Like any other year the Tamils were celebrating the Pongal Festival, in the month of Thai of the Tamil calendar. The festival extends over 4 days, and the 2nd day would be the main event which falls on the 15th of January this year.
Preparing the Pongal Pot
In Tamil Nadu, this festival accords a long public holiday where most people will return home to their village to celebrate this festival. Malaysian Tamils who have inherited this tradition from their ancestors from India, have continued this practice since they landed in this land call Swarnabhumi.
Placing The Pongal Pot On The Fire
Hence, like in any other acculturation process, in the land now known as Malaysia, the Pongal festival was one where every ethnic community participated with a fervour of gaiety and fun. Especially in rural communities the participation was even more heightened, as the objective of this festival had a universal appeal, which is to thank mother nature that has provided for our very existence.
Its a Thanksgiving Celebration, which goes beyond the boundaries of race and religion.
Pouring Of Milk In The Pongal Pot
Meanwhile a tear in the very fabric of this inclusive festival came in the form of a circular from the powers that be to declare that this festival is forbidden for Muslims in Malaysia to participate, as the Islamic religious authorities deemed it to be a non Muslim religious festival.
It brought shock not only to Malaysian Muslim's who have been participating in this festival for time immemorial but also jolted the Tamilians in Malaysia pertaining to the interpretation of the festival to be deemed to be a religious one. This whole episode threw confusion and placed many Malaysians in a dilemma. To add to further chaos, politicians, including the PM came out strong wishing Happy Pongal to everyone celebrating it.
This issue came about just as Malaysian were settling down to the controversy of Chinese New Year decoration in a secondary school, and now this has to happen.
Fortunately we still have sanity left in the very fabric of our multi ethnic society. Hussamuddin Yaacub, the chairman of Kumpulan Karangkraf, a Malay online tabloid is on mission to promote inter racial harmony and ease racial tension, by mooting a campaign called "Uninstall Hatred: Reboot Malaysia and Global Harmony."
It is sad to see Malaysia, which was once the epitome of multiracial unity, an served as an exemplary society to the world, has degenerated to the point where even a simple seasons greetings are forbidden by certain communities.
It was not like that when I was growing up in little town called Segamat, everyone celebrated every every other festival sincerely, with a sense of brotherhood. Religious diversities nor social differences, got in the way of our bond. It was all about "respect" and "acceptance" amongst us, the word "tolerance" never arose.
Somewhere along the way, I guess people forgot the brotherhood in us, in turn, politics and economics consumed our daily life. The motto turned out, "to each it's own." It became a field day for politicians and religious bigots to cast doubts in the minds of people in order to alienate and fragmentize society for ease of control, for self serving purpose.
I believe this "bluff" will eventually seize, people in due time will see "the forest from the trees," and will wake up from this slumber, and realize that deep down, we are all the same, and we all strife for the same thing, a harmonious society with care and concern for each others well being.
I am waiting for the return of the GLORY DAYS of MALAYSIA, TANAH TUMPAH DARAHKU (the land where my blood spilled).
Ravi Varmman
18.23
Subang Jaya
19012020
This issue came about just as Malaysian were settling down to the controversy of Chinese New Year decoration in a secondary school, and now this has to happen.
Fortunately we still have sanity left in the very fabric of our multi ethnic society. Hussamuddin Yaacub, the chairman of Kumpulan Karangkraf, a Malay online tabloid is on mission to promote inter racial harmony and ease racial tension, by mooting a campaign called "Uninstall Hatred: Reboot Malaysia and Global Harmony."
Overflowing Of Boiling Milk Symbolizing
Abundance of Prosperity
It is sad to see Malaysia, which was once the epitome of multiracial unity, an served as an exemplary society to the world, has degenerated to the point where even a simple seasons greetings are forbidden by certain communities.
It was not like that when I was growing up in little town called Segamat, everyone celebrated every every other festival sincerely, with a sense of brotherhood. Religious diversities nor social differences, got in the way of our bond. It was all about "respect" and "acceptance" amongst us, the word "tolerance" never arose.
Somewhere along the way, I guess people forgot the brotherhood in us, in turn, politics and economics consumed our daily life. The motto turned out, "to each it's own." It became a field day for politicians and religious bigots to cast doubts in the minds of people in order to alienate and fragmentize society for ease of control, for self serving purpose.
I believe this "bluff" will eventually seize, people in due time will see "the forest from the trees," and will wake up from this slumber, and realize that deep down, we are all the same, and we all strife for the same thing, a harmonious society with care and concern for each others well being.
I am waiting for the return of the GLORY DAYS of MALAYSIA, TANAH TUMPAH DARAHKU (the land where my blood spilled).
Cooked Sweet Rice To Be Shared With Family
And Friends In The Hope For Another
Sweet Year Ahead with Shared
Prosperity
Ravi Varmman
18.23
Subang Jaya
19012020
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