Goodbye Jagroop Singh

Tribute to a dear friend

 

  Jagroop Singh Bhattal                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1954 -2017

We became friends in 1960 at a tender age of 7 when we were admitted to standard 1 in SYS.

We did not know each other but we were comfortable to study, play, do mischief together and at times even fight each other. Despite the competition among us we did not harbour any grudge or hatred as we had in us what every child has – innocence.

This friendship developed as we grew together till the age of seventeen when we had to part ways. We followed own paths pursuing our careers in our own ways, losing contact for many years. We succeeded to build own careers and own families as we journey through life.

When we met after many years we were all so different physically and mentally but remained united with the common interests of our childhood. After those long years Jagroop was still our dear old friend. He was friendly, humble and obliging even when he was ill and knew that the end was near.

We continued to build our friendship that was suspended for over 40 years. Unfortunately God decided we should once again part and this time for good. It is a painful separation unlike the one 45 years ago. It pains to recall the good old days in BG but we will continue to cherish those memories in our hearts till we meet again one day.

Jagroop may have left us but his memories are still very much alive in our hearts. Every time we pass Taiping we remember this good friend who was always eager and happy to have us stop by at his home for some capati prepared by his wonderful wife.

With heavy hearts we bid farewell to a dear friend, who valued our friendship so much till the end.

Goodbye dear Jagroop Singh Bhattal  

 Rest in peace

From your classmates of SYS 1970                                                                                                                                                                   7 January 2017

  

New Year 2017

Guilty shame no more

As we come the close of 2016, it may be relevant for us to reflect on the events of the year and their implications on our lives so as to make us better prepared for the coming year.

At the beginning of this year I wrote about the gloom that had engulfed our nation due to the “Cash is King” phenomenon that has taken control of our country. I expressed great disappointment that corruption has become rampant and blatant in our country especially at the highest level. This was illustrated by the 1MDB scandal that had shaken the very core of our economic and democratic system of governance. I ended by asking whether there was still hope for cure.

As we step foot into 2017, the problems of the 1MDB is yet to be solved. In fact it had become more complex and entrenched with no end in sight. It had led to another phenomenon where shame has become alien to our culture. Despite being guilty of wrong doing there is no feeling of shame by the wrong doer. In fact today the corrupt with right connections walks with their heads high despite being proven, whereas those who speak out against the wrong doers are being punished. 

In any society shame is a deterrent to wrong doing but today sadly that shame is slowly fading, being replaced with arrogance and blatant abuse of power to hide all wrong doings. What has gone wrong with our culture that we held in high esteem? Why have people become shameless despite been proven guilty?

Major corruption and abuse of power appears to be invisible and continue into the New Year. Our hopes are fading as even rights groups outside seem to slowly give up hope. To make matters worse many of our friends and relatives have given up and are leaving for greener pastures elsewhere. Will emigrating solve our problems?

We must realize that only we and we alone can stop the rot that is destroying our beloved nation which we toiled to build. The silent majority must wake up and stand to be countered not run away in defeat. Our fate depends on the silent majority and we just hope and pray they wake up to make the right choice come the 14GE.

Meanwhile the opposition must put aside their ego and differences to unite behind a capable leader who is committed to fight for the good of all regardless of race and creed. Time is running out and more they delay the lesser the chance of succeeding as the ‘enemy’ is strong, rich and powerful whose might we cannot match.

Happy New Year  

Mahatma Gandhi's 147th birthday

On this 147th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi,his following words may give us some hope for coming out of the gloom engulfing our beloved nation.

Today there is despair as we watch helplessly bad winning over good everywhere.The righteous seem to have lost their voice as their rights and freedom are blatantly denied and abused.

Will sanity ever prevail and the good overcome bad in the near future?Will peace and harmony ever return?The Mahatma's words will at the least give us a little hope and comfort that the evil of tyrany may be not invincible after all.

The historic Anwar-Mahathir handshake

Death spell for Umno-BN?

The unimaginable has occurred which goes to show that in life, especially in politics, there are no real friends or enemies.

I refer to the historic meeting between Tun Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim. The irony is that despite Anwar sending out conciliatory messages before, it was Mahathir who had to swallow his pride   to go to meet his once trusted deputy who later became his arch-enemy.

What does this meeting mean in today’s chaotic Malaysia under PM Najib Razak? Both men deny that they had made peace and became friends again but are in agreement to fight Najib’s NSC Act which Anwar has filed in court. Both are veteran politicians who know what they are talking about and their words were calculated so as not to reveal too much of what is in their minds.

The question in everyone’s mind is whether this reunion of the two men after 18 years will stop Umno and Najib from what they are doing. Will this be enough to bring down Najib and save the country from further destruction? Will it be able to take to topple Umno-BN in the coming general elections? Every right thinking Malaysian is hoping this reunion will bring about the political change necessary to start the rebuilding our tattered and torn nation.

Whether the reunion of Mahathir and Anwar will bear any results waits to be seen but it is a move in the right direction to unite the Malays against Najib and Umno. The much awaited handshake may have come a little too late but nevertheless it is better than never as it comes at time of great despair. 

Mahathir on his part must realise that he has to admit his mistakes and the injustice behind Anwar’s “Black eye”. He must admit his dictatorial style of 22 years had contributed to the abuses by his successor and the present Umno leadership. His apology to the people is long overdue and that will only unite the people especially the Malays to rally behind him and Anwar to change the fate of the nation.

Mahathir has shown his magnanimity to meet and support Anwar for the sake of the country and I am sure he will see the wisdom to humble himself to protect the people against further abuses and destruction by his very own successors in Umno.

We hope and pray this historic handshake will unite all parties opposed to Umno-BN   so that together they can offer a formidable challenge and form the next government after the 14GE.