods go around visiting devotees at their home, the devotees will have the God’s dharsham (blessings) at least once a year. This is the only time each year that the Gods will visit devotees at their residence. During the rest of the year, devotees will have to go to the temple to get their dharshamTherefore the devotees will offer the God visiting or passing by their house, archanai (consist of coconut, vilakku, bananas, incense, flowers), food, drinks and fruits.

Many devotees take this opportunity to have their babies and children blessed by the Gods.

Selangor Makkal Ponggal Vizha ’1008 Ponggal Pots’ pesta telah berlangsung di Jalan Tengku Kelana Klang pada 30hb Januari 2011. Majlis ini telah mencipta rekod apabila lebih dari 1210 buah tembikar ponggal berjaya dipersembahkan. Lebih dari 3000 orang telah menyertai pesta ini walaupun hujan renyai-renyai turun sejak pagi lagi.

Jalan Tengku Kelana Klang telah dipenuhi dengan tebu , nyalaan api ponggal dan sorak gembira serta laungan ‘Ponggalo-pongal.”’.oleh orang ramai yang menyertai pesta ini.

Majlis yang bersejarah ini telah dianjurkan dengan kerjasama Kerajaan Negeri Selangor dan Malaysian Hindu Sangam bersama-sama lebih dari 40 pertubuhan Kuil, gabungan NGOs, Persatuan Perniagaan dan lain-lain.

Sempena majlis ini beberapa aktiviti telah diadakan antaranya:

• Pelancaran akhbar bahasa tamil ‘Selangor Indru’ telah dilakukan oleh Dr Xavier Jayakumar(percuma dan akan diterbitkan 2 naskah setiap bulan);

• Penyerahan cek sebanyak RM10,000 kepada Majlsi Kanser Nasional;

• *Penyerahan cek sebanyak RM4,000 kepada Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah;

• Pengiktirafan Jalan Tengku Kelana Klang sebagai ‘little India’ dan pusat pelancong.

Rakaman video: R.Rajeswari, Wartawan Masyarakat

Selangor Makkal Ponggal, Malaysian Record

Thai Ponggal is celebrated on the first day of the month Thai of the Tamil calendar. The day normally falls between 12th and 15th of the month of January in the Christian calendar. Thus, Thai is the first month of the Tamil Almanac, and Ponggal is a dish of sweet concoction of rice, moong dal, jaggery and milk. This festival is celebrated by one and all as it is non-relevance to any particular religious faith. The whole Tamil population of the world celebrate it without any differences. Therefore it is widely known as “Tamil Thai Pongal” or the “Festival of the Tamils”.

The Tamil festival of Thai Ponggal is a thanks giving ceremony in which the farmers celebrate the event to thank the spirits of nature spirit, the Sun and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest. The rest of the people celebrate the festival to pay their thanks to the farmers for the production of food. Overall, it is a festival to encourage social cohesiveness and unite people by bringing them together in a common function. There are many songs about Thai Ponggal and there is much Tamil literature about it. Here is a video on ponggal celebration took place in Klang Temple.

Members from AWAM, an independent feminist organisation committed to improving the lives of women in Malaysia were at the bus stop at the Kelana Jaya LRT Station to raise public awareness on the issue of child marriages which hit the news headlines in Malaysia recently.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.

It starts on November 25th, International Day Against Violence Against Women and ends on December 10th, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women to human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including December 1st, which is World AIDS Day.

Produced by R Rajeswari
Edited by KSTan

The Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) is back again for its 7th presentation to delight car enthusiasts and motoring reviewers from the region!

The world’s most illustrious and glitzy automobiles will once again converge at KLIMS to showcase the automotive achievements of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.

Themed “We Care”, KLIMS’10 will make its prestigious appearance to showcase the auto industry’s accent on consumer, environment and community care.

Besides showcasing the latest automotive products and innovations that can be found in the market, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) hopes to bring forth the automotive industry’s initiatives in contributing to the well-being of mankind.

KLIMS’10 will add momentum to the Green Campaign by encouraging the automotive industry to showcase environment friendly vehicles and promoting the appeal of these vehicles to the public.

KLIMS’10 is also an opportune platform for exhibitors to promote their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme.

Hari AIDS sedunia di sambut setiap tahun pada 1hb Disember di setiap negara oleh kebanyakkan organisasi terutamanya badan bukan kerajaan (NGOs). Ia juga menjadi agenda penting bagi kesatuan sekerja diseluruh dunia. Tahun ini tema yang dijadikan landasan diperingkat global ialah: Akses Universal dan Hak Kemanusiaan bagi membina kesedaran mengenai penyebab utama penyakit ini memandangkan HIV merebak disebabkan faktor diluarjangkaan seperti kemiskinan, ketidaksaksamaan gender dan ketidakadilan sosial.

Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia(MTUC) bersama-sama dengan kerjasama kesatuan Global BWI(Bangunan dan Perkayuan Antarabangsa) serta Kesatuan pekerja-pekerja Perkayuan Semenanjung Malaysia telah mengadakan seminar di Petaling Jaya kepada ahli-ahlinya bagi memberi penekanan akan penting kesedaran HIV/AIDs ditempat kerja dan kaedah untuk menanganinya.

Mengikut statistik dari Majlis Aids Malaysia(MAM) yang dilaporkan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia bahawa sehingga Jun 2009 sejumlah 86,127 orang menghidap HIV. Mengikut pelatih MAM Encik Surrin setiap hari lebih kurang 13 kes dilaporkan menghidap HIV positif.

Sekiranya dilihat dari perspektif gender, sejak kebelakangan ini wanita adalah golongan yang lebih dijangkiti dengan penyakit ini berbanding dengan golongan lelaki yang menerajui peratusnya ini sejak tahun 1986. Apa yang lebih menyedihkan lagi ialah antara golongan yang dijangkiti dengan HIV adalah suri rumah tangga iaitu seramai 2865 orang.

Antara penyebab utama yang dikenalpasti ialah perkongsian jarum dan suntikan dikalangan penghisap dadah yang merangkumi lebih kurang 71%. Sekaligus ia merebak melalui hubungan homosexual/bisexual lebih kurang 18% dan seterusnya faktor-faktor lain.

HIV hanya boleh merebak melalui empat kaedah utama:
• Air mani (semen)
• Air mazi (vagina fluids)
• Susu ibu (breast milk)
• Darah (blood)

Kini persoalannya adakah mereka ini perlu disinggirkan atau kaedah pencegahan bagi mengelakkan dari merebak kepada orang lain dilakukan? Umpamanya pembekalan kondom dan jarum suntikan diberikan. Walaupun pelbagai pihak membantah dengan langkah ini namun Program Penukaran Jarum Suntikan (NSEP) dan pengedaran kondom secara percuma dilakukan bagi mengurangkan ia merebak atau menjangkiti mangsa baru.

Apa yang penting di sini ialah pemantauan yang berkesan dan kesedaran semua pihak untuk menangani gejala ini dari terus menular kerana kos rawatan seorang pesakit HIV ialah RM3000(asas) untuk setahun.

Mengikut wakil MAM, masyarakat harus berfikiran terbuka supaya dapat menerima mangsa dan bukannya melabelkan mereka dengan pelbagai tanggapan buruk yang boleh membawa kepada kemusnahan hidup mereka di samping mengamalkan cara hidup yang sihat.

Hari Antarabangsa Menangani Keganasan Terhadap Wanita 2010: Majlis Pelancaran Kempen “Say No-Unite To End Violence Against Women” sempena Hari Antarabangsa Menangani Keganasan Terhadap Wanita 2010 telah di adakan di KL Sentral pada 27 November 2010. Majlis ini telah dianjurkan oleh Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat(KPWKM) dengan kerjasama badan-badan NGOs. Majlis ini telah dirasmikan oleh Timbalan Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, YB Sentor Puan Heng Seai Kie. Lebih dari 1000 peserta yang mewakili kerajaan, badan berkanun, NGO dan orang awam mengambil bahagian dalam kempen ini.

Objektif utama majlis ini ialah menyebarluaskan maklumat mengenai isu-isu keganasan terhadap wanita kepada masyarakat umum. Di samping menggembleng komitmen semua pihak iaitu golongan wanita dan lelaki, sektor awam dan swasta serta NGO bagi menghapuskan keganasan terhadap wanita.

Mengikut statistik Polis diRaja Malayisa, kes rogol, bunuh, dera, keganasan rumah tangga dan gangguan seksual di Malaysia semakin meningkat dan secara purata 10 wanita menjadi mangsa keganasan fizikal, seksual atau mental setiap hari dan angka ini hanyalah mengambarkan sebilangan kecil kes-kes yang dilaporkan. Malahan ramai dikalangan wanita hari ini tidak melaporkan kes-kes keganasan atas pelbagai sebab dan alasan.

Dalam majlis ini KPWKM telah melancarkan penubuhan “Kelab Youth Orbit-Circle of Influence” (Kelab YO!) yang merupakan inisiatif yang digerakkan oleh golongan muda untuk golongan muda (youth for youth) bertujuan memberi informasi, kesedaran dan mewujudkan peer support group bagi menghapuskan segala bentuk diskriminasi dan penganiayaan terhadap wanita. Lebih dari 500 peserta telah pun mendaftar sebagai ahli kelab YO! pada hari tersebut dan pendaftaran juga boleh dibuat secara online.

Mengikut KPWKM, keganasan terhadap wanita adalah isu serius yang bukan sahaja mengancam nyawa dan kesejahteraan mangsa. Jika isu ini dibiárkan berlarutan terutamanya di kalangan golongan muda yang merupakan generasi masa depan negara, ia boleh meruntuhkan masyarakat dan menghalang kemajuan sesebuah negara.

Dalam majlis ini pengiktirafan juga telah diberikan kepada Syarikat Korporat dalam usaha menangani keganasan terhadap wanita iaitu KTM Berhad(telah mengadakan koc wanita khas dalam komuter- berwarna merah jambu(pink-ladies coach) dan e-Curve, serta Syarikat operator teksi-Puncak Holdings(teksi mesra wanita).

Penceramah-penceramah dijemput dari One stop crisis Centre(OSCC), AWAN dan Penganalisis Jenayah yang membicarakan tips-tips serta hal perundangan yang berguna bagi wanita dalam menangani keganasan ini.

Ikuti rakaman video:

Bonanza for Maybank executives

A collective agreement signing ceremony was held in Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur on the 22nd November 2010. It was the 6th Collective Agreement for Association Maybank executives union(AME) and was first time witness by a trade unionist Bro Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, President Union Network International-Malaysia Liaison Council instead of other parties.

Maybank has agreed to reward their employees with some special clauses such:
• A descending salary adjustment of 7-12%;
• Extension on retirement age to 57 years;
• Forex allowance of RM200 for non shift employees;
• Extension of maternity leave to 90 days;
• Extension of childcare benefit to male employees.

Also present at the ceremony Puan Nora Abd. Manaf, Head Group Human Capital of Maybank and Mr Lim Hong Tat, Deputy President and Head of Community Financial Services Maybank.

Video produced by R Rajeswari:

Kaartigai Thibam, the festival of lamps, is one of the oldest of Tamil festivals,  ushering in prosperity and spiritual joy.

Kaartigai Thibam is celebrated in the month of ‘Kaartigai’ (October-November), when the full moon is aligned with the constellation of Kaartigai.

In Kampar, devotees of the 1965 year old temple celebrate Kaartigai Thibam with the blessings of Lord Hanuman. The High Priest, Mr Govindasamy, 58 invoked the deity in a trance. The festival ended with the burning of  the shokka pannai and lighting of 1000 lights around the temple compound. Devotees also throw rock salt into the fire in order to remove and get rid of the bad karma from their body.

Kaartigai Thibam Celebration in India

People in Tamil Nadu follow Kaartigai Thibam as an extension of Diwali. Devotees keep increasing the number of lamps by the days , after Diwali, up till the Kaartigai Thibam festival. The last day of three days celebration coincides with the full moon, and is celebrated as Kaartigai Thibam.

It is a joyful sight to see little lamps arrayed everywhere in front of the houses, in the courtyard, placed on Kolams (Rangolis), on windows, at the backyard etc. It is a beautiful sight in the villages, where houses are built in a line; little flames appear in unison far into the horizon.

Spiritual Significance

The spiritual significance of celebrating Kaartigai Thibam, is symbolised by using the terracotta lamps. The oil used to light the lamp, symbolises the innate tendencies in one, which is responsible for the ego to thrive. The wick is the ego. The flame of the lamp symbolises  spiritual knowledge which empties the oil as it burns the wick,(ego, body and mind).  With the draining of the innate tendencies and the burning of the wick, devotees attain their spiritual goal, the realisation of the ultimate truth.

Video: by R.Rajeswari & KS Tan, Citizen Journalists Malaysia

Sree Veera Hanuman Temple is a mystical temple located along Jalan Scott in Brickfields,  Kuala Lumpur.

The temple is well-known among the local devotees for its ability to rid evil spirits or black magic.  It is presently undergoing renovation and reconstruction and when completed, the ‘Tail Monument Tower’ will be the longest and biggest in South East Asia.

Mr. Suresh Maniam, 37 who is the architect and chairman of the temple,  has incorporated his own creativity into the design of this temple. The new ‘gopuram’ of the temple will be characterised by Lord Hanuman’s tail, making the temple distinctive in design.

Hanuman is the monkey god whose devotion to Lord Rama and his consort Sita is well known.  Lord Rama is an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu according to the Ramayana epic. To the Chinese, the monkey god (Sun Wukong)  is known for his intelligence, mischief, mystical powers and strength.

Hanuman is said to have control over the nine planets known as “Navagraha” under his tail.  The tail has immense powers and believed to be Hanuman’s most   powerful weapon.

Some facts and information of this new temple:

• Longest Tail Monument Tower in South East Asia- 70 ft tail circling 47 rounds up the ‘gopuram’
• Each interior design carries symbolic meanings and stories;
• The tail will surround the whole temple and devotees entering the temple be  blessed and protected from evil spirits;
• Lord Saniswaran next to Lord Hanuman – Solving  many human problems especially  for those having sani thosam;
• Lord Siva and Vishnu be together in this Hanuman temple;
• Original in design- no duplication from any other temples;
• It will be opened until 11.00pm, giving devotees ample time to make their prayers.

What are the challenges ?

Mr Suresh was disappointed with the Immigration Department delaying and refusing to approve the work permit and visas for artisan workers from India.  It does not look like the temple will be completed by December 2010 as per schedule.

If the visa application for the artisan workers get through, then there is a good chance for the temple to be completed and be functional by end 2011.  In the meantime, Hanuman devotees will have to make do with the existing zinc roof temple.

‘I really need workers from India since they have the required special skills. We hope that the Immigration Department will look into this matter seriously.’ said Suresh.

Video produced by R Rajeswari

Edited by KSTan