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MIC’s Vetri Padigal Seminar

April 8th, 2011
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I attended the MIC’s Vetri Padigal Seminar at UM on Sunday afternoon, bringing my niece there. The event started at around 2.30pm, after the MIC President arrived. There were about 800 to 1000 students/parents, and the rest were MIC people and expo people. Yes, there were few counters which promoted various colleges, loans etc.

There were few speeches (SK Devamany, Palanivel, Prakash Rao). MIC President Palanivel said that they will talk to government to get scholarships/help for those in the 7 and 8As category as well, while Deputy Minister Devamany highlighted key industries with revenues more than RM10 billion for the coming years.  This was followed by appreciation of the top achievers in SPM (8As and above). The top student in Selangor was a boy from Taman Sentosa Klang who obtained 12A+. I’m sure he will be one of the top 30 students who will be given Biasiswa Nasional by PM. Also

The first briefing was by Mahaganapathydass on study paths and JPA scholarship application.

This was followed by briefing by Sree Ganesh on skills based training. However, most of the crowd had left by the time second briefing started. They headed to the counters at the side which provided counselling for students on applying to IPTA, applying JPA scholarship etc.

MIC also came out with a seminar book that lists the available paths after SPM and requirements for various courses/level of study.  The book is quite useful as it lists the available courses in IPTA and entry requirements. The Vetri Padigal seminar will also be held in other locations throughout the country.

My take on the seminar: I think the participants should have been separated into categories based on their results. Would have been more focused and audience need not waste time listening to section of the talk that they are not interested in.

 

Note: I hope the organisers will cut down the “self-promotion” part and just focus on the core issue. Boring la listening to “singam onu porapattathu” song.

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Posted in I Was Here, Indian

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MyIndians UPU Application Workshop for SPM Leavers

April 8th, 2011
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I helped out a bit at MyIndians UPU Application Workshop for SPM Leavers which was held on 26th and 27th March. It was held at the office in 3 2 Square PJ. About 400 over students/parents came for the workshop (held over two days). There was  a general briefing, followed by individual counselling (if needed) by volunteers who represented various careers (medicine, engineering, skills based, teaching etc). This was followed by briefing on how to apply to UPU. And interestingly, the organisers managed to get BSN to open a counter to sell PIN numbers on the spot! The irony is that some students/parents don’t even know that they need a PIN number to apply to IPTA. Good thing the BSN counter was there. The organisers had also printed a simple booklet explaining about what to do after SPM.

As a follow-up event, they are having workshop for JPA scholarship applicant on interview tips:

MyIndians.com calls all those who have applied for JPA scholarships for a special training this Saturday, 9th April 2011 (10 am to 12 noon) on how to conduct yourself on the interview day. Please call our help centre or Asha at 012-3431656 for details

SPM students can register with them to get more info. Go to:

http://www.myindians.com/Education/StudentsArea.aspx

 

Read more about the workshop about it at MyIndians website:

http://www.myindians.com/Editors/tabid/209/EntryId/5/MyIndians-com-SPM-Education-Fair-2011.aspx

 

Videos excerpts from one of my sessions below (in English) ( sorry for the quality).

 

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Posted in I Was Here, Indian, Personal

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Unpleasant Experience at Chola Spice Restaurant Sunway

April 3rd, 2011
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Had a unpleasant experience yesterday. 3 of us went to Chola Spice restaurant in Sunway at about 8.20am. Its located at the shoplots next to Sunway Pyramid, same row with the KFC. Our order: roti telur, cow milk tea, thosai, cow milk bru coffee, iddiappam, and teh tarik.  I found my drink to be acceptable (well I had worse cow milk tea before) and finished about 3/4 of the drink. However, Then said the bru coffee was not good (seems tasted like no cow milk in it) and did not drink it.

At the counter, she informed that she did not drink the bru coffee since it was not good, thus would not pay for it. The cashier guy said that its not the restaurant fault as the milk comes from external source (obviously milk to restaurants are delivered by vendors). He said if it was a problem of sugar or too watery, they can fix it, but can’t do anything about the milk.

We asked for the owners contact number, but the cashier said the owner’s phone will be switched off, and gave more excuses.

In the end, another lady (not sure if she’s a customer or owner) who was sitting nearby also intervened and in the end, we didn’t pay for the drink (total cost RM13, minus the drink Rm3, paid RM10).

I think the logic that the milk quality is out of the restaurant control is unacceptable. If you can’t source for good milk, then don’t sell the associated product la. If you can’t make good bru coffee, then don’t sell it. In fact the cashier said they just changed the milk vendor 2-3 days ago. I think if they are really concerned, they should have told us that the milk vendor is new when we ordered cow milk based drinks. You are willing to use products of substandard quality and then expect us to pay, but passing the buck to suppliers when we ask questions.

So far, we have highlighted many dissatisfaction in other restaurants, and I can’t remember any of them arguing back or even asking to pay. Its about customer goodwill and appreciating the customer. We are not complaining for the fun of it, but as a feedback so that you can improve the business. Being business owner, you have to teach the staff to tackle the situation tactfully. I mean, what’s the loss of RM3 compared to loss of future business? For sure I won’t be going there again for the foreseeable future.

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Posted in I Was Here, Indian, Personal

Cameron Highlands

January 2nd, 2011
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Cameron Highlands was wet during the last few days of 2010. We went to the usual places like the pasar malam Brinchang (nothing much to shout about for locals), Sg Palas Boh Tea Center, Kea Farm, Raju Hill Strawberry Farm, Tanah Rata’s row of food shops, and Big Red Strawberry Farm. Didn’t cover the jungle trails nor the rose/cactus/butterfly/insect farms.

This time around, we also  managed to visit MARDI’s Agritech Park in Tanah Rata. Entrance fee is RM3 per person. The strawberries and plants sold here are cheaper than those sold in the shops, but you have to be early (before noon if possible to get them).

The place is in Tanah Rata, you can find signages aplenty.

The flower varieties were quite good. They have about 20 over Rose varieties.

From MARDI Agrotech Park Tanah Rata
From MARDI Agrotech Park Tanah Rata
From MARDI Agrotech Park Tanah Rata
From MARDI Agrotech Park Tanah Rata

Also saw locally grown apples and vegetables.

From MARDI Agrotech Park Tanah Rata
From MARDI Agrotech Park Tanah Rata

Read more about the park here:

http://agromedia.mardi.gov.my/tourismch2006/index.htm

Some of the photos we took:

Even though it was off-season, strawberry plucking was one of the activities available at Big Red Strawberry Farm at Brinchang. Then had a gala time being a strawberry picker :-)

From Big Red Strawberry Farm

We also went to another favorite spot – Sg Palas Boh Tea Center. We arrived at around 9am and the weather was cold with slight drizzle. The crowd started to come in by 10.3oam. Nice place to enjoy your morning cuppa.

On the way back, our usual pit stop at Cameron Bharat Cafe which serves brownie with ice-cream. But the masala tea was a bit light.

From Cameron Bharat Tea Cafe

Read my previous visits to Cameron Highlands here:

http://poobalan.com/blog/personal/2010/01/21/holiday-at-cameron-highlands/

http://poobalan.com/blog/personal/2008/05/27/cameron-highlands-day-1-at-cameron-valley-and-smokehouse-hotel/

http://poobalan.com/blog/personal/2008/05/28/cameron-highlands-day-2-at-farm-tea-estate-and-mountain/

http://poobalan.com/blog/personal/2008/05/29/cameron-highlands-day-3-buying-plants/

http://poobalan.com/blog/personal/2008/04/09/sungai-palas-boh-tea-plantation/

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Posted in I Was Here, Personal

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How to help them?

December 12th, 2010
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Had an interesting yesterday night: met a family. I sat in a house (more like a shack) facing the entrance and had a good view of Malaysia’s best – the towering heights of  a GLC’s HQ. And when I turned away from the door, my good feelings came crashing down to earth with a thud. I wouldn’t say its discrimination. Just some bad fortune, lack of education and lack of support. The sole breadwinner walks nearly 2 hours to workplace, working 7 days a week, returning home late at night. The other spouse has some medical problem and unable to hold on to a job. Luckily, the breadwinner just got a job with a better salary (but still low for a family of four), courtesy of a Chinese businessman.

Their RM100 rented “home” leaks whenever it rains (and it rains often!). Power supply and water depends on others. I got hit by mosquitoes left and right (Then says they are attracted to me!). At least the baby is protected by mosquito net.

Eldest son is 5 years old and parents wondering how to send to kindergarten. Youngest child is just 2 months old (and oh so cute!). Another two children taken care by others.

What they want? A better home (but low rent), a good environment for the family. A place for the son to study (but cheap). A mode of transport (but can they afford the petrol cost?).

Sorry folks, sad story today and no photos on this until further notice.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, I Was Here

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