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Morning Spice by Ginger
Bus owners to strike over Fowzie’s proposalsWith certain bus owners threatening to strike over some demands and more than one ministerial order that could irk those sensitive souls there is the possibility that there could be a few disruptions in the near future. Many like some of the proposals made by Mr. Fowzie, but feel that at the moment there seems to be some signs of brinksmanship and confrontation. The implementation of these proposals and bans should have come after careful feasibility studies were made on them. Perhaps they were a little too drastic.
Now take for example the new stipulation (as reported in a govt. owned weekly) that only those with a minimum seating capacity of forty seats would be allowed to travel on the main trunk roads. How many such buses are there to take on the responsibility of getting our commuters to work and back. Most of the bigger buses look as if they are ready for the scrap yard. There are a few new vans but they just can’t offer forty seats. As it is the onus will fall on the peoplized bus depots to do most of the transporting on those roads. Actually the fleets should have been built up carefully during the past year so that they could start operations the moment the plan became law. Lets hope this has been done despite Ginger’s fears.
First match not too bad
Our first match was not too disappointing. We saw fortunes fluctuate in the most remarkable way and Sri Lanka had her fair share of it despite the very tight finish and our losing the game. Two things of course are a little worrying. Why on earth do we keep on persisting with Mahanama when he is very much a passenger in the side. He had three outings and did not do much in any one of them.The big headache has been Sanath’s run of bad form in the limited over matches his early dismissal throws the entire game plan out of kilter. Every great player almost strikes a bad patch and the best thing is to shift your self around the batting order a bit. He would be putting his side under less pressure if he goes in at No. 4 or so.
Watch when giving tips
Now tipping is the done thing in certain places but it is discouraged in other countries. If you are in North Korea don’t make the mistake of tipping your waiter. You could be arrested for your generosity. In China it is against the law to tip and even some passenger liners don’t like the idea of your tipping the crew.In other places like the Vatican it is the done thing. In the states too you are expected to tip many people down the line. The waiters will openly speak out if you don’t tip them and even if you win a jackpot in some American cities you are expected to give ten percent to the dealer.
There were several letters to the Editor on the use of loudspeakers at mosques and temples. Regarding mosques I would like to state that use of loudspeakers go against the principles of Islam. According to Islam, Adhan (Call for prayers) must be pleasant. This was emphasized in the days of Prophet. The shrills and the shrieks we hear as Adhan from the mosque is no means pleasant to the ears. Secondly I am told that as soon as the Adhan is heard the person must be able to go and join the prayers, I do not know whether it is possible for the persons to reach the mosque in time as the speakers carry the sound for miles in the morning. Further Islam preaches tolerance and respect for the others. If Prophet had lived today in crowded cities and among those of other faiths, he would never have allowed the use of loudspeakers. Obviously it is not pleasant for a non Muslim to be woken up by these demonized sounds. Some of them may be sick, others may be sleeping after hard day’s work, others may have returned at midnight after night shifts. Sometimes women with small babies who were up the whole night may have just fallen asleep. There are patients too. Definitely loudspeakers irritate. Technology has developed very well and clocks and calendars with prayer times can help the devout for prayers. Muslims who live far away from the mosque use these effectively to pray in time. Loudspeakers were not available during Prophet’s time, so is it compulsory to use it now in crowded cities and in a free pluralistic society?
I have spoken on this subject to many Muslims including Trustees of the Mosque. Everyone agrees in private that loudspeakers should not be used but do not voice there opinions at the correct place. I think what we need is few strong persons with no political agenda to stop the use of loudspeakers. These initiatives should come from the educated Muslims. It is not for the Muslims to say two wrongs make a right, but to correct ourselves. It is not a prestige battle that we are fighting for. We must work towards the principles of tolerance practised by Prophet.
Then I find the temples in the neighbourhood for half an hour in the evening and sometimes also in the morning say their prayers in the loudspeakers. I think the temple conveniently plays at tape. Apart from prayers, names of those persons who donate items to the temples are read out. Do they need publicity? This is as unpleasant as Adhan from the loudspeakers.
As a Muslim I deplore the use of loudspeakers especially in a non-Muslim neighbourhood, but I also don’t agree with the tone of some letters written to the Editor on the subject, that as minorities we should live on the sympathy of the others and the writer refers to international situations. I feel that attitude is very patronizing and it does not help to resolve problems between communities, it only aggravates the issue.
Call of the tolerant Muslim
One of the reasons for escalation of sex crimes in Sri Lanka is the unintended sexual provocation brought about by the attire currently in fashion. We should realize the danger underlying the indiscriminate exposure of female body and intend to bring some dress sense in people, especially females, when they happen to be in public places. It is often seen that many of the present-day fashions reaching here from the Western world tend to clash with the Eastern culture deeply rooted in this country for centuries.
Eastern dress manners, which is part of oriental culture, advocate covering of female body parts, nakedness of which have the tendency of arousing males sexually. Most of the teenagers and working girls who are highly fashion-conscious, care less for the danger of attracting sick minds around, with the unconscious exposure of their bodies that eventually results in making them victims of sex crimes. In a democratic society one has the right of wearing what one desires; but, in a different perspective, the same can also be the reason even for an untimely death! A conscious watch around us will enable us see how fashions are being indiscriminately used by females who are ready to do anything for the sake of style. They take on whatever that comes on as the latest, without good judgement on when and where they should be worn.
We see more and more young women wear very short frocks, skirts, and even shorts when visiting places of worship. By no means church or temple is a place to wear scanty clothes. We go to there with a purpose - to have peace of mind, at least for a brief moment, through whatever faith we are adhered to. Wearing scanty clothes to such places that will incite the congregation should obviously be discouraged by parents and elders, if the minds of the wearers are not mature enough to select a suitable attire for the occasion. If this cannot be achieved at this level, then it has to be regulation, which everyone has to comply with, irrespective of their choices.
One of the latest fashions very popular with young women is a long skirt with a high slit that reaches up to the thighs and exposes a good part of the legs of the wearer. Some people find semi-nudity more stirring than full nakedness of a female body, and this sight may extend an open invitation to a sex-starving person to embolden himself to make a pass at the wearer. In keeping with the vogue, this attire is perfect for a private occasion, but certainly not a thing to wear to work, especially when the wearer has to depend on public transport, where commuters are jam packed, and a naughty wandering hand might make the wearer reflect her choice. Many girls have had such unpleasant experiences while travelling to work. Also, such wear should be totally avoided at deserted places.
If the mode of attire for public places is standardized, it is apt to meet with some resistance, especially from fashion-conscious females who wish to cut a figure whereever they go. However, they will be relieved when this is compared with a more stringent situation in the Middle- East where women have to cloak themselves in long flowing black togas in public places, hiding their fashionable clothes and beauty as well. Equally important is that, even males have to wear a standard dress made out of a similar material which makes everyone look alike, without the usual contrast set in by a variety of fashions that normally reflect the status and wealth of the wearer in other countries.
The purpose of such restrain, as described by Mullahs in the Middle-East, is to safeguard their culture and to make a society less envious of each other of their affluence through dress manners. This breeds a sense of parity in a society, leaving no room for unnecessary competition and obtrusive recognition. However, this may seem out of place in a modern world where everything pivots round money and all are on an eternal rat race, trying to overtake one another. But the world will apparently be a more placid place if other countries too had similar regulations and sanctions.
Manil Gunawardene,
Battaramulla
With each week, the ideological fights over AIDS crisis, becomes more intense and sometimes surprising. The weapon, to fight the threat of AIDS, is education imparted by competent people to school children, factory and office workers and unemployed youth. Mr. Meryl Gunaratne, D.I.G who headed the TASK FORCE for the prevention of AIDS in the Negombo Division was the architect of educational programmes in schools, work places and general assemblies. I together with many others was an active member of that TASK FORCE.
There are some who view the tourists, in particular, as immoral and conspiratorial. Such critics are a legion. To some environmentalists, tourists are wilful polluters of society. In third world countries like Sri Lanka the rhetoric is shrill. All charges levelled by social service organisations are not all true. One might then ask "What is the truth"? The truth is ofcourse, that there isn’t a truth. Everyone of us must become more sensitive to what is happening. The future of our nation depends upon the creativity of the present. Creativity in the application of all resources available, is vital to finding possibilities of arresting the AIDS threat. Harnessing International aid to activitate educational and publication projects remain a key to success.
We have a common resource that is growing all the time. It is called INFORMATION. Information allows us to handle our human resources and economic resources more wisely. It is therefore the duty of every one to give information to the authorities now engaged in the prevention of AIDS. Mr. Meryl Gunaratne DIG who then headed the TASK FORCE was a man with a mission. He formulated a policy and abided by his high standard of ethics and general conduct in the discharge of his duties to arrest the threat of AIDS. Haven’t we someone to succeed him?
William Perera
Pavement for hawkers, a reality
I write with reference to a letter under the caption ‘’Pavement for Hawkers a reality’’ by a reader in Nugegoda in your esteemed journal of 28.12.98.
Whilst endorsing the views expressed by him I wish to add a few comments as it has become a hot topic concerning the public today.
During the previous administration of the Dehiwala/Mt. Lavinia Municipal council I happened to be an eye witness on several occassions to police action jointly with the Municipal officers rounding up pavement hawkers in Dehiwala and bundling them into vans along with their wares and taking them to the police station.
The Municipal Authorities then made use of the powers vested in them to curb their activities and thereby exercised some control.
But today the public is very disappointed because the Municipal authorities have turned a blind eye to this growing menace resulting in pavement stalls mushrooming all over the streets causing considerable inconvenience and danger to pedestrians, and also polluting the environment.
Therefore it is strongly urged that even at this late stage some tangible action be taken by the M.C. authorities to stamp out this menance.
Citizen
Ratmalana
We hear so often, that as a country we have sunk very low. Crime, indiscipline and lack of concern for others have reached alarming levels due to greed for power and wealth. Can those who have risen to power at various levels and those who have gathered and continue to gather wealth that they don’t really need, pause for a moment and reflect? I refer mainly to the politicians, sycophantic bureaucrats, hangers on and those crooked people in the business community.
All religions teach us that there is a hereafter, just as much as providing guidance on proper leaving. Belief in Karma shows that good fortune in this life is because of good Karma in a previous life. Belief may be in a benevolent god who has selected those who become rich and powerful from among the many little many thousands of years of human existence, this life may extend to say 80 years. Often, the period in power and the opportunity for large accumulation of wealth may cover a span of the last 20 years. Is it really worth throwing away such good fortune in a short period of miserable behaviour?
Religion teaches us not to kill. Killing for robbery political killings, contract killings and even protecting killers by interference all amount to the sin of killing, robbing directly, taking what is not one’s own while in positions of power, misuse of public funds, selling others assets for personal gain by way of bribery or commissions and other forms of robbery can never be justified. Sexual misbehaviour cannot be justified as being between consenting adults and in private. Lying for gaining or retaining power or for accumulation of wealth is always wrong.
The law of karma cannot be subverted by prayer or gift to deities and the evil done in a short period in a lucky life can mean long long years of misery. The benevolent god who showered the good fortune of power and wealth is not going to be hoodwinked by false prayers and would mete out adequate punishment over a long period in hell for abuse of his benevolence.
So being smart and powerful enough to escape punishment in this life is not the end. Maybe I am wrong. Still, isn’t it worth reflecting on and worthy of an effort to change behaviour to lessen the misery in the lives of the many millions of less fortunate people in this country?
Empee
Rambling Notes by Nihal Corea
Laughing is no laughing matter in IndiaAccording to a Reuter report that appeared in ‘The Island’ laughing is no laughing matter in India. In actual fact the headline said that "Laughing is serious business in India". Man then has realized the gravity of laughter across the Palk-Strait — along with it they have discovered certain health benefits that go with laughter.
Much of course depends on whether you are laughing with a person or at a person. Laughing at the wrong person could possibly get you into serious problems. They don’t like it one bit and like to get the last laugh on such occasions and often it is pretty grim humour that follows. On the other hand there is quite some good that could come your way by laughing with some one.
In fact such people are paid or promoted for doing just that. After all this is as they say the enlightened age with people acquiring more rights which of course bring many political rights under common focus. For example it is now clear that politicians also have rights. One can on the principle of reciprocity reward or punish people for laughing at the right time or wrong time as the case may be. This right they have obtained after a sustained struggle with the oppressive masses.
Many theories about laughter seem to be discredited right now. In the old days the general belief was that a person who could laugh at himself was a healthy being with a keen sense of humour. The theory has been totally rejected these days and a person who can laugh at himself is considered non compos mentis. You can laugh at anybody and take the consequences but start laughing at yourself and they will say you are stark raving mad.
Now as we put those days of Shaw and Chesterton behind us we come to the place that has in recent times recommended laughter as a health therapy. Now Bombay evidently is the place that believes in laughing itself silly. It is silly enough to tolerate the rubbish that Bollywood puts out. Add senseless laughter to it and the picture is complete.
It appears that laughter in such health clubs are a passport to good living a member could be heard bellowing "I am the happiest man in world" Now that is a title that should go to an imbecile or a lunatic. Evidently two thousand such individuals had shouted oh, ho, ho ha, ha, ha much to the amusement of the public that was passing by. They were simple minded folk.
It would have been collective lunacy at its best. It is not that we do not see some form of collective lunacy in some form or other be it in parliament among selecting bodies in various forms of sport or in social groups but few will match two thousand persons over seventy each shouting that he is the happiest man on earth.
Good luck to him is all we say. This evidently happened to have taken place on "World Laughter Day" at least there were two thousand over-seventies in Bombay willing to laugh through the day when there is little to laugh about. The grim and macabre realities around us make laughter difficult. But there is a dogged persistence about this group that is remarkable.
Balapokuna Place off Balapokuna Road
There is heavy traffic on Balapokuna Road on working days. It is not a good idea to make Balapokuna Place one way, so that there won’t be a conjestion of traffic and the difficulty of big vehicles crossing each other. Balapokuna Place is virtually a by-road and Balapokuna Road is quite wide to accommodate two large vehicles crossing each other.
Making Balapokuna Place one way is the most sensible action to avoid any blocks and vehicles reversing in order for one stream to go. One Way is the best solution.
S. Weeramani
Kohuwela
