Nice to hear but... in reality?

Black-on-white or white-on-black stripes?

Here we are talking about equality and that we are 1-Malaysia. It is nice to talk when your next meal is non-brainer and your children and family are in the pink of health and the price increase of sugar by 20 sen means nothing to you. But, to a manual worker or a security guard who earns RM 2 per hour toiling day and night, everyday is survival!
Take a look at the example of one of the security guards working in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang who was gunned down by a not so friendly fire by his working colleague recently. Instead of upholding serenity in the hospital, there themselves appear to need hospitalization. The deceased 22 year old guard and his 37 year old mother were employed by the same company as colleagues. This 22 year old man actually supports his mother and his siblings as well as being married to a bank teller with a 14 year old daughter. In the newspaper interview, the mother of the victim described the debilitated state of her financial status - the family was depending on the son's security guard pay to service the house loan monthly. Even with his paycheck, their utility bills have been outstanding for many months.
This event also reminded me a scenario which I witnessed many years ago in the same hospital. It involved two hospital attendants - an Indian and a Malay. The Indian lady was waiting impatiently for her bus which was late as usual. Along came her colleague, a Malay attendant, in her spanking new Kancil to offer her a ride. I am sure the first attendant will be wondering, "How come both of us are of the same strata at work, she can afford a car while I can't?" Of course there may be many reasons for this. Her husband could earning well, well planned family finances, perpetually living on credit, keeping up with the Joneses or just plain show off! It is very easy to complain along the line of race and how the Government is forever helping 'them' from cradle to grave. But then, you must ask why the  Bangladeshis who come here menial work are doing so well with their finances.
It is easy to whine and complain along racial lines. We should never forget that the Nazis' hatred of the Jews stemmed from the fact that their frugal calculative way of living managed to weather even the worse of the depressive times. It is much like the Chinese in Malaysia (and in part of world), in spite of the various restrictions in doing business, they get around the system to excel through sheer hard work. The Education Ministry raised the standard of the Malay Language in public examinations so to aid the Bumiputra students. The plan simply backfired the Chinese students improved exponentially as well.  When Malaysian Chinese students started thronging the halls of Manipal for medical education, the pioneer batch of students had a hard time acclimatizing to the spicy Indian cooking. What did they do? They hired personal cooks and trained them in basic Chinese cooking. Now, the whole Manipal is beaming with dishes cooked in the Oriental style of cooking - a haven indeed for the new students. It makes them feel like they never left home!
Anywhere in this world, we have marginalized groups of citizens who are forever in the bottom rung of the society. It is up to them to give a kick to themselves to jump start themselves into a new future.
Anyway, Selamat Hari Malaysia! We are one if we chose to be, for better for worse. Simone Groove*

*Simone Groove - Zulu. African National Congress' (ANC) call to all South Africans to unite when apartheid ended in 1994.  Of course, it was a political slogan, much like 1Malaysia, meaning we are all one. In 1997, when my sister in law got married in Durban, South Africa, I delivered a speech on behalf of the Malaysian entourage. This term was included in the closing remarks of my speech much to the delight of the audience who were mainly ANC supporters!

Hartal: Untold Merdeka Story (dinesweri.blogspot.com)

Hartal: Untold Merdeka Story by Dinesweri Puspanadan This nation and its people stand out proudly on the Independence platform for almost 53 years. Every citizen of current generation is fed through the education system and reminded constantly on our leaders' struggle in the past to fight for 'Merdeka'. In fact, many tend to brag that Malaya(that time) achieved its Independence from British in a peaceful manner without dropping a single blood. Every ordinary and educated(even not educated) people of this land is aware of this cliche or 'fact'. However, the concern is how much truth is lingering in this structured piece of Malaysian History? Many, in the name of trust,accept  the presented history blatantly without posting any doubts or question its validity. Today, at this date, every single element of past history is re casting which paves way to dig out the buried history of the real Independence struggle which many 'heroes' would avoid to talk about it and what more to reveal about it. The writer who is inspired by Fahmi Reza's documentary; '10 tahun Sebelum Merdeka' presenting to you Hartal:Untold Merdeka Story. What is hidden beneath the Pro British History? Time to unlock the hidden history of this land. As many believe(or told to believe that), UMNO(United Malaya Nation Organization) started the ball rolling on initiating the thought of Merdeka. However, as stated by certain sources, the Alliance PUTERA-AMCJA was the first to initiate the thought of Merdeka. When British wanted to implement Malayan Union, many raised to project their rejection. Undeniably, UMNO was one of many in the agenda. After demonstrations and pressure from all corner, British then decided to form a team to sketch structure for Federation. One event that should be highlighted here is before British agreed to terminate their thought to go ahead with Malayan Union and form the team to discuss about Federation, Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya(PKMM) which was formed on 17 October 1945 which joined UMNO earlier pulled out on 29 June 1946 and refused to cooperate with British to be part of the team to plan the Federation. PKMM came out with a plan to form an alliance with parties of other races. AT this point, Malaysian Indian Congress(MIC) formed with 600 members in August 1946 under the leadership of the first President, John A. Thivy. On 14 December 1946, Council of Joint Action (CJA); a joint effort from PKMM,Malayan Democratic Union(MDU), Singapore Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), MIC, Clerical Union, Straits Chinese British Association (SBCA), Indian Chamber of Commerce dan Ceylon Tamil Association which worked one collaborative effort to draft out a new constitution for Malaya. Below is the summarized chronology of events which illustrates the formation of PUTERA-AMCJA * On 22 December 1946, this council expanded with new members; PMFTU, dan Malayan Peoples Anti-Japanese Ex-Service Comrades Association and renamed as Pan-Malayan Council of Joint Action (PMCJA) where Tan Cheng Lock was appointed as the first President. *  On 22 February 1947, Pusat Tenaga Ra’ayat (PUTERA) formed at  Kuala Lumpur with 29 Malay associations including PKMM, API, Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS), Barisan Tani Se-Malaya (BATAS), Gerakan Angkatan Muda (GERAM) and other associations. * In March 1947, PMCJA dan PUTERA formed  PUTERA-PMCJA which later known as PUTERA- AMCJA which focused on 10 people's principles PUTERA-AMCJA was the first multiracial Alliance which included three main races, Malay, Chinese, and Indians and also was the first to spread the thought of Merdeka among people. In this context, UMNO was silent about Merdeka for almost 10 years. While UMNO was busy sketching draft of the Federation, PUTERA-AMCJA collected all the voices to fight for Independence and structured a new constitution after some brainstorming sessions with all the main races and this constitution was known as People's Constitution. While that, this alliance protested and expressed their rejection to the Federation as they felt the Federation was again paved way for British's full power on Malaya which would make the process towards Independence difficult. UMNO's willingness to cooperate with British angered PUTERA-AMCJA as they believed UMNO was a traitor for jeopardizing people's welfare by nodding their head to British's demands. Below is an article from; The Malaya Tribune dated 15 February 1947 on PKMM admonishing Dato Onn Jaafar The Malaya Tribune dated 15 February 1947 on PKMM admonishing Dato Onn Jaafar On 10 August, PUTERA-AMCJA officially approved the People's Constitution. Below is an article from; The Malaya Tribune(11 September 1947) The Malaya Tribune(11 September 1947) One question that should strike right now is 'what are the differences between People's Constitution and Federation?'. There are certain sections from both; People's Constitution and Federation should be highlighted. (Please take note that the information actually contrast with information in History Text Books which are used at Malaysian schools. You can do your own verification and validation by accessing to both People's Constitution and Federation through the links below.) Links: A simple multimedia show on points mentioned below:http://10tahun.blogspot.com/2008/02/deleted-scene-2.html Full Document of People's Constituiton by PUTERA-AMCJA:http://www.divshare.com/download/3412520-914 Full Document of Federation by BRITISH, UMNO, KINGS:http://www.divshare.com/download/3413387-1fe PUTERA-AMCJA started to reach the people and spread the idea of Merdeka and establishing own government;people's government while that UMNO with British, despite all the protest by PUTERA-AMCJA, they worked on Federation and refused to give ear to PUTERA-AMCJA. Below are some newspaper articles on Hartal The Straits Echo on 6 October 1947 The Straits Echo on 6 October 1947 Utusan Melayu Newspaper 6 October 2010 -- Announcement on Hartal During that time, with newspaper as the mainstream media, UMNO also did not fail to spread its message about Federation to gain people's support. One of PUTERA-AMCJA's strengths was the unity. As mentioned earlier, the collaboration stood proudly with cooperation from 3 main ethnics; Malay, Indian, and Chinese. If UMNO could break this unity, the task to defeat PUTERA-AMCJA should appear easy. One of the ways (surprisingly used until today) was media; newspaper. Majlis known as UMNO's mainstream media while  Utusan Melayu was PUTERA-AMCJA's loyal mainstream media. One of the political cartoons created and used inMajlis to break the unity among the people and spread racial slurs was Ah Chong-Ramasamycartoon. One of the cartoons could be found in Majlis newspaper dated 6 September 1947. The title wasMalaya Hak Melayu (Malaya is Malay's rights). Below is the political cartoon; Majlis newspaper dated 6 September 1947 The character wearing tie was Edward Gent, Gabenor of Malayan Union who was telling that; Malaya hak Melayu! Melayu tak ada negeri lain. Negeri China hak Cina. Negeri India hak Indian. Kamu orang dagang bila² suka ada negeri tempat kamu pindah. Translated: Malaya is Malay's rights. Malays do not have other countries. China belongs to Chinese. India belongs to Indians. You are traders. When ever you like, you can go back since you have your own countries. Three cartoon characters near the bridge were Chinese at the front, Indian, and the one labeled as DR was Dr. Burhanuddin Al-Helmy. The Chinese cartoon character was saying; Gua tak suka Fedelesyen. Fedelesyen atak, tentu Melayu sinang. Translated:I do not like Federation. Federation will definitely benefit Malays At the right a Malay farmer character was holding UMNO's flag with a smile on his face. This political cartoon was enclosed with 2 stanzas of 'Pantun' which read; Apabila Federation hampir terserlah, Melayu nampaknya mendapat faedah, Pekemam Putera mengapa gelisah? Dengkikan Melayu mendapat tuah! Negeri Melayu hak Melayu, Ikan senohong bukannya yu, Ah Chong tak boleh bertukar bulu, Ramasamy tetap bercorak Hindu. Translated:First stanza:With Federation, Malays are gaining benefits, PUTERA seems to get worried as it is jealous when Malays are gaining more benefits Second Stanza:Malaya belongs to Malay. No matter what, Ah Ching(Chinese) and Ramasamy(Indian) could not be Malays Without giving up, after the approval of People's Constitution, PUTERA-AMCJA announcedHartal. Hartal,  which was held on 20 October, 1947, carved in Malaya's history where it portrayed the greatest political demonstration which never been seen  in  Malaya. This political protest was against Federation which was worked on by UMNO and British together with Kings. PUTERA-AMCJA united with all the different races and moved forward to spread the word about Hartal.They preached people about the People's Constitution and explained how Federation actually would continue to push them into slavery under British. They used media like Utusan Melayu, went from one village to another and plowed into people's mind the urge to be freed from British and establish their own government. People from different background, especially different ethnics and races began to move to one common thought. With that, Hartalemerged as a gigantic wave which shook British and its crony, UMNO. On 20 October 1947, the Protest Day, where British would debate on the constitutional issue in Malaya,  those who regard Malaya as their real home and who supported the People’s Constitutional Proposals issued by PUTERA and the All-Malaya Council of Joint Action, were asked not to carry out their usual occupations, but to remain indoors throughout the day and night. Sending a strong message, every Malayan(Malay, Chinese, and Indian) stood together without any fear by protesting towards British's undemocratic and unconstitutional ruling.Hartal turned out as a big success as the main cities were deserted and only few people could be seen on the street. This was something very unnatural for British and UMNO who thought Malayans (Malay, Chinese, and Indians) were weak and would bow to their orders. Hartal received wide coverage not only form local mainstream but also International media. It was estimated that around 140,000 participated in Hartal (A big quantum if we consider the population at that time with some limitations to spread the news). Below are news excerpts on Hartal; Sunday Tribune(26 October 1947) which estimated the number of workers took part in this political demonstration Sunday Tribune(26 October 1947) which estimated the number of workers took part in this political demonstration; Majalah Kenchana, Bilangan 12, 1 November 1947 on Hartal Majalah Kenchana, Bilangan 12, 1 November 1947 on Hartal Hartal resulted in many outcomes. Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Malaya sent a proposal to British on 25 October 1947 to revise the Federation as the people were against it and supported Hartal. Below is the official letter; An excerpt from the letter; Indicative of the widespread dissatisfaction, there was an almost complete cessation of work and business throughout the length and breadth of Malaya from dawn to midnight on that day. Malays, Chinese, Indians and others participated in the move, showing that the opposition to the present Proposals is neither sectional nor communal, nor the result of simply party demands but of the upward surge of a widespread desire for a new ideal of Malayan unity in which all can work together without any communal emphasis. However, British still proceeded with Federation as UMNO was channeling its full support to the implementation of Federation and officially Federation was officially formed on 1 February 1948. Even though PUTERA-AMCJA failed in its Peace Demonstration to stop British and UMNO from implementing Federation, they proved to both British and UMNO that people at Malaya at that time despite the different ethnics able to unite and fight for freedom. It actually created a very strong impact where people started to realize about the importance to fight for 'Merdeka'. Hartal is the basic foundation for a continuous and tragic struggle to free Malaya from colonization. The fact that Malaya gained its Independence without dropping a single blood is a blatant lie! UMNO was not involved in the war and struggle to free the nation but behind the Independence enjoyed by every Malaysian today for almost 53 years(Looking at current situation, it is not fair to call it as a 'freedom'), there are untold sacrifices, unappreciated warriors who swept out all the differences and united to free Malaya. Some questions for us to reflect on; 1. If our grandparents could be united those time to fight for Independence, why today are we tarnishing the unity in the name of championing our race and religion?2. Who is/are the culprit(s) spreading racial slurs from the day one to divide us ?3. Are we too dumb or naive to still believe the facts that our Independence is genuine?4. Why is this piece of history is not emphasized (Perhaps mentioned but not emphasized)?5. This part of history is only until 1947. What happened from 1948 to 1957? Writer's note: History repeats itself if we fail to learn from it. Our generation failed to learn. Thus, every single event in the past is repeating now. Look around you. Read the news! Can you identify the newspaper which spreads racial slurs like Majlis (Political cartoon-Ah Chong Ramasamy). Can you see freedom is restricted? If today we do not learn, our future generation will suffer. Failed struggle and bastardized Independence in the past are the reasons for today's conditions. Our grandparents did their best yet they did not manage to continue the struggle. We are still colonized by  restricted freedom, corrupted judiciary, racist leaders, ..you name it.... Transformatin is needed. If you still believe we are fine, then the choice is yours. I am awake for the betterment of my future generation! I am speaking up against inequality subjected to Malaysians!! Kick out the racists leaders, Use your Vote, let us move towards a clean government. Let us unite and WE ARE NOT DIFFERENT. Let us continue the struggle of our grandparents until we see the desired changes!!!PS: Sorry I do not believe in rethoric of 1Malaysia because it sounds as though we are so different. Emphasizing again, we are NO DIFFERENT. We are MALAYSIANS!! For better and clearer images, you can visit my blog: www.dinesweri.blogspot.com

"Mr. Watson, come here! I need you!"*

*The famous first words spoken by Dr Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant, Mr. Thomas Watson on the first phone.


A mobile phone rings when a lady is undergoing a gynaecological and a Pap smear examination in a gynae clinic. What would a normal warm blooded vertebrate educated of a Malaysian lady worth of her salt do in a delicate and personal situation as this? Well, pick up the phone and start yakking while the good doctor finishes his work, what else (duh!).
In another instance, after waiting for 40 minutes to see a doctor for a 2-minute consultation, the phone rings. Again the good Malaysian says, "Sorry ah!" and goes into a frenzy answering his call walking aimlessly around the consultation room talking on top of his voice oblivious to happenings of the surroundings. I am just waiting for a day for someone to walk out his house or clinic naked as most people go into a trance once their cell phone rings. In fact at one juncture,the Mayor of new York was contemplating banning the usage of cell phones in its streets due to abnormally high incidences of road vehicle accidents involving pedestrians-on-phones who tend to forget the cardinal rule of crossing the road - look before you leap!
In the cozy ambiance of a cineplex in Kuala Lumpur, a cell phone rings at the height of the climax before the intermission of a Hindi movie. A Bangladeshi answers his call on top of his voice telling directions to his caller trying to outdo the decibels emitted by the crying heroine in the movie. How do I know he is giving directions? It cannot be anything else when he says right, left, Puduraya and Leboh Ampang in the same breath.
Recently it was heard on RTM Minnal news that the Malaysian Hindu Sangam had advised all temple committees all over the country to ban the use of mobile phones in temples. Its president reiterated that some ringtones are obviously too sultry to be heard in public, what more in the divine house of God. In my humble opinion, it is aimed at the humble servants of God who decided to give up everything in life for service of God. The priests, being human as they are, are sometimes tempted to answer his ringing phone while performing his religious obligations at the altar as curiosity takes the better of them! Somehow the idiot phone can be a nuisance as it always seem to ring at the most inconvenient time.
Taking about ringing at an embarrassing moment, I once received a phone call while answering nature's call on the other end (pun not intended). In midst of the conversation, I used the flush. The caller on the other side of the line was curious on the sound to which I replied, "You do not want to know!"

A bare necessity after food and clothings

These days everyone is clinging on to a cell phone from a vagabond and a pauper to a CEO. To them, every call is a billion dollar deal struck and they have to answer it against all all odds. The sales assistants at the departmental stores and the security guards seem more interested in mobile friend than giving undivided attention to their jobs - i.e. answering to customers' demands or manning their sentry posts respectively. 

Bell's first phone (1875)

I am sure Dr Alexander Graham Bell, his assistant Mr. Thomas Watson and Elisha Gray (who invented the telephone about the same time, but lost in the patent ownership after a long legal battle) did not envisaged these problems when they embarked on their discovery. 
That just reminds us of the Digi newspaper Chinese New Year advertisement where all the family members at the dinner table are busy tied to their phones on their ears giving two hoots to the true spirit of the reunion.

Martin Cooper with his invention,
mobile phone (Apr 3, 1973)

Every technology will eventually find its true place in society. Whatever happened to the ever popular spiraling toy of the 70s, Yoyo? It used to be every child's dream birthday or Christmas presents just to be lost in the annals of time. This time around the new found toy seem to excite not only the young but the grown-ups alike, with internet facilities tied to it. It looks set to revolutionize the way we live in (for good or worse) and helps to satisfy our ever increasing appetite for instant gratifications!  One guy in New York actually delivered his child  in the traffic jam stranded cab with things he picked up on 'You Tube'.
Maybe the way we, Asians, are acting with the phone issue is because we are the nouveau rich and are becoming self centered. With time and education, phone etiquette may eventually be second nature.

Another two rags to riches stories!

It is always a pleasure to read about peoples' endeavours and successes. I am sure that there must be many instances of the converse as well - depicting how they tried and tried against all odds just to be disappointed again and again. Some will blame it on bad karma and some will blame it bad luck or misdoings of ill intended enemies! Their story will be not be heard and will die a natural death. This world is not about losers. It is all about winners and the winners will determine how things should be done and be portrayed as demi-gods irrespective of how they achieved their goals. The end will dictate the means whether right or wrong. The losers will wither away with disappointment and resentment in whatever substandard heights that they manage to attain.Here I have pasted two success stories of yet another rags to riches story. This time it is about two citizens of Tamil Nadu - one, Sri. Muthuswamy Iyer, decided to serve his mother land and the other (Kalyana Raman Srinivasan) at a global level. The first story was sent by a friend and the second from Wikipedia, the friendly online encyclopedia. May it serve as a source of inspiration not only for the career achievements but also for the social responsibility displayed.

From studying under the streetlights to CEO of a US firm!

Here is the rags-to-riches story of an extremely talented boy from a small village in Tamil Nadu who has risen to be the chief executive officer of a company in Seattle, USA. It is also the story of how Kalyana Raman Srinivasan, who was so indigent that he had to study under a streetlight, but then managed to score excellent marks, rose in life and became today's Kal Raman. 
At every turn in his life, he took the difficult path and it turned out to be the right one and in the right direction. His rise to the top is more dramatic than a thriller. Today, he is a very successful entrepreneur and the founder-CEO of GlobalScholar.
Read his extraordinary story of triumph and determination . . .

Difficult childhood

Kal Raman was born and brought up in a small village called Mannarakoil in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It was a comfortable normal middle class life for him and his siblings as his father was a Tahasildar there.

But the sudden death of his father at the age of 45 changed everything overnight.

Kal was 15 then. "My mother got a pension of Rs 420 a month and you can imagine how tough it is to educate four children and feed five mouths with Rs 420?"

Hi life changed dramatically after his father's death. The family moved from the rented house to a hut that had no proper water supply or electricity. Kal Raman remembers, "All of us used to study under the streetlight and, thank god, the streetlights used to work those days! MGR (M G Ramachandran) was the chief minister then. We had to sell the plates to buy rice to eat and my mother used to give us rice in our hands. That bad was our situation."

But his mother, who had studied till the 8th standard, was very particular that her children studied. "All our relatives wanted my elder brother to stop studying and take up the small job offered by the government but my mother wanted him to continue studying."

"Then they wanted me to learn typewriting and shorthand so that I could get some job after the 10th  standard. But mother said, 'My children are going to get the best education I can offer. Education is our salvation.' She was my hero for her vision and she still is my hero." What kept the family going? "We were sad but because we accepted our fate, we were at peace with whatever that happened to us. We knew our father would not come back to lift us up from poverty. We also knew our salvation was a long way away."

He didn't know why he used to tell his mother, "One day I will give you so much money that you will not know what to do with it!" Years later, he did exactly that!

First turning point in life

Kal Raman believes that God played a hand in all the major turning points in his life. The first turning point in life was after his 12th standard. He got good marks in both the engineering and medicine entrance exams, and for engineering, he got admission at the Anna University in Chennai while for medicine, it was in the Tirunelveli Medical College.

"While going in the bus with my mother to join the medical college, I told her, "If I join for medicine here, the high probability is that my life may begin and end in Tirunelveli. I really want to see the world.' She agreed with my decision to go to Chennai and join Anna University and study Electrical Engineering and Electronics."

So, he stepped into a new world outside Tirunelveli, and that was Chennai. Though he had got merit scholarship and a lot of good people helped him pay the initial fee, the scholarship amount never used to reach him regularly or on time.

"The mess fee was Rs 250 a month and I used to be a defaulter in the mess at least six months in a year. Till you pay the mess fee, you cannot eat in the mess. So, I used to live on day scholars' lunch boxes and also use to fast. That is when I learnt to fast ! I must say a lot of friends helped me with money and food."

Scarcity of money was so bad that he had no money to buy food just before the final semester exams. When he gave his final semester exams, he had not eaten for a day-and-a-half. "After finishing the exam, I almost fainted."

The day after the exams came all the scholarship money that was due and it was around Rs 5,000. "So, I went home a rich man and that helped us repay some loans."

First job

Like opting for Chennai and joining Anna University instead of a college in Tirunelveli, Kal Raman took another risk with his first job also. His first job was with Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and he had a choice of joining either Chennai or Mumbai. Although he knew nobody in Mumbai, he chose the capital of Maharashtra.

He remembered the first day. "It was interesting. With bag and baggage, I went to the TCE office after taking a shower at the railway station as I had no money to go to any hotel. After the first introduction at the office, the manager noticed that I was wearing slippers to the office. He called me and said, "I don't care which college you are coming from but this is not acceptable. You should come in shoes tomorrow." I said I couldn't come in shoes the next day and this the manager construed as arrogance. "How could you talk like this?" he asked me. I said, "Sir, it is not that I don't want to, but I can't afford to buy shoes. Only after I get my first pay cheque, can I buy shoes. Sir, I request you not to terminate my job because of this. I and my family need this job." Shocked to hear the explanation, the manager asked, "Where are you staying?" and the reply was, "Dadar Railway Station."

So distressed was the manager to hear Kal speak that he immediately released a month's salary in advance and also arranged for him to be at his friend's place till he could find a place to stay.

"He bought me a pair of shoes and those were my first shoes. The next day, I sent Rs 1,500 from the advance to my mother."

From electrical engineering to programming

Kal's rise in career was meteoric in a short span of time. Within a month, he got a chance to move to Bengaluru (then Bangalore) and also to programming. Soon, he was in Chennai with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Within a few months, he was sent to Edinburgh, UK. From Edinburgh, his next stop was the United States. In 1992, he went to the US as an entry level contractor with Wal-Mart. In two years, he was a director running a division. When he left Wal-Mart after six years, he was a man running the information systems for the International Division of the retail giant. In 1998, he joined drugstore.com Online Pharmacy as the chief information officer and in 2001 at the age of 30, he was the CEO of the company. He was at the right place at the right time. "God was there at every step guiding me to take the right decisions. I was also willing to take risks and tread new paths," Kal says.

Starting GlobalScholar

Philanthropist Mike Milken who had donated more than a billion dollars to education, wanted to use technology so that high quality education was accessible to ordinary people.

Milken convinced Kal to join him. That was the time Kal was building schools in his village for poor students.

In October 2007, GlobalScholar was launched targetting both teachers and students by acquiring four companies -- National Scholar (USA), Classof1 (India), Excelsior (USA), and Ex-Logica (USA) -- that were into education.

"Three months after the launch, I travelled all over the US, India, Singapore and China talking to teachers and companies and the public. I found that the only way to impact education was by impressing teachers. The biggest scarcity in the world is good teachers. We decided to help teachers with teaching practices and kids, learning practices."

Kal Raman decided to concentrate on the US market as the US is more advanced in using technology. "They are also willing to pay money for technology. At present, schools buy the material which can be used by teachers, students and parents." Today, they have 200 people working for GlobalScholar in Chennai and 150 in the US. The study material is prepared in the Chennai office. The company that was started with $50 million will have in excess of $32 million and will generate $5 million of profits. In 2008, the turnover of the company was Rs 40 crore (Rs 400 million) and in 2009, it was Rs 80 crore (Rs 800 million). In the current year it will be 150-160 crore (Rs 1.5-1.6 billion). "GlobalScholar is growing at 200 per cent every year. We have 1,000 schools and 10 million students, which is one out of 10 kids in the US, using our study material. This is almost 18 per cent of the US population. We are the fastest growing education company in the US." GlobalScholar will soon introduce a pilot project in India and China. In the course of all this, Kalyana Raman became Kal Raman. "The country gave me everything and took half my name."

Giving back to society
Kal Raman is in India now for the Kumbhabhishekam of the temple at his village Mannarkoil. "It is taking place after 500 years. It is the culmination of two-and-a-half years of work. I have spent more than one and a half crore rupees (Rs 15 million) to renovate the temple and do the Kumbhabhishekam. More than anything else, I have given jobs to all my friends in the village who are masons and carpenters."
Other than this, he has also adopted all the orphanages around his village and he takes care of around 2,000 kids, some of whom are physically handicapped.
"I feel if I can educate these children, eventually we can make a difference in the society. We also help 100 children in their higher education. Around my village, everyone knows that if a kid who studies well cannot afford to pay fees, he has to only come to my house; his education will be taken care of."
"I do not do this as charity; its my responsibility. I am giving something back to the society that fed me, taught me, and took care of me and gave me hopes. "

T. Muthuswamy Iyer  

And another morale booster....

T. Muthuswamy Iyer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  

Born January 28, 1832
 Vuchuwadi, Tanjore district,Madras Presidency, India
Died 1895
 Madras Presidency, India
Occupation: lawyer, civil servant, administrator 



Sir Thiruvarur Muthuswamy Iyer

(திருவாரூர் முத்துசவாமி அய்யர்)

KCIE(b.January 28, 1832 - d. January 25, 1895) was an Indian lawyer who, in 1877, became the first native Indian to be appointed as Judge of the Madras High Court. He also functioned as the Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court for a brief period.

Early life
Muthuswamy Iyer was born in a poor Vadama Brahmin family in Vuchuwadi, Madras Presidency, British India on January 28, 1832. Muthuswamy Iyer's father, Venkata Narayana Sastri died when Muthuswamy was young and he moved with his mother to Thiruvarur to make a living. At Thiruvarur, Muthuswamy Iyer found employment as village accountant. However, his mother died soon afterward leaving Muthuswamy Iyer with little support. Around this time, Muthuswamy Iyer's talents were recognized by the tahsildar Muthuswamy Naicken who arranged for the former to study in Madras as a companion to his young nephew. In 1854, Muthuswamy Iyer won a prize of 500 rupees offered to the students of the Madras presidency by the council of education for the best English essay. This success brought him to the notice of Sir Alexander John Arbuthnot and Mr. Justice Holloway. He was offered help to proceed to England and compete for the civil service, but being a Brahmin and married, he declined to cross the ocean. Instead he entered the subordinate government service, and was employed in such various posts as school-teacher, record-keeper in Tanjore, and in 1856 deputy-inspector of schools. At this time the Madras authorities instituted the examination for the office of pleaders. Muthuswamy came out first in the examinations. Muthuswamy was then appointed in succession district munsiff at Tranquebar, deputy-collector in Tanjore in 1859, sub-judge of south Kanara in 1865, and a magistrate of police at Madras in 1868. While serving as the magistrate of police, Muthuswamy Iyer obtained his law degree law from the Presidency College, Madras. He also held a degree in Sanskrit at that time.

Legal career
Muthuswamy Iyer commenced his legal career immediately after graduation. He was appointed a judge of the Court of Small Causes in 1871. The very next year, he was made Fellow of Madras University. In 1877, the Madras Government took the controversial decision to appoint him as the first Indian judge of the High Court of Madras.

Appointment to the bench of Madras High Court and controversy
In 1877, Muthuswamy Iyer was appointed to the bench of the High Court of Madras. He was the first Indian to be appointed to this prestigious post. However, Muthuswamy's appointment was vehemently condemned by a Madras newspaper called The Native Public Opinion. This prompted a strong reaction from Indian nationalists who founded The Hindu newspaper to voice public opinion against the outrage.

Later career
Muthuswami Iyer served as a judge of the Madras High Court from 1877 to 1895. During the later part of his life, he even served as the Acting Chief Justice, the first Indian to do so. 

Reforms
During his early career, Muthuswamy Iyer also served as the President of the Malabar Marriage Commission. During his tenure as President of the Commission, he campaigned for the legal recognition of Sambandham and other forms of marriage practised in theMalabar. In 1872, Muthuswamy Iyer established the Widow Remarriage Association in Madras and advocated remarriage of Brahmin widows.
In 1872, he was nominated fellow of the Madras University. He became a syndic in 1877. He was also invited to attend the Coronation Durbar at Delhi in 1877.

Honors
In 1878, Muthuswami Iyer was created a Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire. In 1893, he was knighted for his services to the Crown.

Death
Muthuswami Iyer died in January 1895 after an illness of ten days. On his death, Sir S. Subramania Iyer took the seat in the bench of the Madras High Court left vacant by his death.
A statue of Muthuswami Iyer was erected in the precints of the Madras High Court campus on May 23, 1895.

Controversial stand on temple entryBeing a devout Brahmin, Muthuswami Iyer literally interpreted the dharma-shastras and Hindu religious texts and rigorously followed them. As a result, some of his speeches on caste and temple-entry have been controversial.

Muthuswami Iyer once said :

“ Religious institutions founded, endowed and maintained for the benefit of those sections of the Hindu Community who conform to certain recognized usages as those of the castes for whose benefit the temples are by immemorial usage dedicated as places of worship. ”

Another remark of his is regarded by the intellectuals of the Dravidar Kazhagam as blatantly casteist:

“ Hindu temples were neither founded nor are kept up for the benefit of Mahomedans, outcastes and others who are outside the scope of it"