Author: meenas17

A lover of classical Carnatic music.
An avid reader, passionate writer, into stocks and investments for livelihood

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A Parade


It was a march anyhow,

Not an army trot anyhow,

Nor a fashion show anyhow,

Very much different somehow.

 

The eager wait  prolongs,

Honourable guests are not seen along,

Punctuality is tripped so long,

Confining the crowd not to drift along.

 

The eyes rove over,

Nothing glamorous appears all over,

Not able to view beauties from world over, 

It was patience made over.

 

Towards the right two jump across,

On the left a group of five cross,

In the middle little ones toss,

Depicting a lively display in  a gloss.

 

 

They have a coat of black,

A broad white  stripe in the pack,

Snorting with a peculiar quack,

They march ahead in a merry track.

 

The parade is not orderly,

The dainty gait looks lovely,

The non rhythmic steps are funny slightly,

Yet they captivate us  wholly.

 

The blue waters flow to the shore,

The orange Sun goes down into the floor,

Black lights up the sky in a quiet  score,

The little dark Penguins  gather in store.

 

Up they ascend in a hurry,

Hastening to see the babes in a flurry,

Peeping into their habitats with worry, 

They flock reverse in an undue hurry.

 

It is a parade with a difference anyhow,

It happens every  night almost anyhow,

It undergoes no rehearsals anyhow,

Yet it is a delightful Parade somehow

 

 


 

 

 

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Actions Beauty Enlightenment Enrichment subscriptions thoughts True

The Ocean Drive


It is blue deep blue.

 Water in a beautiful hue,

Waves rolling out without a clue,

Kissing the shore with an amorous  cue.

 

 

Winding goes the long drive,

Bends come in a notation live,

The mighty ocean rises in a strive,

Breathing out an awe in a  thrive.

 

Intermittent bays appear on the way,

Scintillating scenery hold us in a sway,

The huge trees stand in the fray,

Expressing a magnificence all the way.

 

The hills slopes up and down,

A little steep and brown.

The eucalyptus grows in a lanky throng,

Enhancing the charm to an ecstatic  song.

 

Down goes the road at times,

Up  climbs the  path at times,

Presenting an enticing scenario  all times,

Lifting us to a  lofty frenzy most times.

 

 

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break retreat thoughts

Away a Little While


It is a retreat  far away,

In  a tail end  bay,

Away  from  familiar faces,

Away from known places,

Away from stressful tedium,

Away from   garrulous medium,

Away only for  a little while .

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Actions Beauty Looks subscriptions thoughts

Looks Are Too Many


Looks are many so many,

Calling for a penny,

Looks are different very different,

Posing an under current.

Looks  take a bird  tone and  an animal  clue,

Expressing a   sensation in queue

 

First comes the pleasant look,

With a smile and poise,

Next treks in a  beautiful look,

With a glamour and grace 

Then comes  in a seductive look,

With a provoke and blaze.

 

The  Ravenous looks are zealous,

Attributing  a rapacious insinuation,

The Eagle looks are horrendous,

Ascribing to an evil  demonstration

The  Dove looks are melodious,

Gathering a sweet  inclination.

 

 

The look of a Lion interprets majesty,

The look of a  Tiger indicates fury,

The look of  a wolf  emits  treachery,

The look of a rabbit exhibits timidity,

The look of a monkey elaborates truancy.

 

 

The individual  expressions of birds and animals,

Transcribe and translate in Man’s eye ,

Reflecting his intentions and intonations,

Be it royal, furious,  seductive and pleasant,

Compiling a record of looks too many.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lesson Malaysia Racial Harmony

The Malaysian Formula for Racial Harmony


Article first published as The Malaysian Formula for Racial Harmony on Blogcritics.

Living in Malaysia is thoroughly exciting. You have a Chinese person living beside you in the left, a Malay in the right, and an Indian on the opposite side. It is real fun. The light-skinned Chinese with little eyes works with the dark-colored well-built Indian in an office where the brown-tinged softspoken Malay walks in as a customer.

In Malaysia you find no racial discrimination. Multi racialYou can find no derogatory reference to color. You hear no illicit remarks against customs. You perceive only fusion. You experience the adaptability of the three races. You have to appreciate the perfect blend, admire the harmonious living, and applaud the efforts of the government in enabling the possibility of co-existence.

The Malaysian conglomerate has three dimensions. The native Malays, or Bumiputras, as they are called, hold key positions in governance. The 1969 riots started because the Malays felt that the Chinese controlled the economy. To raise the share of national wealth held by Malays and indigenous groups, the government extended cheap housing, priority for college enrollment, government contracts, and shares of publicly traded companies to the Malays.

These policies have been in place for years keeping peace. But if they are continued it will impede the growth of the national economy in the long term. China with its fast-track policies has attracted investments that would have otherwise come to Malaysia. Singapore has wooed multinationals aggressively and outstripped Malaysia in growth. The present government has started to dismantle the policies that favour the ethnic majority Malays, making it easier for foreigners to invest.

Malays have become prosperous. Their standard of living has risen. Their lifestyle has changed considerably, approaching one very much similar to the West. They drive expensive cars, travel extensively, send their wards abroad for higher education, and secure coveted jobs in government and in both private and public sector companies. They invariably enjoy priority in every field, education, career, and amenities.

Yet the Chinese command the economy still. Their work ethic is unbelievable. They are smart, outgoing, and intelligent. They are a more homogeneous and a more united society than Indians. Their women are working everywhere. They are CEOs, actresses, waitresses, sales girls, anchors. There are criticisms of the Chinese as well: there are common complaints that they are egotistical, communal, and run a closed shop. They ape the west but know little English.

Chinese entrepreneur

The Indian community, which is 8% of the Malaysian population, are mainly plantation labourers. The Tamil schools in the estates do not provide competent education. They are mere apologies. The Punjabis from North India are frequently in the police force. The Gujaratis and the Sindhis manage textile businesses, while the Tamils do estate work.

They are peace-loving people hard-hit economically, and of late there is an awakening among the Indians. They want to rehabilitate their lifestyle by educating themselves and refining their wayward behaviour.

Indian Plantation worker

Every day at the same time we can hear the Muslim call for prayers, hear the Hindu Temple bells ringing signalling the worship time, and see the Chinese congregations in the Buddhist temples. The children acquire a smattering of knowledge of all the three languages and become familiar with the customs of all three races. They grow up in the most preferable state of communion.

Indeed Malaysia has set a precedent for racial harmony. Distinctions of colour and creed are deliberately prevalent in the UK and Australia and nonchalantly in U.S. Let the world learn the lesson from this tiny peninsula in the South China sea.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/the-malaysian-formula-for-racial-harmony/page-2/#ixzz1fHC1fVYE

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/the-malaysian-formula-for-racial-harmony/#ixzz1fHBYji50

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Oil Palm Crop

Black Gold:Oil palm crop Boosts Malaysian Economy,Defies Rain Forest Defense


Article first published as Black Gold: Oil Palm Crop Boosts Malaysian Economy, Defies Rain Forest Defense on Blogcritics.

 

The oil palm tree is neither beautiful nor imperious like the oak, mango, or neem. Oil palm trees usually spread a canopy above with branches venturing out in all directions. The trunks of the trees are generally broad, thick, and brown. They display a grand elegance.

The oil palm tree is lanky with dark black trunks and a cluster of green fronds at the top. There are scales in the trunk which depict a peculiar insert. In between the fronds we can locate the black fruits. The fruit consists of thousands of black berries which turn yellowish-red when they ripen.The tree yields fruits all throughout the year.

Oil palms earn much revenue, outscoring tea and coffee plantations. They have replaced the rain forests of Malaysia. Conservationists believe that their presence poses a threat to the environment. The rain forests controlled greenhouse gas emissions. The growth of oil palm plantations in Malaysia has also endangered the flora and fauna of the region, although the composure of the plantation is such that there is vegetation amidst the trees sufficient to protect the orangutans.

The concept of sharing is in vogue in the cultivation of the oil palm. Land sharing helps in conserving the species and acquiring good revenue. Most plantations are not manned. There is free movement of animals and reptiles. Man and animal co-exist without harming each other. The cry from the Western world goes unheeded in this part of the world. Westerners feel that rain forests are being destroyed for man’s greed. No. it is not so. They are being cleared for man’s survival. The West says the orangutans are being eliminated. But Malaysians defend themselves by pointing out that they cultivate the oil palm for their betterment, they grow oil palm for their prosperity. If the West bans oil palm products there is an even bigger market ready in China. Restrictions set by Western countries would not dampen the Malaysian spirit.

Harvesting the fruits is an experience in itself. The harvester uses a long rod fitted with a sharp sickle. He looks up at the tree and identifies the ripe fruit. Then he accurately places the sickle on the frond that holds the fruit. He pulls it first, then sharply hacks the fruit. It falls down with a thud. Ripe fruits should be plucked. Unripe fruits yield less oil and affect the quality so would be rejected by the oil mills.

The fruit weighs between 20 and 25 kilograms. The harvester moves to the next tree. Some may hold two or three, some only one. The plucking needs great experience and greater skill. Less skilled workers collect the fruits and dump them in mounds near the paths so lorries can motor in and load the fruits. Each lorry accommodates 7 to 7.5 tonnes. About 350 fruits go to make up 7.5 tonnes. The harvesting is carried out once in 15 days.

Oil palm is affably referred to as “black gold.” It’s true that this fruit is a money spinner. It requires timely application of fertilizer and periodic application of pesticide. It is a high consumer of nitrogen. It needs no irrigation as it is in rain-fed areas. Trenches are dug between the rows of oil palm trees to contain the moisture.

Malaysians have become affluent. Their standard of living has gone up. We find small plantations by the roads, near the houses, next to the kiosks. Every fortnight the small grower earns a handsome amount of money. The country has a robust economy. The people have become self-sufficient. There is a remarkable difference in the approach to life. Some three decades back the scenario was pathetic, but at the moment there is good cheer and happiness all around.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/black-gold-oil-palm-crop-boosts/page-2/#ixzz1fCTbBPfO

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/black-gold-oil-palm-crop-boosts/#ixzz1fCTThLyi

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/black-gold-oil-palm-crop-boosts/#ixzz1fCTMSLMY

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Fly Wish

Air Asia :Alliance in the Blue Skies


Article first published as Air Asia: Alliance in the Blue Skies on Blogcritics.

“Now everyone can fly,” the byline of Air Asia, kept haunting me all through. To me, a lover of literature, it brought to mind Shakespeare’s words, “If wishes were horses beggars would ride.”Air Asia

Air Asia is a low-cost airline, very practical and without frills.   It provides what it spells out. To pick a seat you have to pay. To carry luggage weighing more than seven kilograms you have to pay. For a glass of water you have to pay. For your meals you have to pay. They do not pamper you with drinks, with sumptuous meals, with dark chocolates, with soft pillows, with musical gadgets. Neither do they have business class or executive class; everything is basically economy.

They do not take you in a bus to board the aircraft. All you have to do is walk to the plane. Sometimes it can be more than a kilometre. They extend a walking track to you to make you fit for the long flight where you have to sit tight for long hours. If it rains they give you an umbrella. So much so fine.
walking

Inside, the leg room is adequate. The cleanliness is good. The service is excellent. They keep time. Departure might be delayed a few minutes but any delay is compensated for during the flight.

They land you on time. They attach no jet bridge – again you have to walk a kilometre or so to the terminal. Well, your sagging muscles get toned up, helping you to proceed briskly to the immigration check if you are on an international flight.

Browsing through their fares we find them most competitive. It is time that helps you. If you book a flight say eleven months ahead of time, you save enormously. They go very cheap. The price of tickets for domestic flights is cheaper than bus fares. It costs RM 29 to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Penang while the bus fare is RM 50. My jaw dropped when I saw that the cost of one trip to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur was Rm 158 per person. Of course there were the tax and fuel charges. But the basic fare was only RM 158. It was so alluring and very attractive. Working up the tax and fuel price the ticket went up by another RM 100. Even then it was cheap, dead cheap. Air Asia gives you training in planning too. Here the early planners snatch the best deal.

An airport is dedicated to Air Asia in Kuala Lumpur. It is located some ten kilometers from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and is rightly called the Low Cost Carrier Terminus (LCCT). BaliThe airport is full of Air Asia flights flashing the tag “Now everyone can fly.” The airline’s service reveals an enlightening philosophy. It takes you to places as near as Singapore as well as to places as far as London for fares unbelievable, for comforts reasonable.

Air Asia has proved its vitality.  Flying is no longer a fascination. It is an experience thrown open to all irrespective of wealth. Air Asia honcho Tony Fernandez has wrought wonders. He acquired this money-losing airline for RM 1 and transformed it into the most successful low-cost carrier in less than five years.

Tony fernandez
Tony, generally seen sporting a red cap, sees the sky from the land and the land from the sky as all do but with a different perspective.

It looks as though the sky has descended halfway and the land has risen up halfway to notch up an alliance midway in the blue skies.

Yes. What Shakespeare might have written in late 16th century has come true now with planes replacing horses: “if wishes were planes, beggars could fly.” Wishes can be realized for a pittance.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/air-asia-alliance-in-the-blue/page-2/#ixzz1fCR3N8Gx

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Actions Anger subscriptions thoughts turmoil

Circular Mapping


The impudence of the kin,

The arrogance of the kith,

The  disregard of the near,

The disdain of the dear,

Lasts  not for a year.

 

They change with the seasons,

Cold is their feeling in Winter,

Friendly is their attitude in Summer,

Endearing is their advance in Spring,

Indifferent is their thought for autumn

 

They vary with periods of the day,

Pose a smile in the morn,

Look displeased in the afternoon,

Express a sneer in the evening.

Ensue a threat in the night.

 

Their  endearing and exuberance  persuade

Their shrug and shriek dissuade,

Their jibes and vile intrude

Their provocation and condescension delude,

The mind ,thought and whatever not.

 

Ever be ready to attack them

Not with weapons but with words,

Let them be scathing and sticky,

Conducting a hurt so brutal and  poignant.

Befitting their taunts and tantrums

 

 

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Actions Economy Swindle thoughts turmoil

A Swindle Over There.


A large swindle was up there,

Looking above it was sparkling,

The eyes  lost its power of seeing,

It was a powerful wind up  over there.

 

A great swindle was going on a little away,

Espying keenly it was amazing

The eyes got stuck up to a fixing

It was a gigantic sweep over there.

 

A top swindle was going on right before,

Reviewing the progress it was tantalizing,

The eyes closed  itself  to a  shooting,

It was a thorough plunder over there.

 

 

An entire swindle  was going down below,

Noticing the preemptive it was shocking,

The eyes opened itself to a  cracking,

It was an absolute devastation over there.

 

All these were enacted in the exchequer,

The nation’s reserve was looted,

Scams in various forms erupted,

Putting the nation to a desolate laugh forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Actions deride Experience sneer thoughts Wedlock Wisdom

A Rub and a Rebuff.


It was a harsh rub,

A brush on the wrong side,

A bruise to the heart,

A hurt to the ego,

Killing to the core quoth she.

 

It was a rough trial,

An attempt to deface,

A conspiracy to efface,

A bash on the face,

Humiliating to the essence quoth she.

 

Well,it is their nature,

Made of such stuff abrasive,

Ever ready to be incisive,

Always intending to be reprehensive,

Assaulting  to the depth,said I

 

It is  an affectation very likely,

Presenting a broad smile outward,

It is fever and fret inward,

Casting a distraught onward,

Directing an onslaught  absolute,said I.

 

Well it is their way of doing,

Beat them with a wordy sway,

Slash them back as you may,

Retort and rebuff at a bay,

Shrug them off with repulsive strain,said I

 

Born out of a wedlock prime,

The mother stern and sincere,

The father wise and revered,

You a child of meritorious steer,

March ahead ignoring their  lowly deride,said I