The victory of light over darkness Lim Mun Fah

OCT 28 One morning years ago, I had breakfast with several friends at a coffeeshop. We chatted while eating and suddenly an Indian man carrying a few bottles approached us and asked softly in Mandarin: Would you like to buy honey?

Our conversation was interrupted and I have forgotten who had actually waved him away.

In disappointment, the Indian man walked away. Feeling a little sorry for him, I saw him quietly approached other diners and continued peddling honey. However, he was rejected again and again.

He seemed to have found that I was looking at him as when he passed by, he gently sighed: I know, you dont believe me because Im Indian.

He said it so softly but the words touched my heart. He seemed to have walked away with a heavy pace.

I have failed to wave the painful impression away even a few years later. I can still remember his pair of eyes with hidden bitterness and the gently spoken words.

Also many years ago, when law and order in Johor Baru was terrible, many dialogue sessions between local community and the police were held under the pressure of public opinion.

At one of the dialogue sessions, I was touched by an attendees self-confession. He said that he had bought a new set of furniture and requested the furniture company not to send an Indian deliveryman.

He shared the story in guilt and said: How could I be rigidly prejudiced against Indians just because of a few crimes involving Indian suspects? Arent they forced to involve in crimes if everyone is doing the same and does not even give them the chances to work as deliverymen?

I have seen many successful Indians. Some of them are rich and powerful while some of them are professionals. They are wise and intelligence just like other races. However, the Malaysian Indian community gives an overall impression as the poorest, most vulnerable and even most suppressed and exploited group among the three major racial groups of the country.

Over the past four decades, one after ! another Tamil primary schools have disappeared from this land and many Indian workers have been forced to move to the city and live in poverty after losing their jobs due to the closure of plantations.

However, the Indian communitys poverty problem and the serious social problem brought by young Indian dropouts have been neglected over all these years.

Deepavali signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Hopefully the plight of Indian vulnerable groups will soon be of concern by all parties and solutions will be found to promise them a better future! mysinchew.com

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication, and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.