I came back to soak in this mood of chardhi kala

In one stroke the mood has changed. At this stage Malaysia has been responsible for one of the major political miracles on this planet - DYA SINGH

0
2296
By DYA SINGH | OPINION | MALAYSIA

I left Malaysia almost 40 years ago to cari makan (earn a living) overseas for one of perhaps many other reasons.

I had top marks in Bahasa Kebangsaan, the then name for the Malay Language, in the mock Cambridge level exams in the premier school in Malaysia, V.I. Then for some strange reason (not very strange really) I ‘failed’ my Cambridge level Bahasa Kebangsaan within 4 distinctions and five credits! The Bahasa paper was the only paper marked locally. For me it was a sign to go elsewhere.

In almost 40 years I have returned for the teh tarik and nasi lemak, in the first years about once in three years but of late almost twice a year. For 40 years I have only heard my Malaysian friends complain about things getting bad to worse except for those of course who had lucrative Government contracts, or in well earning jobs. Even they are always making arrangements to get their children out.

SEE ALSO:Early election lessons

SEE ALSO: Dya Singh comes across original, practical in his latest work

In one stroke the mood has changed. At this stage Malaysia has been responsible for one of the major political miracles on this planet. A bloodless, democratic coup by the public, against amazing odds of vote rigging and gerrymandering besides every other trick in the book orchestrated by the ruling party of 60 odd years. And virtually master minded by a 93 year old former dictatorial Prime Minister who now genuinely appears to want to rectify what he himself had done wrong that many years ago. After all, he is 93 and probably wants to be at peace with himself before he meets his maker. And bless him for that.

I came back two days ago just to soak in this mood of Chardhi Kala (exalted spirit) within all except those of course who are about to lose their ruling party granted mainly ill-gained privileges. I am sure many are having sleepless nights!

I am now reclaiming my Malaysian heritage and like to officially float the term NRM. Just as NRI stands for Non-Residential Indian, similarly NRM stands for Non Residential Malaysian. I claim Number One spot!

For those interested, I have the honour of doing kirtan hajri at the new Gurdwara Sahib Subang, Selangor, on Sunday (20 May 2018) at about 10.30am. Please come and enjoy the euphoria with me and my kirtan colleagues.

Malaysian-born Dya Singh, who now resides in Australia, is an accomplished musician and a roving Sikh preacher. The Dya Singh World Music Group performs full scale concerts on ‘music for the soul’ based on North Indian classical and semi-classical styles of music with hymns from mainly the Sikh, Hindu and Sufi ‘faiths’.

* This is the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.

 

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com] 

 

RELATED STORY:

Tun Dr Mahathir is back (Asia Samachar, 16 May 2018)

Lessons for Singapore from Malaysian elections (Asia Samachar, 10 May 2018)

Early election lessons (Asia Samachar, 9 May 2018)

Dya Singh comes across original, practical in his latest work (Asia Samachar, 12 Aug 2017)

Sava-Lakh: Aussie Sikhs come of age (Asia Samachar, 4 July 2017)

 

[Fastest way to reach Asia Samachar: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY