Murugeswaran wins TOYM award Humanitarian and Voluntary Service category

Big winners: The 2009 TOYM awards chief judge Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (fifth from left) posing for a picture with award recipients at the ceremony in Petaling Jaya Saturday. Lee (second left) won the ‘Personal Improvement and accomplishment’ award. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN / The Star


Sunday November 8, 2009

PETALING JAYA: World No 1 badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei has clinched the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian award (TOYM) for the Personal Improvement and Accomplishment category.

Thr 27-year-old, who beat out two insurance sales people and world No 1 in women’s badminton doubles Wong Pei Tty for the award, said he had to postpone his trip to the Nov 11 Hong Kong Open to today in order to attend the awards ceremony last night.

“I am very excited about this. I did not expect to win,” he said.

He was one of the recipients of the TOYM programme which recognises 18 to 40-year-old Malaysians with noteworthy contributions to fields as diverse as business, politics, cultural achievement, religious leadership and scientific development.

Founder and CEO of Masterskill Education Group Datuk Edmund Santhara received the award for the Business, Economic and Entre?preneurial Accomplishment category.

Taylor’s College director of research and development Dr Vikneswaran Nair was selected for the award for the Academic Leadership and Accomplishment category.

For the Cultural Achievement and the Moral/Religious Leadership categories, Conservatoire Royal de Musique de Bruzelles (Belgium) master composer Chong Kee Yong and Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia president Dr Ong See Yew won respectively.

Champion for disabled persons accessibility Murugeswaran Veerasamy was given the award for the Humanitarian and Voluntary Service category.

The TOYM, originating from the Ten Out?standing Young Persons of the World programme, was the 24th held in Malaysia since it was introduced here in 1985.

Only seven Malaysians have won the World award with Datuk Michelle Yeoh being the last Malaysian to receive it back in 2003.

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.

CIMB Bank helps out in fund-raising

MALAYMAIL
Submitted by amir azree on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
CIMB Bank Bhd Local
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 09:18:00

IT’S NOT EASY: Murugeswaran (second from right) and Damai committee members explain to Tan (in suit) and CIMB officers the work Damai carries out
AN active organisation of the disabled for the disabled in the Klang Valley, the Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan (Damai), has won the support of CIMB Bank to raise funds for its activities through a charity dinner.


CIMB Bank, through its online portal CIMB Cares, enables members of the public to donate directly to Damai in an easy and convenient way, the bank’s executive vice-president and head of Business Banking Tan Leng Hock said.

“Generous Malaysians can enter the CIMB site CIMB Cares through the bank’s Internet banking portal, www.cimbclicks.com.my and purchase tickets for the Damai Chairty Dinner. They can also print out their receipts,” he said.

Damai president V. Murugeswaran said the dinner at Hotel Holiday Villa Subang Jaya on Oct 3 aims to raise funds to purchase two vans to cater to the transportation needs of the disabled, since public transportation is largely inaccessible to them.

Tickets are at RM1,500, RM2,000, RM3,000 and RM5,000 per table, but individual tickets can also be purchased direct from Damai by contacting it on 03-7782 3603 or by email at info@damai.org.my. Tax exemption applies.

Murugeswaran said diners can expect lively entertainment as well from the Synergy group Ram & Anantha, as well as musical performances and wheelchair dancing by Damai members.

Buy Damai Dinner Table Online via www.cimbclicks.com.my/damai.htm

Damai Disabled Persons Association Charity Dinner Cum Show

Your support is crucial in alleviating the pain and suffering of the physically challenged in these homes. Funds raised during the charity event will be used to purchase two vans that will provide the much needed transportation for more than 150 Damai members.

Kick-off for an enchanting evening of entertainment and be inspired by indomitable spirits of these special individuals:-
Tickets:

RM1,500, RM2,000, RM3,000 & RM5,000 per table.

Date: 3 October 2009.

Time:7.30pm

Venue: Hotel Holiday Villa Subang Jaya.

Dinner tickets can be purchased online by 30 September 2009 via www.cimbclicks.com.my/damai.htm

Damai group seeks your help

By amir azree on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Darshini Kandasamy
Ng Suzhen


Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 08:18:00

AN established movement for people confined to the wheelchair, or spinal wheelers as they are sometimes referred to, the Petaling Jaya-based Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor & WP (Damai), seeks your support.

“Our mission is to assist as many disabled persons as possible to live a normal, independent life through our activities. These activities range from imparting job-related skills to education and financial assistance.Since 1998, thousands of disabled persons have benefited from our activities,” its president, V.Murugeswaran said.

“This year, our key objective is to obtain the support of corporate organisations to assist us in purchasing two vans to provide mobility for more than 150 Damai members. This is because the present condition of our public transport system remains largely inaccessible especially to wheelchair users.”

To raise the funds needed,Damai is organising a charity dinner and show at the Holiday Villa Hotel Subang Jaya on Oct 3. Damai was established in 1998 to reach out to the disabled and to help them to be independent. It believes the disabled should not be confined to their houses, but come out and learn to be self-independent.
“At Damai, we help these individuals to cope with their disabilities,” Murugeswaran said.
The Damai Training Centre provides computer classes, runs a wheelchair repair workshop and helps the disabled seek employment and leadership training, abroad as well for the qualified.
“Our primary objective is to educate people on the importance of living independently. We hope to unite disabled people,urban or rural, to realise our aim of creating an independent disabled community that will be on par with the rest of society,”he added.

To learn more, go to the organisation’s webpage at http://www.damai.org.my/ or email them at info@damai.org.my Contact 603 77823603

Damai seeks your help

Submitted by pekwan on Monday, July 27th, 2009
Monday, July 27th, 2009 07:52:00


AN established movement for people confined to the wheelchair, or spinal wheelers as they are also referred to, Petaling Jaya-based Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor & WP (Damai), seeks your support.
"Our mission is to assist as many disabled persons as possible to live a normal independent life through our activities. These activities range from imparting jobrelated skills to education and to financial assistance.
"Since 1998, thousands of disabled persons have benefited from our activities," its president, V. Murugeswaran said."This year, our key objective is to obtain the support of corporate organisations to help us buy two vans to provide mobility for more than 150 Damai members."This is because of the present condition of our public transport system, which is largely inaccessible speciallyto wheelchair users."
To raise the funds needed, Damai is organising a charity dinner and show at the Holiday Villa Hotel Subang Jaya on Oct 3 2009.
Damai was established in 1998 to reach out to disabled people and to help them to be independent. It believes the disabled should not be confined to their houses, but come out and learns to be self-independent.
"At Damai, we help disabled individuals to cope with their disabilities," Murugeswaran said. The Damai Training Centre provides computer classes, runs a wheelchair workshop and helps the disabled seek employment.
"Our primary objective is to educate people on the importance of living independently. We hope to unite disabled people, urban or rural, to realise our aim of creating an independent community that will be onpar with the rest of society," he added.
To learn more, go to the organisation's webpage at http://www.damai.org.my/ or email them at info@damai.org.my or call at 03-77823603.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF DAMAI CHARITY DINNER

The Damai Charity Dinner Cum Show

Our mission is to assist as many disabled persons to live a normal independent life through our activities. These activities range from imparting job-related skills to education and to financial assistance. Since 1998, thousands of disabled persons have benefited from our activities.

This year, our key objective is to obtain the support of corporate organizations such as yours to assist us in purchasing two vans to provide mobility for more than 150 Damai members. This is due to the present condition of our public transportation largely inaccessible especially to wheelchair users.

In relation to this, we are organizing a charity dinner-cum-show at Hotel Holiday Villa Subang Jaya in their Vintage Ballroom on the 3rd of October 2009.

We wish to appeal for your organization’s support for the event through financial sponsorship. The attached proposal provides details of the event. Kindly remit all donations to the ‘Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor & W.P’ by the 30th of September 2009.