Rifle Range Boy

Education is a great leveller!

2026-04-18T17:09:00.003+08:00

Hello Bachhon (Hello Children, Hindi; 2025)

Miniseries S1, E1-5

Director: Pratish Mehta

https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/netflixs-hello-bachhon-review-
viineet-kumar-singhs-education-drama-is-much-more-
than-just-a-plug-for-alakh-pandeys-physics-wallah-13986837.html

This miniseries holds a special place in my heart. The subject matter was very relevant, as my siblings and I grew up in one of the pigeonholes at Rifle Range Flats, which we called home, from 1970 to 1981.

After facing a particular obstacle in our lives, we were forced to uproot ourselves and step down. We were conditioned to believe that recovering from the fall from grace could only be achieved through education. Amma drummed into us the idea that academic excellence was the cure-all for all our problems. We were guided in that direction. Securing a sound education was our top priority, second to none. Amma used to say, "Get a university degree, and everything will fall into place!" Towards this end, the family made multiple sacrifices, spent miserly on food, and avoided the luxuries of life. Every little bit went into savings. Even though Amma was not the breadwinner, she would stow away savings here and there, under her clothes or in her drawers, which would miraculously emerge when necessity arose.

Long before the general public understood the value of a gold stockpile and its role in the national coffers, Amma knew the value of gold. She would put her savings into gold and buy jewellery. The golden ornaments gave her two advantages. They not only flaunted to the world that we were alright, but they also became a ready item to be pawned for quick cash when the need arose.

The miniseries is based on the real-life experiences of a struggling online tuition teacher named Alokh Pandey, who made it his life's mission to motivate students to aim high, do well in higher school examinations (11th and 12th Standard), and secure a place at an IIT.

His humble online tuition builds into an empire, only to be preyed upon by venture capitalists who are keen only to maximise returns from the endeavours, but care two hoots about the welfare of the students. Within the five episodes, the makers tell the case of a young boy from the slums struggling to pass his 11th class with his lackadaisical teachers, a young girl fighting against the orthodoxy to excel in her exams, a talented cricketeer who has to juggle between qualifying for the leagues and fulfilling his father's wish for him to be a graduate and finally a boy who has fight against the odds to qualify for the IIT.

Through their journeys, we come to understand why education is not a privilege reserved for a few but a right that can change the direction of a life. The ability to get into the path is not always in our hands. The role of a teacher who steers students to the right path is often forgotten.

On Islamic Republic of Iran...

2026-04-17T15:45:00.002+08:00

Reading Lolita in Tehran (2024)

Director: Eran Riklis

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27679443/

Since the use of the hijab forms the core of the story, it is necessary, as an outsider, to comment on what I observe of the practice of hijab around me. What started as a means for upper-class women to drape their heads for protection against storms and as status symbols slowly evolved into a clan identity. In ancient Arabic culture, peasants and slaves did not wear headscarves.

At first, head coverings were optional attire to signify humility and modesty. Then they became an outward manifestation of an inner commitment to the Divine. They were alleged to be voluntary and a clear sign of women's empowerment. Women wore them because they chose to. There was no compulsion in religion, they said. Non-believers said it was oppression of the fairer sex. "Nay," said the ladies themselves.

Over the years, it has become expected that a Muslim girl be covered from head to toe.

Early this year, a young Indian Muslim girl, Wahida Akdhar, was ostracised on social media for dancing to a Tamil song with suggestive lyrics. In fact, she was fully covered her bare necessities when she performed her dance in a reel. Yet her performance was still seen as an insult to the garb she wore, which indirectly represented her religion. Hence, she was deemed to have disrespected her religion. So something that was optional became empowerment, then became an indirect tool to dictate.

1971, Persepolis
2,500th Persian Anniversary

This was how Iranians who overthrew the Shah in 1979 must have felt after bringing in their new leader from Paris, Ayatollah Khomeini. Iranians thought they had it bad when America's puppet, the Shah, was ruling the country. The height of their opulence came when the Shah decided to transform the arid Persepolis into a Garden of Eden by importing trees and roses from Paris. That was to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. That was also when the common people were suffering economically. Royalties from around the world attended the function, which was televised worldwide.

The movie's story begins just after the successful Islamic Revolution in 1979. Overseas Iranians returned to the country with high hopes, aiming to restore Iran to its glory days. Unfortunately, the Islamic Council had different plans. They clamp down on academic freedom and impose a strict Islamic mode of dressing on women. Many classic works which the protagonist uses at the University as an English Professor are deemed unsuitable and corrupting the minds of the youth.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/
tamil-nadu-influencer-wahida-akdhar-gets-death-
threats-for-making-reels-in-hijab-
2850620-2026-01-12

For 15 long years, the professor, Azar Nafisi (the author of the book that was made into this film), stayed in Iran, hoping that things would change. Zielch. After being disillusioned by academia, she started a book club to discuss certain English-language classics. Even though the stories in these classics may not be deemed virtuous in the republic's eyes, this is what happens in real life. Good people do bad things, and bad people do good things. This is what makes the world go round. It nevertheless makes one ponder how the world can be so unipolar. Chaos is the essence of life. The question is what is good and what is bad in life. Who is the villain, and who are the good ones in life?

P.S. Lolita is a 1955 novel written by the Russian and American novelist Vladimir Nabokov.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

A Cyclist’s Diary: Jaipur to Udaipur

2026-04-15T08:41:00.003+08:00

https://borderlessjournal.com/2026/04/14/a-cyclists-diary-jaipur-to-udaipur/

If one wants to understand the ‘chaos theory’, one has to place oneself at the centre of ‘around about’ — the way the traffic weaves around, observing the traffic go by as everyone swerves to get to their destinations. The one from 9 o’clock reaches 3 o’clock; 6 o’clock reaches 12 o’clock. It does not matter whether the vehicle is following or counter to the traffic flow; it gets through.

Adding to the pandemonium is the incessant honking from all right, left and centre.

https://borderlessjournal.com/2026/04/14/a-cyclists-diary-jaipur-to-udaipur/

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

It is all about balance!

2026-04-12T00:00:00.009+08:00

Clip from Rajapart Rangadurai

One thing the priest at Amma's funeral said struck a chord. He said that death mends relationships and puts a full stop to ongoing misunderstandings. I noticed this unravelling before my very eyes, first during Appa's passing and more recently during Amma's. Bonding among Appa's siblings and Amma had never been cordial since the beginning of time. Appa's death at least brought them all together, and their togetherness has lingered to date.

The Greeks understood this aeons ago. Many Greek philosophers, including Socrates, recognised that tragedy is an important emotional, moral and social tool in everyone's life. It is not merely for theatrical entertainment. It serves as a form of emotional cleansing and a mirror to our lives and the direction we are leading them. The cathartic emotional outpouring reflects the hopelessness of birth and prompts reflection on the moral and ethical decisions one must make in life. It questions whether life is fair, whether there is justice here on Earth, and whether humans have free will or if everything is preordained. We come to understand the futility of pride and ego. Tragedy humbles us and makes us responsible for our actions.

Clip from Thulabaram

I remember Amma engrossed in a melodramatic Tamil film. In Amma's books, the more tear-jerking a film, the higher it scored. I distinctly remember Amma walking out of a cinema, all red-eyed and tearful, praising a particular Tamil film for its high 'crying index'.

The Greeks celebrate theatre as a religious festival honouring Dionysus, the ancient god of merrymaking; in a way, he is the opposite of order, as exemplified by Apollo.

As Nietzsche argued, a complete human experience requires the synthesis of both Apollonian structure and Dionysian passion. Tragedy, ecstasy and order encompass a balanced life.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

A sample of a Pre-Code movie.

2026-04-10T00:00:00.008+08:00

The Divorcee (1930)

Director: Robert Z Leonard

Let us examine the films of the Pre-Code era. This period refers to movies released after the 1920s, when sound was introduced, transforming silent films into talkies. The Pre-Code films concluded with the enactment of the Hays Code. What sets these movies apart is their frank depiction of contemporary issues without censorship, including women's empowerment, sexual matters, infidelity, drugs, abortion, violence, or homosexuality.

The Roaring Twenties began with great excitement as the US emerged as one of the leading nations that won World War I. It was a decade marked by significant social, cultural, and economic change. With wealth came hedonistic lifestyles among the rich, famous, and beautiful, along with a rejection of pre-war conservative values.

Against this background was the manslaughter-rape trial of Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, a famous silent movie star who was well known for holding wild parties with alcohol and drugs. In one of those parties, a young actress died, and Arbuckle was implicated. The trial exonerated Arbuckle but exposed the decadent lifestyle of the showbiz community.

In 1930, Hollywood collaborated with the Catholic Church to improve their reputation. For the Church, it was a timely opportunity to introduce Christian values into films. Hollywood was concerned that the government agencies might crack down on them. The producers also worried about losing financial support.

In the film, on their third anniversary, Jerry discovered that her husband, Ted, had had a one-night stand with his business associate. Jerry becomes infuriated when he was quite cavalier about it, saying, "Oh, it meant nothing!"

That incident strained their relationship. In a 'tit-for-tat' move, Jerry sleeps with their mutual friend in a manner that the modern generation would call 'revenge sex'. She even returns to boast about it, saying, "I've balanced our accounts!" After the separation, in a fit of rage, Jerry tells her husband off, saying, "And from now on, you're the only man in the world that my door is closed to!" She goes on to become a free-spirited person involved in polyamorous relationships.

After going full circle, the couple reunites.

The film is considered controversial for exploring women's desires and unapologetic autonomy through risqué dialogue and themes. It casually depicts adultery, promiscuity, and divorce. Watching this film in the 21st century might not seem unusual, but it was definitely ahead of its time. It was genuinely groundbreaking.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

No bed of roses, No pleasure cruise!

2026-04-07T00:00:00.005+08:00

Ride to Serve - Charity Ride 2026.

Ride around Johor in four days.

Ulu Tiram - Desaru - Mersing - Batu Pahat -Johor Bahru

Yet another ride. Maybe, trying to justify our early morning diabolical activities, we found a group doing it for a noble cause. The Sikh Welfare Council of Singapore organised a charity ride from their nation-state to and around the State of Johor in Malaysia. The plan was like this. The cyclists would do their thing, i.e. cycling, while the deep-pocketed would dig deep to scoop out some sponsorship, knowing pretty well that their contributions would add some brownie points to add a few more days of life on Earth.

The cyclists had a perfect excuse to do what they do best: the wealthy can splurge, whilst the needy can be helped. It was a perfect win-win situation. The ride was between the 27th and the 30th of March 2026, starting in Ulu Tiram, near Johor Bahru, and covering the four corners of the State of Johor: Desaru, Mersing, Batu Pahat, and back to Johor Bahru. The total distance covered was 518km, from Singapore and back. Four regular cyclists on our team, who would represent Malaysia at the event, decided to take part in the ride.

Even before the word 'go', we got the vibe that it probably was not the best time to get entangled in long-distance cycling, as the northern states were already experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 40 °C. But things had been planned long ago. Like a drunkard who has a thousand and one reasons to start drinking, a heatwave is not going to stop the cyclists.

Day 1 - Ulu Tiram to Desaru.

Mad Men

The first leg of the ride started smoothly with close to 60 riders. Using the outer roads around Johor Bahru, the group avoided many busy highways. The terrain was mainly flat. The larger town we went through on this route was Kota Tinggi. Even though I had passed through this town before in the course of work, one can never appreciate a place like when one is cycling. I had never known that there were at least three museums there.

The first one was the Kota Tinggi museum, which was situated right in the heart of town. Then along the route, I also passed by Muzium Nelayan (Fisherman's Museum), quite far from town. There was a site labelled as the old state capital, Kota Johor Lama. If my secondary school history memory does not fail me, this fort was where the defeated Malaccan Sultanate took shelter to regroup and plan counterattacks against the Portuguese in the 16th century.

Malaysian representatives

After a 71km ride, about 3hours later, the entourage completed the first day's ride at Desaru. Desaru is the only destination in Malaysia to make Time magazine's 2021 World's Greatest Places list. An artificial township carved out to attract foreign funds into the State, it is a hub for extreme sports enthusiasts.

Day 2 - Desaru to Mersing

The day started at 7am on a journey which would prove to be the most gruelling among the four days. Not only did the cyclists have to cover a mindboggling distance of 137km, but there were also many undulating hills giving a total elevation of 1,080m.

Tanjung Sedili Beach

Cruising through the Malaysian beachside, one may expect to smell sea products, the fresh smell of cut grass, or simply fresh air. No. On that day, because of the preceding hot spells, all we smelled was burnt grass and shrubs along the way, as there must have been a small bushfire of some sort the preceding day.

This stretch of land was also Malaysia's success story of the 1960s and 70s when the country opened up land for explorers to develop plantations. Many commercial crops, like pandan coconut varieties and ostrich farms, were scattered here.

Cruising along the coastal road, out of the blue, an idyllic beach appeared, its long coastline lined with sleepy Casuarina trees, complementing the calm waters of the South China Sea. That was the popular Tanjung Sedili Beach, a sight for sore eyes.

With so much fauna and flora all around here and being the gateway to the national park, Taman Negara, it was only natural that we spotted a wooden building along with the signage, 'National Arboretum'.Not many Malaysians realise that, in this area, during World War 2, the British Army was deeply engaged in the Battle of Endau. Mersing served as a base for the British Royal Army at the time. It was a trying time for the Allied Forces, as they had to fend off ground forces here as well as in the Gulf of Siam. We know how all that turned out.

Mesmerising Mersing?

Talking about Endau, I remember an old working colleague who was posted here as a young medical officer. Running the medical services with the bare minimum, he was some kind of a male version of 'Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman'. He described the area as the Siberia of Malaysia. It was a punishment posting.

A gruelling day with unending rolling hills, with cyclists dispersed far away from each other, it was a trip on 'The Long and Winding Road' that finally led us to the doors of the next stop in Mesmerising Mersing, as the townsfolk named themselves, some seven and a half hours later.

Day 3 - Mersing to Batu Pahat

This was the longest ride in the four-day event. We covered a distance of 141km. The journey could be divided into two parts. The first one, starting from Mersing all through the roads lining oil palm estates to Kluang, which was littered with rolling hills. In fact, there were so many rolling hills that they gave us a crash course in conquering them. One should speed down the hill to gain momentum to cover almost half of the following ascent. What goes down must come up is a wise adage. Of course, care must be given to speeding vehicles and lorries, especially. A whiff of wind from a massive twenty-tonne lorry, which commonly plies this route, is enough to push a cyclist off the road even without direct contact.

The second half of the route, after Kluang, leading to Batu Pahat, was flat all the way. Pedalling along this flat stretch also teaches a lesson or two about facts of life. Following a peloton is much like being in the company of the wealthy. Money begets money, and the wealthy stay wealthy no matter how big a black swan event they encounter. Like that, if a cyclist wants to ride fast, he needs to stay with fast riders. He should follow a peloton that matches his speed, try to stick close to them, and end up not only going fast but also conserving energy. Lag and find it a Herculean task to catch up. Losing your coffers and being an outcast are the same life analogy.

Kluang, dubbed the happiest town in Malaysia.

One is reminded of a scene in the film 'Finding Nemo' (2003), where a clownfish found the fastest way to travel in the vast ocean was to follow the great current, followed by the migratory sea animals. Remember how she got sucked into the current and got dragged into the migratory wave. In the same vein, the cyclists in a peloton (the longer, the better) spend less energy pedalling as they are aided by the drag of the air displaced by the faster cyclists.

The town of Kluang needs a little mention here. In its heyday, when the national highway traversed the town and the trains stopped at its junction, it was a happening town. The Kluang Rail Coffee shop was such a hit with its homegrown coffee and signature toast that it is now a national franchise. Kluang was a hub for rubber and oil palm. It earned itself the moniker 'the happiest town in Malaysia'.

The weather was kind to us the whole day. The Sun took a break that day. In fact, the weather was mild throughout our trip, so much for the Meteorological Department and their credibility. Before our trip to Johor, the most viralled reel was the one where the Northeners were frying eggs in the open field without burners.

Our group finished the 141km path to Batu Pahat with 760m of elevation in 8 hours and 20 minutes, after multiple stoppages along the way.

Day 4 - Batu Pahat to Pekan Nanas

All good things must end. On the last day, the cycling group, which by now had built ties and camaraderie, felt the honeymoon was over and had to get back to life and back to reality. No more the loop of eat, cycle and sleep to fill the days. Again, the route on the final day was flat all the way.

The in-built desire to be better!

Over the days, the cyclists have separated into four major groups based on their endurance and speed. Even within each group, subgroups began to emerge, based on their competitiveness. Some thought it was just a fun ride, while others felt the urge to go faster and faster.

At the outset, everyone agreed that the speed limit should be capped. The inner human desire, however, cannot be suppressed. Pretty soon, everybody started pedalling faster and even faster. The innate lust to be better and faster never failed humankind. It kept reemerging again and again. Same in the peloton: all the preset conditions go out the window once they get the thrill of speed and the feel of the gush of wind that dashed them by.

The last ride of the tour covered 88km, at least for the Malaysian contingent. We completed our ride at a small town after Pontian, called Pekan Nanas. The rest of them, who were Singaporeans, continued cycling across the Causeway back to Singapore.

Conclusion

We were pleasantly surprised to be able to cycle daily for 4 days in a row, and on top of that, pedal a total of about 440km in the tropical weather. We would have covered 518km if we had started and cycled back to Singapore. We are happy to report that no one suffered heatstroke or had to discontinue their endeavour due to extreme weather conditions. In Malaysia, everyone cast doubts on the weather reports. There is a reason why the weather is forecasted, and it cannot be accepted as something cast in stone.

(P.S. Thanks to JS for fact-checking)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

“I want to go Penang...”

2026-04-04T00:00:00.072+08:00

2010
50th Wedding Anniversary

She wanted her final journey to be in the town where she grew up and dreamed of her life after her family was torn apart when cancer took her mother, the pillar of the family. Even as dementia gradually eroded her mental faculties, the one word she constantly edged at the tip of her tongue was 'I want to go Penang.' The message later became garbled in the languages Tamil, English, and Malay as the neural connections began to die one by one. She later could only mutter 'Penang' weakly.

Some kind-hearted souls might argue that I should have sent her to Penang to comfort her in her final days. At least she would be at peace in her familiar surroundings, rather than being confined in Kuala Lumpur, feeling like an Englishman in New York. As the de facto caretaker and decision-maker, I had to make the final call. True that in the twilight years of our lives, we all yearn for the carefree days of youth and wish to return there. Like in 'Citizen Kane', 'Rosebud' was not just some cryptic code but the name of his sledge, which the protagonist cherished with innocent joy.

2013

On the other hand, sending her to Penang would be a risky decision. With so many split-levels and staircases in her houses, an accident was just waiting to happen. A small slip and she would spiral down the rabbit hole with more malady than she already has. Here, in Kuala Lumpur, I could have her needs assessed and her safety secured with the proper assistance. Therefore, I prioritised safety over listening to her whims.

There she was in Kuala Lumpur, ageing not so gracefully with declining faculties, yet still softly uttering the name 'Penang' from time to time. The day finally came when she took her last breath, and at last, she was carried away to Penang in a hearse.

At happier times in December 2025.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

101 on the Vikings.

2026-04-01T05:53:00.003+08:00

The Vikings (1958)

Director: Richard Fleischer

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052365/

It is said that the Vikings came like thunder on the seas in dragon-headed boats, slicing through the fog, with braided hair and axes oozing with legend. They came as raiders, traders and conquerors. The Viking Age, spanning from 793 CE to 1066 CE, was marked by bloodshed, bravery and superstition. Their presence was felt from North America through to Constantinople, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.

Stuck in an inhospitable land with rough terrain and inclement Scandinavian weather, the Norsemen built their community, became farmers, established a governing law-and-order system, and became artisans and poets. Some became excellent shipbuilders and ventured beyond their shores to plunder. They became the Vikings, the brutal sea raiders, pirates and pagan invaders of Christian lands. Artefacts of their activities, such as fir, amber, and silver, have been found as far as Baghdad and Ireland. They traded their captives of the ships they ran over and the land they overran as slaves. They were infamously involved in the white slave trade.

Over time, the invaders intermarried with the locals, who became settlers and adopted a more sedate lifestyle. They established many kingdoms in Danelaw (England), Dublin, Normandy (France), Scotland, Kievian Rus (Eastern Europe), Iceland and the Isle of Man. Over time, these settlers gave up the pantheon of Odin, Thor and Loki for Christianity. What began as a burst of fearless expeditions and violent conquests evolved to become diplomacy, the building of churches, courtesan hierarchies and the spreading of Christianity among pagans.

The reign of the Vikings literally ended by 1066, with the last Norwegian king, Harold Hardrada, killed at Stamford Bridge. Interestingly, the winner of the subsequent Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, was also a descendant of the Vikings. The Norse influence is still seen today in culture, language, parliamentary system and place names. Thursday and Wednesday are named after Thor and Odin (Wodin), respectively.

Stories of the great Viking accolades were continued through oral traditions and many Icelandic writings.

https://sonsofvikings.com/blogs/history/where-do-vikings-come-from?srsltid=
AfmBOoqAB47fjT4F5Mfni6N51I2j_GqtDq6Txgv-RZFcePRYziV7hxQ6

This movie is Hollywood's version of the Vikings, a hard-drinking, orgy-loving, Neanderthal-like group of people who stormed head-on into resistance to run people over.

In this fictionalised version, a Viking King, Ragnar Lodbrok, kills King Edwin of Northumbria. Edwin's widow was raped and impregnated by Ragnar. Her ship was intercepted by the Vikings, who took the occupants as slaves. The child grows up as a slave among the Vikings, as Eric. He has an altercation with Einar, his half-brother and legitimate heir to the throne. They fall in love with the same girl but fight together to defeat their common enemy, King Aella, who clutched Edwin's throne after his death. What happens after defeating Aella? Who would win the maiden over?

I can imagine how the audience watching this grand production would be awed by its grand props and life-like stunts in the swashbuckling saga, bringing them back to a time when brawn was mightier than justice and peace was dictated by an unsheathed sword. An entertaining feat with good makeup.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

There must surely be bigger fish to catch!

2026-03-28T17:43:00.004+08:00

There it was. Everyone seems to be patting themselves on the back for a job well done, and swift at that. Just three days after J and H were caught on tape with their pants down in compromising positions that did not leave much to imagination, 'justice' apparently was meted out. In those three, which must have felt like the longest days in their lives, the media had a field day. After a citizen's mobile phone footage appeared on social media, the mainstream media thought they were doing a public service by displaying the couple in different angles with their faces blurred, whilst their heads hung in shame. All details about them, right down to their names and date of birth, were laid bare.

Forgetting the line that they heard a hundred times over from the Book of John about only the one who had not sinned to cast the first stone, netizens had their two cents' worth of quirky jokes and uncalled-for comments about the accused's ethnicity.

In everyone's mind, the public had discovered something so profound, like the solution to the Israel/USA-Iran War. In reality, some random lady who had gone to perform ancestral worship at a Chinese cemetery, maybe she was the caretaker there, had caught the couple in action at the cemented part of the grave headrest. It had not been their first time caught in the act, apparently. Their mistake, besides exposing themselves in public, engaging in lewd acts, and not respecting the deceased, was to get caught. The world is an unkind place, and people are always looking for scapegoats to convince themselves that they are one step better than the person next to them.

If one were to dissect and scavenge through each other's closets, one is bound to find many skeletal remains. One is safe as long as he is not caught.

The next three days before the presentation at the court must have been torture. Cooped in prison for a non-criminal offence and being branded as public enemy number one is no joke. Hurled to court handcuffed and chained, like how Botak Chin was paraded in the 70s for the IGP to gloat, must surely be an overkill. Everyone got their thrills watching them.

A year's imprisonment for fornicating in public must surely be too excessive. No public was damaged, no public money was swindled, and no one, living or dead, was injured. It was merely a hokey pokey of two consenting frisky adults. No one heard complaints from the occupants of the premises.

J, with a stroke-stricken wife, longed for the intimate times with his other half. He must have met H, maybe in the same boat, with a similar need. Consenting to a quickie, they must have rushed to the nearest place of exclusivity, which was free, and they had gone many times before, the cemetery.

This reminded me of a story that happened a few years ago at a private golf course. The greens were repeatedly damaged by what everyone thought were wild boars from a nearby forest. The management decided to install CCTV cameras with night-vision capabilities to mark the area from which the wild boars originated and to inform the forest department accordingly. What they discovered later took them by surprise. The greens were damaged, not by beasts, but by beastly activities of golfers and their female caddies after dark. As the golfers were of high social standing, the management decided to discreetly inform the party involved and put the issue to bed.

That is the difference here. A person with deep pockets can summon the best legal representation to challenge any accusation and get away scot free on technicalities or some aberrant clause in the charge sheet. People with low incomes can just admit guilt. He may feel contented that his prior offences were not discovered. Conversely, he may feel that he deserved what he got because he had incurred the wrath of the Almighty. The world will move on.

In a world where moral standards are declining by the day, and smut is so freely available, surely engaging in carnal desires amidst the company of the departed souls does not require chains and bolts.

(P.S. After the sentencing, a lawyer volunteered his services to oppose the judgment. Malaysians probably have other juicy news to read and are least bothered by its outcome.)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Experience it!

2026-03-27T00:00:00.009+08:00

With Honors (1994)

Director: Alec Keshishian

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/with_honors

I heard a short lecture in the corridors of WhatsApp University just the other day. It was titled 'Experiece and Godliness'. It was quoted from the writings of the Tamil poet Kannadhasan.

I asked God, "what comes after birth?" He said, "be born."
I asked God, "why do we need to read?" He said, "go and read."
I asked God, "what is ignorance?" He said, "read and experience."
I asked God, "what is love?" He said, "trying giving and see."
I asked God, "what is affection?' He said, " go share some and see."
I asked God, "what is the joy of marriage?" He said, "go marry and enjoy."
I asked God, "what is like having children?" He said, "have children and see."
I asked God, "what is it like to grow old?" He said, "grow old and see."
I asked God, "what is poverty?" He said, "go astray and see."
I asked God, "what happens after death?" He said, "die and tell me."
"If experiencing is the only way to know life, why are You here?" I asked.
He came closer and whispered, "Experience is also Me!"

The poet is telling us that experience is the best teacher. If 'God' is the intelligence that controls life, surely experience and the hard knocks it brings would be the best guides. Life lessons cannot be learned in lecture halls and books, but must be learned on the streets of daily life. Even scholars would admit that knowledge is always evolving. No amount of books is enough to trap the vast amount of unmentioned wisdom around us. One's life experience is different from another's.

This is probably what the movie is trying to say, but it somehow got lost amid the sentimentality and cheesiness of the storyline.

The one scene that stuck in my mind (depicted in the clip below) is the memorable debate between a homeless man and a Harvard lecturer. It may be particularly pertinent in this time and age, when the President of the USA is on a rampage and mindlessly bombing a sovereign country on his own whim and fancy. The question is whether the POTUS is a monarch with absolute power, or whether the system of checks and balances is adequate to rein in his powers. The sad truth is that the Constitution contains provisions that allow him to exercise absolute power with impunity to safeguard the Nation in certain situations, and he is using them.

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The end of a franchise

2026-03-24T00:32:00.003+08:00

Airport Series. (1970, 1975, 1977, 1979)

https://vintageairliners.com/airline-cinema/
airport-film-series/

This was the period, the 1970s, when flying was gradually becoming mainstream, shifting from a luxury reserved for the super-rich to the middle class, but not quite to the stage where 'everyone can fly'!

This was also the time when moviemakers were fascinated with big production sets. The old charm of goodness prevailing over evil remains. In that era, too, people were fascinated by real-life disasters. Movies like The Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake, and Jaws captured everyone's imagination.

The Airport series collectively delivered big box-office returns. Its cast included big names at the height of their careers. Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jean Serberg, Jacqueline Bisset, Charlton Heston, Karen Black, singer Helen Reddy, Erik Estrada, Linda Blair, Jack Lemmon, Christopher Lee (of Dracula fame), James Stewart, Robert Wagner, Alan Delon and George Kennedy (who appeared in all four films) are some of those in this film.

If one were to follow the Airport series, one would find it slowly becoming absurd with time. The first one deals with a Boeing 707 being partly blown up by a depressed man, and how this decompressed machine tries to land amidst a snowstorm. In the second instalment, a light aircraft crashes into a Boeing 747, busting the cockpit and injuring the only surviving pilot. The First Stewardess has to man the flight to safety. The third one, a private Boeing 747, was hijacked for the priceless art it was carrying. The passengers, the Captain and the crew are incapacitated by poisonous gas. The rogue co-pilot took charge but crashed into an oil rig, and the plane plunged into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The final episode turned out to be comical. A Concorde was seen dodging surface-to-air missiles and got away. An arms dealer, fearing that his nefarious activities would come to light, decided to blast the whistleblower on the plane.

With negative reviews of the fourth instalment, the producers decided to end the franchise. The story is based on Arthur Hailey's book. The 'Airport' movies remain a "trip down memory lane" for fans of 1970s cinema and pre-digital special effects.

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Know thyself, amend!

2026-03-21T00:00:00.000+08:00

Sentimental Value (Norwegian; 2025)

Director: Joachim Trier

For how long can you blame your ancestors for all your shortcomings? Can you blame a familial curse for the woes you are experiencing now? Are your current bad times secondary to the karma from previous births? Is your repeated poor life choice innate? Just because mental illness runs in your family, you should not resign yourself to the fact that the black dog will bite you one day. Can you blame your current economic difficulties solely on the exploitation by your colonial masters and the sluggishness of your previous political leaders? Should you, instead, develop the strength and have the courage to change the path to your future?

These were the thoughts that crossed my mind as I sat watching the Oscar-winning Norwegian film that had the same vibe as an Ingmar Bergman film. The story unfolds gradually and affects you without much melodrama or 'in your face' moments. It is this subtlety that draws you in.

Two sisters (Nora and Agnes), who grew up without their father after he walked out on them and their mother when they were young, reunite with him at their mother's funeral.

The father went on to become a renowned filmmaker. His mother, who had been a resistance fighter in WW2 and a psychiatrist, had committed suicide. The father had the misfortune of seeing his mother's body.

Nora, the elder, remains unmarried and is an actor. She perceives her life as less than ideal because she is in love with a married colleague and has had suicidal thoughts. Agnes is stable, married, with a son and is a doting mother.

When the father tries to reconnect as if nothing had happened and proposes making a film with Nora and Agnes' son, resentment grows. The repressed anger and other negative feelings overwhelm them. How they resolve this issue is the core of the film.

People act and react based on their childhood experiences. Parents pass on values they were taught and that worked well for them. The environment in which they grew up—poverty, oppression, war, and abuse—shapes how they choose to live. The effects of intergenerational trauma can be inherited, even if later generations did not directly witness the original event. However, it is often easy to blame certain family issues on ancestors further up the family tree. Since you are wiser than all who came before, you should have the wisdom to make necessary changes to correct past wrongs and improve your life.

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Follow the flow...

2026-03-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

Priyanka Chopra Jones and
Javier Bardem

In the postmodern, social media-driven world, expressing personal opinions is frowned upon. Only one viewpoint is allowed on any subject. Opposing perspectives are dismissed as subversive. A coin is traditionally said to have two sides with different motifs, but in the modern world, that is no longer the case. Both sides of the coin show the same thing. After all, it is the same coin!

In the most recent Oscar Award ceremony for Best Film, Priyanka C Jonas was reprimanded for displaying a lukewarm facial expression when her co-presenter, Javier Bardem, wearing a 'Stop War' pin on his coat, suddenly exclaimed, "No to war, save Palestinians!'

Priyanka, who was probably unrehearsed with this dialogue, could only give a cursory smile at that moment, in an era where every moment and every human response are pixelated and immortalised. Her 'seemingly lame' response was criticised by netizens. She was reproached for failing to show solidarity with the oppressed. It is now intriguing to see how the film fraternity will respond to this criticism. After all, the media is dominated by the woke generation and leftists who sympathise with their cause. Ultimately, the world seems to revolve around young people who possess the spending power to watch films. Priyanka's subdued expression also emphasised her Indian identity, since India has not been particularly vocal about the attacks on Gaza and Iran, some were quick to point out.

The leftists and jihadists are quite content with this new One World Order. The leftists, through their communist manifestoes, believe that peace on Earth can only be attained through revolution and thumbing down resistance. The jihadists interpret their scriptures selectively and are quite dogmatic to ensure their interpretation is followed to the core. In a free progressive society, differing opinions are valued and debated. Not in the 21st century, they do not. One is cancelled from future earning opportunities and risks being treated as a societal outcast. They do all of this despite claiming to be protective of the downtrodden. They have no qualms in crushing the majority to become the condemned minority who dares to ask the wrong questions.

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Imprints form the Past

2026-03-17T00:00:00.001+08:00

It was a sombre occasion. The only sounds audible were the occasional sniffles and a quiet hum of a mantra in the background. The crowd arrived in an orderly manner, circled the casket, paused at her feet, touched them, and raised their hands in reverence. They stopped near the son; some offered a consolatory handshake while others embraced. Afterwards, they found a safe corner to watch the world go on, lost in thought. They wonder if they should slow down, take a step back, and smell the roses. They understand that every passing day brings them closer to the day when they will be the main focus at such an event.

https://borderlessjournal.com/2026/03/16/imprints-from-the-past/

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We can plan weddings, but death?

2026-03-15T14:14:00.001+08:00

Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (TTT)

(Under the Leadership of Chief Thambi, Tamil;2026)
Director: Nithish Sahadev

During my teenage years, one of my old relatives died. As close relatives, we, the children, had to show our faces. I distinctly remember that the day she died was the third day of the Chinese New Year. A huge crowd had gathered in front of her house. The deceased's family lived in one of the city council's closely knit houses provided to its staff.

The relative's immediate neighbour was a Chinese family who had no qualms about displaying their displeasure at having an 'inauspicious' event on the day when good fortune is supposed to flow in. The lady of the house gave strict instructions to the mourners not to cross the imaginary line that separated the two houses. She closed all doors and windows and even drew all the curtains. She would periodically come out, light a few firecrackers, and immediately go back in and lock herself in her 'high castle'.

Initially, I was clueless about her antics, but it later became clear as day when I overheard one of the deceased's sons explaining the whole imbroglio.

Chinese New Year is a time to recharge one's life for the following year. It is time to cleanse, ward off evil, and usher in uninterrupted prosperity (read: money) for the following year. So, having a dead body in the neighbour's house at a time to draw in good vibes did not augur well in her books. Hence, the closure of doors and windows, and the drawing of curtains. For good measure, a few crackers were thrown in to scare away the demons.

I often wondered how long the family had been cooped up in their home, afraid to draw in negative energy, perhaps for fifteen days, as the New Year celebrations ended on Chap Goh Meh, the fifteenth day.

Watching TTT somehow brought back memories of that event, which happened almost 50 years ago. TTT is a dark comedy that would not excite the usual die-hard fans of Tamil cinema. Nevertheless, I found the story quite fascinating, leaving me in stitches all the way through, much to the chagrin of my wife, who found laughing at someone's wedding and funeral to be in poor taste.

TTT is a comedy with punchy, sarcastic dialogue that hits viewers a few seconds after delivery, not spontaneously. The fact that the main character, Jeeva, maintains a deadpan expression makes it all better.

In a traditional Tamil household, a wedding is a thousand-year investment. A wedding is a contract for life, decided by the Divine Forces, and does not last only for a lifetime but for seven births. Hence, the elders are very particular that it is done right. Every external event is scrutinised and interpreted as a sign from the Gods as an indicator of the affirmative or otherwise. That is probably why celestial bodies' consellations are also calculated to ward off negative energies from the so-called negative planetary alignments. Anyway, weddings are expensive affairs, and the compulsion to do it right is always there.

So, in the movie, when one neighbour plans a lavish wedding for his daughter, he gets all so upset when his neighbour's 80-year-old decided to kick the bucket on the eve of the wedding. The neighbours had never been on good terms anyway. The bride's father thinks that it is the old man's vengeance to ruin his daughter's event.

A local politician vying for the post of panchayat chairmanship is drawn in to calm both parties. The issue is that the dead man's son insists that the funeral must happen at the very same time as the wedding is due to happen. For the mourners' family, that timing would ensure his safe passage of his soul to moksha. Their neighbour, on the other hand, feels it is bad taste to have a wedding troupe and the hearse passing each other at the same time.

Along the way, there are further clashes of egos, unnecessary meddling of long-lost relatives, caste politics, an upset groom, a possible runaway bride situation and a barrel load of laughter. Spoiler alert - Nature has its own sinister way to balance everything out. Nice. 4.5/5.

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A short course on ancient Israel!

2026-03-13T00:00:00.005+08:00

Solomon and Sheba (1959)
Director: King Vidor

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176236332980

Have been drawn to this particular genre of Hollywood films made during its golden era, when biblical stories were retold, sets were enormous, and actors were larger than life.

The Ten Commandments (1956), with its biblical storytelling, Ben-Hur (1959), with its iconic chariot race, and Spartacus (1960), with its cinematographic extravagance, all fall into this category. Hoping to replicate their previous box-office successes, the studio released the lavish production Cleopatra (1963). Its production costs, which included a $1 million paycheck to Elizabeth Taylor, the highest to an actress at that time, her extensive wardrobe, and shooting locations, nearly bankrupted the producers. Fortunately, Hollywood recovered from its losses later with The Sound of Music (1965).

The Abrahamic scriptures offer a rich source for storytelling, similar to Hindu scriptures. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was popular to retell these stories with considerable artistic licence, adding elements of romance, suspense, and the moral and spiritual sins condemned by the Good Book. As a result, many films captivated audiences but were often disputed by theologians and historians alike for their historical accuracy. One such film is 'Solomon and Sheba' (1959).

The story of the Israelites has a fascinating history. What is now called Israel, the land of the Jews, existed as early as 3000 BCE. This region, including present-day Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan, was inhabited by the Canaanites. The Canaanites were polytheists, the main deities being El, Asherah, Baal and Anat. Maybe, (since historians are divided), around 1270 BCE, the Exodus brought Canaanite slaves to this land. This group of people probably became monotheistic after being under the rule of Akhenaten, who worshipped Aten, the Sun God (different from Ra).

After 40 years in the wilderness, the slave mentality of the escapees evolved into one that could be ruled by their leader, Joshua. The Ten Commandments gave them guidance. The chiefdoms were united by Saul, their first King. Their later descendants, King David, expanded the kingdom and made Jerusalem their capital. Under King David, the land they occupied was called Israel, and it had a vast expanse and trade with its many neighbours.

The movie begins as King David is dying. David appoints the level-headed younger son, Solomon, as his heir rather than the military-minded elder son, Adonijah. Israel's enemy allied to bring down Solomon's rule. In cahoots with them is Adonijah's team. The Queen of Sheba, a nation south of the Arabian Peninsula, volunteers to visit Solomon with her gifts, assess the monarch, and probably sway him away from his people.

King Solomon's legendary wise decision at the court involving a baby and two grieving mothers, and the decision to cut the baby in half, is depicted here.

In the Biblical version, Sheba was just another kingdom with which Solomon had dealings. Their meetings were described as intellectual and diplomatic, between equals. In the movie version, they are romantically linked. Sheba, a non-believer of the Israeli God (should be logically referred to as Yahweh, but is referred to here as Jehovah), persuades Solomon to erect pagan temples. This angered Yahweh and led to his downfall, which is portrayed in the movie.

Gina Lollobrigida as Queen Sheba
https://culturaltrash.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/
history-vs-hollywood-solomon-and-sheba-1959/

In the Ethiopian traditions, romantic liaisons are described, and a lineage is also said to have existed. King Solomon's son is said to have ruled Ethiopia.

Solomon is credited with building the first Jewish temple in Jerusalem and bringing peace and prosperity. His life began with deep devotion to God and later ended in a downfall. The temple was later destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar when he attacked and took the Jews as slaves. This happened after Solomon's reign.

Solomon is said to have had a large harem and over 700 foreign wives. In his later years, his popularity dwindled as he was influenced by his wives and had built pagan worship temples. His building spree also caused his citizens to pay more taxes.

After his demise, Israel split into two warring nations - the idolatrous Northern kingdom of Israel with its ten tribes and the Southern, Judah. The people from Judah came to be known as Jews. They were eventually conquered by Assyria and Babylon, respectively.

This is a rare instance in which Yul Brynner, who plays Solomon, is seen wearing a crown with hair. He, who often shaves his head after his successful role of King Mongkut in 'Anna and I', wore a wig. Tyrone Power was cast and completed two-thirds of filming before dying of a heart attack. Brynner was his replacement.

It paints a picture of ancient Israel as peaceful and a land of justice and liberty. In reality, as the Bible dictates, slavery was accepted, and imperial expansion was at its height. War is always ugly.

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Live and let live!

2026-03-10T00:00:00.024+08:00

https://www.thecollector.com/greco-persian-wars-timeline/

Humans are a peculiar species. They do not always behave in accordance with their own teachings. Rules are often for others to follow, not themselves. These social beings gather along lines of ethnicity, lifestyle, social standing, and even skin colour. They forget that every one of them has blood of the same colour. They feel happiness or sadness for similar reasons. They love their kin equally, but not necessarily each other's, though.

Entering a world so cold, ancient Man believed strength came from numbers. A group becomes more powerful when like-minded individuals unite.

Although everyone is heading towards their own destination and there are no instruction manuals to guide life, each group believes that they alone hold the key to the universe's secret. Sometimes they wonder whether theirs is truly the correct path, and they convince themselves of this by being among those who share the same belief, perpetuating cognitive dissonance. Each group is convinced that the other belief system is on the verge of ruin. If so, they should just leave them to self-destruction. But no! They make it their life's mission to oppress and suppress the other. The glaring example of this can be seen in two events unfolding right before our eyes.

What began as a small group of warriors spreading their influence beyond their territory some 2,500 years ago grew into the mighty Persian Empire. Like everything else in life, they too had a shelf life. The expanding Islamic Army from the West brought them to an end and ruled over an area so vast that it incorporated many civilisations as its own. They believed they must be doing something right to expand so rapidly. They must be doing God's work. Their Army must be God's Army, and their warriors were fulfilling God's divine duties. Over time, their scriptures began to reflect a similar view, and the eradication of other beliefs became their life's ambition.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/12/7/
malaysia-urged-to-protect-temples

Even though this Islamic Empire also crumbled under its own weight, the fringe member groups do not believe so. They are cocksure that it is the conniving work of its enemies.

Another radical group has emerged in the homeland, insisting that houses of worship of non-Muslims must be destroyed at all costs. This group, comprising mostly converts, 'born agains' - as if they were born from the same wrong orifice the first time around. Perhaps they are uncertain about their conversion and feel insecure about acceptance in society by their peers, so they attempt to appear more Islamic than natural-born Muslims. Their crusade on this mission threatens the societal harmony that Malaysians have built over generations.

This kind of oppressive culture must surely be wrong and self-defeating. Acquiring knowledge is an ongoing pursuit that never ends. Instead of dismissing others' input, why don't we sit down together, try to see the shared teachings, which I am sure are abundant, and build a better world — one where no superpower destroys another and no group breaks the temple of worship of another.

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FBI, KGB, SAVAK, Stasi, SB, what's the difference?

2026-03-09T06:55:00.003+08:00

Seberg (2019)
Director: Benedict Andrews

Heard on a conspiracy theory podcast about a certain American actress from the New Wave of French cinema who was the talk of the tabloids in the 60s. She started her career in Hollywood on a few big productions, but did not do very well. She was offered a role in Breathless (1960) in France and became a sensation. She shuttled between Europe and the US, did a few memorable movies, and is also remembered for her many affairs with co-stars, including Clint Eastwood and Warren Beatty.

All her troubles with the FBI started at the height of her career in the late 1960s when she became sympathetic to the civil rights and anti-war movements. She was a generous contributor to the Black Panther Party's (BPP) coffers. Seberg was having an affair with Jamal Hakimi, a member of the BPP. Both were married to others at the time. The FBI was busy setting up surveillance and phone tapping on them.

Somewhere along the way, in 1970, Serberg became pregnant, and the FBI came to know about it. At a time when interracial relationships were frowned upon and would hurt an actress' career, the FBI clandestinely leaked the news to Newsweek and rumoured that her baby was coloured. Serberg had a mental breakdown and a subsequent premature delivery. The baby girl died on day 2 of life. To prove everyone wrong, the funeral was conducted with an open casket to prove that the baby was as white as white can be.

Funny that the FBI allegedly continued surveillance even into the late 70s. Her paranoia and suicidal thoughts also continued. She made many unwise decisions, too, like marrying an Algerian man ten years her junior, who may have squandered her money to invest in a restaurant business that never saw daylight.

One evening in 1979, her husband reported her missing. Nine days later, her decomposed body was found in her car, parked not far from her apartment. Police were perplexed that they had not found the car earlier, even though they had been extensively combing that very area. Postmortem results suggested that her alcohol levels were too high, suggesting that it could have been given parenterally, raising suspicion that it could have been an unnatural death.

Declassified FBI documents admitted their hand in the fabrication of false information about her pregnancy and their surveillance. The whole story, however, is not in the open.

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Righting the Wrong

2026-03-06T05:46:00.001+08:00

Forgotten Malaysian History

(Restoring Voices, Reclaiming Truths)

Ranjit Singh Malhi (2026)

The history syllabus we studied is completely different from what is present in the current school curriculum. There is a clear attempt to minimise the roles and contributions of various sections of society. There is a clear effort to rewrite the country's history to serve certain political agendas. This country would not be what it is today if not for the blood, sweat, and hardships endured by various immigrants who landed on this land.

Ranjit Singh Malhi is a senior academic who has been in the business of writing history books, like forever. Over the years, he has lamented that the Malaysian history taught in secondary schools has progressively downplayed the role of the Non-Malays in the country's early history. The contributions of the non-Malays to subsequent development, defending the nation against enemies of its independence, and their own economic progress are gradually being erased.

Penang Waterfall Temple
Established in 1914, long before the Malayan
Land Codes were established.

At this age and era, this book feels more essential than ever. Evidence of ignorance about Malaysian history is evident from the recent fiasco surrounding the legitimacy of numerous unregistered Hindu temples across the country. The confrontational buffoons who are on a witch hunt to demolish all Hindu temples they consider illegally built are products of Malay-centric, whitewashed history lessons. This book aims to set the record straight: the history of Malaya is not solely Malay-centric.

Some time ago, many Malaysian historians mooted the idea that Malaysia was never 'colonised' by the British but merely 'administered' it. When the British enacted laws for Malaya on how it should be governed, as they did on several occasions, they effectively ruled us.

The word 'pendatang' (newcomer) is a slur in Malaysia used against non-Malay people. It is absurd to continue using such a phrase, as some non-Malays have been here since before the 16th century. Clearly, they are more deeply rooted here than some first-generation Indonesians who claim to be more Malay by virtue of their religion.

The Malays are a group of Austronesian seafarers from Taiwan who migrated through the Indonesian archipelago, from Sumatra, and then settled in the peninsula, mostly in the 19th and 20th centuries. The various tribes of people from the archipelago—such as the Malays, Minangkabaus, Javanese, Kerinchis, and Mendalings—each claim to be more 'son of the soil' than the others. It may be that the 1931 British census showed that non-Malays outnumbered Malays, which led to them being grouped together under the umbrella of Malay.

Lately, Yap Ah Loy's contribution to transforming Kuala Lumpur into a thriving city has been overshadowed in the name of 'Ketuanan Melayu' (Malay Supremacy). The names of Raja Abdullah, Sutan Puasa, and Abdullah Hukum are being mentioned. Raja Abdullah may have brought Chinese miners to work in Ampang. Sutan Puasa owned a piece of mining land. It was Yap Ah Loy who helped rebuild Kuala Lumpur after a fire and floods.

The Orang Asli's role as the peninsula's earliest inhabitants is often overlooked. They arrived on the peninsula around 10,000 years ago. During the era of the Malay Sultanates, the Orang Asli were enslaved, causing them to retreat further into the wilderness. They played a vital role in maintaining security, especially against the communists. The skills of the Senoi Praque need no elaboration.

Kpl Baharuddin @ Senoi Praque

The Indian culture has been a powerful civilising influence on the Malay kingdom. This is reflected in their cuisine, language, wedding rituals, and royal ceremonies.

The author goes on to highlight the contributions of various communities in nation-building. The Javanese are depicted as a model of agricultural excellence. After being recruited as labourers across various geographical locations, they developed entrepreneurial skills and hard work that allowed them to become independent rubber estate smallholders. They retained their language and culture, living in Kampong Jawa, a common sight in many towns. Many Javanese have become Malaysian political leaders, not as Javanese but as Malays.

The existence of the Melaka Chettis, a unique Hindu Peranakan community, dates back to the 15th century. Originally traders, they have now expanded into many professional fields. Their culture combines Tamil Hindu, Malay, and Chinese influences. Many speak Bazaar Malay at home. The community even produced a dondang sayang singer. Their traditions, dress, and cuisine are a blend of Indian and local flavours. They are among the original inhabitants of Malaya.

The Baba-Nyonya, part of the Peranakan Chinese community, also shares a rich heritage with the Chettis. They have incorporated elements of Western culture into their traditions. They demonstrate allegiance to the Crown to distinguish themselves from the ‘off the boat’ Straits Chinese who arrived later. The former spoke a Malay-Hokkien blended language, while the latter spoke Hokkien or other dialects. The Baba-Nyonyas have their own distinctive cuisine and attire. Many from this community went on to become national leaders, including Tan Cheng Lock, the first president of the MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association); his son, Tan Siew Sin, the first Malaysian finance minister; and others.

Jean Abdullah

The Portuguese Eurasian community traces its ancestry back five centuries to Melaka. They still carry their surnames. We are aware of many sportsmen, musicians, politicians, judges, and even a ‘First Lady’ for a brief moment through Jeanne Danker Abdullah.

South Indians contributed immensely to Malaysia's subsequent economic and infrastructure development. The history textbooks conveniently omit the part where hundreds of thousands perished in the elements during the transformation of tropical jungles into rubber plantations. Then the hands that diligently tapped the white gold under the cloak of darkness to create modern Malaysia. The British also found them to be excellent workers for laying railway tracks.

Then there were the Ceylonese, Malayalees, Telugus, Tamil Muslims, Sinhalese, entrepreneurial Gujaratis, and Sindhis.

The Sikhs, though small in number, proved to be no pushovers. Brought into the police force in the late 19th century, they play an important role in the country's defence. In this context, they are accused of being lapdogs of the British, doing their dirty work of curbing the natives. In their defence, the Sikhs were quite riled up after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Komagata Maru incident, where Sikh immigrants from India were denied entry and turned back. The passengers who reached Calcutta were forcibly arrested and shot during a scuffle. This event is said to have spurred the anti-British Gadar movement. A Malayan Sikh is credited with chartering the ocean liner from Hong Kong to ferry immigrants to Canada.

Jagat Singh of Perlis

The significance of Sikh moneylenders as an alternative to traditional banking cannot be overstated. The story of Jagat Singh of Perlis is quite compelling. His involvement in moneylending enabled him to acquire nearly half of Perlis' land. The British had to intervene and exile him to Penang.

Their contributions to the legal profession, sports, education, politics, civil services, banking, and medical services cannot be denied.

The ethnicities from Sabah and Sarawak also have their side of history that is glazed over to deny them their role in national progress. The 1943 Jesselton Uprising is a significant moment when a multi-ethnic Sanahan crowd stood up against the formidable Japanese forces during World War II.

The current Government, which has strong roots and links with the right-leaning, pro-British, elitist Alliance Party, aims to promote the idea that the UMNO-MCA-MIC coalition is the only entity claiming independence from London. The contributions of the radical Malay left, such as PKMM and their liaison with the Japanese while maintaining rapport with MPAJA and CPM, are downplayed. Ahmad Boestamam, one of the key figures of the Malay left and other offshoot parties, does not receive due recognition.

In the early years of Malaya, Chinese entrepreneurs played a crucial role in developing commercial agriculture and tin mining. There is a special mention of a defender of the working class, Karam Singh Veriah; Karpal Singh Deo, whose fierce arguments about the Constitution still echo in the Opposition's minds; the revered spiritual leader Nik Aziz; the best Prime Minister Malaysia never had, Tun Dr Ismail; and the 'more Malay than Malay' leopold who cannot change his spots, Mahathir Mohamad.

The book concludes with a report on the May 13 racial riots. The official narrative, as mentioned by Tunku, is that it was orchestrated by communal extremists supported by secret societies and Communists. In reality, it might have been a political coup in disguise. The ultra-Malay faction within UMNO, including Harun Idris, Mahathir Mohamad, Abdul Razak, and Ghazali Shafie, plotted to remove Tunku. It was a well-executed coup de tat that struck fear into Malaysia. New economic and educational policies were introduced to determine the country's direction for generations. Racial supremacy became ingrained in everyday life in Malaysia.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Knowledge without Wisdom!

2026-03-03T00:00:00.003+08:00

Capture of Delhi 1858
Wiki Commons

Having an extensive amount of knowledge is not enough. One must assess the information and use it critically. It is like having a lot of money but no brain to manage it. In the end, it would be like the Emperor's new clothes, and everyone else would have a good laugh at the Emperor's expense.

This idea came to me while listening to a podcast about the 1857 Indian Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the Indian Rebellion or, more recently, India's War of Independence. About a hundred years after the Battle of Plassey, which marked the start of British rule in India, Indians were becoming restless. Christianity was increasingly influential in Indian daily life. British commanders included Christian prayer in their morning briefings. There was a sense that the British were actively proselytising Indians.

So, when the rumour spread that the bullets in the new Enfield rifle were greased with pork and beef fat, and required the sepoys to bite open its greased paper cartridges, Indians, both Hindus and Muslims, were provoked. It all began in Meerut when 85 soldiers defied their superiors. They refused to handle the bullets and were imprisoned. The other soldiers freed them, signalling the start of the rebellion.

Like wildfire, hushed, coded messages were sent between towns in the form of capatis (similar to Chinese mooncakes with hidden messages). Peasants rose up to oppose their colonial masters, especially around Lucknow. The natives rebelled against foreigners in Calcutta, Cawnpore, Delhi, and Lucknow. The problem was that they were not united. They fought in isolated pockets, defending regions such as Jhansi, territories, and their religious beliefs. The British were better organised. They used the telegraph to coordinate their troops and strategies. They also had formidable Sikh and Pathan fighters on their side. The Indians, however, had the numbers. An 82-year-old reluctant pacifist and poetic king, Bahadur Shah Zafar (Bahadur Shah II), was installed as their king. A fierce battle followed. The human tragedy was beyond words. It resulted in a stalemate; both armies remained trapped in trenches.

Aryabhatta -Mathematician-Astronomer
Extraordinaire 476-550 CE

India had advanced knowledge in astronomy. They understood that the Earth was spherical and that their heliocentric model existed long before Europeans could even count. However, knowledge that is not applied or understood in context can be cause for disaster. It is similar to a doctor refusing to attend to a patient and delaying essential care because of a lunar event. Indeed, the lunar eclipse would definitely alter his career path. He could be barred from practising, seeing patients, and might face removal from the medical register. Such a situation would be a 'cataclysmic turn of events' for him. Remaining inactive when a disaster is looming is unlikely to lead to a good outcome.

Suddenly, in early September 1858, the Indian soldiers deserted the battlefield. The Hindus, busy with their routines, had not realised that a full lunar eclipse was occurring. They believed such an event held spiritual significance and signified a disastrous turn of events; therefore, it was expected that prayers and rituals would mitigate its effects. The rest is history. The British gained the upper hand and continued their dominance over India for nearly another 100 years.

It is frequently observed that a lunar eclipse also took place at the time of Jesus Christ's crucifixion in 33 CE.

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Tell a thousand lies to make a wedding take place!

2026-02-27T10:12:00.000+08:00

Ullozhukku (Undercurrent, Malayalam; 2024)

Written & Directed by: Christo Tomy

https://www.binged.com/streaming-premiere-dates/
ullozhukku-malayalam-movie-streaming-online-watch/

Urvashi was a regular in many Tamil movies in the 1980s. She used to appear in many of the blockbusters, including those acted and directed by the multitalented Bhagyaraj. She went on to win many regional and national accolades. Then her appearance declined as demand shifted toward younger faces. She became choosy about her roles as she took a breather with family life and childbearing. She shone in whatever roles she took.

This movie is one such movie. It is a slow-moving but engaging one that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering how the problem will be resolved in the end.

Marriage plays a vital role in the Indian psyche. From a line in the Manu Smriti, often exaggerated by detractors, which equates an unmarried woman to the stones by the river being washed away. Many critical editions dismiss it as an improper translation. Modern Hindu laws do not follow this doctrine verbatim.

A peculiar thing about Hindu funeral rituals is that some steps are omitted when the deceased is unmarried. He or she is considered to have not led a complete life. Since the deceased is not one who surrendered to a brahmachari way of life, he is assumed to have not completed his householder duties.

In Tamil, there is a saying that goes like this. 'Tell a thousand lies to make a wedding take place' because the blessings of a successful union of marriage supersede everything else. Because of this, many marriages are arranged through marriage brokers through half-truth or the convenient erasure of negativities.

Anju is married off to Thomas Kutty. Anju's mother gets her married because of her entanglement with a Hindu man. Thomas Kutty is a sickly person who had a brain injury. He has epilepsy and needs frequent hospital admissions. His mother, Leelamma, seeks the help of a broker, with a full declaration of his medical condition, to find a bride. Somehow, the truth is suppressed and the wedding proceeds.

https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/
ullozhukku-teaser-out-d676af5e

Anju is shocked to find herself in a meaningless marriage. There is no intimacy. She essentially ends up being a nurse for her husband. In that situation, during one of her numerous hospital trips, she bumps into her ex-boyfriend. Romance is rekindled on the sly, thanks to the privacy of the mobile phone. Anju gets pregnant.

Meanwhile, Thomas Kutty succumbs to a fall. Anju's pregnancy comes to light. Leelamma is overjoyed, thinking it is her son's progeny which was germinating.

The village they live in is perpetually underwater, even after a short spell of rain. Thomas' funeral and burial are chronically delayed. In the interim, the story of the boyfriend and the love child comes to light. The rest of the story deals with how she deals with a likeable mother-in-law whom she had wronged, her own family, who is ashamed by her action and the father of the child, who appears more like a rolling stone that collects no moss and has his eyes keenly on Leelamma's property that she had willed to pass to Anju.

A nicely done film, minus all the wailing and melodrama associated with most Indian movies.

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Humans redundant?

2026-02-24T07:04:00.000+08:00

No other choice(Korean, 2025)

Director: Park Chan-wook

https://www.cineart.be/nl/films/no-other-choice

Another interesting release from the land of kimchi. After the phenomenal success of 'Parasite' and the subsequent heart-racing Korean dramas, this must be it. A social satire told as a black comedy in the wackiest way.

We think we all have agency to choose whatever we like. We feel entitled to demand what we want. We think we have the option to choose. In reality, we have 'no other choice'.

We think we are indispensable in our jobs. We feel that if we do not show up for work, the office will shut down. Not true.

In the modern world, automation was the first to pose a threat to our livelihoods. Robotics replaced people in doing mundane, repetitive jobs. Now,

we have to live in the real fear of being slashed in corporate restructuring and cost-cutting exercises, and artificial intelligence (AI) hangs over our heads like Damocles' sword. Seniority and experience mean nothing in a world where dollars and cents mean everything.

The movie starts with the definition of bliss. It is spring, and a happy family with a pair of kids is having a barbecue in the garden of their huge ancestral home, enjoying each other's company. Man-su is a happy man. After 25 years at the paper mill, he received an appraisal from his bosses.

Before he knew it, Man-su was given a pink slip. The new American bosses decide to downsize by slashing the middle management. The bosses say, "they have no other choice." A devastated Man-su has to go. One by one, his life crumbles. He gives himself three months to get another job, with his extensive experience. But it is not easy. 17 months later, he is still struggling with odd jobs. His wife has to return to work as a dental assistant and give up her country club lifestyle. They have to give away their two Labradors to cut costs. He cannot afford to send his daughter, whom the teacher thinks is a cello prodigy, for further training. The family decides to sell their ancestral house, too.

In the midst of all that, the husband-wife relationship takes a dip, with both thinking the other is up to no good. Man-su attends an interview for a post at a paper mill but finds that three other candidates have stronger supporting qualifications, making them the favourites to be chosen. So Man-su thought eliminating (killing) them would increase his chances of securing the post. And that is what he goes on to do.

The wife suspects his activities, but she decides to look the other way. She had no other choice. Accepting her as a single mum, Mun-su had married her and given her a good life. She did not want her children to grow up without a father. Hence, the wife tries to hide certain facts when the police came knocking on their door enquiring about the missing interviewees.

There are many nuanced references to the way we, as workers, have no other choice but to dance to the tune of conglomerates that do not value labour but commodify it as disposable. Human experience means nothing as all that the human mind has learned over the break of civilisation has been digitalised to be run by AI. The middle management has lost its relevance. And the upper management has been downgraded to supervise their jobs. Only that the labour force and middle management job is automated.

In the case of paper production, with relevance to this story, trees are cut by machines. The expertise of lumberjacks is unnecessary. At the paper plant, shredding of trees into pulp is also automated. Machines do the quality control and trivial odds and ends. The role of the human is just oversee that there is no glitch in the system.

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Burying the hatchet? Don't leave the handle sticking out!

2026-02-19T00:00:00.003+08:00

©Flikr

Many times, people have told me to take it easy. They ask, what is the use of all these negativities? Life is short; you already have one foot in the grave and are living the second half of it. How long will you hold onto the grudge? Make the first move, bury your pride and hatchet, and break the ice. Forgive and forget, they say. Before you know it, you'll be laughing like old friends again. Be the bigger man! Now, how often have you heard that? My question is, why do I always have to make the first move? Don't all these thoughts also cross the other person's mind? Why doesn't he make the first move? These are not just idle musings but essential questions about human relationships and society.

Making the right decision is not a walk in the park. Life often presents us with conflicting lessons, making the journey to forgiveness and forgetting a tough one.

'Turn the other cheek, one says. But yet, another says, 'Snap the hand before it swings a second time.' The pacifist would say, 'Bear injury, bear insult; that is the highest form of merit.' 'You don't have to do anything; karma is a bitch. You don't have to wait till the next birth. Sometimes, you will live to see the payback!' An eye for an eye will only leave the world blind. Amma would throw a spanner into the works if that was not enough. The person who knocks you on your head is a fool, and the person who does not retaliate is a bigger fool.

So, do we 'forgive and forget', 'go for an eye for an eye', 'forgive but don't forget', or be unforgiving, stating that forgiving is the work of the Divine? We are mere mortals.

Historical conflicts continue to cast a long shadow over the present. Each year, Japan commemorates its fallen WW2 heroes, a solemn event that reignites China's grievances over the 1939 Rape of Nanking. The demand for an apology remains unmet, perpetuating the cycle of resentment and unresolved issues.

Conversely, the Japanese did not take offence at the American unnecessary dropping of atomic bombs, which caused indescribable devastation to Japanese lives. Instead of rebelling against the oppressors, they tried to emulate the victors—dressing like them, playing baseball, and prospering as they did. The same applies to Vietnam and the American soldiers waking up to the smell of napalm; the Vietnamese still see the USA as a cash cow and long for their tourists' dollars.

The Middle East has experienced ongoing turmoil since the 8th century. Every faction involved in the conflict has an undeniable claim to the lands they fight over. They are even willing to risk their lives for their cause. Like one of the false mothers in King Solomon's court who would rather have the baby cut in two than see its well-being compromised, they allow their treasured land to become a wasteland. Sharing and mutual prosperity are not priorities for them. They should be. In their culture, someone who shares bread is considered a brother or sister. Or is it merely poetic language to comfort the ears?

As our medical services continue to improve rapidly over the years, we anticipate that medical procedures will become increasingly routine. The low rates of morbidity and mortality associated with surgeries persuade us that such issues only occur elsewhere. However, when things do go wrong, what is everyone supposed to do? Medical practitioners may become defensive when patients sign informed consent. The patient might claim ignorance of the risks involved in the procedure, and lawyers would be sharpening their knives. With zero tolerance for adverse outcomes and Murphy's Law lurking in every situation, who gets to forgive and who can forget?

The media, acting as the Fourth Estate, helps check and balance. Call it overzealous or satisfying the nation's 'need to know'; the public is often flooded with gory information. Justice must be seen to have been carried out and done swiftly. Unnecessary trials by the media have caused many unnecessary heartaches and led to false accusations against innocent people. Even when their innocence is clear, the press does not care; it just moves on with the next gory story. The bereaved can go heal themselves.

Losing a life is bad enough. It is worse when the person hasn't lived a full life. Murders, fatal accidents, suicides driven by bullying, and rape-murders often attract media attention today. This obsession with crime and murder has increased so much that many content creators earn a living analysing these crimes. Interestingly, some of these podcasts go beyond the gory details and sensationalism. In a world where the courts are stretched to their limit to seek justice—or is it vengeance?—to give the heaviest sentences to the accused, there are cases where dependents and relatives of victims go as far as forgiving the murderers. Does punishing wrongdoers truly help victims 'rest in peace' or attain moksha?

Forget about all those major crimes. Let us focus on relationships close to us. More than once, our loved ones and best friends have wronged us. They may view it as a white lie or even a bad decision due to misjudgment. Humans make mistakes, sometimes influenced by desires or complex emotions. How often have we thought we've been deceived? So often, we tell ourselves, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Life decisions are not easy. They are linked with societal norms and personal convictions.

Forgetting and forgiving are easier said than done. It is not easy for us to snap out of something. We want to remember, as it is our defence mechanism, to prevent a similar heart-wrenching event from happening again. Still, forgetting helps us heal and reintegrate into life. Sincere apologies are a great way to start the healing process. In modern life, according to our legal experts, apologies are considered an admission of guilt. They say that in times of crisis, one should not speak to avoid incriminating oneself. Forgiveness is crucial for emotional health and moving forward. The balance between forgetting and forgiving leads to healthier interactions and personal growth.

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From The Land of A Thousand Temples

2026-02-17T01:05:00.003+08:00

https://borderlessjournal.com/2026/02/16/from-the-land-of-a-thousand-temples/

“Which part of India did your people come from?” asked the Tamil tour guide during our last trip to Chennai.

“I know my forefathers came from Tamil Nadu, but, sorry can’t tell you which part of Tamil Nadu or village they came from,” I told him in Tamil. “I am a third generation Malaysian Indian. We lost touch with all the relatives back home.”

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How to erase your ancestry?

2026-02-13T00:00:00.001+08:00

https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/pig-cartoon

Listening to the Muslim convert, Zamri Vinod Kalimuthu, periodically spewing vile over his born religion, brought me back to memories that date back to 40 years ago.

KP, rest his soul, was our lecturer. He was quite well-liked by his students and knew his subject matter like the back of his hand. He taught Parasitology. Thanks to him, we are still able to rattle off bizarre names of some parasites, like Diphyllobothrium Latum (fish tapeworm), that would roll out of our tongues even when awoken from our deepest sleeps and still be able to tell some afflictions it can cause, like B12 deficiency from ingesting raw fish.

Truth be told, many human parasites spend a short part of their life cycle in pigs. Our porcine friend frequently makes a special star appearance in his lectures. KP finds too much joy in denigrating pigs as dirty and disease-carrying creatures. Happiness can be found when he lectured about trinellaisis and taenia solium (pork tapeworm). A glaringly similar pride was absent when the topic of the day was Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm).

What took the cake was this.

After giving a rundown of all the zoonotic diseases potentially spread by our porcine neighbours, out of the blue, he blurted, "That is probably why, we, Malay Muslims are discouraged to consume pork!" (Mungkin sebab itu agaknya, kita orang Melayu-Islam tidak digalakan memakan daging khinzir, ya?)

A few of us at the back suddenly had a spurt in catecholamine perfusion in the system. We looked at each other, wondering what hit us. We all knew that KP was a Hindu who converted to Islam after marrying a Malay lady. Everyone accepted him to be a Muslim, but to call himself a Malay defied logic. An Indian Hindu who embraces Islam does not become Malay. I do not think that KP knew that we knew about his background.

Mahathir Muhammad - Pannarayi Vijayan
https://x.com/thelast_demigod/status/1782739109234278604

That was the hot topic of discussion in the hostel veranda around teatime. In Malaysia, that was nothing new, even then. We had a Prime Minister who seemed cut from the same cloth as Kerala's Chief Minister, Vijayan Paneroy, his doppelganger, but he vehemently denied his Indian heritage in several interviews. There is a certain shame to admit oneself to be Indian. Conversion remains the get-out-of-jail-free card. They morph into a different being and refer to people from their community in the third person. Is it so easy to change one's ethnicity? Once one changes his name and his father's name, he could change his gotra, ancestry, and perhaps even his DNA.

KP did his thing, and we went on to do ours. Many years later, I heard that he was too shy to say that his father had died and had to rush to his hometown. Instead, he said that he had a family emergency. He returned to work the following day to lecture, as if nothing happened. The news of the death of his Hindu father was not shared with his colleagues. He thought nobody knew. Even before the era of social media, word got around.

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