Pathfinder 2009 - Jaffnese Co
Transcription
Pathfinder 2009 - Jaffnese Co
MISSION We are more than a Co-operative Society, dedicated to providing quality services to meet the economic and social needs of our members in particular, and Malaysians of Jaffnese origin in general. Vol 19 Issue 1 (for members only) Koperasi Jaffnese Berhad (Estd. 1924) September, 2009 JCS has a new landmark Koperasi Jaffnese Berhad has bought a unit of three storey of shop-office premises which has a total floor area of 4,226 square feet. The purchase price of the said unit is RM1,069,988/- and is located in M Avenue which is being developed as a commercial centre comprising of 62 blocks of buildings with 194 parcels of shop office. M Avenue is located between Jalan Segambut and Jalan Yang Emas and is accessible with links to the LDP, Penchala Link, MRR2 and NKVE highways. The new commercial centre will be further enhanced with the proposed upgrading of Jalan Segambut into a six lane dual carriage way. The DUKE highway is the latest access link to the M Avenue Commercial Centre. It is expected to be a high growth catchment area within the vicinity of Mont’ Kiara and Sri Hartamas/Kepong. The frontage of each shop-office unit comes with extensive glass windows to maximise exposure and a 14 feet high ceiling for a classy ambience. The property is expected to be ready for delivery by October 2009. Each unit of 3 floors is expected to yield a total rental of about RM6,000/- per month which yields a higher return compared to the bank fixed deposit rate. INSIDE Page JCS Has A New Landmark 1 Looking Back 22 Years Ago 2 KJB Annual General Meeting 2009 3 Kuala Lumpur And JCS – Going Back In Time 5 Accounts Of KJB 8 Book Launch 10 Educational Loans/ Scholarship 13 Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association 16 The Good Old Days 17 Annual Gen. Meeting Of The Youth And Ladies Committee 2009 32 Are We Caring? 35 JCS Encourages Senior Citizens To Be Computer Literate 37 We Always Care For JCS Members 38 JCS Youths Get Together Dinner 2009 40 Disasters 44 JCS District Gen. Meeting 2009 45 Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Happy Deepavali General view of M Avenue Merry Christmas Happy and Prosperous New Year e-mail:[email protected] [email protected] Website: http: //www.jcs.org.my : www.facebook .com jcs+jcs group JCS youth website: www.jcsyouth.org Location Plan Path Finder 2009 LOOKING BACK – 22 YEARS AGO (Extracted from JCS Newsletter Vol. 4 Issue 2 – July 1987) JCS CONDUCTS A SUCCESSFUL WORKCAMP FOR MEMBERS CHILDREN 22 years has gone by and all those participants of the workcamp would be in their 30’s or early 40’s. Please tell us how this workcamp has contributed to your self-development. The Editorial Board may consider publishing your response in the next issue of PATHFINDER Participants of JCS work-camp 1987 Date : 12th to 17th April, 1987 Venue : 8th Residential College University Malaya List of Participants No Name District No Name District 1 Ms Anushia Pathmanathan Kuala Lumpur 27 Ms Raja Sothi Raja Sapai Kuantan 2 Mr T. Aravinda Nathan Petaling Jaya 28 Mr Ravikumar Mahadevan Kuantan 3 Mr T. Arivindan Kuala Selangor 29 Ms Renuka Chinniah Ahnantakrishnan Petaling Jaya 4 Mr T. Arjunan Seremban 30 Mr Ruseeran Kualaratnam Seremban 5 Mr R. Balamurugan Brickfields 31 Mr Saravanan Santhirajan Petaling Jaya 6 Ms Chitra Balasingam Petaling Jaya 32 Mr Satchithananthan Sarvananthan Brickfields 7 Mr Danendra Markandu Nithianandan Klang 33 Ms Shamala Panchacharan Cheras 8 Mr Dhanaraj Sivasampu Seremban 34 Ms Shamala Sukerathavan Brickfields 9 Mr Edmund Sashi Hunt Kuantan 35 Mr Shanmugabalan Brickfields Shanmuganathan 10 Ms Gandimathi Anandha Nadarajah Petaling Jaya 36 Ms Shanthi Kanagasingham Kuala Lumpur 11 Mr Gnanananda Ahnantakrishnan Petaling Jaya 37 Ms Shanthini Sivapathasundram Kuantan 12 Ms Gouri Balachandran Sentul 38 Ms Sharmala Sharvanandan Petaling Jaya 13 Ms Heimala Seevaratnam Ipoh 39 Ms Shree Vishna Rasiah Gombak 14 Ms Jothi Shanmuganathan Petaling Jaya 40 Mr Sivaruban Satgunasingham Petaling Jaya 15 Ms Kala Thevi Balasingam Kuala Lumpur 41 Ms S. Sukanthini Kuala Lumpur 16 Mr Kamaleswaran Kanagalingam Bahau (N.S.) 42 Mr Suraj Paramasivam Bangsar 17 Mr Kanarasan Ghandinesan Klang 43 Mr Thamaneethan Selvarajah Petaling Jaya 18 Ms Kishenti Pararajasingam Petaling Jaya 44 Ms Umah Thevi Rajalingam Cheras 19 Mr Lawrence Logandran Hunt Kuantan 45 Ms Vanitha Sivananthan Petaling Jaya 20 Mr Logendra Stanley Ponniah Kuala Lumpur 46 Ms Vasantha Jeyarajah Petaling Jaya 21 Mr Nanthakumar Pararajasingam Petaling Jaya 47 Mr Vicknesan Ayadurai Ampang 22 Mr Nerrena Nithianandan Klang 48 Mr Vijayan Balasubramaniam Seremban 23 Ms Noreena Nalani Chandrasegaran Shah Alam 49 Ms Vinothini Masilamoney Petaling Jaya 24 Mr Pathmanathan Ganesh Kuala Lumpur 50 Ms Yogenthini Ananda Ipoh 25 Mr Pathmanathan Visakan Kuala Lumpur 51 Ms Yogeetha Ramanathan Petaling Jaya 26 Ms Praemeena Poobalan Petaling Jaya Path Finder 2009 KJB Annual General Meeting 2009 The 78th Annual General Meeting cum 12th Annual Delegates Meeting of Koperasi Jaffnese Bhd was held on 31st May, 2009 at Maktab Kerjasama Malaysia, Jln Templer, Petaling Jaya. The meeting was attended by 93 delegates out of a total number of 101 delegates eligible to attend. Mr P. Vamathevan AMN (Ex-President JCS) was duly elected by the House as Chairman to chair the meeting and conduct the business for the day. The Pengerusi Lembaga Mr P. Satguna Rajah in his opening address urged the members of the younger generation to play an active role in JCS. He hoped that there will be greater participation at the Kawasan General Meetings scheduled in 2010 and that they would offer themselves to be elected as delegates to serve for the ensuing 2 year term. Earlier at the 2009 District AGM exercise, he has expressed similar sentiments. He said that he planned a phase out with a view to effect a gradual change at Board level and to ensure smooth transition. More delegates from the younger group would mean that there would be an availability of a wider choice in the selection of suitable members to the Board of Management. The decision rests with members who at the next Kawasan General Meeting would exercise their rights to fulfill the aspiration of the Pengerusi KJB, Mr P. Satguna Rajah. The ball is at the feet of the members. Let us wait and see. In his address Mr P. Satguna Rajah also touched on other issues and resolutions which were scheduled to be tabled at the AGM. The following were duly elected to the Board for a 3 year term. 1. Mr A. Jeyaratnam 07909 3. Mr M. Mahadavan 13307 2. Mr K. Vijayasuriar 11368 4. Dr E. Sivananthan 17473 Later in the day the Board at its 1st meeting of the 79th Board of Management elected the undermentioned as Secretary & Treasurer respectively:1. Mr N. Rajasvaran - Secretary 2. Mr M. Mahadavan - Treasurer The newcomer to the Board is Dr E. Sivananthan a/l Elagupillay. He was born in Taiping and had his secondary education at the Malacca High School. He graduated from USM in 1982 with Bachelor of Science with Education (Hons) degree. In 1993 M. Sc. in Wildlife Management, West Virginia University USA. In 2005 he obtained PhD in natural Resource Management, Idaho USA. He is currently the Director of Ecotourism Division Department of Wild Life & National Parks, Cheras and is responsible for planning and coordinating ecotourism activities. He has published more than 30 articles in National Iinternational journals. In 1989, he was awarded Bintang Cemerlang Kedah (BCK) by DYMM Sultan of Kedah. He is a member of JCS since 25.02.1987 (22 years). Board of Management 2009/2010 Seated (L to R) Mr N. Rajasvaran (Secretary) Mr M. Mahadavan, (Treasurer) Mr P. Satguna Rajah (Pengerusi) Mr K. Thuraisingam (Naib Pengerusi) Ms K. Parimala Standing (L to R) Mr S. Kumarasamy, Mr A. Jeyaratnam, Mr K. Vijayasuriar, Mr S. Makeswaran, Dr E. Sivananthan, Mr N. Nithiyanantham and Mr A. Paramsothy One-day STUDY SMART PROGRAMME – This programme for students of PMR and SPM 2009 was conducted on 6th September, 2009 at KLIE HQ No. 17B 1st Floor, Jalan Petaling Utama 11, Jln Klang Lama, Petaling Jaya. A total of 13 students attended the training programme. Picture : Standing (L to R) Kavitha Lakshmi Vijaretnam, Navin Raj Vijaretnam, Ashwin Prasanthy Jeyachandran, Koguleshun Subramaniam, Omvknesh Kunaseelan, Nur Aqila bte Jan Mamat, Lishantra Dewi Ravendran, Aruna Dhevi Vijaretnam Seated (L to R) Shakteesh Kumar Selva Kumar, Navean Jeyapalan, Khaiswariya Jeyapalan, S. Jeyaraman M. Ed (Trainer) Rajeshi a/p R. Cumaravadivale @ Laevinia Vijayaratnam Path Finder 2009 Madam Nagasundram Nadarajah attains Sivapatham Madam Nagasundram Nadarajah whose name carries a JCS Education Trust Fund, passed away peacefully on 6th July, 2009. She was 77 years old. The grand old lady known for her witty lines and humbleness has always obliged us to present the Education Fund award cheques to the recipient students. One such student on receiving the cheque said that she was deeply honoured and blessed to receive the cheque from a lady of Grandma status. The Nagasundram Nadarajah Education Fund was established pursuant to a Trust Deed dated 13thNovember, 1994. It was established by Dato’ Seri N. Thiagarajah, fondly known as Dato Seri N.T. Rajah who is one of her beloved sons. It was established with a view to perpetuate his beloved mother’s name and to fulfill her aspiration to help financially our community children who are aspiring to be medical doctors. The fund was started off with a contribution of RM100,021.00. The income yielded from the contribution is made available for granting loans to pursue a course in medicine in any of the local universities or local institution of higher learning leading to the Degree of MBBS or its equivalent degree. The loans are given to qualified persons i.e. JCS members or members children. JCS has disbursed a total of RM20,000/- to two students who have since qualified as medical doctors. Madam Nagasundram ‘s husband the late Mr V. Nadarajah was serving in Municipality, Kuala Lumpur now known as Dewan Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur. They have seven sons and two daughters. Although she is no more with us, her name will always reverberate everytime the Nagasundram Nadarajah Education award is presented to the student who is selected for the award. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. We pray that her soul attains eternal bliss Seremban District Loses a Good Collector Seremban District has lost a good district collector, Mr K. Selladurai ANS PMC PJK who passed away peacefully in his sleep on 9th April, 2009. We wish to place on record our appreciation for his dedicated service to Koperasi Jaffnese Berhad and to the members of the Seremban District. The late Mr K. Selladurai was an ex bank employee and was involved in a number of voluntary organisations. He had served the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association as Council Member, Chairman Sports and Games Committee, Treasurer and Vice President. He also held positions in other Sports bodies. He was the Treasurer of NS Hockey Association, NS Athletic Association and NS Cricket Association. He was also an active member of the NS Indian Association and the NS Football Association, both as a player and as an official. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace From Seremban District Tribute to the late Mr K. Dharmarajasingam DNS PPN ANS PMC PJK The untimely demise of Mr K. Dharmarajasingam, the Deputy President of the Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association was a shock not only to his family but to all his friends. He was a dynamic person who discharged his duties efficiently. His interest was in Football and Hockey. He was a National Football Referee and President of the N.S. Football Referees’ Association. Dharma was also Manager of Negeri Sembilan Chempaka Football Team and Council Member of NS Football Association. He was appointed as Director of Development of N.S. Football Association in 2005 and held the post until his demise. In Hockey, he was a qualified umpire, Assistant Secretary NS Hockey Association and Manager, Negeri Sembilan State Hockey Team (Razak Cup) 1985. In spite of his busy activites in sports, he found time to contribute his services to the N.S. Ceylonese Association. He served as Chairman, Sports and Games Committee, Council Member and Deputy President. He organised three major events successfully for the Association. One is the M.T. Lingam 6-a-side Hockey Tournament in 1985, a Lucky Draw in 2001 and the NSCA Centenary Sport Carnival in 2004, when teams from Johor, Malacca, Perak, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan and Negeri Sembilan participated. Mr Dharma also represented the Seremban District as a delegate at the Koperasi Jaffnese Berhad Annual General Meetings May his soul rest in peace From Seremban District Path Finder 2009 Kuala Lumpur and JCS -Going back in time By K. Thuraisingam AMN The city of Kuala Lumpur, from a muddy confluence of two rivers, about 150 years ago, has now evolved into Malaysia’s cosmopolitan capital city, abundant with statuesque buildings, malls and throbbing nightlife. Going back in time to the early days of settlement, records would indicate that the development took place in and around the Old Market Square (Medan Pasar Lama) roughly bounded by Market Street (Lebuh Pasar Besar) and Hokkien Street (Medan Pasar Lama). The Market Square (Medan Pasar) as the area was previously known was bustling epicenter of the mining business in the early days with a market, wooden gambling halls and a hive of many other activities. A great fire in 1881 obliterated the trading centre. Kapitan China Yap Ah Loy then constructed new brick buildings. There were two storey and three storey shop houses. The three storey shop houses were built later in 1906/7, incorporating western decorative motifs and arched window frames. Today some of the front facades are being preserved. Thanks to the timely intervention of the Malaysian Heritage Trust. One such shop house is the traditional coffee shop Sin Seng Nam Restaurant which is still in business. Not far from Medan Pasar is the Cultural Bazaar (Pasar Seni) which was formerly known as Central Market. The original market was constructed in 1888-9 to serve the large tin mining community of Kuala Lumpur. It was primarily a wet market which sold seafoods, meats, vegetables and every day items. The market acquired its Art Deco style in 1936 under the expansion plan drawn up by town engineer RH Seed. Art Deco was very popular in the 1930’s. Among the new features were a stepped arch and square motif on the walls. City Hall earmarked the building for demolition in the early 1980’s but Path Finder 2009 the Malaysian Heritage Trust stepped in to save the building which eventually became a Cultural Bazaar in 1986’s and is a popular one stop centre for handicrafts. Today the faces and facades of Kuala Lumpur have changed with a passage of time. However, the moghul style buildings of the colonial core, resplendent with onion shaped domes, minarets and arches still remain as historical landmarks and is centered around Selangor Padang (Dataran Merdeka). At the confluence of Gombak River and Klang River is Masjid Jamek. Our Jaffnese Co-operative Society which was established in 1924 is also immersed in history with its early activities centred around the Medan Pasar vicinity. The year is 1924 and in the annual report of that year a record of appreciation was reflected to the Directors of Messrs People’s Dispensary for the loan of their premises as an office. The People’s Dispensary was situated along Foch Avenue (Jln.Cheng Lock) where the Oriental Bank Building stands today. The Good Samaritan of that Dispensary was the late Dr.K.Thillyampalam. The Society experienced great inconvenience for want of a proper place as an office. The need was felt greater in view of the growing importance and the increase in the volume of work. They were looking for a central place and wanted to employ permanent staff for the efficient working of the Society. In the year 1926, the Society rented a place on the top floor of Messrs L. Y. Swee’s premises at No. 31 Old Market Square what is now known as Medan Pasar. The rental was $50/-per month. The members of the Society had frequently expressed during conferences and other occasions, the need for the Society to own a suitable building which they could call their own landmark and which the Jaffnese community could cherish and be proud of. Thus, the dream became a realty in 1929, when they purchased the building at No.10 Old Market Square (which is the present No.17 Medan Pasar Building) at a cost of $68,000/-. So it went down in the annals of history that the Jaffnese Cooperative Society was the first urban cooperative society to invest in land and building. Such a move paved the way for other societies to follow our footsteps. The building was rented out at a monthly rental ($380), to the tenants who had been renting out the premises for a considerable numbers of years. The Society’s office then moved from No.31 Old Market Square to No. 10 Java Street (Mountbatten Road) which is now known as Jalan Tun Perak. The Society acquired No. 25 Mountbatten Road (No. 10 Tun Perak) K.L. on 17/1/49 at a cost of $70,475. In January 1992, the property was sold for RM1.1 million against the wishes of some member’s. However it was a necessary move to improve the Society’s cash flow as a result of write off of the investment in CCB. The present office of the SocietyWisma JCS is located at No. 40 Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. It’s a 4½ storey (now 5 storey) building purchased at a price of RM1.203 million in 1984. The building was officially declared open on 11/11/84 by an elder member of our community the late Mr M. Selvadurai, who joined the Society in 1924. The Society’s office moved into the present premises in November 1984 from No. 17 Medan Pasar, which the Society occupied since 1982 and prior to this, the Society operated from No. 10 Jln. Tun Perak. More doors are opened with “please” than with keys 17 Medan Pasar J.C.S.’s first building 25 Mountbatten Road Mr T. Jayakrishna Retires from the KJB Board Mr T. Jayakrishna a member of the Board of Management was eligible to seek re-election at the last AGM held on 31.05.2009. However, he did not seek re-relection. He is the youngest member who volunteered to serve in the Board. He served on the Board as Treasurer from 2000 for 7 years. He relinquished his post on 20.05.2007 and continued to serve in the Board for the remaining period of the 3 year term which ended on 31.05.09. Mr T. Jayakrishna, during the tenure of his service both as Treasurer and Board member, served the Society with dedication and full of commitment. He relinquished the post of treasurer citing his own work and family commitment and that he no longer could afford to continue to serve JCS with his continued commitment to the desired level. Mr Jayakrishna holds professional degrees in Accounting (ACCA), Computer Science (British Computer Society) and MBA from University of Malaya. He is currently the Chief Administrator of Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital. The Board of Management has indeed lost the services of a member whose knowledge and skills in management, Accounting and computer fields were beneficial to the Society. He has an analytical mind and does not hesitate to give his views pointing out the pros and cons of that issues and its far reaching effect it would have on the Society. The Pengerusi and the members of the Board appreciate his services to JCS and thank him for his valuable contributions rendered to the Society during the tenure of his services both as Treasurer & Board member. We wish him every success in all his future undertakings. Imagination is more important than knowledge - Albert Einstein Path Finder 2009 CORRECTIONS Pathfinder Volume 18, Issue 1, October, 2008 PAGE 17A. HIGHER EDUCATION AWARDS 2008 The academic qualification published does not mention the class of award under which the award was given. We humbly apologise for the omission which is duly rectified and should read as follows: S/No: Name District Academic Qualification 1 Dr Sivabalan a/l Balakrishnan Bkt. Mertajam Hons. 2nd class (upper) Doctor of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, Jogjakarta, Indonesia. 2 Hons. 1st class Bachelor in Information Technology, University Tenaga Nasional Malaysia Sharmela Devi a/p Ipoh C. Ehambaranathan 3 Menaka a/p Sivapalan Ipoh Hons. 1st class Bachelor in Information Technology, University of Malaya 4 Umawathy a/p Techanamurthy Kajang Hons. 1st class Bachelor in Computer Science, University Teknikal Malaysia, Melaka 5 Anne Patricia a/p George Klang M. Ponniah Hons. 1st class Bachelor of Pharmacy, University of South Australia 6 Hons. 2nd class (upper) B.A. in English Language, University Pertanian Malaysia Rasalingam a/l Vaithilingam Klang 7 Ruben a/l Krishnanandan Melaka Hons. 1st class Bachelor of Economics and Finance, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia 8 Gowri a/p Kanagasabapathy Seremban Hons. 2nd class (upper) Bachelor of Science, University of Malaya 9 Dr Vasini a/p Arumugam Taiping Hons. 2nd class (upper) Doctor of Medicine Crimea State Medical University, Ukraine 10 Dr Pravin Thiruchelvam Klang Hons. 2nd class (upper) Doctor of Medicine, University Padjadjaran Bandung Jaya, Indonesia 11 Yogini a/p Satkunananthasivam Petaling Jaya Hons. 1st class Bachelor of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia 12 Dr Prema a/p Sivalingarajah Petaling Jaya Hons. 2nd class (upper) Doctor of Medicine, Crimea State Medical University, Ukraine 13 Renuka Devi a/p Nadarajah Seremban Hons. 1st class Bachelor of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia CORRECTIONS Pathfinder Volume 18, Issue 1, October, 2008 PAGE 18 C. SIJIL PELAJARAN MALAYSIA AWARD 2008 The 1st photo of the last row of photos The name ‘DARSHINI A/P SIVARASA’ should read ‘DARSHINI A/P SIVANESON’ PAGE 21 D. PENILAIAN MENENGAH RENDAH AWARD 2008 SEREMBAN 3A’s The photograph appearing under the caption : ‘DHARSHINI A/P DHARMARAJASINGAM’ is not that of DHARSHINI. PAGE 22 E. UJIAN PENCAPAIAN SEKOLAH RENDAH AWARDS 2008 Last row of photos: MASTER ARRAN SATHANANTHAR of Kuantan District has scored 5A’s and not as published. We sincerely apologise for the errors and any inconvenience caused is regretted. CONGRATULATION photo’s put on request BRICKFIELDS SHANTINI A/P SHANMUGANATHAN 2ND CLASS HONOUR’S UPPER BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (TESL) UNIVERSITY MALAYA Path Finder 2009 KLUANG PREMA LATHA A/P SATHIYA KUMAR BACHELOR OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING (Hons.) UNIVERSITY TENAGA NASIONAL 5. Accounts of KJB KJB UNAUDITED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30th JUNE, 2009 REVENUE INTEREST INCOME Loans to Members Fixed Deposits Current Account OTHER INCOME Commission on Insurance Dividends Rental (Note 1) Gain/(Loss) on disposal of investment Misc 31,150.27 TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Assessment and Quit Rent Affiliation fees Depreciation Electricity and Water E.P.F and Socso Meeting Expenses: * AGM and Kawasan/District Meeting * District / Youth / Ladies Committees Medical Professional Fee Pathfinder / Newsletter Printing and Stationery Salaries and Allowances Security Services Incentive Award – Membership Seminar/Course Telephone and Postage Web Site Insurance Legal Expenses Allowances : * Board Members * District Secretaries/Collectors * Internal Auditors Upkeep and Maintenance of : * Building and Office * Computers * Equipment / Furniture Misc FINANCE EXPENSES Bank Charges Interest : Special Deposit Service Charges (Angkasa) RM 270,950.98 2,732.31 4,961.22 50.90 32,063.31 174,505.09 95,508.80 611,922.88 2,114.48 450.00 27,457.92 6,446.72 12,296.80 104,164.24 1,046.30 835.00 12,986.47 101,077.98 450.00 393.90 311.44 8,522.31 2,493.06 5,672.49 905.10 25,040.00 10,402.02 9,300.00 3,633.83 22,124.90 1,588.00 1,390.44 39.74 5,428.07 (0.12) TOTAL EXPENDITURE 366,571.09 SURPLUS FOR 6 MONTHS 245,351.79 Path Finder 2009 KJB UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30th JUNE, 2009 RM LIABILITIES Members Subscription Capital Reserve Fund Other Funds Retained Profit Statutory Reserve Fund Dividend Equalisation Reserve Members Deposit Other Creditors & Accrued Liabilities 19,217,937.86 367,729.49 432,923.37 403,468.79 1,150,271.45 50,601.39 605,903.65 384,381.16 TOTAL LIABILITIES 22,613,217.16 ASSETS Land & Building [Leasehold & Freehold property (cost)] Land & Building [ Wisma JCS – (NBV)] Other Fixed Assets (NBV) Investments Loans to Members Other Debtors, Deposits & Prepayments Fixed Deposits with Licensed Banks Cash and Bank Balances TOTAL ASSETS 6,366,235.43 699,755.62 165,985.75 2,634,298.68 7,793,285.79 100,049.82 3,780,580.76 1,073,025.31 22,613,217.16 NOTES 1. Rental Income from properties are net payments made towards assessment, quit rent, fire insurance and upkeep & maintenance. NOTICE Interest payment of Special Deposits Members are hereby informed that the rate of interest on Special Deposit for the year 2009 is declared as follows: 1st half year (Jan – June) 2% p.a., 2nd half year (July to Dec ) 0%pa. WE REWARD CHILDREN OF MEMBERS EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR UPSR/PMR/SPM/STPM & A LEVEL/OR EQUIVALENT EXAMINATIONS 2010 (EXAM YEAR 2009) Educational Incentive Awards are made to children of members who perform well in their UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM / A Level (or equivalent examinations). Eligibility : Applicant (parent) should be a member in benefit having a continuous membership of 3 years or more and a subscription credit of RM1,200 or more on the closing date for the award. SPM student must become a member, upon attaining the age of 18 years, at the time of application for the award. STPM/A Levels or equivalent student must be a member for at least 6 months as at the closing date of the application for the award. Please take note that applicants who do not possess the requisite criteria and qualification will not be considered for the award. Eligible members who wish to apply for the awards for UPSR, PMR, SPM & STPM/A Level or equivalent can obtain the application forms from the KJB office or from the District Secretary. UPSR award recipients for year 2007 (exam year 2006) and PMR award recipients for year 2008 (exam year 2007) will be sent application form automatically within a week before the date of announcement of the examination results (please contact the office if you do not receive the form). Closing date to receive the completed application form is 30th June, 2010. Photocopy of the application forms are allowed. Kindly take note that submitting the application late will result in the child/member being denied of the award. Path Finder 2009 Do first things first and second things none at all. - Peter F Drucker Book Launch A book entitled ‘ Tour of South Indian Temples’ authored by Mr.K. Thuraisingam AMN ( Vice Chairman JCS) was officially launched on 24th January 2009 (Saturday) at 7.00pm at Kalamandapam N0.3, Lorong Scott, Kuala Lumpur. It was launched by Thiru S.Perampalam, AMN, AMP, PJK, the President, Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association ( MCSA) and attended by about 150 people who are relatives and friends of the author. The author Mr.K.Thuraisingam has visited 27 sacred temples of South India and collected verbal and written information about those temples while on his tour. He wanted to pass the information to his fellow Hindus about the origins, significance, pooja times, and major festivals of those temples which would become helpful during their temple tour. Therefore he produced this book, which among the many benefits, would act as a guide when planning their visits to temples. The 132 page book of A4 size, has about 60 photographs in colour put on glossy sheets to exalt its appearance. The book cover was designed by the author’s daughter Ms Kalarthevi. It has an appealing colour tone and is divinely impressive. Apart from this, the book has a few useful appendices. ‘Hindu Fasts and Festivals’ is a collection of articles sent to the members of MCSA periodically. The articles on ‘Hindu Religion and Temple Worship’ complement the book by giving a brief insight into Hinduism, temple construction and structure and the significance of temple idol worship. The part ‘At a glance’ enumerates the Pancha Bhutha Sthalas, Panja Sabha, 12 Jyothir Lingams etc for the purpose of quick reference. Limited number of copies of this book are available at the MCSA office ( Tel: 603-22742987). The book is available for a donation of RM20/- which would go towards the Temple Fund. KJB BY LAW AMENDMENTS The present KJB By Laws was approved on 21/12/97 consequent to the implementation of the delegate system. In the year 2005, a slight modification was effected to By Law No 25(1) (2) & (6) which brought about changes affecting the quorum for Kawasan Meetings and the number of delegates per kawasan. With the establishment of Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM), the Cooperative Societies Act 1993 was amended accordingly and thereafter it was called Akta Koperasi 1993 (Akta 502) and came into force with effect from 1st January 2008. As per the provisions of the Amended Act, all the Cooperative Societies are given a 2 year period to amend their respective by laws accordingly to accommodate the requirements of the new act. Heavy penalty is being imposed on cooperatives which fail to amend their respective by laws within the approved time frame. Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia has circulated to all the cooperative societies a model by law in which they have accordingly reflected the required changes that would be effected to the KJB By Laws. The Board of Management at the Kawasan Meetings held in 2008 highlighted the important features of SKM and the general effect it would have on our Society. Photostat copies of the model By Law of KJB was circulated to the delegates. The draft by laws of KJB was scheduled to be tabled at the AGM held in 2008 but however it was withdrawn in order to give members more time and not to rush through as the societies are given a two- year period. Meanwhile the Board of Management has fine tuned the KJB By Laws making some reference and comparison to By Laws of other Societies which have already been approved. At the Annual General Meeting of delegates held on 31/5/09 the draft by laws which was already circulated to the Delegates was tabled but it was pointed out that the draft by laws had 10 not been circulated to the general membership. The Board had been directed to act accordingly before it is tabled at the AGM. KJB has up to 31/12/2009 to amend the By Laws. It would cost a whopping RM70,000/- to go through this exercise observing all formalities and calling for special meeting at Area levels before tabling at a Special General Meeting of Delegates. In order to avoid the costly exercise, KJB has written a letter to SKM seeking an approval for an extension of time up to 30/6/2010 in the hope that it could carry out the required exercise at the next Kawasan meetings which is normally scheduled from March to May 2010 and then to table it at the Annual General Meeting of Delegates which would be scheduled to be held 30 days after the last kawasan meeting. Meanwhile the Board has decided to send to all the members the draft by laws. To facilitate ease of reference all amendments by SKM will be highlighted. Whatever proposals by JCS will also be indicated accordingly. Amendments reflected in our by laws in consequent to amendments and new provisions of the Cooperative Societies Act is a necessity and the Board merely seeks a formal endorsement, whereas the proposal for changes by JCS will be subject to approval by the delegates at the AGM or Special General Meeting. Members are advised to peruse the draft by laws and are urged to bring along the draft by laws to their respective Kawasan Meetings to be held in 2010 for which a 15 days notice of meeting will be served on all eligible members. Every member who is in benefit will receive a copy of the draft UUK Path Finder 2009 KJB KUANTAN BRANCH – CULTURAL SHOW The KJB Kuantan Branch had its District General Meeting on the 15th of March, 2009 at the Persatuan Ceylon Hall at 12.00 noon. The Chairman of the KJB Mr P. Satguna Rajah, Secretary Mr N. Rajasvaran, Treasurer Mr M. Mahadavan and members of the Board attended the meeting. The Persatuan Ceylon Hall was full house with members who turned out in full force, even though it was a Sunday and the time was quite akward being 12.00 noon. The Kuantan District Committee took the opportunity to entertain the members, supporters and all those present, with a simple but a colourful cultural show. The show comprised of songs by kids, youngsters, lady members and adults. The Kuantan District Committee always sees that each group from kids to the seniors are given chance to go on the stage to show their hidden talents and showmanships. The highlight of the cultural show, a drama titled “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” by the senior members, was a hit with the members. The theme of the drama which focussed on closely knit family ties and the due care for the the elders. The dialogue in the Jaffna slang entertained the audience with much awe. The other item which caught the members by surprise was the KOLATTAM which was performed by lady members. The Ladies with their rhythmic beat of the kolattam (a traditional dance) in accordance to the beat of the song was well received by all who attended the function. There was also a farewell and gift presentation involving two of our members. They are Mr & Mrs S. Mahathevan who left Kuantan to Klang. Mr R. Y. Hunt, our District Chairman spoke about the various services rendered by both the Mahathevans to the Kuantanites. The Secretary Mrs Sakunthala Sundram also read a farewell poem about Mrs Mahathevan who tirelessly served the Persatuan Ceylon, Temples and M.I.C Branch Kampong Tengah, Kuantan. The cultural show ended with gift presentation to the kids, KJB educational award presentation to a UPSR achiever Master Sudeson followed by the General Meeting. (See photo on page 45) MRS SAKUNTHALA SUNDRAM Sec. KJB Kuantan District A MEMORABLE HOLIDAY TRIP TO CANADA By Mrs Sakunthala Sundram / Sec. KJB Kuantan District During the recent visit to our daughters place in Canada, we made it a point to visit the most renowned “NIAGARA FALLS”, besides the sight seeing tour covering CN Tower, Safari Park, the famous CASA-LOMA CASTLE, Royal Ontario museum, Ontario science centre and the Toronto Zoo, to name a few. straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The falls are 27 km north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 120 km southsoutheast of Toronto, Ontario, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls & New York. NIAGARA FALLS Niagara Falls is composed of two major sections separated by Goat Island: Horsehoe Falls, the majority of which lies on the Canadian side of the border, and American Falls on the American side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island. Canada is a vast country occupying most of North America, extending from Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and north ward into the Arctic Ocean. It is also the second largest country in the world. When we talk of Canada we also talk about the world’s famous “NIAGARA FALLS”. Many of our JCS members would have gone and seen the great beauty of the falls while visiting their relatives who are living in Toronto. But to those who have not seen, especially the youngsters, it is a must to witness the magnificient NIAGARA FALLS at least once in a life time. The Niagara Falls are voluminous waterfalls on the Niagara River, Path Finder 2009 The features that became Niagara Falls were created by the Wisconsin glaciations, about 10,000 years ago. The same forces also created the North American Great Lakes and the Niagara River. While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide. More than six million cubic feet of water falls over the crest line every minute in high flow, and almost 4 million cubic feet on average. It is the most powerful water fall in North America. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the falls. “Niagara” is derived from the name given to a branch of the locally residing native Neutral Confederacy who are described as being called the “Niagararega” people on several late 17th century French maps of the area. A number of figures have been suggested as first circulating an eyewitness description of Niagara Falls. Frenchman Samuel de Champlain visited the area as early as 1604 during his exploration of Canada, and members of his party reported to him the spectacular waterfalls, which he described in his journal. Finnish – Swedish naturalist Pehr Kalm explored the area in the early 1700s and wrote of the experience. During the 18th century, tourism became popular, and by mid-century, it was the area’s main industry. Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother Jerome visited with his bride in the early 19th century. 11 After the First World War, tourism boomed again as automobiles made getting to the Falls much easier. The story of Niagara Falls in the 20th century is largely that of efforts to harness the energy of the Falls for hydroelectric power, and to control the development on both side that threaten the areas natural beauty. The most powerful hydroelectric stations on the Niagara River are Sir Adam Beck 1 and 2 on the Canadian side, and the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant and the Lewiston Pump Generating Plant on the American Side. The cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and Niagara Falls, New York USA are connected by three bridges: the Rainbow Bridge, the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and the Lewiston – Queenston Bridge. Peak numbers of visitors occur in the summer time, when Niagara Falls are both a daytime and evening attraction. From the Canadian side, floodlights illuminate both sides of the Falls for several hours after dark. The number of visitors in 2008 were 20 million and by 2009, the annual rate is expected to top 28 million tourists a year. The oldest and best known tourist attraction at Niagara Falls is the Maid of the Mist boat cruise, named for an ancient Ongiara Indian mythical Character, which has carried passengers into the whirlpools beneath the Falls since 1846. Cruise boats operate from boat docks on both sides of the falls. Besides appreciating the charms and beauty of the Niagara Falls, there are hundred and one places of nature to be seen. (See photo on page 28) District Collectors District Name Address Contact No: P. Jaya A. Venayagamurthiy PJK No. 12 Jln. SS3/25, Kelana Jaya, 47300 P.Jaya 012-3340360 Cheras S. Mahadevan PPN No. 83 Jln. Ko-op Cuepacs 2, Tmn. Cuepacs, Batu 9, 43200 Cheras. 03-90766921 Seremban Maheswaran a/l Velupillai 73/265, Tmn Bukit Labu 70200 Seremban 017-2806821 Rawang N. Yoga Ledchumi Lot 3493/6, Jln. Waterfall, 48000 Rawang. 03-60919862 Brickfields Thiruganamoorthy a/l Shanmugam Klang A. Thiruchelvam 16, Jln Limau Nipis, Bangsar Park, 59000 K.L. 03-22847034 No. 54E, Jln. Kemenyan, Taman Rajee, 41200 Klang 03-33721878 Kuantan Mrs T. Pavalarani B20, 2nd Floor, Lrg. Tun Ismail, 25000 Kuantan. 013-9371662 Bkt Mertajam Mr K. Nageswaran No. 1 Jln. Pow Nee, 14000 Bkt. Mertajam 04-5395227 Taiping No. 6 Tmn. Creagh, 34000 Taiping 05-8074437 Mr S. Sivalingam PPT JCS P. Jaya District is back in action The Membership Recruitment Competition is an annual and on going competition which is open to all JCS Districts. The Competition has four categories and eligible winner of each category will be given a cash incentive award. For the year 2008 the Petaling Jaya District emerged as the winner in all the categories and the results are as follows: Category Winner (i) Highest Recruitment - K. Shanmuganathan AMN PPT (ii) District Award - Petaling Jaya (iii) Highest Collection - Mr K. Shanmuganathan AMN PPT (iv) Special Award - Mr K. Shanmuganathan AMN PPT In recent years Petaling Jaya District has always been closely at the heels of it’s competitor Seremban District. We congratulate Mr K. Shanmuganathan AMN PPT and the P. Jaya District Committee for a job well done. It is hoped that the other JCS Districts would take on the challenge and play a competitive role following the example emulated by the winners of this competition. (The notice for the Membership Recruitment Competition for the year 2009 is appearing elsewhere in this issue.) 12 Path Finder 2009 EDUCATIONAL LOANS/SCHOLARSHIP (a) SCHOLARSHIP (b) LOAN (c) LOAN SARAVANAMUTHU SAUNDARIPILLAI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP NAGASUNDRAM NADARAJAH EDUCATION FUND N. THAMOTHARAM PILLAY & ANNAMMAH MEMORIAL EDUCATION FUND This scholarship fund was established on 1st January, 2000 by Mr S. Theyaga Rajah, the current Chairman of KJB Bukit Mertajam District, in memory of his late parents. Members and members children can apply. This scholarship may be used for the payment of fees, text books or any educational material for students pursuing tertiary education in a first degree course in any institution recognized by the Government of Malaysia. This fund was set up on 13th November, 1994 by Dato’ Seri N.T. Rajah, in the name of his beloved mother, for granting loans to members and members’s children to pursue a course in medicine, in any Local Institution of Higher Learning, leading to a degree in MBBS or its equivalent. The Scholarship entails an award of a one time payment an the successful student. The student cannot apply for the SPM/ STPM or equivalent award and this Scholarship award in the same year (For Medical Studies in Malaysia) The selected applicant will be paid for each academic year RM4,000.00 until the completion of the course. The loans is interest free during the course and is charged 1% per month starting from 6 months after the completion of the course. The loan which is available for the full course is to be repaid in equal amounts over the same number of months that the award was given. The above-named study loan to pursue tertiary level or other suitable education including trade or training in trade institutes, was established on 10th September, 1986 by the benefactor, the late Mr N. Thamotharam Pillay. The selected applicant will be paid for each academic year RM2,000/(Malaysia/Singapore) and RM4,000/(overseas) until the completion of the course. The loan is interest free during the course and is charged 8% per annum starting from 6 months after the completion of the course. Repayment is within a period not exceeding twice the period of study. (Negotians are underway to review the Trust Deeds with the view to provide better benefits) (d) LOAN T. KANDIAH M.B.E. EDUCATION FUND (The TrustDeed duly amended to provide better benefits) (e) LOAN JCS THAMBY THURAI EDUCATIONAL FUND This fund was established on 7th August, 2000 by Mr K. Shanmuganathan AMN PPT the current chairman of KJB Petaling Jaya District in memory of his father, for granting loans to pursue any course in recognised institutions of higher learning in Malaysia or overseas. Repayment is within a period not exceeding twice the period of study. The Trust was set up for the purpose of promoting and encouraging tertiary education. The selected applicant will be given a loan of RM20,000 to be disbursed over a period of 3 years. An interest at the rate of 2% per annum is payable during the duration of the course and 8% per annum upon the completion of the course. This fund was established pursuant to a Deed of Trust dated 20th July, 1972 and its principal objective is the granting of educational loans to members and children of members. For courses at diploma, the loan is RM6,000/- per academic year. For the 1st degree, it is RM7,500 per academic year. For post graduate courses payment shall not exceed RM12,000 per year for two years. For two years the total given shall be RM24,000.00. An interest at the rate of 6% per annum repaid over a period of three years for every year of the loan, is charged, with interest only being repaid during the course of study. Application for this loan can be made at any time during the year. The application forms and other relevant details for the above-mentioned educational loans/scholarship are available on request from KJB office. The closing date of application for (a), (b), (c) & (d) is 31.12.2009. All completed applications should be addressed to:The Setiausaha, Koperasi Jaffnese Berhad, P.O. Box 10265, 50708 Kuala Lumpur. JCS RAWANG DISTRICT ACTIVITY SRI LANKAN VEGETARIAN HOME COOKED LUNCH In conjunction with Puratasi Sani, JCS Rawang District gladly invites you for lunch as mentioned below: Date : 10.10.09 (Saturday) Time : 12.30 till 2.30 p.m. Venue : Rukun Tetangga Pondok (Green Park) Price : RM10 (adults) / RM5 (children below 12) Contact no : 012-6661013 (Mrs Balendran) 019-2076157 (Ms Mallika Siva) All Are Welcome Path Finder 2009 13 Global Tamil Forum Tamil Diaspora Unites The Global Tamil Diaspora has united to form the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), in response to the large scale massacre of Tamil civilians, internment of more than 300,000 in camps reminiscent of Nazi Germany and continuing inhumane treatment of these detainees by the Government of Sri Lanka. It is a need of the times and the first of its kind worldwide for the Tamils to speak with one voice. This Forum will evolve as an independent, international organization which adheres to the principles of democracy and non-violence and derives its strength from existing grassroots organizations of the Tamil Diaspora. Working in solidarity with the Tamils in Eelam and other communities in Sri Lanka, this Forum will strive to restore Tamil People’s right to selfdetermination and democratic self rule in their traditional homeland in the island of Sri Lanka. The immediate goal of this Forum will be to address the plight of the Tamils interned in the camps and have their resettlement in their homes and villages expedited by generating international pressure upon the Government of Sri Lanka. The Forum will also explore avenues to bring to the perpetrators of crimes against humanity to justice. Tamil organizations from all five continents are represented in this Forum and have joined hands to further this mission. In this respect the soft launch of Global Tamil Forum in Malaysia was held on Thursday 27th June 2009 at 6.30pm at the Kalamandapam, Lorong Scott Kuala Lumpur. The Gathering commenced with a minute silent prayers for those who died in the war in Sri Lanka and in the internment camps. It was followed by the announcement of the soft launch by Mr.A.Kanesalingam and the Reading of the Vision and Mission Statement. The meeting was chaired by Yang Bahagia Tan Sri Raymond Navaratnam . Other speakers included Dr. N. Iyngkaran and Mr. Arumugam. Malaysian Tamil Organisations will concentrate on rendering humanitarian relief for the affected Tamils. The gathering concluded with questions, answers and comments from the floor. Details about the Global Tamil Forum are appearing below on this page. The meeting endorsed the Tamils Relief Fund as the representative for all Tamil organizations in Malaysia communicate with Global Tamil Forum. In this respect a donation slip is appearing in this issue to enable members to make their donation to the Tamils Relief Fund. For further details, please contact: Mr. A. Kanesalingam Tel:603-20702289 [email protected] Notes Global Tamil Forum exists to harness the skills and the knowledge of the members of the forum, well -wishers and significant others including mainstream decision makers in the international governments, institutions and organizations with the aim of alleviating the sufferings of the Tamil community in the Island of Sri Lanka and to further their right to self determination within a democratic frame work under pinned by international law, its covenants and conventions. The forum was set up in 2009 with the support of many International Tamil community organizations. For more information and our mission and vision statements please contact [email protected] and/or visit: www. globaltamilforum.org. GLOBAL TAMIL FORUM (GTF) Vision Evolve an independent, international, democratic organization which derives its strength from grassroots organizations of the Tamil Diaspora that will work in solidarity with Tamils in Eelam to restore Tamil Peoples right to self-determination and democratic self-rule in their traditional homeland in the island of Sri Lanka that would lead to self-sufficiency, sustainability and equal opportunity to its people, through its political and economic successes by engaging the international community. Mission ● Establish an international, grassroots and youth based, Tamil democratic political organization that would generate constructive change through Collective Global Tamils to: ● Alleviate the physical and emotional suffering of displaced and distressed Tamil people in the internment camps and 14 to advocate for their freedom of movement and immediate rehabilitation in their homes, ● Bring to justice those who perpetrated genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Tamil Peoples, ● Campaign tirelessly, locally and internationally, to remove the occupying forces of Sri Lanka out from the traditional homeland of Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka, ● Prevent the colonization of the homeland of the Tamil people by the Sinhala majority community, ● Promote health, education, culture and economic development of Tamils in Eelam and the Tamil Diaspora, ● To use all resources available to the Tamil Diaspora to establish the Tamil people’s right to self-determination and their right to re-establish their nationhood which was taken away by force from them by the succeeding colonial powers including the Sri Lankan government, Path Finder 2009 • Help empower Tamil people in Sri Lanka to take control of their destiny and clearly formulate and promote the benefits of freedom for all in the pursuit of sustainable growth and prosperity in the self-governing nation of Tamil Eelam, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King to oppose the entire edifice of oppression and discrimination through peaceful means and to champion the rights of Tamil and other communities who have been unjustly deprived of their rights and silenced. • Empower the Tamil Society around the world through education, cultural and economic growth from the grassroots with youth and women involvement in all aspects of social activities. Copyright(c) Global Tamil forum www.globaltamilforum.org In pursuit of this Vision and Mission, the Global Tamil Forum will build on the principles of emancipation promoted by Distributed by [email protected] cut DONATION TAMILS RELIEF FUND Tingkat 5, Wisma T.K. Tang No.4, Jalan Yap Ah Loy 50050, Kuala Lumpur I …………………………………………………………………………………. of address .... ……...........…………………….... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………...........………………………... enclose my cheque ..…………...................……… Bank cheque No………………...……… for RM……………………………. as my donation to the TAMILS RELIEF FUND to be used for relief and rehabilitation only of Tamils in the Tamil areas of Sri Lanka affected by the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. I have paid RM .................................. into your account TAMILS RELIEF FUND A/C No: 312101555456 Standard Chartered Bank Berhad 2 Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur I shall pay donations periodically into the above account. Yours truly, ................................................. Note : Please delete portions which are not applicable. When payments are made directly into the bank account a receipt will not be sent unless the paying in slip is sent to us with your name and address. cut MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT COMPETITION 2009 The Membership recruitment for the year 2009 will be from 1st January to 31st December 2009. CONSIDERATION FOR THE AWARD A minimum of 20 members should have been recruited for the period 1st January to 31st December. For the purpose of the competition a member recruited would mean a member who has been formally admitted at the Board Meeting scheduled for December 2009 and remains on the Membership Register as at 31.12.2009. As at 31.12.2009 the member should be a member in benefit with a minimum subscription of RM10.00. THE AWARD FOR HIGHEST RECRUITMENT A member who recruits the highest number of members (i.e. 20 members and above) will receive an incentive of RM100 + 0.70 cts for every member recruited. An incentive of RM100 + 0.30 cts for every member recruited will also be awarded to the District of the above winner. THE AWARD FOR HIGHEST COLLECTION A member who has brought in the highest amount in collection of subscription from new members recruited for the period of the competition will be awarded a sum equivalent to 2% of the total collection. SPECIAL AWARD (RECRUITMENT) A member who has recruited the most number of members (minimum 15) between the age of 18 and 30 years will receive RM100 + 0.70 cts for each member recruited. The 1st and 2nd runner up will receive an incentive of RM75 + 0.70 cts for each member recruited. Path Finder 2009 15 NEGERI SEMBILAN CEYLONESE ASSOCIATION The Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association is putting up a three storey building – the pride of the Ceylonese in Negeri Sembilan in particular and all Ceylonese in Malaysia, at No. 1, Jln Sungai Ujong Seremban. Like the JCS Building in Seremban, the NSCA Building too is in a strategic position in the heart of the town. People coming into the town cannot miss the building. more than RM2.7m and it is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The old building had to be demolished as it was beyond repair. The cost of construction of the new building is Members and well wishers have donated generously. The Association is grateful to members of the JCS Board who have also donated generously. An appeal is kindly made to all members of JCS to donate towards the NSCA Building Fund. Cheques in favour of Negeri Sembilan Ceylonese Association could be sent to Peti Surat No: 461, Pos Malaysia, 70740 Seremban. NSCA Building (Artist Impression) Building nearing completion With Best Compliments From SYARIKAT SIVASAKTHI Established since 1986 Building, Plumbing and Electrical Contractor 2 Lorong 4/49B, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel / Fax : 03-77839673 H/P : 019-2218174 16 Path Finder 2009 The Good Old Days Mrs Sakunthala Sundram (Kuantan) 1945, A year which most Malaysians would not forget, for it was the year when World War II came to an end with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. There was no more ear piercing or roaring of airplanes in the clear blue sky. The bombings ceased in our country once and for all. The people in Malaya sighed with much relief as the Japanese occupation of three years and eight months of terror and horror had come to an end. Everybody was cheerful. There was no more fear for the Japanese soldier, no starvation and above all no restrictions. People started to enjoy freedom which they had lost for some time. Today, senior citizens who are in their seventies and eighties would relate hundreds of stories about the Japanese rule to the younger generations with anger, grief, anxiety and at times with humor and excitement. Many people experienced and witnessed dreadful things such as innocent killings, fear, hunger, the lack of essential food rations like rice, milk and cooking oil which had resulted in many being affected by diseases such as beriberi, elephantiasis and others. At the wake of the colonial rule after World War II in Malaya, I was a little girl then, living in Raub, a small town in Pahang surrounded by hills and mountains. During the Japanese occupation, whenever the planes roared and the siren blew my whole family would hide cuddled together in the ditch which was dug behind the kitchen of our government quarters as a protection in case any bombs drop. We were fortunate as our home was never blasted, nor was the Raub town. My father was working for the British and after they left he continued working for the Japanese when they ruled Malaya. We lived in the same government quarters, a raised wooden house with tile roofing. Although food was scarce, yet we all survived with basic food like vegetables and ikan bilis and others Path Finder 2009 which we could get. Rice was scarce and sugar, onions, cooking oil were practically nil. I can still remember the gula Melaka piece which mother would give to each of us a substitute to sugar which we were suppose to bite with the milk-less coffee in the morning. Lunch was a little rice with vegetables that would be easily available homegrown with fish fried with palm oil, as cooking oil was hard to get. We had to do with palm oil which had a terrible smell quite unbearable but with all these short comings, there was no mumbling or complaints and everyone ate what was given without much fuss as that was the order of the day. When the stock of rice grew lesser day by day, father decided to plant paddy on a small piece of land a few hundred yards away from home. He tilled the plot himself with a helping hand from a helper. Paddy grown on hills does not require a lot of water, unlike the ordinary paddy, as the occasional downpour would suffice. After the paddy was harvested, it was thrashed and brought home. Mother would boil the padi in big pots, drain the water and spread the paddy on big mats under the hot sun. Then the padi was pounded in wooden mortars to remove the husks. The pounding was a tedious job, we were forced to do for the sake of the family’s well being. Not only pounding but grinding rice, ragi, green peas into flour in the stone mortars was also done Tilling the small paddy plot, cutting fire wood in the jungle was too much for father since he was not used to that kind of labour, and the jungle was infested with malaria, a common fever at that time. The only medicine was quinine in the form of tablets which was bitter and if taken too much would lead to slight deafness. With all these unpleasant and unexpected things, life was full of fun and excitement for the kids. The older children went to Japanese schools while the younger ones stayed at home. The Japanese were very serious about children attending school to learn the Japanese language, soldiers would come knocking at the door to check on them. Once it so happened, two soldiers came to my house to see whether the children went to school. My mother hid me under the raised house with pillars together with the unwanted things and she escaped the wrath. Anyway the children of the housing areas had a jolly good time. No tuition classes, no homework and no formal learning. It was all play, after helping the parents in the daily chores. The children also did a lot of nature studies, catching spiders and fishes in the small streams nearby, wandering here and there in pursuit of catching colorful butterflies which we knew that a lot existed on trees, plants, bushes and shrubs. Once in a while all the children in the same area, about twenty to thirty of them would gather in my uncle’s house to learn Tamil and religious studies. We always went with full force, not for learning but for the “kacang India’ which was served at the end of the class. After the war era, schools were reopened. I was excited and thrilled for it was my first day at school. Two wooden bungalows perched on a hill, probably the houses of the ‘White Rajah’s” were transformed temporarily as a school. The school was very crowded. There weren’t many desks and chairs and other utilities. Even though with such conditions we managed. The Japanese regime taught us perseverance and make do with basic amenities. Around 1946, a new school, Mahmud school as it was called was opened in Lipis Road. It had much better facilities than the previous one. There were enough teachers, classrooms and other necessary amenities such as toilets and a “tuck shop”. My class teacher then was Mr. Singh, a young handsome Sikh with a neat turban on his head. He was strict and taught us with dedication. We began 17 to master our basics, reading, writing and arithmetic. At that time there were no school buses to fetch the children and send them to school except for the rich ones who came in small cars or bicycles. Life was now returning back to normal, when my father was transferred to a small town called Temerloh in Western Pahang, mother was not too keen to go as Temerloh district was declared a communist area. But we had no choice and left Raub reluctantly with a heavy heart for our new home. There was no English school in Temerloh, so we had to travel by bus to attend school in Mentakab. During the monsoon season the roads would be flooded and we had no school. As children we were unaware about the communist trouble but our parents and the community around were quite frightened about the curfew and the frequent killings of innocent people by communist. When the curfew was imposed, people seldom travel and kept to themselves at home. To check on the communist, identity cards were introduced and children above 12 had to have one. It so happened once an English officer together with several of his aides was returning to Mentakab after issuing identity cards to some kampong folks at Lanchang, one of the notorious hideouts for communist, the group was ambushed and they were killed instantly. In 1948, father was again transferred, this time we came to Mentakab and we continued our studies at the same school. For the first time I experienced seeing communist dead bodies piled up and brought by the open rail trucks on my way to school. The dead bodies were of those shot by the police personnel during their encounters with the communist at the outskirts of Mentakab. These frightening encounters and experiences were too much for us and made us more petrified of the communist than the Japanese soldiers. The Japanese threat came to an end with the appointment of Sir Gerald Templer, then the High Commissioner Malaya, who was especially brought in to handle the communist crisis, which was threatening the peace of the country. Sir Gerald Templer was a tough man and very experienced in handling and tackling the rebellious communists. One of his strategies to solve the communist threat was to introduce new villages in towns, in this way Chinese living in remote areas were resettled in these villages. The reason for the resettlement is to prevent foodstuffs and medicines from reaching these subversive elements. The towns were fenced with barbed wire and Home guards came into operation. Everyone who went out of the town area was thoroughly examined to check for food from reaching the hands of the communist. The communist terrorism came to an end in the early fifties when they surrendered. The year 1957, brought independence to our country. The present younger generation, although they would have read or heard stories of the Japanese occupation and the communist terrorism, would not understand the hardships, sacrifices, sorrows and the loss of lives endured by the older generation. Today, we are fortunate to live in peace and harmony, in this beautiful country. Nature was kind in giving us abundance in resources and natural beauty. To live in this harmonious country, it is the duty of every Malaysian to strive hard, have tolerance for each others beliefs and culture. There should be no violence, vandalism, burglary, corruption and other evil deeds. We should live with a motto “live without fear and tears”. Legal Actions to Safeguard the Fundamental Rights of Cooperators and Cooperatives. At the respective annual general meeting of Kesatuan Koperasi Malaysia and the Kesatuan Koperasi Midlands Bhd (Koperasi Jaffnese Bhd is an affiliate) held recently in May and June 2009, delegates were briefed on the progress made so far with regard to the legal action taken against Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM). The main issues that we are contesting are : Fundamental Rights of the Cooperators and Cooperatives Central Liquidity Fund (CLF) Central Deposit Account Statutory Reserve Fund (CDA) Appointment of Board Members 18 We believe that the above-mentioned issues are vital to the existence and viability of the cooperative movement. The legal costs to be met by the affiliate member cooperatives. A legal Aid Fund has been setup and the affiliate member cooperatives of Kesatuan Koperasi Malaysia (CUM) and Kesatuan Koperasi Midlands Bhd (Midlands) have agreed to contribute to the Fund. It is vital to secure the support of the cooperatives to act as a unified force to support this action. Path Finder 2009 An Insight to Temple worship, icons and spiritual energy By Thuraisingam AMN Temple worship is an applied science of spirituality evolved by the ancient explorer of Truth and a moden investigation into the subtle technology involved may lead us to a rational understanding of spirituality. The science of temple worship, which is an effective means for the conditioned human mind to be in communion with the Supreme, can be better understood through a scientific perspective. This spiritual practice is not based on blind faith but founded on well-coordinated subtle principles, which are the outcome of the deepest inquiries into reality. Towering ancient temples are seen throughout the length and breadth of India. For the devotees they are centres of power and peace and the devotees enjoy the holy and serene atmosphere in the temple. Some of these temples are founded by great rishis in ancient ages. The ancient rishis of India focussed their attention to discover the basic secrets of existence and the knowledge they received are enshrined in the Vedas, the Upanisads and in the symbolic stories of the Puraanas etc. Recent trends indicate that there has been a resurgence of awareness about the efficacy of temple worship and scientists have joined the ranks of those who go to temple and worship the vigrahams, the icons symbolising the Divine. The ancient rishis declared that the fundamental basis of the universe is an intelligence and the deeper understanding of the universe called for an exploration of the inner depth of man himself. Today there is a growing trend among the modern thinkers to recognise the ancient view that in the depth of human consiciousness lies the key to all the secrets of the universe. The seers of India assert that the true evolution of man involves an increasing expression of the Universal Intelligence in his physical body, which brings him true knowledge and freedom. They devised several methods to help him achieve this inner evolutionary expansion. They prescribed panchaloha, a combination of five metals, an ideal material for moulding divine icons. The ‘unknown energy’ it is said, exerts a strong influence on water, which points to the potent power of the theertham, the holy water, the sandal paste, the kumkum powder, etc., given in temples to energize us with positive power. Temples are not just places where an icon is put up as a symbolic representation of the Divine, but living centres of active emanation of spiritual energy that can influence the body and mind of man in his evolutionary progress. The specific shapes of the icons must be specific patterns the seers evolved to hold certain special creative aspects of the all-pervading formless, boundless Divine Energy, which is the basis of all forms and manifestations. According to the ancient spiritual concept the ‘left’ is symbolic of Shakthi, the primeval active Energy, and the ‘right’ of Shiva, the static Consciousness. Many modern researches on human mind, its inner secrets, its unknown potentialities and powers, taking place in several scientifically advanced countries not only tend to support the wisdom of these ancient seers, but also shed new light on the deeper significance of temples founded by them. The ancient rishi-s discovered the existence of a subtle form of energy associated with the phenomenon of consciousness. They also discovered the relation of this energy with the subtle sound vibrations and form patterns in the universe. They investigated into the power of sound and relevance of forms in activating and channelizing this energy associated with intelligence and discovered the means to maintain it, active and utilise it for the benefit of mankind. They were technologists of a high order interested in the ethical and spiritual progress of man. We relegate the ancient mystic diagrams with triangles, squares, circles, etc in such talismans as yantras and chackeras, as belonging to some dimension incomprehensible to us or as symbols of hopelessly irrational superstition. The present trend indicates that a philosophical vision is emerging from modern scientific quest and science is slowly veering towards the spiritual insights of the ancient sages. In future, science and spirituality may converge and blend; and that may speed up the further evolution of mankind. Source : Powers in Temple by Srikant “Know that there must be manifestation of God in places where countless people have practiced austerity . From time immemorial numberless devotees and men of realization have come to these holy places to have the vision of God. Therefore, God, though equally present everywhere, manifests Himself especially in these places in the same way as water can be had anywhere by digging the ground, but where there is a tank or a lake, one has not to dig for water, but can get it whenever one likes.” - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Path Finder 2009 19 20 Path Finder 2009 A. SIJIL TINGGI PELAJARAN MALAYSIA AND EQUIVALENT AWARDS 2009 BRICKFIELDS 4As 4As 3As 2As DEVERAJ A/L M.NAVARATNAM RUBEN A/L PARAM SOOTHY VIVESH A/L JEYALAN BAVANI A/P KASINATHAN KAJANG 3As RUTHRADEVAN A/L SUNDRALINGAM PETALING JAYA 3As JINISHA A/P SRIGANTHA RAWANG 4As A. STPM AWARD APPLICANT WITH NO PHOTOGRAPH PETALING JAYA RAVEEN A/L VIJENDREN 3As MARTIN SOOSAI A/L FRANCIS SINNAPPAR B. SIJIL PELAJARAN MALAYSIA AWARD 2009 brickfields 10As 8As 6As 6As ROOBINI STEPHANIE SITTAMPALAM KAVESH PATHMANATHAN MALLINI A/P PARAM SOOTHY CHERAS 8As 6As 6As SAKTIWATHY A/P PANCHAKARAN PRIYA DARSHINI A/P MURUGIAH Path Finder 2009 YUNESH RAJ A/L MOHAN THANUSSHAN A/L SIVAPATHA SUNDRAM 4As SHAMAN A/L PANCHA LENGAM IPOH 11As,Tamil 1A 9As VICKNESWARI A/P KUNASEELAN VIDHIYAVAANI A/P KANNAPIRAN BUKIT MERTAJAM 7As SHRI PRASHAM A/L PARAMESHWARAN JOHOR BAHRU 8As PADMAGUHA A/L SHANMUGARAJAH 21 B. SIJIL PELAJARAN MALAYSIA AWARD 2009 JOHORE BHARU 8As SUEARNA THAYALA KAJANG 10As 10As 8As THAYALAN A/L SUNDRALINGAM SACHINATH T.E.SIVANATHA CALVIN A/L CHANDRAPAL KLANG 10As 9As KUMARAGURU A/L MUTHU KUMAR 8As 8As 7As 5As 5As NATHARUBINI A/P NADARAJAH 3As,Tamil 1A brinda a/p sekaran 9As THANUPRIYA A/P VITALINGAM PETALING JAYA 11As DARSHINI A/P T. KANAGARAJAH 9As NAVIN SHANUSHA AMARASINGAM PRAVENDRAN A/L TASEANDRAM 10As BRINTHAKUMARI A/P RAJEINDRAM 8As DHANESH KUMAR A/L RAVI KUMAR JONATHAN VINOD A/L WALTER PREMRAJ 10As HARENDRAN A/L THIRUGANAM 8As GANESH KUMAR A/L VASANTHA KUMAR CHRISTOPHER DARYL PHILIP KLUANG 10As YOGANATHAN A/L S.VISVANATHAN 10As DUHENDRAN A/L S.KANAGALINGAM 10As HASHEENA A/P KANAGES 5As LOSHANA VIMALANATHAN 2As NEMALAN A/L VENAYAGAMURTHIY RODNEY ZACHARY Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. - Cal Gustav Jung 22 Path Finder 2009 22 Path Finder 2009 11As THARMAN A/L JEYAINDRAN 9As 8As VISARLANI A/P SIVAPIRAKASAM 8As KUMARESH A/L NANTHAKUMAR 5As SURENDRARAJA A/L YUVARAJAH MITHRAH A/P KURHANDRAN 11As KANESAN A/L VICKNESWARAN 9As b. SPM AWARD APPLICANTS WITH NO PHOTOGRAPHS VICKNENDRAN A/L VICKNESWARAN BRICKFIELDS LOHINI A/P ARUL DEVAH KAVITHA LAKSHMI VIJIARETNAM CHERAS LYDIA A/P JESUNATHAN 2As ipoh LOSHINI A/P ANANDARAJA KLANG MANOSHINI RAJ A/P MAMMADHARAJ NISHANT A/L BALACHANDRAN PETALING JAYA SRI GANESHA A/L SINNAPPU SENTUL JIVAKARAN A/L BALASUBRAMANIAM 11As 5As 10As 6As 3As 10As 4As C. PENILAIAN MENENGAH RENDAH AWARDS 2009 BRICKFIELDS 7As 7As 7As ANUSHA VIJEYARATNAM DANUSHA A/P SELVA KUMAR HAARRATHI A/P RAGUNATHAN 6As 6As 6As DARSHAN A/L RANJIT@MUTHU THAMBY DEVAN KUMAR A/L JEEVAANANTHAN Path Finder 2009 JAYANTHI A/P KULASEGARAN 7As KAVEETHA KANDIAH 7As KUHADARSHINI A/P MURALIDHARAN 7As TRISSHALA NATASHA SITTAMPALAM A/P KUNASINGAM BUKIT MERTAJAM 7As 7As 3As KAMALESHWARAN A/L GNANESWARAN YUMESH A/L SUTHAKARAN SHERI BRINDHA A/P PARAMESHWARAN 23 C. PENILAIAN MENENGAH RENDAH AWARDS 2009 CHERAS 6As 5As, Tamil 1A KAVIN KUMAR A/L VETTIVELLU SUGANNEYA A/P KALAISELVAN JOHOR BAHRU 7As 7As KESHVEENI KUANASEALAN 7As PAMENEY A/P PATGUNA DEVA KLUANG 6As SANJAY KUMAR A/L SIVARAJAH IPOH 7As 7As 7As 7As MAYOORA THILAKAN A/L P.THAYAPARAN 7As VINNOTHINI A/P RASALINGAM DANEISH SELVAKUMAR KAJANG 7As DARSHINIY A/P SELVARATNAM 4As SHEVANI SELVANATHAN 7As VISHNURAJ A/L JAYARAJ KLANG 7As ARVIND RAJ A/L MOHAN 6As DARSHAN A/L KANAGASINGAM DINESH KANNEN A/L KANDIAH DAVINNA A/P SATGUNA RAJAH KISHEN NATHAN A/L THEVANATHAN 6As DENESH A/L SOORIAMOORTHY 7As DIVANE A/P THAVARASA SARANHEA A/P KANNAPIRAN 7As 6As PETALING JAYA 7As 7As 7As ANUSHINEE A/P ANNANTHA KRISHNAN DARSHYINI A/P SIVANESVARAN SHARANYA A/P VISUALINGAM 7As OM YASVENI MAHENDRAN SANJIV A/L N.NADDAN The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr 24 Path Finder 2009 24 Path Finder 2009 C. PENILAIAN MENENGAH RENDAH AWARDS 20 7As 6As 6As 6As SHARATHA A/P CHANDRAN LAAVANYA A/P SELVARAJA SHANKARAN A/L MOHANA KRISHNAN RAWANG 7As VENISHA A/P JUVARAJAN RETNARUBEN SENTUL 7As 7As,Tamil 1A 7As 7As 7As,Tamil 1A DIANNE PRIYA A/P LAWRENCE THANGATHURAI KANISHYA A/P GANESALINGAM KOMALA A/P NANTHAKUMAR 7As 5As 5As LAEYVINIA A/P RAMACHANDRAN ARULSUNDRAM RAJASUNDRAM TAIPING 7As 5As THIRUSHANKER A/L SIVASUBRAMANIAM KOSHN IAH A/L INDRASITH NITHYAKALYANI A/P SATHASIVAM SEREMBAN 7As 7As ARVIND A/L JAYARATNAM BRICKFIELDS c. pmr award APPLICANTS WITH NO PHOTOGRAPHS 7As KLUANG ARUNANISHA A/P ARUMUGANATHAN 2As VICKRAM A/L P.PUNITHAKARAN PAVEETHRA A/P BALACHANDRAN ARJUN JEYAPAALAN JAISHREE A/P NAGARAJAN KRISHANTINI A/P MAHENDRAN ASHWIN A/L SRIGANTHA SATYAN A/L GUNASEGARAN KANESHA A/L T.THURAI RATHINAM 2As SENTUL 7As petaling jaya TINESH A/L INDRARAJAH DINESH A/L GANISAN SHAKILA MARTIN KLANG VIMALAKUMARAN A/L BASKARAN PRAVEEN A/L PUVANENDRAN 5As SAALINI A/P MAHALINGAM c. pmr award APPLICANTS WITH NO PHOTOGRAPHS 7As 7As 7As 7As 6As 6As 4As JAGTHEESH A/L PUSHPA RAJAH 7As ARVIN A/L VIVEKANANDAN 5As SEREMBAN ANISHA A/P NESARAJAH ASHWANI A/P NESARAJAH DAVID TIMOTHY KANAGARATNAM KAVITHA A/P RAJENDRAN 7As 7As 7As 7As I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom. ~ General George S. Patton Path Finder 2009 25 D. UJIAN PENCAPAIAN SEKOLAH RENDAH AWARDS 2009 BRICKFIELDS 5As 5As 5As AARON KUMAR ISAAC ARIVINTHARAN A/L CHALVANTHARAN HIRENDRAN A/L SIVAGANAM 5As 5As KISHEN RAJ KANDIAH 5As 4As 3As 3As SURESH A/L MANOGARAN CHERAS 4As SHANKAR A/L KURUNATHAN DHARSHEN MAHALINGAM IPOH 4As 4As ELENGESWARAN A/L C.EHAMBARANATHAN KAJANG 5As 5As AARTHI A/P THAMBIRAJAH GAYATHRI A/P KULASEGARAM KAMALRAJ A/L SUNDRALINGAM YOHASHAMA A/L P.SIVAGNANA KUMARAN 4As,Tamil 2As NARENDRAN A/L V.GUNALAN TRISHALA KESHINI A/P S.NARENDRAN JOHOR BHARU 5As SANKIRTANA A/P PARANITHARAN KLANG 5As ABHIRAAHMI A/P THIAGARAJAN 4As 4As 4As 2As DIVASHINI A/P S.NAVANEETHARAJAH MUTHUKUMARAN A/L THIRUCHELVAM 26 Path Finder 2009 SARVANI A/P RATNARAJAH VICKNESWARAN A/L MUTHU KUMAR 5As KESHAV VINAYAGAR A/L THAVALINGAM BUKIT MERTAJAM 5As JANNENI A/P SUTHAKARAN 5As PRIYANKA JEEVARETNAM 4As SABRINA PREMILA A/P JOSEPH LOUIS 4As ZUSHYAN MAGEN A/L S.KANAGASUNDRAM 5As GIRISHA THAYALA 4As DARSHINI A/P SIVANTHINATHAN KUANTAN 5As MITHRAN A/L SUDESAN ARAVIND A/L MANOHARAN PETALING JAYA 5As DHANYA SUNT HARALINGAM 26 Path Finder 2009 D. UJIAN PENCAPAIAN SEKOLAH RENDAH AWARDS 2009 5As 5As HEMALAXMI NANTHAKUMAR 5As KHIRUJAH A/P SELVARAJAH 4As 4As MAHALAKSHMI A/P THILLAINATHAN K. KISHERN A/L SELVARAJAH NAVEAN JEYAPALAN SRI LOSHANA A/P SRIMURALITHARAN PREM KUMAR A/L NANTHA KUMAR MAGGENDRAKUMARAN A/L BASKARAN SARAVANAMUTHU-SAUNDARIPILLAI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2008 cHERAS • MR.VIJAYENDRAN A/L RAJALINGAM, 5 TH YEAR OF DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AT UNIVERSITY PADJAJARAN, INDONESIA iPOH • mS.sHARLENE DEVI A/P C.EHAMBARANATHAN, 1ST YEAR OF BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY AT AIMST UNIVERSITY,MALAYSIA KLANG • MS.SHUBASHINI RAJ A/P MAMMADHARAJ, 3RD YEAR OF DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AT KURSK UNIVERSITY,RUSSIA • MS. SIVASHINI A/P SARVANANDAN, 1ST YEAR OF BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AT UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM PETALING JAYA • MR.RAVEN A/L KANAGES, 4TH YEAR OF DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AT KURSK UNIVERSITY,RUSSIA • MS.SITHANYA A/P MOHAN,2ND YEAR OF BACHELOR OF MEDICINE AT MONASH UNIVERSITY, MALAYSIA 5As POORNIMA DEVI A/P SUNDRAISVARAN SENTUL 5As 3As 5As 4As 2As SAMIISHA A/P SARAVANAN 5As 4As PRAVIN KUNALAN SEREMBAN 5As REVIYA IAH A/P INDRASITH ARAVIND A/L GUNASEGARAN KEVINASH PREM A/L GUNASEHARAN 5As BANUSHA A/P SACHETHANANDAM TAIPING 5As DANISH A/L INDRARAJAH RAWANG • MS.MAHALETCHUMY A/P KRISHNAMOORTHY, 2ND YEAR OF BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE, NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY,UNITED KINGDOM SEREMBAN • MS.KARTINI MAHENDRANATHAN, 2ND YEAR OF BACHELOR OF LAW,UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA • MR.KUHANESAN A/L T.SATIANANDAN, 5TH YEAR OF DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AT KURSK UNIVERSITY, RUSSIA • MR.SIVABALAN A/L RAJAKULANAYAKAN,2ND YEAR OF BACHELOR OF ACTURIAL SCIENCE, DRAKE university, iowa, usa. D. upsr award APPLICANTS WITH NO PHOTOGRAPHS IPOH DAHMENDRA A/L SRIKANDA 5As KAJANG RUEBENESHKARAN KIRUBAKARAN AARVIN RATNAM 5As 4As PETALING JAYA RUHIELAN A/L S.PARAMESWARAN VARSHA VALERY A/P PARAMESWARAN HEMAVATEE A/P SIVAGNANASINGAM Path Finder 2009 5As 4As 3As 27 Kanthar Anuputhee Kuluvinar at Uchipillaiyar Temple (Thiruchy. See article on page 30, 31 and 32) The writer’s family at the Niagara Falls. At the background is the ‘Mist of Maid’. (See article on page 11) P. Jaya Family Day 02.08.2009 Picture : Fancy Dress by the little ones 28 Picture : The Chairman PJ Dist Mr K. Shanmuganathan AMN, PPT, dons Mr S. Tharumaseelan with golden Shawl Path Finder 2009 NATIONAL ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTRE, KUALA GANDAH, LANCHANG, TEMERLOH DISTRICT, PAHANG By Dr E. Sivananthan (Board Member) Elephants have been considered as one of the sacred animals among many Asian communities and have been used as national symbols by many institutions. There are two species of elephants are that still found in the natural environment; the African Elephant and the Asian Elephant. The Asian Elephant is also found in many of the major forested areas of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed as a critically endangered species, with less than 40,000 wild elephants in Asia, including an estimated 1,200 wild elephants in Peninsular Malaysia. Since elephants are considered a key wildlife species, protecting the elephants help to safeguard thousands of other species within its habitat. The elephant creates vital natural pathways by knocking over trees, allowing smaller species to feed, as well as dispersing plant seeds through its dung droppings in the forest . In Peninsular Malaysia, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), a federal government agency responsible for the protection of wildlife, has established the National Elephant Conservation Centre near Lanchang, Pahang in 1989. The main task of this centre is to plan for the capture and translocation of wild elephants to safer habitats such as the Taman Negara National Park in Terengganu. This translocation program was started in 1974 with the assistance of imported Indian elephants and their mahouts (keepers). This challenging and tedious operation involves in tracking, locating, darting using tranquilizer and drug gun, subduing and then translocation problem of elephants from areas where their habitats are constantly being encroached by plantations, Over the past 30 years the 24 strong team has helped to prevent the further decline in our wild elephant population by relocating more than 450 wild elephants in Peninsular Malaysia. Two similar operations were also conducted upon the request of the Singapore government when wild elephants from Johor swam across the Straits of Johore and landed on Singapore island causing panic among the locals in Singapore. Young elephants that are occasionally orphaned in the wild are also brought and cared in this centre. In addition to being the home to the translocation team and a herd of resident tame elephants, the centre also carries out ecotourism and public awareness activities related to the conservation issues of elephants in Malaysia. It also supports research activities on elephant translocation and conservation, especially among local students from the public universities. The centre is open to visitors throughout the year. As of now no entry fees are being charged. Limited visitors, on a first come first serve basis, can ride the elephant within the centre, participate in bathing and feeding the resident elephants. In 2008, more than 80,000 local and foreign tourist visited this centre. The centre got very popular among western tourist following coverage given of its conservation work by National Geographic and Lonely Planet. Since the elephant is a protected species in Malaysia, no hunting is allowed and therefore the translocation team of the DWNP has a great responsibility to protect these animals. Recommended Visitor Timetable at the Centre Visitors are encouraged to participate in activities from 2.00 pm onwards. However, some tourist do come early to book one of the limited place available to ride the elephant. Nearest hotel accommodation is in Mentakab, about 40 km further east of Lanchang. Time Activities 2.15 pm ELEPHANT RIDE Visitors are invited to ride the elephant around the centre. 2.30 pm BATHING Visitors can join the elephants as they bathe and swim in the river under staff supervision. 3.30 pm FEEDING Visitors can participate in feeding the elephants, their dinner of banana, carrot, papaya etc. 3.45 pm VIDEO SHOW Visitors may view a video on issues surrounding wild elephants, diminishing habitat and translocation Path Finder 2009 29 Additional activities: Visiting the Che Wong Orang Asli tribe (one of the smallest tribe in the world!), about 200 metres from the centre and a private Deer Park about 5 km before the centre How to Get There From Kuala Lumpur, it would take between 1 ½ to 2 hours driving to get there (80 – 90 kilometres). It is only ½ hour from Lanchang Town ( 15 km ) located along the old trunk road from Karak to Mentakab . If you take the Toll East West Highway, exit at Lanchang Toll and turn right towards the Centre. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Centre to facilitate arrangements and to determine whether the Centre can accommodate your visit especially if you are coming in a big group. Visitors are advised to bring with them additional clothing should they wish to participate in bathing activities with the elephants in the nearby river. Contact: Head National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP/PERHILITAN) Kuala Gandah, 28500 Lanchang Pahang Darul Makmur Tel: 09-2790391 OM NAMASHIVAYA THIRUVANNAMALAI YATRA 2008 By Ms Bhavani Sivapatha Sundram, Petaling Jaya Kanthar Anuputhee Kuluvinar headed by our teacher Katha Prasanga Sironmani, Katha Mirtha Vaarithi, Arul Isai Chelviyaar, Thirumurai Chelvi Kambar Parameseuvari Sinnathamby PPN went on a 10 day yatra from the 6th till the 15th December 2008. Our yatra group consisting of 14 members left KLIA on the 6th morning at 9.15 am and arrived in Chennai at 11.30 a.m local time. After lunch at the airport, we headed for Tiruchy. On the way to Tiruchy, we had darshan at SAMAYAPURAM MARIAMMAN TEMPLE. The main deity, Samayapurathal or Mariamman is made of sand and clay like many of the traditional Mariamman deities, hence there is no abishekam done. It is believed by the devotees that the Goddess has enormous power over curing illnesses and hence, it is a ritual to buy small metallic replicas, made with silver or steel, of various body parts that need to be cured, and these are deposited in the donation box. As we walked into the temple, we were blessed to view the approach of a golden (thanga) ratham on ‘oorvalam’ in the inner circle of the temple. We were so taken aback by this beautiful vision of a Golden Ambal on a golden carriage facing us as if to say welcome to this punniya bumi land of the Gods. The next day at 4.30 a.m. we went to SRI RANGGAM SRI ARANGANATHA PERUMAL TEMPLE. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (631,000 m2) with a perimeter of 1,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world. In fact, Sri Ranggam temple can be easily termed as the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world (Angkor Wat being the largest non-functioning temple). We were there to witness the awakening of Lord Aranganatha. The ceremony started with a veena/vocal recital, followed by the approach of Renga, the temple elephant which trumpeted twice. It is believed it calls Renga! Renga! Twice to awaken Lord Arangganatha. It was truly an experience for many of us to see an elephant, a cow 30 and a horse walk into the temple sanctum sanctorum for the early morning special ceremony. Many members were moved to tears by the sheer beauty of the ceremony. Our next stop was ROCKFORT UCCHIPILLAIYAR TEMPLE. This temple crowns a massive outcrop of rock that soars 83 metres upwards, from the surrounding plains. It is reached by a steep flight of 437 steps, cut into the rock. Halfway up is the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a 100-pillared hall, and a Vimana, covered with gold. On the southern face of the rock, are several beautifully carved, rock-cut cave temples, of the Pallava period. At the top of the rock is the Uchipillaiyar Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tiruchirappalli. The Rockfort Hillock is said to be 230 million years old. We sang Vinayagar Agaval, Vinayagar Panjaratnam and after darshan walked down the steps singing Vinayagar 108 potri with much devotion. THIRUVANIKAAVAL TEMPLE was next. The Lingam here is called ‘Appu Lingam’ owing to a natural spring present in the sanctum sanctorum, there by revealing the aspect of water signifying the place as one of the Panchabootha Sthalam, Appu in classical Tamil means ‘Water’. The Lingam gets submerged in water during rainy season. Here we witnessed the unique Siva-Parvathy pooja where the temple priest dresses us as Amman to reflect the original pooja done by Goddes Parvathy to obtain Lord Shiva’s blessing. This was followed by komatha pooja. While awaiting darshan, we sang Sivapuranam and some Thiruvaasagam. In the evening, we went to AYUDAIYAR KOVIL. This temple is located in a village (Thiruperunthurai is its old name) near Pudhukottai, Tamil Nadu. This temple was established by tamil Saint-poet Manickavasagar in 8 AD. Lord Shiva descended here as a guru and gave ‘patha deekshai’ to Saint Manikavasagar under the kuruntha tree. This spot is identified within the temple premises. A significant ceremony here is the Path Finder 2009 offering of piping hot cooked rice as offering (neivatheam) to Lord Shiva. The steam from the cooked rice signifies the ‘form – formless aspect of Lord Shiva. The temple has many specialities and most notable is the sculptural finesse exhibited in every portion of the temple. The unique aspects are: Shiva lingam has only the base (called avudaiyar), no nandi at the entrance, and the shadows in the main shrine point always to the deity nearby. The thiruvizha (annual grand function) is for the poet instead of Lord Shiva. We had a special abishekam organized for the Kanthar Anuputhee group. There we sang Thirupallieluchi and Sivapuranam which was sung by Saint Manickavasagar Nayanaar in 8 AD. After appreciating the historical aspects of this temple, Thiruvasagam will never be the same for us. As this temple was off the beaten track, we had to make do with a budget hotel. However, the indelible impression of the aura and beauty of this historical temple where 20 of the 57 Thiruvasagam outpourings took place made all the discomfort seem menial. The next morning, we went to PILLAIYAARPATTI. Pillaiyarpatti was originally established as a Sivan temple but as Vinayagar worship gained precedence, the temple which is an ancient rock-cut cave was dedicated to Karpaka Vinayagar. The Agama texts found on stones in the temple help date the temple between the years of 10914 and 1238. Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar, the presiding deity is portrayed with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right in the valampuri mode. There is a vedic school for priest training here. The vedic mantras for various ceremonies are chanted by many budding priests which gives a reverberating sound to all present. Here we sang Vinayagar Agaval in front of Lord Karpaka Vinayagar and our teacher Ms Kambar Paramesevuari Sinnathamby was given the honour of accompanying the temple priest carrying the kumbam for abishekam together with the temple nadaeswaram to the sanctum SANCTORUM. After darshan our teacher was presented with a garland of flowers from the deity by the temple priest. We spent the night at Tanjavour. In the morning, we prayed at THANJAI SRI BRAGADESWARAR BIG TEMPLE. Emperor Raja Raja Cholan built the Thanjai Big Temple (also referred to as Thanjavur Peria Koil or Tanjore Big Temple) almost a thousand years ago and was consecrated in 1010 AD. There we were privileged to see milk abishekam for the big Sivalingam in the sanctum sanctorum. We sang Sivapuranam and a few thevarams. Many members were overcome with emotion seeing the magnificient Sivalingam and Nandi. In the afternoon, we proceeded to Thiruvarur. THIRUVARUR THIYAGARJA TEMPLE is one of the biggest temples in South India. The chief deity Shiva assumes the name Thiyagaraja. ‘Raja’ denotes a king. The Navagrahas in this temple are not positioned in a block as usually in temples. They are all in a straight line! More over, as they are in the court of the king – King Thiyagaraja, (Lord Shiva) they appear submissive and obedient. Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanaar sang many thevarams in this sthalam from the age of 14 to 18 years of age. We also went to Paravaiyaarmandalium 200 metres from this temple where Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanaar regained his eyesight by the grace of Lord Shiva. We sang Sivapuranam Path Finder 2009 and some of Saint Sundramurthy Nayanaar’s thevarams while awaiting darshan. From Thiruvarur, we went to THIRUVAIYARU. Saint Thirunavkarasar Nayanaar was on his way to Kailasa. He crawled on all fours and was a mess of shredded flesh and bared rib cage. Lord Shiva in the form of an aged brahmana advised him to jump into a pond nearby, which he did and he rose out of a well in Thiruvaiyaru where he was blessed with a vision of Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma. It was here that he sang the thevaram ‘Mathar pirai Kani yaanai’. “I now see what I have never seen or known before. I see God everywhere and nothing but God.” The next morning we went to VAITHEESWARAN TEMPLE. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Vaitheeswaran Swamy and his Consort Thaiyalnayaki Ambal who stands with the medicinal oil to cure the diseases of the devotees. It is believed that Rama Lakshmana and Saptarishi have worshipped the Lord here. It is one of the nine Navagraha Temples and the planet Mars (Angaraka/Chevvai) is also worshipped here. Believed to be the site of the curing of Angaraka of leprosy, this site is known for its Naadi astrologers. It is believed that a bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex will cure all diseases. We then proceeded to Sirkhali. SIRKAZHI BHRAMAPUREESWARAR is a vast temple complex with 3 different Shiva Shrines. The Bramapureeswarar shrine, Periyanakar with Periyanayaki and Sattainathar. Saint Tirugnanasambandar Nayanaar as an infant aged three is said to have been fed with the milk of wisdom (gnana paal) by the divine mother Parvati on the banks of the temple tank just prior to the commencement of his authorship of the anthology of Thevaram hymns commencing with Thodudaiya Seviyan. The wall of the temple facing the tank (thepa kulam) has an indention, marking the spot where Saint Manickavasagar’s father, in a fit of anger threw the container from which his son drank the ‘gnana paal’. Later in the day we went to Chidambaram. The CHIDAMBARAM TEMPLE, dedicated to Lord Shiva in His form of the Cosmic Dancer, Nadarajah. This temple complex is spread over 40 acres in the heart of the city. This is another one of Shiva’s panchabootha sthalam where the aspect of space (akasa) is denoted. It is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nadarajah and Lord Govindaraja Perumal one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place. As we stood awaiting darshan we sang many thevarams. When we sang ‘Namashivayave Nyanamum kalviyum’, was blessed with the opening of the curtain (thirai) as if on que to reveal the deepa darshan of Lord Nadarajah. We were also fortunate enough to witness pradosham in Chidambaram temple. We finally arrived at the culmination of our yatra: THIRUVANAMALAI. This temple is also one of Lord Shiva’s panchabootha sthala, whereby Lord Shiva is represented by fire. Annamalai is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation of Lord Shiva. 31 Saint poets Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundramurthy have visited Thiruvannamalai, prayed to the Lord and have composed divine poems. Saint Manickavasagar had lived at Thiruvannamalai for long period and had composed “Thiruvempavai” and “Thiruvammanai”. Even today there is a temple for Saint Manickavasagar on the Girivalam path at Adi-Annamalai. Lord Shiva also descended here as Dakshinamurthy to teach music, and wisdom, and giving exposition on the shastras. On the 11th December, we were privileged to witness Kartigai Deepam on the summit of Arunachala Hill. Together with the full moon (pournami) it was a beautiful sight to behold. We sang sivapuranam and relevant thevarams while internalizing the beautiful spiritual moment. The next day at 4.30 am, we did the girivalam i.e. a 14 km walk around the Arunachala Hill. Circumbulating the hill is the best form of worshipping this form of Shiva as mentioned by none other than Shiva Himself. Path). Though looking insentient, this hill is capable of arousing devotional fervor in one’s heart. We sang Sivapuranam and Lingkastakam at the Ashtalingams. (8 Lingams on the girivalam path). The following day, we sang Kanthar Anuputhee at Saint Arunagirinathar’s temple inside Thiruvannamalai temple complex. When we reached the santum sanctorum of the temple, we were overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of Lord Arunachala. Many of us have been to most of the above temples before and many will go again but it will not be the same as the divine and spiritual experiences we shared in this yatra with our teacher and leader of this yatra Ms Kambar Paramesevuari Sinnathamby. As a group, our thevaram and thiruvasagam renderings, led by our teacher was noted and appreciated. As her students, we benefitted by her effort to teach us the appropriate and relevant thevarams and chants to sing and chant at all the historically recorded ‘punniya sthalams’ of our religious heritage. (see photo on page 28). ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE YOUTH AND LADIES COMMITTEE 2009 LADIES COMMITTEE 2009/2011 YOUTH COMMITTEE 2009/2011 Lady members of KJB representing the KJB Districts of Klang Valley held their annual meeting to elect the committee for 2009/2011. It was held on 2009 at 7.00 p.m. in the Board Room of Wisma JCS. The following members were duly elected to serve in the committee 2009/2011: The office bearers and members of the Ladies Committee for 2009/2011 are as follows: 1. Chairperson : 2. Secretary : 3. Treasurer : 4. Members : Ms A. Poovanesavare Ms Divvyananthini Manoharan Ms S. Akelesvare Ms A. Subathirathevy Ms S. Thavamalar Mrs T. Mallika Mrs R. Rathi Thevy Ms K. R. Dhakshyani Ms Shantini Satgunarajah Mrs N. Makhaletchumy 1. 2. 4. 5. President Vice Chairperson Secretary Treasurer : : : : Brahmaputran Karthigamatamby Kandesh Kumar Vigneswaran Logeswary Balasingam Logeswary Maheswaran Project Coordinators (Exco Members) Charity : Vijayan Kanagasavey IT : Jeganathan Kanagaratnam Sports : Gauri Vicknasvaran Personal Development : Rudran S.B. Community : Kuhanesh Mahendra Editorial : Kavitha Devi Rathinam Committee Members : Ratneswary Balasingam Ashok Kanagaratnam Kabildev Arumainathan HAVE YOU REGISTERED YOUR NOMINEE(S) WITH THE SOCIETY Under the Undang-Undang Kecil KJB No. 17, members are required to register their nominees with the Society. Absence of a registered nominee results in difficulties for the dependent or the beneficiary of a member as any sum due to the member cannot be easily paid out by the Society. In many cases the matter can drag on for years and the money due may end-up with the Treasury under the Unclaimed Monies Act 1965. In the case of members who have already registered their nominee they should ensure that the details are updated. There are a number of cases where, through passage of time, nominees have passed away. Perhaps members should make a check and take the necessary action. Nominee forms are available on request. The forms are also obtainable from the District Secretaries. Note: Only about 30% of the total membership have registered their nominees It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. - Chinese Proverb 32 Path Finder 2009 The Petaling Jaya District, which is the largest district with a membership of about 1200 members and which is still growing, held’s its ‘Family Day’. The half a day programme commenced at 8.30 am and was held on Saturday 2nd August 2009 at the Sekolah Rendah Vivekananda Tamil, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya. The Family Day is an annual affair catering to the members of JCS Petaling Jaya District. It provides an opportunity for members of the district to meet and greet and to also create a sense of belonging, as members of the 85 year old Co-operative Society. Competition and Games were organized catering for persons ranging from toddlers to grandmothers. As a matter of fact there were members who brought along their grandchildren. The activities organized included Fancy Dress and colouring competition for the younger children and games involving all the members of the families such as “Family Station”, Telematches, Tug of War. A Quiz competition involving the secondary school children were also organized. The quiz competition was organised to test the knowledge Path Finder 2009 of the children on JCS affairs. The programme for the day commenced with the welcoming address delivered by the Petaling Jaya District Chairman, Mr. K. Shanmuganathan AMN, PPT. The District gave due recognition to Mr. Tharmaseelan a long serving and veteran cooperator for his services and contribution to the Society. The Chairman Petaling Jaya District donned him with a ponnaadai (Golden Shawl). The Guest of Honour Mr. Tharmaseelan was accorded the honour to formally launch the Family Day. The Pengerusi Lembaga, KJB, Mr. P. Satguna Rajah, also graced the function and gave away the prizes. Other members of the Board present were Mr. K. Thuraisingam AMN (Naib Pengerusi), Mr N. Rajasvaran (Secretary) Ms K. Parimala and Mr.S. Makeswaran PPN. The Organizing Chairman Mr Jeyapalan PMC was kept busy trying to ensure that the items the programme were carried out scheduled. S. in in as It was indeed a fun day, especially for the children with their grandma’s, who were kept occupied tailing their grandchildren wherever they went. Breakfast and refreshment were served to all those who attended the function. The winners of the various competitions bagged attractive prizes but the other participants were not totally disappointed for they were given consolation prizes. The Chairman of Petaling Jaya District Committee Mr. K. Shanmuganathan AMN PPT referring to the family day said that it was a success and has achieved its desired objective. He thanked his team of Committee members for their contributing effort. He hoped that more members would respond in future. He urged the members to bring along their children and grandchildren and make it an eventful day. He said that children should not be denied of the opportunity to participate in such functions. It is noted that the Petaling Jaya District committee has members from the younger generation serving in the committee which is in the right direction to get the younger generation involved in JCS affairs. (see photo on page 28.) 33 Koperasi Jaffnese Bhd Ex Members as at 30th August 2009 The Society has the obligation to comply with the provisions of the Unclaimed moneys Act1965 and remit all Unclaimed money to the Register of Unclaimed Moneys after the statutory period. The Society seeks the assistance of members to inform this office of the whereabouts of the undermentioned persons who have varying amount of money with the Society. For members who are deceased the family members should get in touch with the office. 34 No Mem No Name Last Known Address 1 18266 Ms. Suguna a/p T. Karthigasu 7/69 C Olinda Grove, Mount Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania, 7007 Australia 2 20622 Ms. Shanthini a/p Thampipillai Nadarajah No. 4 Lorong 8/3 H, 46050 Petaling Jaya 3 19086 Ms. Shanti a/p R. Thambipillay No. 30, Jln 14/50, 46100 Petaling Jaya 4 18386 Chihtra a/p Subramaniam No. 12 Jlan 11/12, Jln Bukit, 46200 Petaling Jaya 5 21777 Mr. Rajasingam a/l S. Kathirasu No. 146 A, Lrg. Jubilee, Jln Loke Yew, 55200 Kuala Lumpur 6 21953 Devan a/l Kandiah No. 38, Jalan Kas-Kas 3, Taman Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur. 7 21954 Nesan a/l Kandiah No. 38, Jalan Kas-Kas 3, Taman Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur. 8 21222 Ms. Chandra Devi a/p K. Rajah No. 251 Jln Cengal Utama,Taman Cengal Utama, Paroi,70400 Seremban 9 22276 Katri Kasi Block 73-03-21, Bandar Baru Sentul, 51000 Kuala Lumpur. 10 20831 Ms. Gnanambikai a/p A. Sinnadurai No. 9 Jln Kijang, Off Jln Thaver, Kampung Pandan, 55100 K. L. 11 20844 Mr. Kathiravan a/l Ratinam No. 161, Jalan 8, Kawasan 16, Taman Intan, 41300 Klang 12 22531 Puvaneswary a/p Devindran No. 62 PJS 10/7, Subang Indah, 46000 Petaling Jaya 13 21723 Mr. Suresh Kumar a/l R. Balasingam No.6, Lorong Kekabu, Jln Jelutong, 50490 Damansara Heights, K.L 14 21710 Leelavathy a/l Ponniah No.195-D, Jln Rasah, 70300 Seremban 15 19398 Siva Balan a/l Balachandran 2, Jln 17/21 J, Petaling Jaya, 46400 Selangor 16 21934 Rameswaran a/l Sitampalam 1770 Jln Kerapu 1, Tmn Permai, 70000 Seremban 17 22567 Sathiya Roopan a/l Thangadurai No. 62 Jln Bayan 3, Taman Desa Rasah, 70300 Seremban 18 13895 Jemany @ Jayamani No.17, Lrg Hilir 4, Taman Gembira, 41100 Klang 19 22684 Edwin Vikneswaran a/l V.Balasingam No.37-20 B, Kuala Lukut Batu 3 1/2, Jln Seremban 71010 Port Dickson. 20 22805 Sheilla a/p Thanarajah 71, Jln Cuepacs 5, Tmn Koperasi Cuepacs, Bt 12, 43000 Kajang 21 11215 Sivabalakrishnan.P No.1, Lorong 5/15 E, 46000 P.J 22 12829 Shanmuganathan .C 19 Road 1/3, Petaling Jaya 46000 Selangor. 23 19468 Shamini a/p Poopalaratnam No. 18, Jln 223 B, 46100 Petaling Jaya 24 20701 Ganesan Thambipillay No.36, Jln SS 2/100, 47300 Petaling Jaya 25 22773 Mahendran a/l Chelliah No.6 Lorong bu Kota 4, Taman Ibu Kota, Gombak, 53100 K.L 26 18273 M.Anandarajah a/l K.Maharajah No.28, Jalan Tempinis, Lucky Garden, 59100 Kuala Lumpur 27 14686 Selvarajah a/l C.Markandoo TUDM, Pumphouse, Lorong 4-D, 40000 Subang Baru 28 22987 Raveen Kumar a/l Paransothy 8, Lorong 1A/71 G, Jalan Carey, 46000 P.J 29 22403 Dayani Devi a/p Ramachandran 10, Jln SS5C/5 Kelana Jaya ,47301 PJ 30 18046 Satkunavathy a/p Ramalingam No.5, Jln USJ 11/1H, Taman Seafield, 47610 Subang Jaya 31 22804 Dinesh a/l Manoharan 81, Jalan 13/5G, UEP, 47630 Subang Jaya 32 22988 Eneeshia Devi a/p Paransothy 8, Lorong 1A/71 G, Jalan Carey, 46000 P.J 33 22862 Shamanth Iswary a/p A.Paramasibam 21, Jalan USJ 13/5 F, 47630 Subang Jaya 34 22863 Shanmugesh Waran a/l Paramasibam 21, Jalan USJ 13/5 F, 47630 Subang Jaya 35 20223 Ramanaswaran a/l Poovanason 118, Jalan Menteri, 55100 K.L 36 20992 Rajeswari a/p Poovanason 118, Jalan Menteri, 55100 K.L 37 21734 Kanagasapapathy a/l Amplavanar No.78, Taman Sri Putih, Jalan Tok Ungku, 70100 Path Finder 2009 Are We Caring? Are We Duty-bound? by V. Vijendran, Seremban An interesting and provoking article in the Sunday Star dated 06.08.2006 entitled “Growing Old Pains” by Seah Chiang Nee did send shock waves into the mind of its readers! These are true happenings in a neighbouring country of ours. Who knows this could be also happening in our own neighbourhood too! Just an extract from the article “the skeleton of an elderly woman who had lived alone for two years was found on the toilet floor of her home. She had died probably a year earlier, according to the date when her water and electricity were last used!!” None of her so-called neighbours bothered to find out if she was still living there, as piles of letters and bills were found at her doorstep. This is – the WORLD of TODAY each one’s OWN BUSINESS at his own space of time!! We all are becoming self-centered, mentally worn-out with the day to day affairs of the human chain of miseries and expectations-thus the sufferings and the well-being of the others is totally switched from the grey matter of ours! It’s becoming a trend to “dump” the aged parents in the old folks home while those who are better off send them to the so-called nursing homes. The duty and moral ethics towards the aged parents is slowly but slowly eroding away! Sathya Sai Baba says ‘Duty is God’ and he further summarises duty as “tend your parents with love and reverence and gratitude”. Thus, we should emulate the teachings and preaching’s of Swami who is here to guide us and pull us through from the mundane approaches of mankind. Swami emphasizes that “the parents gave you this body and fostered the intelligence and love that are embedded in it; so, gratitude is their due. If you do not honor the parents who are the creators in human form, how can you learn to honor the Creator in the Divine Form? Moreover the parents reveal to you the glory of God and the means of worshipping Him; they are the first representatives of the authority which you meet with, authority modified by love and care. Learn to bend before that authority and you will learn how to submit before the Lord.” HE further says “ the World today is in a very bad state. The situation can improve only through Asthikas, who are believers in Divinity. They should become Prema Swaroopas or Embodiments of Love and by their Sadhana, backed by patience, forbearance and compassion, play their role in serving Society and contributing to the betterment of the World. God is present in you and is visualizing through thousands of eyes what you do. Even when no one is the seeing, God is watching your actions always. Do everything with his awareness.” All of us, are here on a mission thus we should complete the task that has been entrusted by the Divine with the concept of Caring, Sharing and Duty-bound! “Man minus Immortality” immorality is Wealth Against Spiritual Grace by V. Vijendran, Seremban Wealth either in form of material/money is the root of all evils! So, where it can stand still against Spiritual Grace!!! Money come and goes.........but Spiritual Grace if one is fortunate to get is deeply embedded into one’s mind, thoughts and deeds. Whereby, morality comes into play, paving the path for Spiritual attainments. How to obtain Spiritual Grace .........Swami says “the minimum qualifications for Grace are Surrender of EGO.” He further adds, “Share your joy, your wealth and your knowledge with others less fortunate. That is the surest means of winning Divine Grace. More than listening to a hundred lectures or delivering them to others, offering one act as genuine service attracts the Grace of God. We should not aspire for acclaim and praise from those around us, but do service only to secure the Grace of God and not for any other reward from anyone”. When you talk of wealth (material/money) it’s “desire that destroys devotions, anger destroys wisdom...” but it’s totally different with Spiritual Grace. It’s abundant with benefits, happiness and bliss. No earthly wealth can ever replace Spiritual Year End Out Door Camp (3D2N) An outdoor activity is organized for students between 14 to 18 yrs and the tentative dates are 11/12, 12/12, 13/12. Those member’s children who are interested please forward your name to KJB HQ by 1/11/2009. The venue; date; cost will be informed later. Path Finder 2009 Grace. When you die... you can’t take your money or your clothes or your fancy car with you. Grace is always a Gift from God. The gift of Faith... is a grace from God. Grace you can take with you when you die...as it becomes a part of life of your immortal soul. Your soul lives forever but not your bank accounts! Grace comes in many forms such as love, faith, hope, charity, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, courage, kindness, unselfishness to name a few. In a multi-racial/religious country like Malaysia all these play an important part towards nation building. These are also the elements needed towards character development. Those who pray for and receive graces from God are far more wealthier than anyone with a million bucks in the bank. There are many who are financially wealthy but are poor in spirit and morally bankrupt! No one can ever take from you what God has lovingly given you... in Spiritual rewards. THAT is your eternal treasure!! Spiritual Grace is the legal tender in this life and the next. God does not take Mastercard, Visa etc. So, one should aspire for Spiritual Grace than material wealth. SAI RAM Information on conducted trips to local/foreign destinations Advertisement can be inserted in the Pathfinder 35 From The Desk Of K.Shanmuganathan AMN,PPT The Jaffnese Co-operative Thrift & Loan Society (JCS) Petaling Jaya District or known as Kawasan Petaling Jaya was formed in 1958 and known as, JCS 4½ mile Klang Road, Petaling Jaya District; all other Districts were formed in pre-war days. Mr. S. Tharumaseelan, a Teacher then, with the support of Late Mr. S. Thuraisamy, father of Practicing Accountant, Puan T. Ghenga Thevi nee Mrs. Vikramasingam, the late Nagendra s/o Kathiravelu (the late Mr. N. Kathiravelu was a well known and highly respected Teacher in Pasar Road English School, Kuala Lumpur, who is also the brother in-law of the late Mr. S.K. Sittampalam, who was a trustee of Sri Sithivinayagar Temple P.J and late Mr. A. Sabaratnam husband of Puan Mageswari Sabaratnam, a retired teacher and social worker held the Inaugural Meeting in Mr. S. Thuraisamy’s house at No.35 Jalan 5/17 P.J on 15’th June 1958. At this meeting Mr. S. Thuraisamy was elected as PJ District Chairman and Mr. S. Tharumaseelan was elected as Secretary cum Collector. Mr. S. Tharumaseelan, during his tenure of office was solely instrumental in raising the membership from a mere 30 members in 1958 to 300 members in 1965. Most of our members from all over Malaya, having retired from government service came and settled here in this satellite town. At that prevalent time they were all concentrated in and around Old Town P.J, Section 12 and Section 14 arears. As years went by developers built housing estates known as Petaling Gardens in Section 5, Happy Gardens in Section 17, Paramount Gardens in Section 20, Sea Park in Section 21 and the development is ongoing. Later Kampung Tunku in SS 1, University Gardens in Section SS 3, Subang Jaya, Sungai Way, Sunway and Puchong. Now we have about 1200 members. One district collector is collecting subscription and loan installment from about 450 members, an average of RM 40,000 per month. All these members rarely had a chance to meet, mix or know each other. We are now embarking on an idea of having a carnival-food, fun fair and sports activities such as indoor and outdoor games, game of chance, etc, for all the members and their families so as to facilitate the much needed interaction among all the members. This will give an opportunity to all of us to mingle, mix and get to know each other better. The younger generations too can participate. If this is successful we shall make it an annual affair too so that there will be a continuous effort to get to know each other which is essential for the harmony of the whole community. May the past District Chairman and Secretaries who are still around be blessed with good health, happiness and long life. Among them are: a) Mr. S. Tharumaseelan Founder President and Retired Headmaster Social Policy b) Dr. V. Selvaratnam World Bank Staff for Higher Education and Specialist Sector c) Mr. S. Nadarajah DJN. AMN. PPT. PJK Retired Assistant State Secretary d) Mr. Pon Arunasalam Retired Accountant Tenaga National Berhad e) Mr. K Thillainathan JCS National President for 12 years f) Ms. Rasamani Kandiah, KMN Senior Lawyer g) Mr. A Venayagamurthiy, PJK Retired Pharmacy Assistant General Hospital and presently District Collector Petaling Jaya Branch To all the above named persons we wish to record our heart felt gratitude for their services to JCS and the community. K. Shanmuganathan, AMN, PPT PJ District Chairman Editorial note: It is apparent from the records of JCS that two persons can be singled out who are mainly responsible for the well being of the P.J. District. They are the present Chairman K. Shanmuganathan AMN, PPT and Mr. A Venayagamurthiy, PJK the Collector. OBITUARY The Board of Management JCS learnt with regret the demise of Mr S. Varatharajah on Friday 18th September 2009 at the age of 76.He joined JCS on 1st September 1955 at the age of 22 and is one of the long serving members of the Society (54 years) During the tenure of his membership with JCS he has held various positions in the Society. He was a Board Member for 3 years (1988, 1989, 1990). At the district level he served as JCS Brickfields District Secretary from 1969 – 1984 (15 years). He also served as a member of the Internal Audit Committee for one year. Mr Varatharajah is a man of deeds and is humble in his approach. His service as a Brickfields Collector for 15 years earned him great respect from our community members. We pray for his soul to attain eternal bliss 36 Path Finder 2009 JCS Encourages Senior Citizens To Be Computer Literate In the present day environment, IT is always in the forefront in all activities. One cannot deny the fact that one must be computer literate in order to keep abreast with the ever advancing technology. In this respect a number of senior citizens desirous of being computer literate are looking for courses specially tailored for senior citizens. Their wishful thinking has now become a realty and possible with availability of computer class for senior citizens who could learn at their own pace. The Panama Business & IT Training Centre in Brickfields under the moderation of University of Cambridge – Local Examination Syndicate is currently conducting computer courses for senior citizens covering: • MS – Windows XP PRO • Ms Word • Internet Explorer and • E-mail The above course is made possible with kind arrangement by Federation of Malaysia Sri Lankan organization (FOMSO) of which JCS is an affiliate member. JCS has taken up the offer and has disseminated the information to the members. The 10 week course fee is RM220.00 per person. In order to encourage the members of senior citizen status it has offered to reimburse RM 100.00 to those members who have successfully completed the course and awarded the certificate. The course is being conducted in batches since 6 April 2008. A total of 51 members responded and registered with Panama office to attend the course. As at 31.08.2009 a total of 31 members have been awarded the certificate and the total incentive paid out by JCS at RM100.00 per member is RM800 as only 8 members have submitted their certificates to JCS Office for reimbursement. Feedbacks from the participants who have undergone this course, indicate that they effectively acquired the necessary knowledge and skills on the subjects stated in the course contents-thanks to the hardworking and committed instructor Mr. Ganeson. He patiently took them through at the pace of the students till every student is fully well versed. He has gone one step further to offer repeat classes for those who had missed any of the lessons. The members who have graduated are aspiring to go to the next level and towards this JSC is looking into the matter. The Board of Management congratulates all successful students. ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ “D a r w i n’s M i s t a k e” Three monkeys sat on a coconut tree, And discussed matters which are said to be, Said one to the other, “Brother, I hear a rumour That man descended from our noble race, The very idea is a disgrace. For no monkey ever beat his children, nor deserted his wife. No monkey ever built fences around coconut trees, Allowing the fruits to perish. And if starvation forced a monkey to steal, No monkey took another monkey’s life. No wonder! Man certainly descended, But not from us! Path Finder 2009 37 WE ALWAYS CARE FOR JCS MEMBERS AND THEIR CHILDREN The Board of Management JCS is continuously exploring the possibilities of providing an education and training programme relevant to our children’s needs. We are looking at programmes in personal development and leadership skills. Such training put the participants to test, their ability to work as a team player, challenging each individual mentally and physically. It would be seen from the past records of JCS that such training programmes have been organised and conducted annually to accommodate the needs of our children. The Board of Management JCS will certainly continue to implement such programmes provided that the response from members are encouraging. In this respect we sincerely hope that the parents would encourage their children to avail the opportunities offered by JCS. We firmly believe that the children who have undergone such training would have enhanced capabilities to perform better in their examinations and secure better grades for which JCS gives the due recognition and reward them accordingly through our Education Incentive Awards. The year 2008 was an eventful year for the members of JCS and we do hope that year 2009 would be likewise. Appended below the various training programmes organised by JCS during the year 2008 and up to September 2009: 38 Path Finder 2009 Path Finder 2009 39 JCS Youths Get Together Dinner 2009 The JCS Youths Committee 2008 had organized a Get Together dinner for the youths on 14th of March 2009, Saturday. The event was held at Peninsula Residence Hall, Jalan Semantan, Kuala Lumpur. An announcement to promote the event was done via Facebook as well as through word of mouth. Within a short time frame, 35 youths from Kuala Lumpur agreed and made it to this event. The event started of with a speech by the Organising Chairperson, Ms.Kalai Selvi Thuraisingam, welcoming the youths to the dinner and thanking them for their support and presences. This event was planned to introduce JCS Youths and its activities, to get the youths together, to build rapport and to take part in fun games. The JCS Youths President 2008, Mr. Kuhan Nadarajah also gave his speech after dinner, to introduce about JCS and also spoke about the activities done by the JCS Youths previously, such as the Pal Camp, charity events as well as sports events held. He mentioned about the Bowling Tournament organized by the JCS Youths, and was held in September 2008 at Bukit Jalil Sports Club. The youths had a great time competing in the event and requested for more such events. He encouraged the youths to take part in all the activities conducted by the JCS Youths as it was a great place to meet and know fellow Ceylonese youths as well as to network. After having their dinner, the youths took part in a few games to get to know each other. The first game was an ice-breaker which required each youth to talk about themselves and to make it more interesting, the others had an opportunity to ask 3 question, on condition, that answers must be given. The youths had a fun time getting to know each other and also made good rapport during the games. Another exciting game that had much support was the “Passing the Parcel”, a musical game where a box containing some notes to act out was passed around and when the music stopped, the person with the box had to choose a single note from the box to act out . The youths were entertained by the antics performed in this game. The event ended with a good note as all the youths spent time getting to know their fellow youths and requested for more such events in the future. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ^^ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JCS Youths get Together Dinner 40 Path Finder 2009 Path Finder 2009 41 Copyright Reserved @ National Youth Wing Jaffnese Co-Operative Society. Best viewed in1024 X 768 resolution E-Mail: [email protected] Facebook: JCS National Youth Wing (Malaysia) National Youth Wing, Koperasi Jaffnese Berhad (C. No. 26/24) Wisma JCS No. 40, Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3, P.O. Box 10265, 50708 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ADDRESS: Help us to identify your payment Many members have opted to pay their subscriptions and dues through banks. On the assumption that you have filled up the required details in pay-in-slip, the remittance would certainly find its way to the society’s bank account. But hold it, the process is not over for you. You have to fax or send to us a copy of the pay-in-slip with the following details in order for the Society to credit to the individual membership account by you. i Name ii Membership No iii Payment made for what purpose i.e. loan, subscription, special deposit, etc Please help us with the above details to enable the office to identify and post the amount as appropriate. Please check your annual statement and notify the office of any discrepancy. If the pay-in-slip has no details of payment, the Society would not be in a position to identify the remittance in order to post it to the appropriate members a/c. Sadly the undermentioned payments shown on Table 1 remitted from the 3 banks. Date/Bank EON (RM) 01.06.04 117.00 15.08.05 1644.10 14.01.06 200.00 22.12.06 90.00 02.07.07 74.42 14.08.07 120.26 04.08.08 10.00 22.07.08 70.00 22.08.08 312.00 28.10.08 1199.59 05.12.08 340.00 10.01.09 1175.00 10.03.09 2200.00 10.05.09 500.00 CIMB (RM) 13.01.04 700.00 08.06.04 116.20 05.07.04 200.00 10.10.04 200.00 10.12.04 2477.30 01.01.05 20.00 27.11.05 100.00 07.04.06 10.00 19.06.06 263.41 04.08.06 50.00 11.09.06 300.00 11.01.07 890.00 13.02.07 352.70 17.04.07 50.00 01.05.07 120.00 30.08.07 150.00 30.01.08 0.20 13.02.08 140.00 25.04.08 10.00 02.05.08 50.00 31.10.08 210.00 11.11.08 543.80 30.12.08 700.00 29.01.09 50.00 10.04.09 100.00 24.05.09 920.00 BSN 02.01.04 26.02.04 26.03.04 24.08.04 20.12.04 02.01.05 17.02.05 28.06.05 25.09.05 09.01.06 21.02.06 09.06.06 07.07.06 03.08.06 29.09.06 26.10.06 30.04.07 09.05.07 25.06.07 20.07.07 11.08.07 15.09.07 04.01.08 02.01.09 31.03.09 06.04.09 (RM) 360.45 740.00 40.00 120.00 50.00 156.97 250.00 40.00 40.00 220.00 90.00 10.00 700.00 20.00 10.00 10.00 260.00 90.00 40.00 60.00 100.00 155.00 80.00 9.98 175.00 100.00 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coconut – A Wonder Food The coconut is known as “Wonder Food”. It is a near perfect diet as it contains almost all the essential nutrients needed by the human body. The coconut has a high oil content which is easily digestible. This oil closely resembles the butter physical and chemical properties. The coconut’s protein content is of high quality, containing all the amino acids. It is a valuable source of vitamin b and contains vitamin in moderate amounts. It is rich in potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and sulphur. As a food the coconut is most valuable before it matures. Its jelly-like tender kernel contains various enzymes and is easily digestible. It is useful in the treatment of diseases like colitis, gastric ulcers, hepatitis, dysentery, piles, and diabetes as it does not contain fat and starch. Pimples are cured and premature wrinkling is prevented by massaging the fresh kernel over the face daily. The coconut’s ripe kernel is rich in fat and carbohydrates. It does not have high protein like other nuts. A fresh coconut’s milk forms a valuable food for children suffering from nutritional deficiency. It has a greater vitamin A content than the coconut itself, adequate natural minerals and a high quality protein, which are good for the growth and repair of the body. The coconut is an ancient remedy for intestinal worms. A tablespoon of the freshly ground coconut should be taken at breakfast, followed by a dose of castor oil after three hours. The process may be repeated till the cure is complete. The dried coconut’s food value is very high and it contains about 662 calories per 100gms. It is used in cooking and various preparations of sweets and curries. Its milk makes a fine medium of cooking in place of ghee or oil. The mature dried coconut is effective in the treatment of acidity. Its oil reduces the acid secretion of the stomach and gives much relief to the patient. The tender green coconut’s water, generally known as mineral water, is used as a beverage and a refreshing drink. A tender coconut which is fully grown and only one month old contains about 400 to 465cc of water. It contains sufficient sugar in an easily assimilable form. It is an excellent tonic for health. A single coconut’s water contains sufficient vitamin C for meet the daily requirements of the body. It also contains several vitamins in the B group and minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, sulphur and chlorine. Coconut water acts as a natural diuretic in heart, liver and kidney disorders like scanty and suppressed urination, albuminuria, deopsy and high acidity of urine. It is great value in vomiting, cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hyperacidity, acute gastritis and peptic ulcer. It is also useful in curing various nervous disorders, fatigue and general weakness. Wisdom Feb 1993 42 Path Finder 2009 A Get Together Dinner Cum Show The newly elected Ladies Committee of JCS started off with a dinner function with the theme “Get To Know You” The function was held on 13 September, 2009 (Sunday) at 7.30 p.m. at the Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur. It was attended by about 250 JCS family members and their friends. The guests were kept entertained with stage performances consisting of dances from students of Sri Saraswathy Devi Barathaalayam and Sutha Devi Dance Academy. The Maha Production with their team of artists kept the crowd mesmerized with the melodious oldies and their comic sketches. Lucky guests went away with lucky draw prizes and hampers. There was also a best dressed competition for the male and female guest. It was indeed a memorable evening. The Chairman of the Ladies Committee Ms A. Poovanesavare said in her welcome address that they would continue to organize activities for the benefit of the members. The Pengerusi Lembaga Mr P. Satguna Rajah in his address said that the term of office for the Ladies and the Youth committees will now be two years. He said that the one year term previously inforce is a very short period and it is very difficult to plan and organize activities within the short space of time. He congratulated the Ladies Committee for having organised this function successfully. Ladies Committee Koperasi Jaffnese Berhad Amendment to KJB Rules & Regulations Withdrawal of Subscription Regulation4(ii) of KJB Rules & Regulations has been amended to read as follows: Any member in continuous membership for at least 10 years may be entitled to withdraw his subscription credit not withstanding, that he has availed himself of his eligibility to withdraw 80% of his subscription credit under Regulation 6(xvi), and on subsequent occasions after a lapse of every 10 years. A member who has attained the age of 45 and above and who has a continuous membership of 5 years is allowed to make a withdrawal of his subscription. The above amendment was approved at the last Annual General Meeting of Delegates held on 31.05.2009 and is effective from 1st July, 2009 “ Food for Thought ” You can have two things in life, Reasons or Results. Reasons don’t count. Trying provides two excuses; an excuse for not doing, and an excuse for not having. There is no way to know before experiencing. If you don’t start, it’s certain you won’t arrive. When you blame others, you give up your power to change. If you are not rich, notice how you make yourself poor. You are the cause of everything that happens to you. Be careful what you cause. Feeling of inferiority and superiority are the same. They both come from fear. You can get everything in life you want, if you will help enough other people get what they want. Path Finder 2009 43 DISASTERS By K. Thuraisingam AMN, M.I.C.D. (UK), MIPD (UK) In the bygone years, disasters seen as acts of God, are regarded as punishment for sins or immortality or perhaps the result of destiny or fate. The etymology of the word ‘disaster’ derives ultimately from the Latin ‘astrum’ a star. The causes of disasters then are written in the heavens; an unfavourable aspect bringing ruin down upon us. In more recent years of ‘rationality’ disasters have been seen us ‘natural’ or the result of incompetence of workers. Clearly disasters are initiated by a variety of events, which from the practical point of view may be regarded as random: a violent storm, the failure of a mechanical component or a human error. The implications of such events may be trivial or catastrophic. The effects are a function of their scale and the underlying vulnerability of the system to their occurrence. Researchers believe that disasters are essentially illdefined.” They are social events that have a range of implications: fatalities, injuries, trauma, and material and financial loss. Their consequences depend on the geographical scale over which they take place, the wealth of the region that suffers the incident, and its social fabric. Their perceived occurrence also depends on the context in which they take place, and a range of subjective factors such as volition. Major disasters have occurred almost everywhere in the world since the human race has appeared on this planet. Disastrous agents have killed and injured millions. They have inflicted huge destruction and damage on goods, buildings and land. They have seriously disrupted economic and social systems of whole societies. Even if we exclude the consequences of wars, revolutions, civil strife and other human acts deliberately intended to inflict injuries or armed to kill others and destroy property, the non-intended calamities alone have taken a tremendous cumulative toll. The real tragedy is that many of the lives could have been saved and the distress and destruction of property greatly reduced if there had been in the place preparedness and prevention measures similar to those that can now be found in some more industrially advanced countries. As an example, let us consider the major earthquakes that occurred in Armendia in December 1988 and in San Francisco in October, 1989. Both the earthquakes measured 6.9 on the richter scale. Their effects, however, 44 were in stark contrast. In Armendia, some 80,000 people were killed, 300,000 injured and 3.5 million made homeless. In San Francisso, some 300 were killed, a further 400 injured, and damage to buildings was limited. Of course in terms of standard of shelter and healthcare it may be difficult to evaluate what is ‘homeless’ and ‘injured’. Nevertheless people of Armendia endured greater destruction because their housing and infrastructure was far more vulnerable to the effects of earthquake. But on the other hand San Francisco has been expecting a serious earthquake. In this connection an effective disaster preparedness programme is the premium one pays to minimise the loss of life and damage to property. Mitigation is one aspect of preparedness. It concerns with the formulation and implementation of long range policies and programmes and includes legislation, regulation, planning and structural measures towards this aim. It should be supported by analyses and assessments of risk and vulnerability. In fact prepared may be described as pre-disaster actions and is also concerned with forecasting and warning education and training of the population; organisation for and management of disaster situations including preparation of operational plans, training of relief group, stock piling of supplies etc. It is not an exaggeration to affirm that disasters can overwhelm the best organisation, weaken the most efficient economic system and even destroy at one blow the means of livelihood of the entire country. The effects of this phenomena must be viewed not only in humanitarian and broad social terms, but also indeed primarily in economic terms. In fact disasters are a formidable obstacle to economic and social development. “ Religion is the vision of something which stands beyond, behind, and within, the passing flux of immediate things, something which is real, and yet waiting to be realized…. The Power of God is the worship He inspires. That religion is strong which in its ritual and its modes of thought evokes an apprehension of the commanding vision.” ~ Alfred North Whitehead Path Finder 2009 JCS District General Meeting 2009 1. PAHANG – KUANTAN – 15.03.2009 DGM Kuantan held on 15.03.2009 at Persatuan Ceylon Pahang. Picture : Members and kids taking part in the drama held on that day. 2. SOUTH JOHOR (JOHOR BAHRU) – 28.03.2009 DGM Johor Bahru held on 28.03.2009 at the Johor Cultural & Sports Club. Picture : A section of the members attending the meeting. 4. MELAKA – 29.03.2009 DGM Melaka held on 29.03.09 at Restoran Vazhai Elai. Picture : Meeting in session. Path Finder 2009 3. NORTH JOHOR (KLUANG) – 29.03.2009 DGM Kluang held on 29.03.2009 at Persatuan Malaysian Ceylonese Johor Tengah. Picture: District Chairperson Ms A Nageswari addressing the meeting. 5. SENTUL – 04.04.2009 DGM Sentul held on 04.04.2009 at the Sentul Fish Head Curry House. Picture : General view of the members in attendance. 45 6. NORTH SELANGOR (RAWANG) – 05.04.2009 DGM Rawang held on 05.04.2009 at Rukun Tetangga Sektor A. Picture : The District Chairman Mr N. Nithiyanantham presenting the Education Incentive Award cheque to the award recipient Mr J. Tharman. On his left mother Dr (Mrs ) Kamalamalar who 7. NORTHERN STATES (BKT MERTAJAM) – 11.04.2009 DGM Bkt Mertajam held on 11.04.2009 at Big Boy Coffee House & Catering. Picture : JCS officials (HQ) and district officials busy conducting the meeting 8. NORTH PERAK (TAIPING) – 12.04.2009 DGM Taiping held on 12.04.2009 at the New Club Taiping Picture : Seated from Left to right. Mr N. Rajasvaran Board Secretary, Mr P. Satguna Rajah, (Pengerusi Lembaga). Mr S. Paramesvaran, District Chairperson and Mr S. Sivalingam PPT, District Secretary. 46 Path Finder 2009 DGM Bkt Mertajam held on 11.04.2009 at Big Boy Coffee House & Catering. Picture : BM Members at the meeting 9. SOUTH PERAK (IPOH) – 12.04.2009 DGM Ipoh held on 12.04.2009 at Kelab Di Rajah, Ipoh Picture : Education Award presentation the recipient and her parents. 46 Path Finder 2009 10. SEREMBAN – 18.04.2009 DGM Seremban – General view of members in attendance DGM Seremban held on 18.04.2009 at Dewan MPS, Jln Yam Tuan Picture : Scene at the Registration Counter 11. KAJANG – 19.04.09 DGM Kajang held on 19.04.2009 at Ponnampalam Hall, Jln Reko. Picture: Mr A. Jeyaratnam the Chairman Kajang District (extreme right) with some of the students who received the Education Incentive Awards. 12. BRICKFIELDS – 25.04.2009 DGM Brickfields held on 25.04.2009 at the Kalamandapam, Lorong Scott Picture: General view of members in attendance. Path Finder 2009 47 13. CHERAS – 26.04.2009 DGM Cheras held on 26.04.2009 at the Balai Raya Taman Koperasi. Picture : Meeting in session. Centre District Chairman : Mr N.S. Wigneswaran DGM Cheras, A Section of the members in attendance 14. KLANG – 02.05.2009 DGM Klang (including Kuala Selangor) held on 02.05.2009 at the Navalar Mandapam Jln Telok Pulai, Klang. Picture : A Section of the members in attendance DGM Klang Picture : (centre) Mr Denesh a/l Sooriamoorthy, PMR award recipient with his parents onto his right. On his left – Mr N. Rajasvaran (Dist Chairman / Secretary JCS and Mr P. Satguna Rajah (Pengerusi Lembaga) 15. PETALING JAYA - 03-05-2009 DGM Petaling Jaya held on 03.05.2009 at the Maktab Kerjasama Malaysia Jalan Templer Petaling Jaya. Picture: Educational Incentive Award Winner Ms Laavanya a/p Selvaraja is seen receiving the cheque from Ms Rasamani Kandiah KMN of P.J. District. The District Chairman Mr K. Shanmuganathan AMN PPT is on the extreme right. Extreme left is Mr Selvaraja 48 Path Finder 2009