Hi,
As compared to Singapore, the entertainers, especially the musicians (singers, music composers, etc) appear to be more talented. This particular song (the video and also the song really captured my attention. This song talks about the situation the Tamilians/Indians in Malaysia were facing which prompted the production of this song especially those at the middle-class level and below. Quite a thought provoking song. I like the catchy tune and especially the mixing of the yesteryear hit "Nallavar Sollai Naam Kaetpom (let us listen to the good/great people)" which was sung by the yesteryear kollywood actress J.Jayalalitha (who was also once a chief minister of Tamil Nadu and still working hard to get that post again).
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Interesting Video 3 : The Full Version of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" Speech
Hi,
I really enjoyed this inspirational and thought provoking legendary speech by the great Martin Luther King Jr. This is the full version of the speech :-
Best regards
Kumaran RN
I really enjoyed this inspirational and thought provoking legendary speech by the great Martin Luther King Jr. This is the full version of the speech :-
Best regards
Kumaran RN
An Interesting Video 2 : My First Short Film "Sila Vagupugalil Sila Maanavargal"
Hi,
The following is is first short film entitled (in Tamil) "Sila Vagupugalil Sila Maanavargal" which translates, "Some Students in Some Classes".
The happenings that you will see in the video are a mix or real-life and imagination.
Enjoy viewing :-
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
The following is is first short film entitled (in Tamil) "Sila Vagupugalil Sila Maanavargal" which translates, "Some Students in Some Classes".
The happenings that you will see in the video are a mix or real-life and imagination.
Enjoy viewing :-
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
An Interesting Video 1 : "Singapore : Crossroards of the East 1938"
Hi,
I came across this historic video in the news recently and thought of sharing it here with you :-
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
I came across this historic video in the news recently and thought of sharing it here with you :-
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
"Can't" : By Edgar A. Guest
Hi,
The following poem was emailed to me recently and I wanted to share it here :-
*********************************************************
Can't : By Edgar A. Guest
Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely set warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.
Can't is the father of feeble endeavour,
The parent of terror and half hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honesty toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and dreams of a man.
Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgement it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of you someday shall gain.
Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
ans answer this demon by saying: 'I Can.'
********************************************************
Best regards,
Kumaran RN
The following poem was emailed to me recently and I wanted to share it here :-
*********************************************************
Can't : By Edgar A. Guest
Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely set warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.
Can't is the father of feeble endeavour,
The parent of terror and half hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honesty toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and dreams of a man.
Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgement it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of you someday shall gain.
Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
ans answer this demon by saying: 'I Can.'
********************************************************
Best regards,
Kumaran RN
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Thought Provoking Email
Hi,
A couple of days ago, I received a thought provoking email from some contacts of mine. It was written by a muslim friend. I feel many of the points are agreeable and the gist of the email applies not only to the followers of islam but also the other religions in which terrorists exists. We should understand that all religions int he world are not advocates of terrorism but they preach peace, understanding and tolerance. Terrorism is the result of the abuse of politics by an individual or a groups of people for his/her or their personal gains that maybe power and/or wealth.
Let us all re-look at our belief systems, our religions and condemn all acts of terrorism and preach peace, tolerance and understanding among fellow human beings regardless or who they maybe. Hope the relevant religious and government authorities in the world start to put this into action right away. When there is a will, there is a way.
God is Love, Love is God :)
Just my thoughts and views.
Here is the email for your thought :-
=============================================
Date : 18 March 2009
From the heart of a Muslim --- Tawfik Hamid
I was born a Muslim and lived all my life as a follower of Islam. After
the barbaric terrorist attacks done by the hands of my fellow Muslims
everywhere on this globe, and after the too many violent acts by
Islamists in many parts of the world, I feel responsible as a Muslim
and as a human being, to speak out and tell the truth to protect the
world and Muslims as well from a coming catastrophe and war of
civilizations.
I have to admit that our current Islamic teaching creates violence
and hatred toward Non-Muslims. We Muslims are the ones who need to
change. Until now we have accepted polygamy, the beating of women by
men, and killing those who convert from Islam to other religions. We
have never had a clear and strong stand against the concept of slavery
or wars, to spread our religion and to subjugate others to Islam and
force them to pay a umiliating tax called Jizia. We ask others to
respect our religion while all the time we curse non-Muslims loudly (in
Arabic) in our Friday prayers in the Mosques.
What message do we convey to our children when we call the Jews
"Descendants of the pigs and monkeys". Is this a message of love and
peace, or a message of hate?
I have been into churches and synagogues where they were praying for
Muslims. While all the time we curse them, and teach our generations to
call them infidels, and to hate them.
We immediately jump in a 'knee jerk reflex' to defend Prophet Mohammed
when someone accuses him of being a pedophile while, at the same time,
we are proud with the story in our Islamic books, that he married a
young girl seven years old (Aisha) when he was above 50 years old.
I am sad to say that many, if not most of us, rejoiced in happiness
after September 11th and after many other terror attacks. Muslims
denounce these attacks to look good in front of the media, but we
condone the Islamic terrorists and sympathise with their cause. Till now
our 'reputable' top religious authorities have never issued a Fatwa or
religious statement to proclaim Bin Laden as an apostate, while an
author, like Rushdie, was declared an apostate who should be killed
according to Islamic Shariia law just for writing a book criticizing
Islam.
Muslims demonstrated to get more religious rights as we did in
France to stop the ban on the Hejab (Head Scarf), while we did not
demonstrate with such passion and in such numbers against the terrorist
murders.... WHY???
It is our absolute silence against the terrorists that gives the energy
to these terrorists to continue doing their evil acts. We Muslims need
to stop blaming our problems on others or on the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict. As a matter of honesty, Israel is the only
light of democracy, civilization, and human rights in the whole Middle
East .
We kicked out the Jews with no compensation or mercy from
most of the Arab countries to make them "Jews-Free countries"
while Israel accepted more than a million Arabs to live there, have
its nationality, and enjoy their rights as human beings. In Israel ,
women can not be beaten legally by men, and any person can change
his/her belief system with no fear of being killed by the Islamic law of
'Apostasy', while in our Islamic world people do not enjoy any of these
rights. I agree that the 'Palestinians' suffer, but they suffer because
of their corrupt leaders and not because of Israel .
It is not common to see Arabs who live in Israel leaving to live
in the Arab world. On the other hand, we used to see thousands of
Palestinians going to work with happiness in Israel, its 'enemy'. If
Israel treats Arabs badly as some people claim, surely we would
have seen the opposite happening... Right?
We Muslims need to admit our problems and face them. Only then we can
treat them and start a new era to live in harmony with human mankind.
Our religious leaders have to show a clear and very strong stand against
polygamy, pedophilia, slavery, killing those who convert from Islam to
other religions, beating of women by men and declaring wars on
non-Muslims to spread Islam.
Then, and only then, do we have the right to ask others to respect
our religion. The time has come to stop our hypocrisy and say
it openly: 'We Muslims have to Change'.
- Tawfik Hamid -
==================================
A couple of days ago, I received a thought provoking email from some contacts of mine. It was written by a muslim friend. I feel many of the points are agreeable and the gist of the email applies not only to the followers of islam but also the other religions in which terrorists exists. We should understand that all religions int he world are not advocates of terrorism but they preach peace, understanding and tolerance. Terrorism is the result of the abuse of politics by an individual or a groups of people for his/her or their personal gains that maybe power and/or wealth.
Let us all re-look at our belief systems, our religions and condemn all acts of terrorism and preach peace, tolerance and understanding among fellow human beings regardless or who they maybe. Hope the relevant religious and government authorities in the world start to put this into action right away. When there is a will, there is a way.
God is Love, Love is God :)
Just my thoughts and views.
Here is the email for your thought :-
=============================================
Date : 18 March 2009
From the heart of a Muslim --- Tawfik Hamid
I was born a Muslim and lived all my life as a follower of Islam. After
the barbaric terrorist attacks done by the hands of my fellow Muslims
everywhere on this globe, and after the too many violent acts by
Islamists in many parts of the world, I feel responsible as a Muslim
and as a human being, to speak out and tell the truth to protect the
world and Muslims as well from a coming catastrophe and war of
civilizations.
I have to admit that our current Islamic teaching creates violence
and hatred toward Non-Muslims. We Muslims are the ones who need to
change. Until now we have accepted polygamy, the beating of women by
men, and killing those who convert from Islam to other religions. We
have never had a clear and strong stand against the concept of slavery
or wars, to spread our religion and to subjugate others to Islam and
force them to pay a umiliating tax called Jizia. We ask others to
respect our religion while all the time we curse non-Muslims loudly (in
Arabic) in our Friday prayers in the Mosques.
What message do we convey to our children when we call the Jews
"Descendants of the pigs and monkeys". Is this a message of love and
peace, or a message of hate?
I have been into churches and synagogues where they were praying for
Muslims. While all the time we curse them, and teach our generations to
call them infidels, and to hate them.
We immediately jump in a 'knee jerk reflex' to defend Prophet Mohammed
when someone accuses him of being a pedophile while, at the same time,
we are proud with the story in our Islamic books, that he married a
young girl seven years old (Aisha) when he was above 50 years old.
I am sad to say that many, if not most of us, rejoiced in happiness
after September 11th and after many other terror attacks. Muslims
denounce these attacks to look good in front of the media, but we
condone the Islamic terrorists and sympathise with their cause. Till now
our 'reputable' top religious authorities have never issued a Fatwa or
religious statement to proclaim Bin Laden as an apostate, while an
author, like Rushdie, was declared an apostate who should be killed
according to Islamic Shariia law just for writing a book criticizing
Islam.
Muslims demonstrated to get more religious rights as we did in
France to stop the ban on the Hejab (Head Scarf), while we did not
demonstrate with such passion and in such numbers against the terrorist
murders.... WHY???
It is our absolute silence against the terrorists that gives the energy
to these terrorists to continue doing their evil acts. We Muslims need
to stop blaming our problems on others or on the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict. As a matter of honesty, Israel is the only
light of democracy, civilization, and human rights in the whole Middle
East .
We kicked out the Jews with no compensation or mercy from
most of the Arab countries to make them "Jews-Free countries"
while Israel accepted more than a million Arabs to live there, have
its nationality, and enjoy their rights as human beings. In Israel ,
women can not be beaten legally by men, and any person can change
his/her belief system with no fear of being killed by the Islamic law of
'Apostasy', while in our Islamic world people do not enjoy any of these
rights. I agree that the 'Palestinians' suffer, but they suffer because
of their corrupt leaders and not because of Israel .
It is not common to see Arabs who live in Israel leaving to live
in the Arab world. On the other hand, we used to see thousands of
Palestinians going to work with happiness in Israel, its 'enemy'. If
Israel treats Arabs badly as some people claim, surely we would
have seen the opposite happening... Right?
We Muslims need to admit our problems and face them. Only then we can
treat them and start a new era to live in harmony with human mankind.
Our religious leaders have to show a clear and very strong stand against
polygamy, pedophilia, slavery, killing those who convert from Islam to
other religions, beating of women by men and declaring wars on
non-Muslims to spread Islam.
Then, and only then, do we have the right to ask others to respect
our religion. The time has come to stop our hypocrisy and say
it openly: 'We Muslims have to Change'.
- Tawfik Hamid -
==================================
Friday, February 13, 2009
New Year (2009) New Hope
Hi,
I am writing my thoughts more than a month after the year began is not on purpose. It was just that I was busy with work and the reading of the various news about the happenings on the current economic crisis around the world.
Still, I decided to go on a honeymoon trip to Bangkok that my wife Mageswari and I wanted to go since our wedding three years ago but was not able to due to various personal, financial and work-related reasons.
It was good timing - economic downturn, the drastic drop in the crude oil price, tourism being down in Thailand due to the long political protest that crippled the Suvarnabumi airport. These lead to competitive prices and bargains.
It was a 4 days and 3 nights trip. We stayed in Arnoma Hotel which is located at the heart of the Bangkok city and surrounded by many shopping complexes and of course the famous Pratinam Market which is a haven for the bargain hunters.
Although my wife have travels yearly with her teacher collegues (organised by her childcare centre principal), it was her first time to Bangkok. It was my first overseas trip via flight (after a 12-year gap) and also to Bangkok.
The city, overall left a good impression in my mind. It was clean, the people were friendly, the city was vibrant. We did go for some sightseeing : floating market, Chaophrya River and the temple along it, cobra show, elephant ride, and woodcarving centre. The jam during the peak hours, especially mornings, noons and evenings were bad, but the drivers were many times more skillful than Singapore drivers. For the four days I stayed, I did not encounter a single vehicle accident in the roads. In Singapore, every three or four hours there will be one vehicle accident.
There were many shrines placed all over the city especially infront of the houses, and buildings and they were well-maintained. The city was clean too.
ANother thing that impressed me was the Thai people's patriotism and national pride. On the second day at about 6.30pm (Bangkok time), the Thai national anthem was played out of nowhere and suddenly the whole city froze and people stood up with respect. We too stood still. I observed the people's faces and the pride and joy that appeared on their faced while listening to their national song increased my respect for the Thai people. I was just wondering if Mahjula Singapora was played in Singapore on an evening (during peak hours) will the people of Singapore stand up and freeze like the Thais ? I doubt even the national servicemen will stand up and freeze with pride and joy. Will the MPs and Ministers stand up and freeze ? May or may not, but that will be interesting to see. Unless the Singaporeans were offered goodybags, lucky draws or a law or campaign is imposed, they will not bother about giving respect to the national anthem. Of course not all people are like that. There will be Singaporean who will stand up for the national anthem with pride and joy.but how many will that be ?
Will I be one of those few ? Yes, of course. It is my nation and I have to lead my example for the younger generation before I comment, and I was raised such. Thanks to my parents, teachers and guides.
Moving away from that, I think, even though our country is in the first world status, our people (especially many in the majority race) got more to learn from the Thais. I am not being racist here but just being frank and factual. The business-like competitive environment that has created the image of a concrete jungle with the people forced to compete for money (the survival of the fittest syndrome) for a living have created such bad attitudes in many people. I think we need to loosen up abit and adjust our mindset to be abit more cultured. We need to be a more caring society. The heartware need to be built and nurtured without the need for campaigns and laws to abide by. The adults need to be set the right examples, especially those in the important positions in the society. We need to get rid of the handing out of the goody bags and luckydraws.
That was how much the trip opened my eyes.
Good trip with of course good shopping too :)
Just wanted to share my thoughts and views.
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
I am writing my thoughts more than a month after the year began is not on purpose. It was just that I was busy with work and the reading of the various news about the happenings on the current economic crisis around the world.
Still, I decided to go on a honeymoon trip to Bangkok that my wife Mageswari and I wanted to go since our wedding three years ago but was not able to due to various personal, financial and work-related reasons.
It was good timing - economic downturn, the drastic drop in the crude oil price, tourism being down in Thailand due to the long political protest that crippled the Suvarnabumi airport. These lead to competitive prices and bargains.
It was a 4 days and 3 nights trip. We stayed in Arnoma Hotel which is located at the heart of the Bangkok city and surrounded by many shopping complexes and of course the famous Pratinam Market which is a haven for the bargain hunters.
Although my wife have travels yearly with her teacher collegues (organised by her childcare centre principal), it was her first time to Bangkok. It was my first overseas trip via flight (after a 12-year gap) and also to Bangkok.
The city, overall left a good impression in my mind. It was clean, the people were friendly, the city was vibrant. We did go for some sightseeing : floating market, Chaophrya River and the temple along it, cobra show, elephant ride, and woodcarving centre. The jam during the peak hours, especially mornings, noons and evenings were bad, but the drivers were many times more skillful than Singapore drivers. For the four days I stayed, I did not encounter a single vehicle accident in the roads. In Singapore, every three or four hours there will be one vehicle accident.
There were many shrines placed all over the city especially infront of the houses, and buildings and they were well-maintained. The city was clean too.
ANother thing that impressed me was the Thai people's patriotism and national pride. On the second day at about 6.30pm (Bangkok time), the Thai national anthem was played out of nowhere and suddenly the whole city froze and people stood up with respect. We too stood still. I observed the people's faces and the pride and joy that appeared on their faced while listening to their national song increased my respect for the Thai people. I was just wondering if Mahjula Singapora was played in Singapore on an evening (during peak hours) will the people of Singapore stand up and freeze like the Thais ? I doubt even the national servicemen will stand up and freeze with pride and joy. Will the MPs and Ministers stand up and freeze ? May or may not, but that will be interesting to see. Unless the Singaporeans were offered goodybags, lucky draws or a law or campaign is imposed, they will not bother about giving respect to the national anthem. Of course not all people are like that. There will be Singaporean who will stand up for the national anthem with pride and joy.but how many will that be ?
Will I be one of those few ? Yes, of course. It is my nation and I have to lead my example for the younger generation before I comment, and I was raised such. Thanks to my parents, teachers and guides.
Moving away from that, I think, even though our country is in the first world status, our people (especially many in the majority race) got more to learn from the Thais. I am not being racist here but just being frank and factual. The business-like competitive environment that has created the image of a concrete jungle with the people forced to compete for money (the survival of the fittest syndrome) for a living have created such bad attitudes in many people. I think we need to loosen up abit and adjust our mindset to be abit more cultured. We need to be a more caring society. The heartware need to be built and nurtured without the need for campaigns and laws to abide by. The adults need to be set the right examples, especially those in the important positions in the society. We need to get rid of the handing out of the goody bags and luckydraws.
That was how much the trip opened my eyes.
Good trip with of course good shopping too :)
Just wanted to share my thoughts and views.
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
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