FOREWORD : Redemption of Indian Dignity

My first meeting with the author, Viki (as he is commonly known to his friends) was at the inaugural pro tem committee meeting of Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation (MIYDF) on 31st August 2005. I was invited by him to sit on the Board of Trustees of MIYDF together with Dato Batumalai. Dato and I are both from Divine Life Society and were quite happy to volunteer our services to the youth.

At that meeting, Viki welcomed us with a narration about his vision and mission for MIYDF. That speech carried to me a message that I have not revealed to him till now, the message that “this guy has got a spark in him for the youth and the community that’s not merely a political rhetoric but an enigma of hope”. I agreed to head MIYDF. With that, began our link.
There comes a time in the life of every human being when at that point of time the person recognises the need to undertake the journey of a soul searching, assesses his or her available resources and accounts for the possible difficulties as well as the potential rewards.

The journey into the search within can sometimes begin in mysterious ways. A profound thought may suddenly appear in the mind, one may read a great book, a stunning sight in nature may strike one dumb with awe, an insightful comment from a friend may touch a part in the person that had never been previously reached, meeting with a great saint or a word of wisdom from them may occur, a meaningful glance, a bit of inspiring music - any number of apparently random things can get a person thinking about the ultimate meaning of life.

A reading of Redemption of Indian Dignity can take you on such a journey.
How long do you want to live a life of duality? A life of restlessness and discontentment? How long do you wish to lead a life of hatred, bitterness, and self pity? How long do you wish to keep the barriers between Indian and Indian?

We are always in search of peace. But where to get it? Through whom to get it? Redemption of Indian Dignity will silence the surging thoughts and the bubbling emotions in you.
 
This book will remind you how useless it is to talk of cessation of war in Palestine and Sri Lanka, whilst you are still full of petty hatred and anger within your own community and country. So, first remove your own inharmonious vibrations. Then there will be no more upheaval between us. It calls for liberating oneself from brooding on the could-have-beens and the should-have-beens and on life's injustices towards us.

Redemption of Indian Dignity provides a powerful catalyst for questioning and calling into question the taken-for-granted dignity of Indians.

We must know who we really are, what our powers are, own them and claim them! To forge life in dignity for all our future generations. Let’s join the journey to redeem the Indian dignity in Malaysia and make our community one that will stand tall in excellence in all areas of life. It is our responsibility, our destiny.

- Loganathan Thambu, Executive Director,    MIYDF