Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Selangor Ready to Approve the Sri Subramaniar Temple Cable Car Project

http://en.selangorku.com/11475/selangor-ready-to-approve-the-sri-subramaniar-temple-cable-car-project/

BATU CAVES, 17 Jan: the Selangor Government is ready to give approval for the cable car construction project near the Sri Sburamaniar Temple if it meets all safety requirements prescribed.

The Chief Minister of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that the approval is being considered because Batu Caves is famous for building houses of worship for the Indian community, in addition to being a tourist attraction, especially those from abroad.

He said that the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has been studying the construction site to ensure that the project runs smoothly because it is a limestone area.

“The study conducted by experts show that it is in good condition. We will give approval to build it.

“However, I ask the temple committee to attend a briefing to look at the land situation here. We have records of up to 10 metres below the surface,” he said in front of 7,000 Hindus in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration yesterday.

Also present was the Chairman of the Sri Mariamar Temple, Tan Sri Nadaraja; Selangor Executive Councillor V Ganabatira; the Member of Parliament for Gombak, Azmin Ali; the Member of Parliament for Selayang, William Leong; the Assemblyman for Batu Caves, Amirudin Shari and the Assemblywoman for Rawang, Gan Peo Nei.

Abdul Khalid said that a group of experts have been sent to Hong Kong to study the appropriate design for the cable cars with the best safety features.

He said that the project should be built properly because it does not only reflect Selangor’s image, but also the image of Malaysia.

“If the temple (committee) is not satisfied with this, they can discuss with the state government and MPS.

“We are showing that Selangor’s administration is very professional. We can show that what is important is that those constricting buildings must follow the rules.

“We believe that the development in this area will be improved for the better,” he said.

Abdul Khalid also informed that Selangor will announce the state development plan for the next two years with an allocation of RM1 billion in February.

Friday, January 17, 2014

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

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

THE DISABLED: Make Batu Caves friendly to all

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.

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/

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

Thursday, December 19, 2013

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.

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.

Damai Training Centre provides computer classes, and wheelchair workshop besides helping them to seek employment.

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/