Maika - Indians, Toward the 'Promise Land'
In my previous article, I have written much about the working class of the Malaysian Indian community; the sacrifice, the struggle and their immense contribution towards the growth of this nation which is yet to be rewarded. Hence, the rubber-tapping Indian community has remained one of the poorest and most backward strata in modern Malaysian society.One might question does the Malaysian Indian community consist of only the working class? What about the professionals or the “urban dwellers”? Have not the middle class contributed anything towards the society or the nation?
First of all, sad to say that most of the Indian middle class in Malaysia have alienated themselves from their poorer comrades. Many middle class Indians often feel impatient and angry with the Indian poor who are caught in this subculture of poverty. Many feel indignant that these people are always whining, begging and quarreling, instead of taking steps to improve themselves. Some even feel ashamed of them and blame them for bringing disrepute to the Indian community, and for “making Indians the laughing stock of this country”.Despite being sidelined from the mainstream of the nations growth and looked down by their rich neighbours, the working class has no personal vendetta towards this nation of which they pledge their most undivided loyalty.
As a wise man once puts it “do not question what the nation has done for you, but ask what have you done for the nation” perhaps was never pondered by any other race but by the working class of the Indian community. After giving all that they have had for the past 100 years to this nation, these ‘sucked oranges’ continuously gave in the form of investment to enrich this community along with the so called “cream of the society”- the professionals and the politicians, when there was call to create an Indian fund.
When the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President called out to his fellow Malaysian Indians to fulfil a long cherished desire to have an organization, which they can call their very own with the objective of enhancing the economic status of the Indian community in addition to providing employment, training and the fostering of management talent, it was the working class that responded overwhelmingly. Maika Holdings Berhad (MHB) was formed with a paid-up capital of RM 100 million in three months and about 55,000 shareholders.
The idea that the ‘elite’ members of the society along with the ‘guardian angel’ look alike politicians of their own blood willing to lend a helping hand to the much impoverished working class to improve economically, it had excited the entire lot. After all they are definitely far superior than the rubber tappers. The elite have a proven track record.
After two generations of workers grew up and lived in an environment that discouraged initiative, independence of thought, or a sense of self-worth, they have put their trust, their jewelry, their life savings, their daily wages, in short their lives into the hands of the so called ‘the cream of the society’ hoping that they will be delivered a path to walk out of the ‘living hell'.
Written by Vasu Yaranian
Note: This article was written by my friend Vasu for my hobby project- www.kavina.com (a website focused on Malaysian Indians, now defunct)
First of all, sad to say that most of the Indian middle class in Malaysia have alienated themselves from their poorer comrades. Many middle class Indians often feel impatient and angry with the Indian poor who are caught in this subculture of poverty. Many feel indignant that these people are always whining, begging and quarreling, instead of taking steps to improve themselves. Some even feel ashamed of them and blame them for bringing disrepute to the Indian community, and for “making Indians the laughing stock of this country”.Despite being sidelined from the mainstream of the nations growth and looked down by their rich neighbours, the working class has no personal vendetta towards this nation of which they pledge their most undivided loyalty.
As a wise man once puts it “do not question what the nation has done for you, but ask what have you done for the nation” perhaps was never pondered by any other race but by the working class of the Indian community. After giving all that they have had for the past 100 years to this nation, these ‘sucked oranges’ continuously gave in the form of investment to enrich this community along with the so called “cream of the society”- the professionals and the politicians, when there was call to create an Indian fund.
When the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President called out to his fellow Malaysian Indians to fulfil a long cherished desire to have an organization, which they can call their very own with the objective of enhancing the economic status of the Indian community in addition to providing employment, training and the fostering of management talent, it was the working class that responded overwhelmingly. Maika Holdings Berhad (MHB) was formed with a paid-up capital of RM 100 million in three months and about 55,000 shareholders.
The idea that the ‘elite’ members of the society along with the ‘guardian angel’ look alike politicians of their own blood willing to lend a helping hand to the much impoverished working class to improve economically, it had excited the entire lot. After all they are definitely far superior than the rubber tappers. The elite have a proven track record.
After two generations of workers grew up and lived in an environment that discouraged initiative, independence of thought, or a sense of self-worth, they have put their trust, their jewelry, their life savings, their daily wages, in short their lives into the hands of the so called ‘the cream of the society’ hoping that they will be delivered a path to walk out of the ‘living hell'.
Written by Vasu Yaranian
Note: This article was written by my friend Vasu for my hobby project- www.kavina.com (a website focused on Malaysian Indians, now defunct)
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