Sunday, November 1, 2009

Batu Caves - Disabled Awaiting for Cable Car

Batu Caves was originally used by the aborigines as their shelter when they go out for hunting. Gradually it became a hot spot for guano collection by the Chinese.

In 1891, Batu Caves was promoted as a place of worship by K. Thamboosamy Pillai. He was inspired by the 'vel'-shaped entrance of the main cave and was inspired to dedicate a temple to Lord Muruga within the caves and since then “Thaipusam” being the special day for Lord Murugan has been celebrate there.

Intially, devotees have to hike wooden steps up to the temple cave. Subsequently the wooden steps were replaced by 272 concrete steps.

Batu Caves which was initially perceived as the Hindu Shrine has been developed and today Batu Caves is a world class tourist spot. Today Batu Caves not only consist of the cave temple but also has an Art gallery cave and a Museum cave. The art and Museum cave exhibit Hindu statue and painting.

Due to the rapid development and the status of Batu caves being a world class tourist sport, the temple management has decided to fix a cable car to assist the devotees and tourist who are unable to hike 272 steps in order to visit temple cave. The cable service was indeed a much awaited event for the disables in Malaysia. All this while, they could only hear the amazing story and the beautiful scenery of the temple cave, they were unable to see it for themselves. Finally, with the cable service many disabled individual managed to go up 272 steps and pray to Lord Murugan and for the non-hindus they managed to witness the beauty of the cave itself. Sadly the cable car services were canceled few years back by the temple management.
Damai Disabled Person Association Of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan has been advocating the need for the Mariamman Temple management and relevant authorities to revive the cable car service which has been long abandoned.
Damai, with the collaboration of a few NGOs, had in 1999 and 2008 arranged functions to rope in hundreds of volunteers to carry wheelchair-bound individuals to the peak of Batu Caves. It is quite a risky task.

Many of them shed tears of happiness as it was the first time in their lives they had the opportunity to fulfill their vows and seek blessing from Lord Muruga.
Damai feel that it will be good if the temple management revives the cable car service as it is not only beneficial to the disabled community but also senior citizens and people suffering from health problems

Related story

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/7/focus/3212858&sec=focus

http://www.nstp.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Letters/2473980/Article/index_html

2010 BUDGET: Ensure disabled are able to use public transport

NEWSTRAITSTIMES
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20091027083815/Article/index_html

2009/10/27

V. MURUGESWARAN, President Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor

THE 2010 Budget announced last week was a positive one for all Malaysians.

The Budget has allocated RM9 billion to finance infrastructure projects.


This allocation should be utilised in the best possible manner, that is, making the existing public transport system, built environment and public amenities, which are largely inaccessible to the disabled community, more conducive to their use.


I also note that there are allocations to acquire 35 units of light rail transit trains, eight electric multiple units of Komuter hybrid trains, e t c.


The authorities should take into consideration the current Komuter and LRT services (except for Putra LRT ), which are largely inaccessible to the disabled community, before proceeding to make these acquisit i o n s.


These purchases should cater for the disabled as well.


The establishment of the Public Land Transport Commission next year is a very good move by the government to ensure there is an authority to monitor and enforce service standards for urban public transport.


The establishment of the commis - sion has been long awaited by many Malaysians, especially the disabled community.


I am of the view that to ensure the commission does its work e f f e c t i ve l y, there should be a representative from the disabled community to provide in - put with regard to accessible transpor tation.

Include disabled in budget's public transport plans

Malaysiakini

http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/115990

V Murugeswaran
Oct 27, 09
4:28pmI refer to the Malaysiakini report PM slashes spending in Budget 2010.

The 2010 budget announced by the prime minister was a positive one for all Malaysians and was in line with the country's current vision of a '1Malaysia'. The budget allocated RM9 billion to finance infrastructure projects.

The said allocation should be utilised in the best possible manner ie, by making the existing public transportation system and public amenities accessible for the disabled community in this country.

The current condition of our public transportation system, built environment and public amenities are largely inaccessible to the disabled community. In order to ensure that the disabled people in Malaysia can feel and truly appreciate the government's '1Malaysia' mission, this has to be changed.

I also notice that there were allocations to acquire 35 LRT coaches and EMU trains. The relevant authority should take into consideration the current scenario of the LRT and train services (with the exception of the Kelana Jaya LRT line) which are inaccessible to the disabled community before proceeding to acquire more trains.

The new purchases should be planned carefully so that they too will cater for the disabled group as well.

Another interesting aspect of 2010 budget is the establishment of the Public Land Transport Commission next year. This is indeed a very good move by the government to ensure there is an authority to monitor and enforce a service standard for urban public transport.

The establishment of the said commission is long awaited by many Malaysians especially the disabled community.

I am of the view that to ensure the commission delivers effectively, there should be a representative from the disabled community to provide valuable ideas and input with regards to accessible transportation.

'1Malaysia, people first and performance now' will only materialise when each and every Malaysian is treated equally.

Let us hope the 2010 budget will bring positive changes to the current condition of the disabled community in this country.

The writer is president, Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Perseketuan.