Plant Exchange

It is my experience that when gardeners meet, they touch each other's hearts. You only have to witness gardeners meeting for the first time. It's as if they 've known each other for a long time !

At our SFTGS (Selangor and Federal Territory Gardening Soc) bi-annual plant exchange at our dear patron, Tan Sri Chong Hon Nyan's house (just off Jalan Duta, KL) the members were only too glad to be his guests. With his wife, Puan Sri , both are superb hosts. As usual, the couple treated us to a wonderful buffet lunch which made it all the more special.

Our plant exchange works in a simple way. Grow your plants or bring your cuttings and exchange them with someone else's plants. If one has nothing to offer, he/she can buy the plants and the money goes to the SFTGS kitty. The whole idea is to be informal and support the GREEN message.

A circular is sent ahead of time for members/guests to bring some plants to share . That morning, happy faces hugged plants and plonked them with the rest. Needless to say, they got instant attention and were greeted eagerly with 'Hey! What have you got?' Believe me, there's always something , a 'gem' that makes its appearance. You should hear the whoops of delight when that one is there!

My pots of herbs

Red is always auspicious. The canopy overhead gave us a rosy glow!

I came prepared with 7 pots of herbs . And I went home with a pot of caladiums, a cutting of pink hoya, a passionfruit plant, a sample of wild orchid, some miniature cannas and a bunch of orchids.

The plant exchange was like a mini plant fair. Call it 'lelong', if you like 'coz a little bargaining didn't hurt at all! Just think how a simple get -together such as this can engender such liveliness between plants and humans for those brief hours.

The generosity of gardeners is legendary too. Talking to gardeners, most are willing to share on plants, cuttings, seeds, flowers and even produce. Our ex- president, Eric Simon, himself an author and true blue horticulturist, donated orchids, bananas and caladiums from his farm. All sales were donated to the SFTGS.

Plump produce from Eric Simon's farm

Unknown to many, the SFTGS is a great society to join and enjoy the countless green activities. Monthly talks by specialists in the different fields of horticulture are conducted. The SFTGS does a fine job of reaching out to gardening clubs in schools whenever the opportunity arises. I laugh my head off when I hear remarks that refer to gardening as a 'retiree's hobby'!! Personally I would like warped notions such as this erased forever .

Greening the earth concerns every child and adult. If love for gardening can be nurtured, Mother Earth can smile and breathe easy. Children that respect plants will naturally respect nature. As members, we are always delighted to see young faces.

Try to introduce the fun element when gardening with kids. Children love to see flowers bloom. Try some hardier versions of flowers like marigolds. They are quick to grow and hard to kill! Do not have many rules. After all, a little play with earth is alright as long as the hands are properly washed after it is all over.

I would like to suggest to our radio stations to have a radio programme on plants. The incredible wealth of horticulture we possess can be tapped into. Anyone can garden, even be a balcony gardener. For starters, how about gardening tips 'coz everybody loves tips, more so when they come free!

It was a fun and gregarious event. From the plant exchange, I got more than I gave. Certainly there's enough to stir the ground as soon as I got home. My garden awaits...

http://www.sftgs.org.my/

Orang Asli Museum

Orang Asli wearing the crown (pelilit kepala) with their musical instruments of bamboo.

The entrance to the Orang Asli Museum

Last week, after our Sunday morning exercise, the next best thing my husband and I did was to visit the Orang Asli Museum in Gombak.

Some might say it's off the beaten track but I assure you it's just 22 km from the city. Along the way, you get to soak in the slower pace of life as you pass villages to reach there.

The Orang Asli Museum is really an undiscovered gem as many have not heard of it before. Some Korean visitors were there before us as we signed in the register book.

The Museum has a comprehensive array of exhibits and they cover the gamut of Orang Asli living. It was so long ago that I learned about the Senoi, Negritoes and the Jakuns in Geography lessons. However, not so long ago, we visited Orang Asli settlements in Belum and Kuching. This visit just tops up the general interest as the Museum has dollops of information to share.

Originally the Orang Asli clothes were made of leaves and the outer layer of wood.

Traditional medicine -awake parsnip (ubi jaga), 'ali' crosier (tongkat ali), kacip fatima

Food hunting in various ways. This shows a trap for a mouse. Bird lime, a sticky resinous stuff from the sap of certain trees are used to trap birds. Different kinds of traps are made to snare pelanduk , pig, squirrel.

Blowpipes are the classical and multipurpose weapons to fend off enemies or to kill prey. It is easy to carry, economical, light and easy to store away. Most are made of bamboo, some of wood. They can cover a target range of 40m., accurate and dangerous in skilled hands. The poison is from the Ipoh tree (antiaristoxicaa)

Who are the Orang Asli? They are the 'original people' and the 'first people' of this country who settled here about 70 thousand years ago. Data shows that in 2006, there are 141, 230 Orang Asli in the country. Today, they make up less than 1% of the population of Malaysia. We had the good opportunity to engage with Noraida and her family members of the Semai tribe (sub group of the Senoi).

A Mah Meri (sub group of the Senoi) wedding

Senoi Paraaq Corner - 'Paraaq' means fighting people. It refers to the battalion of the PPF (Police Field Force) whose members were exclusively Orang Asli and was formed in 1957 to counter the influence of the communist insurgents. In 1968, the Senoi Paraaq was absorbed into the PPF. Today, they total 1300 in strength.

Business at Noraida's stall outside the Museum was quiet. In the leisurely chat, we found out that Noraida's parents still live in the jungle in Kuala Lipis, Pahang. The crafts sold at their shop are the handiwork of her grandparents , who still prefer their traditional way of living in the long house. It takes 3 hours to walk from the interior to the town.

School's out for them as there never was a chance for them to go to one. We were alarmed that Noraida's younger sister was a dropout and we gave our friendly advice that education is the way forward.

The youngest member having a spin of the gasing gesek (' friction' gasing)

We came away with some crafts - all as gifts to my nephew and niece as they love simple toys Moreover, with them, we have stories to tell about a group, often forgotten in our mainstream. The younger generation are opting for a new way of life and soon the time will come when the jungle is their second home.

Orang Asli Museum

KM24, Jalan Pahang, Gombak

53100 Kuala Lumpur

Te; + 603 6189 2122

http://www.jheoa.gov.my/home

Sizzle my Satay - O Mulia !

Despite the wet evening Shahrul was busy .The tables were nearly all taken up as it was dinner time. O Mulia Restaurant has made a name for itself through the years and this family business sells the well known Malaysian food , satay .

Shahrul was really sporting for as he cooked the satay sticks, I was 'firing' questions and he obliged without any hint of annoyance. At times, I was smoked out by the smoke from the burning charcoals. Anyhow, it was quite fun to be near the pyrothenics as he flamed the fire now and again.

Talk to any tourists, they surely would have heard of satay and tasted them while in Malaysia. On flights to Malaysia, visitors would have been served satay on the menu and it's the start of more to tempt the palate.

O Mulia Restaurant is tucked at a busy intersection of Tun Razak and Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur and many locals make a beeline for the satay. Is it any surprise then that my relatives even take 'a piece of Malaysia ' to the UK when they pack some satay from O Mulia to feed some homesick souls who miss this beloved food from home ?

Satay is like shish kebabs skewered and the chunks of meat, chicken or beef are grilled over charcoal fires. Shahrul's sister brought us our order and the teh tarik drinks . Hot off the grill , we relished the aromatic, succulent pieces of meat. The thick gravy of roasted peanuts (unsalted) was scrumptious and we had to ask for a top up to dunk the cucumber chunks and onion bites ! The ketupats (steamed rice cakes) had a nice texture but I miss the coconut leaves that used to wrap them.

The orders were coming fast and rapid. I asked Shahrul how many are sold between the hours of 6.30 pm - 11.00 pm. I wouldn't have guessed right - 5000 - 6000 sticks!! Gosh, satay, it is !! Shahrul says his father buys the meat from Chow Kit market. According to Shahrul, chicken satay is more popular than beef.

I was also lucky to talk to the owner, En Othman, Shahrul's father. He was seated behind the counter at the cash register. He asked me why I wanted to talk to him. My reply '... because you're famous! ' That made him a wee bit shy. But he knows it and he told me this business was handed down to him by his late father, Hj Senen. Business started in 1948 and it is still going strong. Imagine, as young as 15 years old, En Othman had already been inducted into the satay business, upon the untimely death of his father. Now his wife, daughter and son with him as their mentor, run the business to take it forward . I guess, O Mulia is already a brand!

That's it. Dinner was just satay and its accompaniments and we were well satisfied. It looked as if the night was just beginning for O Mulia for more people had come and Shahrul hadn't taken a break from his station at the grill to feed hungry stomachs.

I bade goodbye to En Othman and thanked him for being so hospitable. 'Come again!' he said. Definitely. Till the next time.

O Mulia Restaurant
330-1 Jalan Tun Razak

54200 Kuala Lumpur

Mother Mangalam - serving love to little children

To the thousands of Malaysian children, past and present, who are from broken homes, abandoned or victims of tragic circumstances, Mother Mangalam is MOTHER.

My husband, and I were thrilled that Mother Mangalam could meet us in person upon appointment. All of 84 years, she looked rather hale and greeted us warmly with her sweet smile. She led us in assured steps to her office and we chatted. We know and have heard of her wonderful work at the Pure Life Society, of which she is the life and soul for all 48 years

From a very young age, Mangalam was filled with a desire to live a life of service, to live a life for others. She took the road less travelled and the Pure Life Society is testimony of her great faith.

Of the thousands who have passed the annals of Pure Life Society, some have grown to be successful people in their own right. Among them : Abu Bakar Ahmad, Assoc Prof at University Malaya, Nantha Kumaran a successful businessman in the fertiliser business, the late Panchavarnam, a successful restauranteur in Australia and Wong Chee Keong, a microbiologist .

Her eyes have seen and her ears have heard countless sad stories in her work with the children whose lives are in tatters. With her firm commitment, she recognises the herculean task at hand and she guides them to succeed.

Mother Mangalam continues to dedicate her work with children. Looking after 65 children , ranging from 5 -18 years, boys and girls, has been and still is a constant challenge as these kids come from broken homes where the bosom of love and security are missing. Mother Mangalam stressed that in this globalising world, kids need even a firmer but kind hands and hearts to guide them to reach adulthood so as not to be led astray.

(photo credits: Sister to Mother and the children at play : Mangalam /A Life of Service)

Karate class in session. Other activities available are : yoga, gymnastics, football, dancing, computer literacy, sewing and handicraft , singing.

'It all boils down to education.' She dwelt and emphasized that a good, strong family unit, good values inculcated when young are so vital. That children from broken homes do not have good role models to follow. And that when the time is ripe for them to marry, they must know that marriage is sacred and to fulfil the vows taken. It's like the yin and yang of a good , balanced life which she wishes that people adhere to. At the Pure Life Society, the teachers are their friends for life to guide them through the years to adulthood.

When asked if parents visit their kids, she says the Pure Life Society insists. In this respect, the mothers do their best but the fathers somehow disappoint.

Mother Mangalam confided she loves to write poems. At a sprightly age of 84, she wakes up before 5 am to pen her thoughts. But time does not allow her to indulge in writing with so many pressing matters of running a home.

(photo credits: Among children and Ode to Serve : Mangalam/A Life of Service)

She is grateful that organisations and individuals believe in her efforts and support in many ways besides hard cash. The Finnish Government has installed the first part of the water recycling project to cut down on wastage of a natural resource like water.

I was rather passive during the meeting as I was developing a sore throat . Mother Mangalam recognised it. Straightaway, she picked up her phone and asked ever so politely for a decoction which she said will keep the sore throat at bay! Minutes later, her staff brought the tea for Ravi and the herbal drink for me in 2 stainless steel cups. Later into the conversation, she asked if it was alright. ' It's loosening', I replied. The grip at the vocals chords was letting up. Such caring all round!

For Ravi, it was some recollection of little bits of events when he was 10 years old. Mother Mangalam was happy to meet a relative ( his father, the late Dr.T. Markandu and Swami Satyananda were first cousins) of the founder of the Pure Life Society, Rev.Swami Satyananda.

In July, 2009, the Pure Life Society celebrated the 100th centenary birthday of the Founder-President, Rev. Swami Satyananda.

Rev.Swami Satyananda passed away in 1961. To this day, Mother Mangalam has held the fort so ably under her firm but gentle leadership.

To be MOTHER to all races is rare but Mother Mangalam has achieved her dream of serving humankind. Her dedication to a life of service is inspirational and the footprints she leaves behind will surely be imprinted forever, not to be lost in the sands of time.

Information - The Pure Life Society
1.It started as a paper organisation in 1949 with the aim of promoting inter- racial, inter- religious understanding .
2. The Founder -President, Swami Satyananda, who during 1945 - 1951 was involved in relief work among the poor, displaced children and orphans in Singapore and Malaya, assisted by Mother ( then Sister) Mangalam.
3. In 1950, the Society felt the need to establish a Home for orphans and underpriviledged children as a result of WW2 which left in its wake, displaced families.
4. The first few barrack- like buildings were put up in 1952 by the Pure Life Society.
5. The Home is non- sectarian and non -communal, spiritual, cultural, educational and humanitarian in character. It comprises Indian, Chinese and Malay kids. .
6.. Following Rev. Swami Satyananda's untimely demise, Mother Mangalam (then Sister) was appointed President in 1961.
7. The activities carried under the auspices of the Society are two-pronged: 1) INSaF - the promotion of Inter-faith Spiritual fellowship ( INSaF) by way of forums, seminars and service 2)Welfare - Home for children who are orphans, abandoned, neglected, abused from broken families and from single parents.

Time to say 'goodbye' One of the children's tribute to her: ' A mother is God's gift to us/ Sent from up above/ She dries our tears/ Calms our fears and wraps us in love.

I brought home two books : Mother Mangalam /A Life of Service ( Pictorial Biography) and The Pure Life Society/ A Spiritual Sanctuary. Do avail yourselves of these books and you will surely have a good read. How the true spirit of love , courage , determination and faith conquers all to invest in building young lives at the Pure Life Society.

The library corner for the young ones

The hour passed so quickly and we left Mother Mangalam inspired by her selfless service of a lifetime. In her own words,' pray and make living an art' and achieve this 'by the faint glimmer of light - the Divine Light shining from within'.

The Pure Life Society Home for Orphans and Underpriviledged Children

Batu 6, Jalan Puchong, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
tel: +6 03 7785 1087

A library in a Condo

Walk into a condominium and the last thing you expect to find is a library. But, at the Bangsar Puteri Condominium , Bukit Bandaraya, there resides the Residents' Bookshop, welcoming you with open arms.

How did it find its nest there? This must be the first of its kind in Malaysia !

It so happens the owner, Linda Tan Lingard is a resident of the condominium. When the mini market had to close, this intrepid lady saw an opportunity to embark on something she loves - set up a library . She asked the management of Bangsar Puteri for a small space to operate a small library.To her delight, she got a bigger space, all of 500 square feet. That was two years ago when the Residents' Bookshop was born.

It's cosy inside the library and there are places to snuggle up with a book or two for the young ones. On the low shelves, there are good selections of children's picture books and works by well-known authors.

Linda Tan, an avid reader and collector of children's books says children's tastes for books are perhaps changing though Enid Blyton is still among the favourites. I'm glad her favourite is Eric Carle. He's mine too! Nobody would deny the hugely popular children picture book, ' The Hungry Caterpillar' will not find a place in the young readers' hearts. Me? I want to devour every picture and the words , so lovingly!!

'Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult but to the adult in the child' - Anonymous

When she is not busy, Linda Tan gathers a few children and enthralls them in some read -aloud -sessions. There's no fuss about it all and both the storyteller and the children enjoy some great moments in a different world as the pages turn.

Books are the 'stuff' of which dreams are made. Dreams are critically important. As someone said, it's a discount ticket to everywhere! How true ! The more we read, the more we know and the more places we go! As a children's storyteller myself, I know the magic images I paint before their eyes , they want to be part of the adventure too.

'You cannot open a book without learning something' - Confucius

The library is a place to relax for the adults too. The books on the shelves come from her own selection, books which friends have donated and some she has bought. The adults tend to borrow the light fiction by authors like John Grisham.

I must say this is a real gem of a place in a condominium - a safe place where children can pop in and out to avail themselves of the books. More so when parents are busy and do not have the time to take their kids to a local library. And there's no fee attached for this service. The adults pay only a minimal fee of RM5.00 for borrowing . This is truly service for the residents by a resident in a condominium that is very hard to find in the city. This is sharing - a love for books, of knowledge and of learning.

Linda Tan wears many hats besides running this cosy library. Many ideas and aspirations are hatched in this second home of hers. To address the dearth of good children's literature, she has ventured into publishing. To date, her company, Oyez! Books has published over a dozen titles by Malaysian and expat writers and illustrators.

Recently on 29 Nov, Linda as president of SCBWI ( Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators), invited me to the first conference of the Malaysian chapter at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. It was of immense special significance as Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing himself is the Honorary Chairman of of the SCWBI Malaysian chapter. Linda Tan is grateful for his support of this fledgling society which needs nurturing and tremendous support for our Malaysian writers and illustrators to help promote Malaysian children's literature . There were 15 writers' works and and 100 illustrated works on display and the event was a success.

Launch of the SCBWI Malaysian Chapter at Limkokwing University. SCBWI President, Linda Tan presenting a token of appreciation to Vice- President of International Development, Dr Jayles Yeoh on behalf of Prof. Emeritus, Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing. Yusof Gajah, mentor to SCBWI (on the left)

Yusof Gajah 'Gajah Sejati'. Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO, Noma Concours Grand Prize Winner 1996

Perhaps some developers/management of condominiums can take a cue from this humble library that serves a community of residents and others. What a wholesome addition it can be together with the other facilities like the gymnasium, convenience shop etc. I would also add that school libraries be well- maintained to foster the reading habit.

Kudos to Linda Tan and her library! What an ideal space and one that brings such lasting pleasure.

'To read is to empower/ To empower is to write/ To write is to influence/To influence is to change/ To change is to live' - Jane Evershed ( More than a tea party)

Residents' Bookshop

Lobby, Bangsar Puteri

Jalan Medang Serai

Bukit Bandaraya

59100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel/Fax: +6 03 2095 6268