Monologue of a Kurta

Ever wondered what your shirt or maybe your blouse has to say about the perception we have on them?

Seriously, I don't think any of us had ever before.
After all, to us, they are just something we wear to protect our bare bodies and also to enhance our appearance.

This guy here is wearing a Kurta

But there's this one particular Kurta who has something to say on behalf of his other attire relatives, upon the sudden fame he has been experiencing.

So lets read up... :)

A piece of clothing doesn’t make a man’s religion

By A. Kathirasen

 Humans show wisdom in so many areas, yet they fail in managing religion

HI there. My name is kurta and I am here to say a few words about myself, my relatives and my ancestors.

I was quite content to provide a layer of protection and add to the charm of those who wear me. But comments in the media force me to make a public statement.

 First, let me say that I am a long, loose shirt. In a very slightly modified version, I am referred to as jippa.

Though I'm preferred by men, women, too, wear me,  in a shorter version called a kurti.

 Millions wear me in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and parts of Iran, and wherever you find people from these nations. Not counting the ubiquitous T-shirt and shirt, I think more men wear me than any other form of upper garment.

 Coming to the matter at hand, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, wearing me, attended the Thaipusam celebration at the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Temple on Feb 7. I felt proud to be worn by a prime minister and I tried my best to enhance his appeal.

 Every time he waved, I made sure my hands drooped a little, so that his hands would be clear for all to see. I allowed him much freedom of movement so that he would be comfortable. And I did all this so unobtrusively that he didn't notice me.

 But now, everyone, it seems, has noticed my presence or knows of me. Yes, I have become a celebrity, but I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

 You see, some people feel that the prime minister, being a Muslim, should not have attended the Thaipusam function.

Don't they know that Najib is the prime minister of all Malaysians, including Hindus?

It's sad that they don't give the prime minister credit for knowing how to be a proper Muslim while also being the leader of citizens of other faiths.

 But, hey, I shouldn't talk too much. I don't want pugnacious and pompous protectors of propriety petitioning for a ban on me, or, as is the fashion these days, lodging hundreds of police reports, or worse, burning me.

 What irks me, however, is that, according to Najib, some people were unhappy that he was wearing me. These people, it appears, think that I am a Hindu and, therefore, a Muslim should not have worn me. Oh, God!

 Let me  state that I am not a Hindu. Neither am I a Muslim, or a Christian, or a Buddhist, or a Sikh or a Jain or an atheist. I transcend religion. No, don't get me wrong. I am not God. But my relatives and I have one quality that God has: we are present everywhere you find humans.

 I am a kurta, and like my relatives the jeans, the shirt, the pants, the bra, the panties, the underwear, the skirt, the dress, the T-shirt, the vesti, the sarong, the cheongsam  and the saree, I have no religion.

  If you humans choose to divide yourself according to religion, and fight over it, that is your business. Don't drag us into it. We are civilised and, therefore, do not indulge in infantile acrimony over religious or racial or creedal differences.

 We befriend everyone and anyone. If you choose to wear us, we'll provide protection for your body, cover your modesty, and make you look smart or beautiful.

 If you choose to define your identity by what you wear, that is your choice. Wear us, but, please don't wear us down by your wearisome weaknesses and vagaries.

 Of course, once in a while, we feel added pleasure when a head of state or government, or a famous celebrity, wears us. But, I must tell you that we feel the greatest pleasure when an honest man or woman wears us. But, oh, the paucity of such people these days.

 Let me also  trace the history of my family tree. We originate from the tree. Yes, the first vestments worn by humans were leaves and barks.  Later, your ancestors learned how to use cotton, and other materials, to make clothes.

 Note that we have been around since almost the dawn of time, long before organised religions came into existence. That's why we can't understand why you fight over whose religion is right or whose race is better?

 Don't you realise that religion was born just yesterday, compared with the eons in which man has walked on this planet? Don't you realise that all of you originated in Africa?

 God  --  or, for those who don't believe in God, Nature -- gave you brains so that you could keep yourself safe and live in harmony with your fellow humans and surroundings.

 Why is it that you who have shown remarkable intelligence and wisdom in so many areas have failed so miserably when it comes to religion and race?

 Learn from us to go beyond skin colour. No pun intended, of course.   Anyway, if you can't or won't use your common sense, that's your choice. But, please, leave me out of it.  As a kurta, I provide protection and pulchritude.

 "We forge the chains we wear in life"  -- Charles Dickens

Click this link to read up the article about what the Kurta has to say. << the original article link

In a very slightly modified version, kurta's are referred to as jippa.

Those women wear are known as kurti

p/s:

Pictures used are all courtesy of Mr. Google ~ he who knows more then we do.. :p

The article I'm referring and linked to this post came out in the News Straits Times today.

Credits to the writer. :)

I got ASNB 1 Malaysia already !

After quite some time hearing about the Amanah Saham 1 Malaysia (AS1M) account, I just got the chance to go and get one for myself.

I opened my AS1M at Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad office in Putrajaya. Went there with my cousin sister.
We got to know that the quota for Indians was still available, so we went to check out the availability and we managed to open it.

The minimum share you're allowed to purchase is 100 units which costs RM 100.
Yes! RM 1 per unit.. You can buy more if of course you have the money to do so. As for me I just wanted to open the account first. Coz later on I can just go and add up the money at related banks or any post offices.

~ My Amanah Saham 1Malaysia investment book ~

If you still haven't bought the share go ahead and do it. You can open the account at any Maybank, RHB or CIMB banks or even directly at Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad offices, that is if they still have unsold shares. Just go and ask first. Nothing goes to waste if its going to be an investment right.

Upon opening the account you can always go and add up the money in it at any of the above mentioned banks or even at the post office. All you have to do is fill in a slip with the details of the account holder and also the account number and include the money. Its just as simple as that.

Well thats all for today.. Take care..

Thaipusam 2012 preview..

HI friends.

This morning I went to Batu Caves to catch a glimpse of the eves of Thaipusam with my mother, aunty and uncle. I drove to my aunt's house in Puchong and we all went in one car as it will be very hard to get a parking space near the temple.

Reached Puchong at 9am and by 10am we were already at Batu Caves. Although the actual Thaipusam day is on Tuesday, the crowd was still there. People have already started to take Kavadi and also Paal Kodam for Lord Muruga.

~ Lord Muruga majestically standing at the entrance looking over his devotees ~

~ One of the big kavadi on the way inside the temple ~

Up the stairs and inside the cave... 

~ Lord Hanuman ~

Perumaal temple..

After visiting the shrines and praying we went around the stalls. Both me and my aunty bought a necklace with a very big pendant..

We left from Batu Caves around 12.30pm and went to Paandi's Brickfields for lunch. And food there was simply superb. 

After lunch we went back to my aunty's house, spent some time there and came back home at 4pm. It was really tiring has it was an extremely hot day and we were walking under the sun. BUT I enjoyed it.. :)

I'm planning to go for a second time on Thaipusam day with my friend. Hope its possible! and I must make sure to take my camera along to take more snaps. All the photos I took today was using my handphone camera.

I guess thats all for today. I'm exhausted and I need some rest so I'm planning to go to bed early today. Which as you can see is getting delayed as I am still typing this post. Hahah.. 

Okay guys.. Its time for me to surrender. GOOD NIGHT !! Muaxxxx.... :)