Kallori - The movie about Friendship and Love...

A movie about true friendship which is totally different form earlier films telling about friends and their relationships. Balaji Shakthivel the blockbuster director of the “Kathal” delivered another good movie after three years. Hard work always paid well as this movie. He has been one of the trendsetters in the recent times for realistic films that overrule the current Masala movies. It is another superb production movie from mega director Shankar’s 'S' Pictures. I was waiting for another director whom able to replace the vacant place that left by ace Director Jeeva and I have found Balaji Sakthivel.
'Kallori' is a simple story told in a straight forward manner. It about a group of friends from varied background whom value their friendship. Hemalatha as Kayal stands out with a mature performance and Tamanna as Shobana slowly grows on you while you tend to identify with Muthu as the story progresses. The chemistry between Muthu and Shobana is the highlight of the movie.

The story tells how an inclusion of a new friend in college brings turmoil in their relationships. Shobana and Muthu attaracted to each other and the relation grows as love but they could not express their feelings as they are caught between remaining true friends and turning lovers that they feel might tarnish their relationship with the rest who believe true friends don't really turn lovers. The movie climax ends unexpectedly and will leave deep effect in your heart.

Edmund Hillary, first atop Everest, dead at 88

Sir Edmund Hillary

In 1953, Hillary — a beekeeper by trade — and his team reached the mountain's south peak. But, exhausted by the altitude, most team members could go no farther. Only Hillary and a native Nepalese climber, Tenzing Norgay, continued on till the top of Everest.

Picture from AFP

New strain on Malaysia's ethnic ties

New strain on Malaysia's ethnic ties

By Robin Brant BBC News, Kuala Lumpur

Relations are not good right now between the Malaysian government and the two million plus people living here who are descended from Indian migrants.

There is confusion over exactly what has happened in recent days, but if the government really has decided to tighten up its visa policy for all Indian migrant workers, it would be a startling diplomatic gesture.

Just as political leaders across the world are lining up to do deals with India, Malaysia appears to have gone the other way.

It is unexpected, to say the least.

India and Malaysia have a long history of close cultural, economic and political ties.

Indians migrated here in their thousands in the 1800s, to work the rubber plantations. There are now more than two million Malaysian Indians.

The big problem here that we have is that nobody trusts each other anymore Manjit Bhatsia

But dissent has been brewing. It boiled over with a public protest last November - a rare thing here.

Thousands took to the streets to demonstrate, in defiance of a police ban.

The cabinet decision to suspend visas is proof that the event, with images of riot police and water cannons beamed around the world, has shaken those at the top of government.

They are worried - worried about instability and what it might do to the economy, and worried about the delicate coalition that is modern-day Malaysian society.

'No trust'

Indians are one of the three dominant groups here.

The Chinese established communities over centuries. Together with the Malays they all make for a fragile but mostly harmonious mix.

This mix is in trouble now, though, according to Manjit Bhatsia, an academic and writer who was born in Malaysia but now lives and works in Australia.

"The big problem that we have is that nobody trusts each other anymore," he said.

"There's a working relationship, a very strong working relationship at the top level of society, but at every other level of society it just doesn't work.

"That's the problem, this administration needs to understand that it has created a monster."

The root problem is the years of discrimination some Malaysian Indians say they have endured, accusing ethnic Malays of enjoying preferential treatment.

The underlying problems that we have can easily erupt between the communities Deputy PM Najib Tun Razak

A government strategy to lift the majority Malays out of poverty has ensured discounts on housing, quotas for civil service jobs, and places at university for the bumiputera, the "sons of the soil".

Malaysia is riding high on an oil-fuelled boom.

Ethnic Indians see Malays enjoy the spoils of political domination and the Chinese reap economic rewards.

They feel left behind, and some are demanding change.

The men who organised the march in Kuala Lumpur six weeks ago are in prison now.

They were arrested and detained indefinitely under stringent security laws, having been deemed a threat to national security.

"It's a very delicate situation in Malaysia," the country's deputy prime minister told me when I interviewed him last weekend.

In a blunt assessment of the fragility of the ethnic mix here, Najib Tun Razak said: "The underlying problems that we have can easily erupt between the communities."

As for the demonstration, illegal under Malaysian law, he said: "If we allow street demonstrations to take place on a regular basis, it will in fact entice or aggravate other sections of the community who want to respond to it."

There is a history of racial violence in Malaysia. In one incident in 2001, six men died in a week of clashes between Malays and Malaysian Indians in an area west of Kuala Lumpur called Kampung Medang.

It started when a man kicked over a chair as he passed a wedding celebration.

Some of the victims were hacked to death.

International message

With a general election approaching, there is a fear, even an expectation among some, that the clashes in Kampung Medang could be repeated.

I have walked around the new estate which has since risen up to replace the squats in the Kampung Medang.

One simple image conveys the divide.

On one side of a road, running through the low-rise tower blocks, I saw a Malaysian Indian making roti - thin fried bread - in a restaurant.

On the other side of the road, a Malay man was chopping chicken to order as a Malay woman in a headscarf selected fish from an ice-packed polystyrene box.

They live side by side but most people will tell you that they do not share their lives.

I interviewed one of the men who organised the protest in November just before he was arrested.

P Uthayakumar said the public demonstrations would go on.

"What else can we do?" he said. "We've exhausted all avenues."

The government has made it clear it will not tolerate any more marches. The organisers are locked up, indefinitely.

The decision to tighten visa controls for Indian workers wishing to come here was a message sent on the international stage but to a domestic audience - along the lines of: "Stop what you are doing or we will make life difficult for your friends and relatives seeking to join you".

As Malaysia prepares to elect a new government, the stakes are high.

Malaysia is oil-rich and developing quickly. Stability is the key.

At the moment, Malaysia is in a rare state of instability.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7178709.stm

Published: 2008/01/09 18:39:30 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

Harga minyak naik lagi??

Jumlah pengunaan petrol di Amerika banyak. Petrol menjadi karenah utama Amerika serang Iraq. Petrol menjadi punca pendapatan utama beberapa negara di dunia. Ada negara yang mengusahakan pelancongan sebagai sumber kedua sebagai persediaan menghadapi situasi tidak ada minyak di dunia. Adakah petrol akan habis di suatu masa kelak? Apa akan terjadi jika petrol habis hari ni? Adakah Malaysia bersedia mengahadapi situasi ini? Aritkel yang di tulis oleh saudara Hishamuddin Rais membincangkan isu mengenai "PEAK OIL THEORY/TEORI PUNCAK MINYAK" dan implikasi jika minyak tidak lagi dapat digali secara ekonomikal.
Menurut artikel beliau pada satu jangka masa pengeluaran hasil bahan bakar petroleum berkembang tinggi hingga sampai ke satu puncak. Sesudah sampai ke puncak ini maka pengeluaran bahan bakar ini akan terus menurun berkurangan.

Huru-hara peringkat global pasti meletus jika tiada petrol untuk kegunaan harian. Sistem pengangkutan yang akan paling terjejas. Jika harga petrol naik di Malaysia, secara automatik semua harga barang akan naik. Apa akan terjadi jika petrol sendiri tidak dapat digali secara ekonomikal? Baca artikel penuh saudara Hishamuddin Rais di Detik Daily.

Just a wrap up about recent happenings around the world on Hindraf issues!!

Candlelight Vigil - The police used water cannon to disperse a crowd who had earlier defied a ban and successfuly held a short candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka.

— PHOTO: AFP

Palay, 23, said he planned the fast to last exactly five days -- one day for each detained member from Malaysia's Hindu Rights Action Force. Singaporean had ended a five-day hunger strike in support of Malaysian Hindu rights activists detained under a tough internal security law(ISA).

Picture grabbed from Rajoorox Blog.

Hindraf leader sues Government, IGP and A-G for RM100m
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) legal advisor P. Uthayakumar has filed a RM100mil defamation suit against the Government and its two high-ranking officers for allegedly linking him with terrorist groups.


Protect Hindus in Malaysia, BJP tells Govt
The BJP statement said the party believes that India has a moral obligation to take up the case of injustice and persecution of Malaysian Hindus and PIOs (People of Indian Origin) with the authorities in Kuala Lumpur. “The UPA government cannot shirk from this responsibility either out of its commitment to anti-Hindu pseudo-secularism or under the pretext that this is an internal matter of Malaysia." Thanks Hindustan Times.

Im A Legend - நான் பார்த்த படம்

நான் பார்த்த இன்றைய ஆங்கில படம் என் சிந்தனையை தூண்டியது! ஒரு நாள் மனிதர்கள் எல்லாம் அழிந்து நாம் ஒருவர் மட்டும் உயிர் வாழ்ந்தால் எப்படி இருக்கும்? வில் சிமித் இந்த படத்தில் ஒரு ராணுவ மருத்துவ ஆய்வாளராக சிறப்பாக நடித்துள்ளார். வைரஸ்சால் பாதிக்கப்படும் மனித குலத்துக்கு அவர் எப்படி உதவுகிறார் என்பதை படத்தை பார்த்தால் புரியும். நெஞ்சு வழி அல்லது பயந்த சுபாவம் உள்ளவர்கள் பக்கத்தில் மற்றவர் துணையுடன் படம் பார்ப்பது நல்லது. மொத்தத்தில் இது நல்ல பொழுது போக்கு படம்.

Poster taken from I am Legend official website.

உலகம் எவ்விதம் அழியும்? உலகில் வாழும் சில லச்சம் மனிதர்களே சிந்திக்கும் விஷயம் இது! மூன்றாம் உலக யுத்தம் மூண்டால் மனித குலம் நிச்சயம் அழிவை எதிர்நோக்கும் என்கின்றனர் பலர். மனிதனால் உருவாக்கப்படும் சக்திமிக்க குண்டுகள் அல்லது விஷ வாயுவினால் மனிதர்கள் இறக்க வழி வகுக்கும் எனப்படுகிறது. ஒரு வேளை "Im A Legend" படத்தில் வருவது போல் புது வித வைரஸ்சால் நாம் கொள்ளப்படுவோமா? வான்வெளி மின் கற்களால் உலகத்தில் ஒரே கணத்தில் கோடிக்கணக்கான மனிதர்கள் ஒரே நேரத்தில் மடிவர் என்பது இன்னொரு கணக்கு. கணக்குகள் பலவிதம் ஆனால் மரணம் என்பது அனைவரின் வாழ்வில் உள்ள விஷயம்தான். வாழும்வரை தர்மம் செய்தும் மற்றவர்களுக்கு நல்லது செய்தும் வாழ்வோமாக... நல்லது செய்ய முடியாவிடின்; கெடுதி செய்யாமல் இருப்பது மிக்க நலம்!

புதிய ஆண்டே நீ வருக..யாவருக்கும் நன்மைகளை கொடுப்பாயாக..

2008 - இந்த புதிய ஆண்டு உலக வரலாற்றில் மேலும் பல நல்ல கெட்ட நிகழ்வுகளை பதிக்கும் என்பதில் ஐயமில்லை. வருட தொடக்கம் மேலும் ஒரு ரத்த கறையோடு நடைப்போட ஆரம்பித்து இருக்கிறது.. பெனாசிர் புட்டோவின் கொலை பாகிஸ்தானின் தற்போதைய அரசியல் அரங்கை மிகவும் சிக்கலுக்கு தள்ளி இருக்கிறது. யார் பெனாசிர் புட்டோவை இறப்புக்கு காரணம்? இதுதான் இன்றைய கேள்வி.. பதில் ஒரு ஓரத்தில் ஒளிந்து கொண்டு இருக்கிறது..உங்களுக்கு தெரியுமா..?

அமெரிக்காவின் அதிபர் தேர்தல் இன்னொரு பக்கம் சூடு பிடித்துக் கொண்டு இருக்கிறது. வெற்றி யார் பக்கம்? ஒபாமாவா, எட்வர்ட்ஸ் அல்லது ஹிலாரியா... என் ஆதரவு ஒபாமாவுக்கே! :-)

அடுத்து மலேசியாவின் பக்கம் வருவோம்..இங்கும் தேர்தல் நேரம் நெருங்கி வருகிறது. மலேசியாவின் ஆளுங்கட்சி கண்டிப்பாக வெற்றி பெறும் ஆனால் கடந்த பெருன்பான்மை வெற்றி கிட்டுமா என்பது இன்னொரு கேள்வி.. Hindraf எழுச்சி மக்களிடம் ஒரு விழிப்பை@தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது. இந்தியர்கள் ஓட்டு எப்பக்கம் என்பது மலேசியாவில் நடக்கும் நிகழ்வுகளை கூர்ந்து கவனித்தால் ஓரளவு புரியும்.

பல்லாண்டுகளாக தங்களின் சுதந்திரத்திற்காக உதிரத்தை கொடுத்து தன்னலம் பற்றி யோசிக்காமல் தன் தமிழ் இனத்திற்காக போராடும் போராளிகளே.. தர்மம் இறுதியில் வெல்லும்.. தமிழ் வீரர்களே உமக்கு எமது வணக்கங்கள்!

தன்னலம் கருதாமல் மனிதனை இனம், மதம், ஜாதி என்று பிரித்து பார்க்கவிடில் இவ்வுலகில் பிரச்சினைகள் இருக்காது. இந்த ஆண்டு உலகில் நன்மைகள் பல நடக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே எமது பிரார்த்தனை ஆகும்.

இன்பமே சூழ்க; எல்லோரும் வாழ்க..

Ethnic Indian protest leader sues Malaysia's government over terror accusation

The Associated Press

Published: January 4, 2008

Source:International Herald Tribune

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: An ethnic Indian protest leader filed a US$28 million (€19 million) defamation suit against Malaysia's government Friday for claiming his group had possible terrorist links.

Lawyers for P. Uthayakumar, a leader of the Hindu Right Action Force, or Hindraf, filed the suit in the Kuala Lumpur High Court seeking damages totaling at least 100 million ringgit (US$28 million; €19 million) from the government, the national police chief and the attorney general.

Uthayakumar was suing the government because it "attempted to blacken his reputation globally" with the claims of terror links, said N. Surendran, a lawyer involved in the case.

"They have not produced a shred of evidence to prove their claim," Surendran said.

Senior government and police officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The suit stemmed from what Uthayakumar — who is currently jailed without trial for allegedly threatening national security — called "a campaign of vilification and demonization" launched by authorities, according to the lawsuit documents.

Government and police officials had said last month that Hindraf was being investigated for possible ties to terrorism, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. The LTTE has been branded a terror group by the United States and European Union.

The accusations came amid a crackdown on Hindraf after it organized a rally of about 30,000 ethnic Indians on Nov. 25 to protest the community's economic plight and alleged racial discrimination by the Malay majority government.

The protest was crushed by police with tear gas and water cannons.

Uthayakumar and four other Hindraf leaders were subsequently detained under security laws that allow indefinite detention without trial.

Hindraf has tried to highlight what it claims is racial discrimination faced by ethnic Indians, who form 8 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people. Malays, who are Muslims, make up about 60 percent of the population, and ethnic Chinese account for a quarter.

Many Indians say the Malay-dominated government does not give them a fair chance to get jobs and education. They also complain their temples are being systematically destroyed. The government has repeatedly rejected claims of any discrimination.

வெற்றிவேல் வீரவேல்!!!

குஜராத் மாநிலத்தில் நடந்த தேர்தலில் நரேந்திர மோடியின் பிஜேபி மீண்டும் பெரும்பான்மையில் வெற்றி பெற்று உள்ளது. பிஜேபி ஆட்சியில் இந்தியா விரைந்து ஒரு வல்லரசாக உருவாக நிறைய வாய்ப்புகள் இருப்பதாக நான் கருதுகிறேன்.
தற்போதைய காங்கிரஸ் ஆட்சியில் உலக போலிஸ், சர்வதிர்காரி அமெரிக்காவின் கை(தலையீடு) ஓங்குகிறது. அமெரிக்காவின் பக்கம் சாய்ந்தால் என்ன ஆகும் என்பதை ஈராக்,ஆப்கனிஸ்தான் மற்றும் பாகிஸ்தானை பார்த்தால் தெரியும். இந்தியா முன்பு போல ரஷ்யாவின் பக்கம் இருப்பது மிக்க நல்லது. இன்னும் பதினைந்து ஆண்டுகளில் இந்தியா மற்றும் சீனா ஆகிய நாடுகள் புதிய உலக வல்லரசுவாக கண்டிப்பாக உருவாகும். இப்போதைக்கு இந்தியா சீனா தேசத்துடன் நட்புறவரை கொண்டிருப்பது மிகவும் நல்லது. ராஜா ராஜா சோழன், சந்திர குப்த மௌரியர், அசோகர், ஹஸ்வர்த்தனர் ஆண்ட இந்த பாரத தேசம் வெகு விரைவில் அதன் பழைய பெருமையை அடையும் நாள் வெகு தூரம் இல்லை. ஜெய் ஹிந்த்.. வெற்றிவேல் வீரவேல்!!!

இனிய கிறிஸ்மஸ் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!

அனைத்து கிறிஸ்துவ இணைய மக்களுக்கும் எனது இனிய கிறிஸ்மஸ் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!!

இன்பமே சூழ்க; எல்லோரும் வாழ்க..

"சோழ நிலா" - நான் படித்த நாவல் இது

தஞ்சாவூர் கோவில்

கடந்த இரு வாரமாக நான் படித்த "சோழ நிலா" என்ற வரலாற்று நாவலை படிக்கும் வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தது. இந்திய@பாரத நாட்டின் வரலாறு சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நாவல் பிரியர்களுக்கு இந்த நாவல் ஒரு வரப்பிரசாதம். "சிவகாமியின் சபதம்" என்ற வரலாறு சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நாவலுக்கு பிறகு என்னை கவர்ந்த நூல் இது. இந்த நாவலில் ஒரு கவிதை இப்படி வருகிறது:

அன்புக்கு வானம் - இந்த
அழகியின் நெஞ்சமெல்லாம்
அன்பர்க்கு தானம் - ஆகா
அணி செய்யும் முகத்தில் நாணம்!
பண்புக்கு மேடை - இந்தப்
பாவையின் உள்ளமெல்லாம்
பளிங்கு நீர் ஓடை! - முத்துப்
பதித்திட்ட தங்க கூடை!

சோழ நிலா என்ற நாவலில் மு.மேத்தா அவர்கள் எழுதிய கவிதை இது. இளவரசன் விக்கிரமன் தனது காதலி சோழ இளவரசி தியாகவல்லியை பார்த்து பாடுவதாக எழுதப்பட்டது.

Chola's influence at the height of its power (c. 1050)

Official Language: Tamil
Capitals Early Cholas: Poompuhar, Urayur,Medieval Cholas: Pazhaiyaarai, Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Map and other details above taken from Wikipedia

பில்லா 2007 @ Billa 2007

பில்லா நமது தல நடித்து திரைக்கு வந்த புத்தம் புது திரைப்படம். இந்த பில்லா ஒரு பயங்கர மபியா குழு தலைவன். இவன் பயத்துக்கே பயம் உண்டு பண்ணுபவன், மனித உயிரை பற்றி கவலைப்படதவான். போலிஸ்சுடன் ஏற்படும் சண்டையில் இறந்து போகிறான். மபியா குழுவின் பெரிய மீனை பிடிக்க போலிஸ் வேறோர் இடத்தில் வேலுவாக இருக்கும் இரண்டாவது தல அஜித்தை மபியா குழுவுக்குள் அனுப்புகிறது. மொத்த மபியா குழுவும் போலிஸ்சிடம் எப்படி அகப்படுகிறது அல்லது சாகிறது என்பதுதான் மீதக்கதை.


தல மபியா குழுவின் தலையாக ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்குகிறார், நயந்தாராவின் உடல் வனப்பில் நமீதாவின் கவர்ச்சி எடுபடவில்லை. விஷ்ணுவர்த்தனின் இயக்கத்தில் படம் விறுவிறுப்பாக நகர்கிறது. ஸ்டண்ட் காட்சிகள் மிக நன்றாக எடுக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது. 'என் பேரு பில்லா' ரீமிக்ஸ்சும் 'சேவல் கொடி', 'வெத்தலைய போட்டேன்டி' பாட்டும் நன்றாக இருக்கிறது. தலைக்கு இந்த படம் கண்டிப்பா ஒரு பிரேக் கொடுக்கும்.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans colony on moon, to send robots for recce

By Bibhu Ranjan Mishra / Bangalore December 18, 2007

In what may well be the first step towards establishing the first “human colony” on the moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is examining the possibility of establishing a robotic set-up or unmanned mission on the moon.

Called Chandrayaan I and II, the basic objective of the project is to examine whether a robotic set-up can function as a stopover to refuel reusable spacecraft for various planetary missions and, eventually, create a self-sustaining environment to support a human colony on the moon.

Chandrayaan I, which is scheduled for launch in April 9, 2009, will examine the possibility of processing Helium-3 to produce energy, said M Annadurai, Project Director, Chandrayaan, Isro.

Chandrayaan II is being planned sometimes between 2013 and 2014 .

Helium-3 is considered a very good source of energy unlike thorium, plutonium or uranium that have radiation effects.

“The robotic set-up can also find the existence of water, from which we can get hydrogen and oxygen to use as propellants,” Annadurai added.

The concept of having an outpost is driven by the fact that any spacecraft being launched from the moon will require one-sixth the amount of propellant it would need on earth.

“Basically we can escape the earth’s gravity,” explained Annadurai.

Isro has added a new 32-metre indigenous antenna in the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu, Bangalore, to track Chandrayaan-I.

Chandrayaan II is scheduled for December 2010. This will be in partnership with Russia, an agreement for which was signed during the last visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Russia.

The estimated cost of the Chandrayaan missions is approximately Rs 386 crore each.

During Chandrayaan II, Isro is also planning to land robots near the polar region of the moon to drill the polar ice cap and study the availability of water.

“If water is available, we will be able to collect helium and with hydrogen as the base, it is possible to feed the whole robotic base there," said Annadurai, adding that a human colony can eventually be established in the long run if the system becomes self-sustainable.

Life as a secret Christian convert

By Linda Pressly BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents

Abandoning Islam for Christianity is such a sensitive issue in Malaysia that many converts find themselves leading a secret, double life.

Malay-Muslims make up 60% of the country's population

"If people know that I've converted to Christianity, they might take the law into their own hands. If they are not broadminded, they might take a stone and throw it at me."

Maria - not her real name - is a young Malaysian woman who has lived a secret and sometimes fearful life since she converted from Islam to Christianity.

Apostasy, as it is known, has become one of the most controversial issues in Malaysia today.

Maria became a Christian over a decade ago when she was 18. She says no-one forced her to convert, that she made the decision after studying different religious texts.

If my family find out I am no longer a Muslim they will completely cut me off Maria Listen to the programme

Conversion is deemed so sensitive in Malaysia that even the priest who baptised her refused to give her a baptismal certificate.

And, even now, the church she attends asked her to sign a declaration stating the church is not responsible for her conversion.

"My church says if the authorities come, they are not going to stand up for me. I have to stand up for myself," she said.

Not even Maria's family know she has converted.

"If my family find out I am no longer a Muslim they will completely cut me off. That means my name in the family will be erased.

"I could migrate, but the problem is I want to stay in Malaysia, because this is my country. And I love my family. I just want to live peacefully."

Heated debate

Malay-Muslims make up 60% of Malaysia's population. The rest are mostly Christians, Hindus and Buddhists.

But many Malaysian Muslims believe that people like Maria pose a threat to Islam.

And the debate between those who say Maria should have the right to officially convert, and those who are against apostasy has become so heated that the prime minister has asked both sides not to discuss sensitive religious questions in public.

If the authorities find out, I will be in big trouble Maria Send us your comments Programme information

Fearful of what could happen, Maria would only talk to us on the phone from the privacy of her car.

She is very aware of the possible consequences of her decision to become a Christian if she is discovered.

"If the authorities find out, I will be in big trouble. They will create hell between me and my family, and hell in my life so that I will no longer get any privileges or employment."

Her fears are not unfounded. Another convert - Lina Joy - has been forced to go into hiding since her case went to court.

And at least one of the lawyers involved in that case has had a death threat against him.

Apostasy order

An apostasy order has to be granted for docmentation to change

Both Lina Joy and Maria want to make their conversion legal.

That means changing the identity cards that state they are Muslim.

Until now, the state has refused to do this until an apostasy order is granted from the Sharia court.

But both women claim they are no longer Muslim, so why should they go to the Sharia court?

For Maria there is a lot at stake. She has a boyfriend who is also a Christian and knows she is too.

The couple want to get married. But while Maria is still officially a Muslim, the only way they could wed in Malaysia would be if he converted to Islam.

And Maria's family - unhappy with her choice of partner - are pressuring him to do just that.

Crucial time

Maria is tired of living a double life.

"It's very frustrating," she tells us tearfully. "It means I have to limit my scope with friends.

"I have to be able to completely trust someone before I dare to reveal myself.

"I know some other secret converts, but I never keep in touch with them.

"I can't let my network widen, because you don't always know who you are dealing with."

I feel that I am all alone in this struggle Maria

Only a tiny number of people have converted from Islam in Malaysia.

But the coming months will be crucial for them because a decision is expected in the case of Lina Joy.

The outcome of that case may well determine whether Maria will be able to live the life she dreams of - to be married to her boyfriend and live openly as a Christian.

Right now she can't imagine it.

"I feel that I am all alone in this struggle," she says, "and I am frightened because I am alone against the odds."

Crossing Continents was broadcast on Thursday, 16 November 2006, at 1102 GMT.

The programme will be repeated on Monday, 20 November 2006 at 2030 GMT.

Putin Says He'll Be Prime Minister

"If the citizens of Russia elected Dmitry Medvedev, I would be ready to continue our joint work as prime minister, without changing the distribution of authority" between the positions, Putin said.
Monday's announcement came a few days after Putin led a delegation to the neighboring Belarus, to discuss long-stalled plans for a merger of Russia and the former Soviet republic. Those talks apparently made little headway.

Putin's acceptance of Medvedev's offer came amid reports of internal fighting between different factions in the Kremlin, led by rival figures tied to Russian intelligence and security agencies.

I agreed to some analysts view that Putin is the only figure in Russia capable of preventing the government from fracturing into rival camps of these powerful figures.Putin is able to stop current World Police USA form exploiting weaker governments around the world for its self centered activities.Some analysts say Putin plans to accept the prime minister's post only as a temporary measure. If Medvedev were to step down, Putin could — under the constitution — run again.

But by remaining in a prominent position, Putin could continue to exert his enormous influence and personal popularity to direct Russian affairs.

Putin elected as the world’s fifth most attractive politician in a Japan recently.

Human rights in Malaysia talked widely after 25/12/2007 Hindraf Protest

Pictures tells more accurately than words,sentences..
Pictures Source: http://www.jeffooi.com/2007/11/

More Hindraf leaders are likely to be arrested

14/12: More Hindraf leaders are likely to be arrested

Category: News

Posted by: raja petra
Source: Malaysia Today

(ANI) - The Malaysia Police has said that more Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders could be arrested after it detained five Hindraf leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The detained leaders are P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, R. Kengadharan, V. Ganabatirau and K. Vasantha Kumar.

Bukit Aman police officers picked them up between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. on Thursday.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said they were picked up under Section 8(1) of the ISA after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi signed their detention orders.

The IGP said that all five have been sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre.

The group came into the spotlight on November 25 when it organised a mass protest that saw thousands of Indians gathering at various locations in the city to support Hindraf's plan to submit a petition with 100,000 signatures to the British High Commission.

The petition was to ask Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's Counsel to represent the Indian community in a class-action suit against the British Government for bringing in Indians as indentured labourers to the then Malaya and exploiting them.

P. Waythamoorthy, who is another Hindraf leaders, is currently overseas, the Star Online reported.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said that the authorities were monitoring the situation and movement of Hindraf to ensure there was no link to terrorism.

"We will take necessary action according to the situation and information received," he added.

Hindraf makes Malaysian Indians thinking their future...

Cartoon posted in the Kumudam magazine regarding the Malaysian Indian protest in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia on 25 November. Tamil Nadu CM Karunanithi raised his concern about Malaysian Indian difficulties but Malaysian ruling UMNO led goverment slammed, denied the accusations. Info:(No.1 Weekly Tamil magazine in Tamilnadu,India.

Suasana semakin kusut dan kalut

Artikel membincangkan betapa pincangnya pegawai kerajaan yang mengkucar kacirkan pentabdiran negara.

Siapa yang tidak bimbang jika melihat perkembangan yang tersingkap di depan mata kepala kita sejak kebelakangan ini? 50 tahun Merdeka dan kini kita sedang dipertontonkan dengan beberapa perkembangan yang tidak pernah terbayang boleh berlaku dibenak kepala kita selama ini.

Saya yakin kita tidak pernah selama ini melihat seorang pegawai kanan polis memanggil sidang akhbar lengkap dengan pakaian seragam dan dikelilingi oula oleh para pegawainya, mempertahankan dirinya dan menyerang sebuah agensi kerajaan yang lain. Dalam waktu yang sama beliau juga mendakwa yang pasukan (PDRM) tidak mempertahankan beliau dan para pegawai beliau dalam menjalankan tugas mereka.

Mungkin senario seperti ini biasa terjadi di Filipina, dimana jeneral sesama jeneral boleh berbalah secara terbuka, tetapi di Malaysia, ini sejarah!

Pegawai Kanan Polis itu juga dengan penuh yakin menyatakan beliau melakukan tugasnya menyiasat seorang Raja Ah Long, dan kemudian menahannya atas arahan Timbalan Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri. Ini juga sesuatu yang baru bagi saya. Biasanya pegawai kanan polis, dari mana jabatan sekalipun, kalau pun menyebut menerima arahan, maka nama yang akan disebut adalah pegawai tertingginya iaitu Ketua atau Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara. Mengapa dalam hal ini pegawai ini tidak berbuat demikian sebaliknya menyebut nama seorang Timbalan Menteri. Sejak bilakah seorang Pengarah Jabatan Polis menerima arahan terus dari orang politik dan bukan pegawai atasan atau tertingginya?

Saya tidak berhasrat mengulas pendedahan pegawai kanan itu semalam serta keserabutan kes ini yang mana, pegawai yang dikatakan bernilai RM27 juta itu difahamkan akan diseret ke mahkamah oleh pihak BPR hari ini. Saya lebih berminat menunjukkan betapa, satu demi satu perkembangan mutakhir ini yang membuktikan betapa kroniknya keadaan pentadbiran dan pengurusan negara hari ini, kebetulan tepat 4 tahun pentadbiran PM Dollah Badawi!

Semalam juga Menteri di JPM Nazri Aziz yang juga merupakan suatu lagi karektor yang banyak menyumbang ke arah kusut-masainya pentadbiran negara kita, menasihatkan pegawai kanan polis itu agar jangan melepaskan geramnya melalui sidang akhbar tetapi sebaliknya mempertahankan dirinya di mahkamah. Sedangkan Timbalan Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri pula berkata, apa yang dibangkitkan oleh pegawai itu perlu diteliti dan disiasat.

Sementara itu hari ini, dalam NST seorang Menteri Pusat melanyak pula seorang MB dari parti kerajaan secara terbuka. Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad mendedahkan bahawa rungutan MB Perlis, Shahidan Kasim (yang senegeri dengan beliau) berkenaan kononnya lambakkan pekerja asing di Perlis itu tidak berasas. Sebelum ini MB Perlis dilaporkan telah berkata bahawa Perlis tidak memerlukan pekerja asing dan sebaliknya akan mengatasi masalah itu dengan mengunakan tenaga tempatan sepenuhnya.

Kata Radzi , Shahidan seorang MB yang tidak tahu apa yang berlaku dalam negerinya sendiri! Menurut Radzi, Perlis hari ini menggunakan 5,480 orang pekerja asing dengan sebahagian besarnya bekerja di ladang-ladang tebu negeri tersebut. Beliau bersedia membatalkan kesemua permit pekerja asing di Perlis jika benar Shahidan boleh mendatangkan tenaga tempatan.

Dan kata Radzi lagi mengapa Shahidan sendiri menggajikan 5 orang pekerja asing sebagai orang gajinya sedangkan ramai ibu tunggal di Perlis boleh diambil bekerja!

Begitulah nasib yang menimpa negara kita hari ini. Pegawai sesama pegawai bertelagah, Timbalan Menteri dan Menteri dan kini Menteri dengan Menteri Besar. Bagi saya ini membuktikan betapa longgar dan lemahnya pentadbiran negara, dan jika tidak dikawal ianya bakal mengundang akibat buruk kepada rakyat dan negara.

Rupanya tidak cukup dengan yang Melayu, yang bukan Melayu pun bertikam-tikam lidah dan bermusuhan. Semalam Timbalan Menteri di JPM yang juga Presiden PPP, M Kayveas telah menyelar Presiden MIC Samy Vellu kerana menggelar partinya sebagai parti nyamuk. Kata Kayveas, Samy menyangka yang semua rakyat keturunan India adalah nyamuk sedangkan beliau tidak sedar yang beliau seekor ular sawa yang menelan apa sahaja di hadapannya dan kini mahu menelan PPP.

Pernahkah anda melihat kecelaruan antara pemimpin dan para pegawai sebegini sebelum ini secara terbuka? Almarhum Tunku dahulu selain menghadapi ancaman kominis selepas Merdeka, berhadapan juga dengan krisis dengan Filipina di bawah Marcos dan Indonesia di bawah Sukarno. Tetapi pentadbirannya kemas dan berwibawa. Demikian juga Allahyarham Tun Razak yang bangkit dari runtuhan 13 Mei sehingga mampu terbit dengan gelaran Bapa Pembangunan. Hari ini kita tiada ancaman diperingkat antarabangsa mahupun dalaman, namun suasanaya sungguh tegang dan tidak meyakinkan.

Kemanakah kita selepas ini?

Posted by: "Kadet Pencen" kadetpencen@yahoo.com kadetpencen
Thu Nov 1, 2007 7:30 am (PST)
Roslan SMS Corner

Maxim Cover Girl - Malaika Arora Khan

“Black Velvet” titled by Maxim magazine this month cover girl is “Oh so Hot mamma,” – Malaika Arora Khan. I don’t have words to express these jaw-dropping sexy pictures I saw. I will not lie, I am a bit of jealous of her, she is giving complex to all the mothers in and outside of Bollywood, but same time she is a hot item girl and a very dignified lady. I mean we have never ever heard any gossip or any dirty rumours about her. She always has maintained her personal and professional life very well. I think both Arbaaz and Malaika are made for eachother.

Russia PM-designate Zubkov says military a priority

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister-designate Viktor Zubkov pledged on Friday to press ahead with President Vladimir Putin's policies and said bringing about a recovery in the once-mighty military-industrial complex was a top priority.

"Our strategic goal is to help lift the defense industry complex," Zubkov told deputies in the State Duma (parliament) in a confirmation speech prior to a vote which was widely expected to approve his nomination.

Under Putin, Russia's defense budget has been growing by around 30 percent a year and the armed forces have started to test new weapons, including improved long-range missiles and a powerful vacuum bomb.

Zubkov began by making clear that, as expected, he would stick to Putin's established policies, including further reducing inflation, preventing sharp fluctuations in the value of the rouble and reducing taxes.

"I believe our priorities should be the strategic targets and programs of concrete actions set out in the president's state of the nation addresses in the past few years," the premier-designate said.

"I think the government must find room to further reduce taxes".

Zubkov, speaking less than three months before nationwide parliamentary elections, also suggested that Russia's key natural resources sector ought to bring in more cash.

"Russian oil and gas, forest, fish and other natural riches should bring more revenue", he said.

Zubkov, whose nomination was widely seen here as a way for Putin to guarantee the continuity of his policies after he steps down from the presidency next year, did not announce new policies in his initial speech.

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1444618120070914

Your Smile..Tanisha

Unimaginable to queens and doves
I was caught between soft gasps of delight
and the privileged serenity
of taking in your smile

That solicitous smile
delivered hope to my soul
when soft swept words carried
dusk into nocturnal magic

Then a trickle of light nestled your hair
and I waited for the wind
and tiny bells to ring
the anticipating sound of surrender.

White House for Dasavatharam

Kamal Haasan's Dasavatharam has been generating lot of news since Kamal Haasan is playing 10 different roles in the movie.

The movie also features Mallika Sherawat and Asin in the cast. Recently a grand set replicating White House was put up at the Film City. The White House is the official residence of US President.

US Consul General in Chennai David T Hopper was invited to the set and he went around the White House set. He expressed his awe and admiration for the huge set.

Kamal Haasan's Dasavatharam is one of the costliest films made in India. Bollywood's sought-after music composer Himesh Reshmaiyya is scoring the music for the movie, which is directed by K S Ravikumar and produced by Oscar Ravichandran.

Jeeva’s sudden demise

Young director-cinematographer Jeeva’s sudden demise this week has come as a shock to the entire film industry. Ace cameraman and director Jeeva (44 years) passed away in St.Petersberg, Russia, following cardiac arrest.Director Jeeva was shooting for a Tamil film “Dham Dhoom” with ‘Jayem’ Ravi as the lead hero.

An acclaimed cinematographer - turned - director Jeeva had worked in over 40 films including Shankar's Gentleman, Kadhalan and Indian. He ventured to Bollywood and cranked the camera for several blockbusters including films directed by Priyadharshan. Some of his Hindi movies include Hulchul, Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar, Run, Kushi, Bhagam Bhag, Hera Pheri among others. Jeeva ventured to direction with Tamil movie 12B.

Jeeva's next was Ullam Ketkumae which featured a host of actresses. Popular stars like Arya, Asin and Pooja made their debut with the movie. Jeeva followed it up with Unnale Unnale and he introduced a Bangalore model Vinay in the lead role. Featuring Sada and Kajol's sister Tanisha, Unnale Unnale was a run away hit.

Jeeva was one of the shining talents in Tamil Cinema.I am one of thousands of the Jeeva admirers. His movies 12B, Ullam Ketkume and Unnale Unnale were simply great. Everybody looked beautiful in it. The feeling that I wont get to see those frames in other Tamil movies kills me..Don't know if someone else is capable of filling this vaccum and a big loss for tamil as well as Indian cine industry.Jeeva was one of the shining talents in Tamil Cinema. The Visuals he produced in his films were mindlblowing. We have lost a dynamic director who could have contributed much more for Indian cinema. May his soul rest in peace.

Sivaji review

First of all i do not hate Rajini. I have enjoyed many of Rajini movies including some of his older offbeat ones like Johny, Arilurunthu Arabathu Varai, Mullum Malarum and new one Padaiyappa and Chandramuki.I am a big fan of Shankar. There are a lot questions running in my brain when people saying the they said "Sivaji" is the best movie in Tamil and indian cinema. I have to force myself to express my comments @ thoughts about this movie.

I felt that I should buy a dvd in later days to watch "Sivaji" rather than get a ticket for the premier show. I was getting bored and totally disappointed after watched the movie. "Sivaji"should be made for two hours not dragging it for three hours. I did not expect this kind of movie from Shankar and Rajini. Sivaji could be the worst movie ever directed by Shankar!I was amazed that Shankar who has given us better films like Indian and Mudalvan directs a total crap of a movie. Don’t get me wrong. Mu humble request to Shankar sir...pls do direct the movies according your own thoughts not to follow actor's preference.

Comedy track is at best mediocre. I would come out of theater early if there no vivek comedies. Story is nothing new.Only saving grace is some decent songs (Sahana, Vaaji) though awkwardly placed in the movie- definitely not ARR’s best work though. New York Nagaram from Sillrendru Oru Kadhal is a far more better song.

There are many questions circling in my head. I found this article from a website that commented by a fan named Sivenesh.

WHY I HATE SIVAJI MOVIE BY RAJINI AND SHANKAR

1. The story was good but stupidly directed.
2. Why Rajini family acted as lunatic with Sherya family when he is rich and can ask properly?
3. He wanted true tamil gal but can gave sexy video clip with her?
4. Sherya don’t know how to act but know how to shake the ass and show the boops..oh my god!!! It’s certified U in Malaysia!!!
5. Why the police and suman believe its sivaji when they can run DNA test on new rajini?
6. How rajini or any human can remain death and came alive after with no pulse more then 10minutes or more till raguvaran help him? I don’t know how he manages to find him at no where!!!!
7. How rajini can guess the total amount of money as black money by simply click to net?
8. Why the government didn’t aware huge money converted to dollar from rupees?
9. No experts to unlock simple voice lock in laptop..plz la
10. How a car can hit and throw other cars by crashing both at same time and few of the cars and jump in to screen and landed safely and came home with 1 piece? The fron lights also fine!!!!
11. Rajini can jump and fight like Spiderman and superman?
12. How so many people and ministers gave up all the money and agree with rajini after few toughs beat them?
13. How any one can meet a minister with toughs and knife and no guards to stop rajini and his friends when he stabs the minister?
14. Why suman or any 1 try kill rajini and let him freely walk and do all he want?
15. Rajini can freely escape 30 40 toughs who holding knifes and beat them easily?
16. The students who doing medic can stand and walk over suman to death and didn’t realize a human being at their foot steps? What a medic students!!
17. Its like watchng TR rajentiran or vijayakanth acting
18. vivek doing most of the rajini styles and dialogs
19. I don’t see any use of money in the movie other then song scenes
20. Sherya only showing boops in all songs and even when stopping the train, so fast the train can stop and when its so near to rajini

I believe there is no reason to show hatred towards rajini because he was confused after box office hit of "Chandramuki". For the tamilans whose are celebrating sivaji as the best movie and encourage all kinds of nonsense please think using your brain. You are people whom encouraging Rajini the talented actor to do more nonsense of the same.You guys are not just fools, super fools! You are the people degrading the indian cinema movie quality.

Please watch Veyyil,Mozhli,Autograph,Potkalam,Nayagan,Guru..the other indian movies especially hindi movies such as Ranguthe Basaanthi and Laagan.

Aiyooda..enn kadavule..endru thirunthum tamilar samoothayam/thesam!

Should Hindus Break Coconuts In Big Numbers?

By Ravindran Duraisamy

MENTAKAB, March 9 (Bernama) -- Thaipusam is celebrated grandly every year at Lord Murugan's temples in Batu Caves, Ipoh, Penang and other locations around the country.

Apart from kavadis and chariot procession that Malaysians are familiar with, another act synonymous with the celebration is the breaking of coconuts by Hindus.

The Hindus believe it is one of the ways to invoke the blessings of Lord Murugan and this is why some go to the extent of breaking hundreds or even more than a thousand coconuts.

But sadly the immediate result is an unsightly trail of coconut fragments on the roads and temple grounds and this had prompted many parties including Hindus to reconsider this practice.

Please read full article at Bernama.com

"Semua Orang Salah Kecuali Kementerian Kesihatan", Kata Samy Vellu

SEREMBAN, 6 Mac (Bernama) -- "Lebih baik saya jangan cakap apa-apa. Kasi dia orang cakap...kita salahlah.

"Kita (Kementerian Kerja Raya) salah, kontraktor salah, subkontraktor salah, orang yang bagi tanah itu pun salah. Kementerian Kesihatan sahaja yang betul. Terima kasih," kata Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, di sini Selasa.

Beliau mengulas kenyataan Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek yang menafikan kelewatan pembinaan Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (HSB) di Alor Star, berpunca daripada kementerian itu yang sering menukar skop kerja.

Samy Vellu berkata demikian selepas pelancaran produk Eubiq dan Grounding Sentry System (GSS), satu Revolusi Saluran Keluar Tenaga, di sini hari ini.

Dr Chua dipetik sebagai berkata tuduhan bahawa projek ini tidak dapat disiapkan mengikut jadual kerana kementerian itu sering menukar skop, sebagai tidak benar.

Ditanya mengenai kenyataan Timbalan Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad yang mengaku kementerian berkenaan membuat beberapa pindaan dalam perkara itu, Samy Vellu berkata mereka boleh bercakap apa yang mereka suka.

Source: Bernama