RIFLE RANGE BOY

Written for IndiSpire... Edition 172 Growing up in the poorer side of town, people generally did not form any high opinion about me. My physical attributes did not compensate for the deficiency. Whether one likes to admit or not, society judges. A fairer skin would perform better in the impression department and I fail miserably. I would not be surprised if people do judge me to be incapable, unimpressive and unconvincing. But the question is, "do I give a damn?" It is a free world and everyone is entitled to the opinions. Just like how I have mine. I do not owe anyone a living just like they, on me. One humbling experience about judging others was shoved down upon me a good 24 years ago... This posting is an old one from my collection in  Rifle Range Boy . Back in early 90s, whilst I was still a green horned newbie at the art of healing in Malacca, I was approached in the course of my daily dealings, by a lady who despite her outwardly ultra conservative appear...

Pichaikaran (பிச்சைக்காரன், Beggar, Tamil; 2016) My friend told me that the tone for Chinese New Year this year is somewhat sombre, to put it mildly. Gone are the days when the eardrum exploding firecrackers used the usher the arrival of the lunar new year. Some low ranking staff are tightening their belts, resorting to wearing last year's unused garments for this year's celebrations. Sure, that is austerity but ask someone who has been on the other side of the numerous success stories of capitalism, the ones that the narcissistic politicians like not to talk about. The people on the losing end of economic development have often been accused of many things; that they are lazy, have poor work ethics, that they do not plan, that they lack willpower and creativity. In reality, most of them do not fall into the categories above. They certainly do not lack in the creativity department. They have mastered the art of stretching the last ringgit to its last fibre. They live in a w...