Batu Caves not being fair to the disabled devotees

Posted: 4:13 pm, January 16, 2014 by editor

http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/batu-caves-not-being-fair-to-the-disabled-devotees/

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16: The disabled Hindu devotees are saddened as they will not be able to fulfil their vows on Thaipusam, which will be celebrated by the ethnics on Friday.

Damai Disabled Persons Association president V. Murugeswaran, in a statement said that it was due to the Batu Caves Murugan temple not being  disabled-friendly.

“Most of the devotees have, at this point of time, fulfilled their vows.

“But a disabled devotee like me, and others with similar predicaments are not able to participate due to the lack of suitable facilities at Batu Caves,” he said.

Murugeswaran said that the disabled communities, especially the association members, have for the past 10 years advocated the need to have a cable car service there to cater to disabled devotees.

“It will not only benefit the physically challenged, but also senior citizens.

“In earlier years, we had urged the temple management to revive the cable car service.

Several years later, he said, the temple management made an announcement to revive it.

“I was delighted,” Murugeswaran said.

However, its construction was halted as the Selayang Municipal Council had issued a stop-work order for alleged failure of the temple management to obtain relevant approval before commencing work, said Murugeswaran.

“I sincerely hope all parties involved will set aside their differences and concentrate on completing the cable car project.

He said that the disabled Hindu community in this country had waited too long for an opportunity to fulfil their vows and seek Lord Murugan’s blessing during Thaipusam and also during normal days.

“It is the temple management’s responsibility to find a positive resolution with the council to ensure the project is completed without further delay.

“I hope next year I will be able to write about my experience of participating in this auspicious religious celebration and the closure for having fulfilled my vows,” Murugeswaran said. – TMT

THE DISABLED: Make Batu Caves friendly to all

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http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/the-disabled-make-batu-caves-friendly-to-all-1.462512?cache=iyuuqseiz%2F7.320411%2F7.320411

THAIPUSAM is less than two days away. Most of the devotees have, at this point of time, fulfilled their vows.

But a disabled devotee like me, and others with similar predicaments are not able to participate due to the lack of suitable facilities at Batu Caves. The place is not disabled-friendly.

The disabled communities, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association members, have for the past 10 years advocated the need to have a cable car service there to cater to disabled devotees.

It will not only benefit the physically challenged, but also senior citizens.

In earlier years, we had urged the temple management to revive the cable car service.

Several years later, the temple management made an announcement to revive it.

I was delighted.

Sometime last year, its construction was halted as the Selayang Municipal Council had issued a stop-work order for alleged failure of the temple management to obtain relevant approval before commencing work.

I sincerely hope all parties involved will set aside their differences and concentrate on completing the cable car project.

The disabled Hindu community in this country had waited long enough for an opportunity to fulfill their vows and seek Lord Murugan's blessing during Thaipusam or any other day.

It is the temple management's responsibility to find a positive resolution with the council to ensure the project is completed without further delay.

I hope next year I will be able to write about my experience of participating in this auspicious religious celebration and the closure for having fulfilled my vows.

Read more: THE DISABLED: Make Batu Caves friendly to all - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/the-disabled-make-batu-caves-friendly-to-all-1.462512?cache=iyuuqseiz%2F7.320411%2F7.320411#ixzz2qSEOYc3s

Revive cable car project at Batu Caves

Published: Wednesday January 15, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM

http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Letters/2014/01/15/Revive-cable-car-project-at-Batu-Caves/

  

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THAIPUSAM celebration is just around the corner. For a disabled devotee like me and many others, Thaipusam looks bleak as we cannot fully take part in the religious festival due to the lack of disabled facilities in Batu Caves.

The disabled group, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association members, have for the past 10 years been advocating the need for cable car services in Batu Caves, mainly to cater for disabled devotees.

The said project not only will benefit the physically challenged devotees but also senior citizens, yet I have not seen any changes.

Several years ago, we appealed to the temple management to revive the cable car services.

A few years later, the temple management made an announcement about reviving the cable service. I was delighted when the announcement was made. In fact, I personally have made many trips to Batu Caves just to oversee the progress of the cable car construction.

Sometime last year, the construction of the cable car was halted as the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) issued a stop work order on the cable car project for the alleged failure of the temple management to obtain relevant approval before commencing the construction work.

Thereafter, we have not heard any progress on this matter, be it from MPs or the temple management. I sincerely hope that all parties involved in the said issue will put their differences behind them and concentrate on completing the cable car project.

The disabled Hindu community in this country had waited long enough for a lifetime opportunity to fulfil their vows and seek Lord Muruga’s blessing during Thaipusam or any other day.

It is the temple management’s responsibility to find a positive resolution with MPS to ensure that the cable car project is completed without further delay.

I hope that next year, I will be able to write about my experience participating in this auspicious religious celebration and the closure of having fulfilled my vows.

V. MURUGESWARAN

President

Damai Disabled Persons Association

Volunteer takes time to advise the disabled on how to fend for themselves

Published: Thursday December 19, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/12/19/Teaching-them-about-independence-Volunteer-takes-time-to-advise-the-disabled-on-how-to-fend-for-them.aspx

BY FARAH FAZANNA ZULZAHA
PHOTOS BY ONG SOON HIN

Good Samaritan: Paidy says he helps the members get in and out of vehicles, takes them to washrooms and distributes food.

   

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CONCERN over the plight of people in need prompted M. Payadathalle to offer help.

The chief agency manager of an insurance company has been volunteering with the Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia (Damai) for 15 years.

He said that as an able bodied person, he saw the need to help out others who were not as fortunate.

“I try to help however I can,” said Payadathalle, who is better known as Paidy among Damai members.

He cited helping a disabled person go to the washroom at an event organised by the NGO as a way for the able bodied to assist.

“The door is too narrow for a wheelchair to access. So I had to carry him to sit on the toilet seat,” he said.

The father of three sons treats Damai members like his own family.

“The disabled should not stay at home.

“They should be encouraged to go out and be independent. Damai is one of the places they can learn how to support themselves,” said Paidy.

He added that more business organisations should open job opportunities to the disabled.

“Society should stop looking at the disabled as a burden. Given the opportunity, they can do well,” he said.

Paidy spends several hours a week at the centre by talking and motivating the members and is a key person whenever the NGO organises an event.

“I help the members get in and out of the vehicle, take them to the washroom and help distribute food.”

He also helps take members to the bank or whenever they need to run errands.

People with disabilities need someone they can talk to and feel comfortable with. “Sometimes when I do not have time to visit them, they will call me to say hi,” he said.

Skill that matters: The Damai Training Centre provides computer classes so that its members can gain skills that can help them seek employment.

Paidy added that more people should find ways to help the disabled in whatever way they can.

“Imagine if you were in their shoes and need constant help. Wouldn’t you feel frustrated?” he asked.

He urged the public, especially youth, to volunteer at NGOs as spending time to help others would make them value life.

“It makes my day whenever I can bring a smile to them,” said Paidy.

He dreams of setting up a home for the disabled with enough space for them to conduct outdoor activities.

Damai was established in 1998 and founded by two disabled persons, V. Murugeswaran and M. Manoharan, with the objective of helping the disabled become independent.

Damai Training Centre provides computer classes, wheelchair workshops besides helping its members gain employment.

For details, go to www.damai.org.my/

Access audit at Langkawi international airport & Kuah Jetty with DBKL and Ministry of transport

Unity council should have a rep from the disabled

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/11/29/unity-council-should-have-a-rep-from-the-disabled/

November 29, 2013

FMT LETTER: From V Murugeswaran, via e-mail

It is appalling to hear the newly-appointed senator Bathmavati saying that the country does not need national unity council. The current generation is facing a dilemma in identifying themselves as Malaysians first.

There have been many occasions and incidents in past which indicate that the national unity is an important factor which needs immediate attention.

Nearly everyday, either in mainstream media, opposition media or social network we hear stories related to racism or supremacy of one race and/or religion. The validity of such news is subject to verification.

But the fact that there are so much hatred and feeling being left out from the development of nation just because one belongs to particular race and/or community needs the government’s utmost attention.

Hence, the formation of national unity council is a right move which was long awaited one.

The council and its member should be given the chance to serve the people to ensure better racial integration among Malaysia.

We are not in the position to pre-judge the function and what can be achieved by the council without giving them a chance to carry out their duties.

The council will be a great platform for it members to discuss and comment with resolution on issues pertaining to all races and most importantly the formation of the same is line with the prime minister’s 1Malaysia aspiration.

With regards to the need of a disabled representative in the council, once again I have to disagree with Bathmavati.

There are many disabled advocates out there who have been fighting for disabled rights. Maybe the
newly elected senator has not been in touch with grassroots, which translates into such statement.

There are many pressing issues concerning disabled people in this country which need to be addressed. Hence, a
representation on behalf of all disabled irregardless of race is important and much welcomed.

The writer is president of the Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia

Unity council needed due to existing racial, religious tensions, says NGO leader

Nation

Published: Wednesday November 27, 2013 MYT 3:56:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday November 27, 2013 MYT 3:59:16 PM

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/11/27/Unity-council-needed-NGO.aspx

BY TAN YI LIANG

   

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PETALING JAYA: The National Unity Consultative Council is needed due to current racial and religious tensions in Malaysian society, said Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia president V.Murugeswaran.

"The current generation is facing a dilemma in identifying themselves as a Malaysian first.

"National unity is an important factor which needs immediate attention," said Murugeswaran in a press release issued on Tuesday.

Murugeswaran disagreed with the opinion of Dewan Negara Senator and Malaysian Confederation for the Disabled secretary Bathmavati Krishnan, who had said that there was no need for a representative on the council speaking for people with disabilities (OKU) in Malaysia.

On Tuesday, Bathmavati had said there was no need for a OKU representative on the council as almost all non-governmental organisations representing the interests of Malaysia's OKUs already assisted people regardless of race.

"There are many pressing issues concerning OKUs in this country which need to be addressed.

"A representation on behalf of all disabled - regardless of race - is important and much welcomed," said Murugeswaran.

On the Council itself, Murugeswaran said the 27-member council should be given a chance to serve the people and ensure better racial integration in Malaysia.