Petronas out did itself again. For many years now, they have been producing Deepavali greeting advertisements that have been without fail, touching the hearts of Indians through out Malaysia. But this year there is a difference. I don't know if it's just mere coincidence, but the message being put through this year's advertisement sent tears rolling down my cheeks. To me, it does not only show the ultimate sacrifice of a janitor parent working hard to see to it that the son's dream of becoming a pilot comes through, it also shows the importance of education and how it improves the lives of a generation to come.
But let's do some reality check here. How many Indian children actually do get the opportunity to achieve their dreams and ambitions here in "tanah tumpahnya darahku"? I leave it to you to answer that question with sincerity.
The importance of education can never be over emphasised. I hope our leaders watch this advertisement and see the hidden message behind it.
Give the Indian children the opportunity to achieve their dreams and ambitions. Help the Tamil schools and their students, who at large, come from families of the lower income group. They are our children. They are our citizens. Give them equal opportunity to quality education as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. Is this too much to ask for? The parents of these children have been loyal tax paying citizens of this country, but yet their children get third class education. Why?
If there is one thing that is going to lift the Indian community out of the quick sand of poverty, crime, marginalisation and oppression, it is education. After all, isn't human capital a blue chip investment for the nation?
Watch the advertisement here.
p/s: the outhor of this post is in not an advocate of Petronas and neither is he associated or affiliated to Petronas in any way what so ever. He also still remains non-partisan politically.
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Good one bro ;-)
Reality check, my dear Dr Saravanan: was it a surge of pride over what Petronas has done for the Indian community in Malaysia... or was it just stale teargas wafting through your window from last November's Hindraf rally? :-) I'm sure Leo Burnett cried tears of joy after they got paid for producing this beautifully shot 'feel-good' commercial!
Antares,
it definitely was not a surge of pride over what Petronas has done for the Indian community. That part still remains as 'What has Petronas done for the Indian community?'
It might be a coincidence as i said, but this advert was throwing so many questions at me that made ask myself why show such an advertisement when in reality it's just wishfull thinking?
On a different note, I can't remember if other gases were present while i was writing this post, but there definitely was no Hindaf Rally stale gas around. It's a banned substance man. :)
cheers
Hey Doc, well written article. keep posting more for the benefit of the Indian community. Makal Sakthi Valge!!!
I'm the product of Lee Kuan Yew's vision. One of the fastest way to industrialised country, every studuents with good mathematic results in the 70's were put into technical stream. Being ordinary girl with limited energy, doing metalwork tire me thus schooling bored me. Do I hate his idea? as a matter of fact, his speech and mind fascinate me till today. It's him that transform The Little Red Dot with zero natural resources into a World Class Country banking with only his human capital.
Hi Doc,
...Help the Tamil schools and their students, who at large, come from families of the lower income group...
How many Tamil SECONDARY schools do you know of? The short answer is none. That's because the Indian community cannot make up its mind as to whether the medium of instruction should be in Tamil, Malayalee, Gujarati, Hindi or what. Students in Tamil schools end up in a dead end after Std 6 unlike the students in Chinese schools. The use of Mandarin ensures kids in Chinese vernacular schools can progress up to Uni.
Is it fair to then blame the country for their lack of opportunity?
You are barking up the wrong tree. Get yourselves sorted out first before laying the blame on others. Go and shout at Samy Vellu and his ilk for not doing enough as representatives of the Indians
PS. Indians are not doing too badly in the MMA
A Tabib,
firstly, let me thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments too.
You asked: "how many Tamil Secondary School do you know of?"
My answer: Well, i will have to agree with you that there are none. At the same time, are you implying that the absence of Tamil secondary schools justifies the neglect in the education of the Indian children?
You said: "That's because the Indian community cannot make up its mind as to whether the medium of instruction should be in Tamil, Malayalee, Gujarati, Hindi or what."
My answer: "Sorry, but it seems to me that your command and understanding of the English language and Tamil school education system has failed you utterly. A 'Tamil' school uses the 'Tamil' language as their medium of understanding. If it was using the Malayalee language, then it would be called a 'Malayalee' school and not a 'Tamil' school anymore. So, the students, their parents and i are very clear of the language that is used in 'Tamil' schools. If there was ever going to be a Tamil secondary school, then the medium of teaching would be in Tamil of course. Maybe you should do your homework before making such statements my friend.
You asked: "Is it fair to then blame the country for their lack of opportunity?"
My answer: I don't know where you read that from.
You said: "You are barking up the wrong tree. Get yourselves sorted out first before laying the blame on others. Go and shout at Samy Vellu and his ilk for not doing enough as representatives of the Indians"
My answer: This is my blog, my post and my opinion. It does not represent the sentiments of racists MIC supporters. So, please do not generalize me with others who support the MIC. Samy Vellu never was and never will be my representative! During the general elections, i vote for two people to represent me and my aspirations in the governmet...my MP and my ADUN. So, who is Samy Vellu and MIC? I know i am not barking up the wrong tree. But do you know what i know? No you don't. And you know what? I don't blame you at all my friend.
My advice to you is that maybe you should start doing your homework and sort yourself out first before attacking anyone based on 'non-evidence' based arguments.
Your post script stole the cake though. You said: "PS. Indians are not doing too badly in the MMA"
My answer: Yes and thank you. Aren't Indians an intelligent bunch of people!
Cheers
Hi doc,
First things first:
...Your post script stole the cake though. You said: "PS. Indians are not doing too badly in the MMA"...
Exactly my point.
...My answer: "Sorry, but it seems to me that your command and understanding of the English language and Tamil school education system has failed you utterly. A 'Tamil' school uses the 'Tamil' language as their medium of understanding.
...
...
...Maybe you should do your homework before making such statements my friend...
Now you've missed my point. My point is the 80 000 pupils in Tamil schools have nowhere to go after Std 6. Why? Is it not because you can't decide which language to use? Of course if you decide to use Tamil it will be a Tamil secondary school. If it's Kolkani, it's Kolkani secondary school. And while we are looking at semantics, the term is medium of instruction, not medium of understanding.
I did not ask you to support or ask Samy Vellu to be your representative. I asked you to bring him and his Congress to book for letting the Indians down.
And while talking of evidence, it is instructive that a person who professes in his blog that he "still remains non-partisan politically" has logos of the opposition parties but not that of the government parties in his blog.
Let's have truth in advertising shall we?
Have I done my homework doc?
cheers
Dear A Tabib,
Sorry about the manner of my reply to your comments. Maybe it was just me being biased, but your comments were in a rather offensive manner as well.
The problem of the children having difficulties after completing their std 6 education has been and still is a problem. I admit that many find it difficult adapting to a the new kebangsaan school system, leading to high number of drop outs. In my opinion, the ideal long term plan would be to gradually transform these tamil schools into Sekolah Kebangsaans and gradually change the language medium and the syllabus. In the mean time, we will still have to provide them with sufficient support to adapt to the new system when they step into the secondary schools. But that definitely should nto be used as an excuse to deny these children the opportunity they deserve.
As for the medium of understanding part, i meant it as it was. The Tamil school children understand what they are being taught only when it is taught in Tamil. Thus they understand things in the Tamil medium. I'm no academician Tabib. I write what i think, so semantics and grammar are not my primary concern. As long the message goes through, i'm fine.
Tabib, the logo you see on the side of my blog is not of any opposition party. It is the Barisan Rakyat logo. The Barisan Rakyat was a power to the people initiative that was initiated prior to the March 8th GE. The logos on the poster represent the political parties that endorsed the People's Declaration. You can read more about it at this link: http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/who-is-barisan-rakyat/
I am non-partisan.
Well i hope i've cleared some of your doubts regarding my post.
Once again, thanks for visiting and thanks for the comments.
cheers
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