Election fever with Indian theme

Its always interesting to read the papers prior to the election. Ministers and MP's going all out making their usual promises. This year, there seemed to be a focus on the Malaysian Indian community. Thaipusam being declared a national holiday after all these years.

Then of course, we have the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo setting up a special unit to handle the plight of Indians without birth certificate. The star carried the story:

A special committee under the Home Affairs Ministry will be set up to handle the plight of 40,000 Indian children nationwide who do not have a birth certificate.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said the decision to set up the committee was made after he highlighted the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the Umno Supreme Council last week.
He said many Indian-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had approached him to help raise the plight of the children.
“These children are unable to attend school, register for programmes or get jobs as adults.
“The Prime Minister was shocked when I informed him and immediately asked for a special committee to be formed under the Home Ministry,” he said during an Indian cultural show organised by the Barisan Nasional Volunteers Association here on Saturday night.
Dr Khir said the state government was working closely with several NGOs to get the parents to register their children.
He added that the birth certificate should be issued quickly if all the requirements were met.
He said the requirements included information on the hospital of birth and supporting facts from grandparents or close relatives.
“We have to be careful. We have to safeguard against foreigners who might use the chance to register for citizenship,” he said.

The prime minister said he was shocked. Shocked?? Why? Is this the first time he's heard of this problem despite all the publicities on many Malaysians without birth certificates and IC's?

Well, I am of course glad that it is being done but like the sms that has been going around, lets not be fooled by promises and fly by night actions. The welfare of Malaysians as a whole has to be taken care of despite race and religion. Malaysians want follow through, quality of life, fairness and equality in every aspect be it education or business.

My Vacation in Europe

Bonjour, Guten Tag, Buon Giorno...The hellos we exchanged in Europe. It was the longest vacation. Three weeks Trafalga Tour in Europe on a coach. It was a juxtaposition of excitement, disappointment, lethargy and romance.

Travelling with 48 people on a coach from different parts of the world may be a scary thought to many but for me and my 3 companions, it was an exciting plan. They turned out to be boisterous, fun, energetic and caring bunch of group.

Our trail: From London to Calais via Dover. We boarded the bus and drove through Belgium to Amsterdam. From Amsterdam to Koln, Germany then to Heidelberg then to Schaffhausen to Zurich in Switzerland and to Luzern. From there it was to another country Liechtenstein and on to Innsbruck, Austria.

We headed south to Italy with Verona being our first stop. It was to Venezia later, Bologna and celebrated Christmas eve in Vatican City, Rome and off for a sight seeing in Firenze (Florence), Naples, Pisa, Genova then to Monte Carlo, Monaco. From here, it was to Nice, France then Cannes, Avignon and straight to Lyon. From Lyon, we headed to Paris to usher in the New Year.

We must have travelled at least 6500km. Fantastic!!

On top of Mount Pilatus, Switzerland, lovely mountains in Innsbruck, Austria

Breathtaking views of the alps

(from left) David by Michealangelo and street painters in Sorento, the Collesseum in Rome

The Vatican City, gondola ride in Venice and ruins in Rome

The leaning tower of Pisa, the lifestyle of the rich and famous in Monaco

The Eiffel Tower and the garden of Versailles in Paris

Welcoming 2008

Celebrating New Year's Eve with a bang is probably on everyone's list of must do, as it has been said the way one usher's in the new year reflects on the quality of life the rest of the year. I have friends who welcomes the new year by holding on to cash and gold. Apparently, you will receive more money for new year. Interesting theory and it has worked for her.

I was in Paris on New Year's Eve. It was wonderful and was beyond my expectation. What was more important was the fact that I was with 3 other wonderful people. That's what made the difference. The company you're with when you celebrate festivals and happy occasions.

Well, since I was in Paris last year, lets hope I will be in New York end of this year....fingers crossed!

Happy New Year 2008!