SSLA CNY Potluck
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Engineering Minds - An interview with Dr. Mok
UCSI University’s Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Built Environment is one of the largest and more popular faculties among its students. Many local and international students are enrolled in these
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happenings
School of Design’s 3D Animation Lab Launched!
Good news for UCSI 3D Animation Design students! The new computer-equipped 3D Animation Lab is officially open!
On 5th March 2010, UCSI Group President Dato’ Peter Ng launched the new lab. In his speech, he used the blockbuster hit movie, Avatar, as an example to encourage students to put in more effort in order to achieve
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Leisure & Lifestyle
Nintendo Wii: A New Dimension of Gaming
Do you feel bored playing the same games? Are you looking for new and exciting games? Then, you must try Nintendo Wii, the latest version of Nintendo games.
Nintendo Wii is a revolutionary game that caters to everyone regardless of their age and it’s truly a unique experience for your family. This highly revolutionized and sophisticated
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Talk To Us
By FATHMATH EMAN NASHEED Students of SM112 (Introduction to Public Speaking) gave out their final speeches on 30th July 2009, from 2pm till 5 pm in the A block (lobby) of UCSI University. This final event tested students’ overall performance and presenting skills adopted by them in delivering their speech. Students were evaluated according to an evaluation
"Public Speaking Final Event May-Aug 2009"
Thaipusam: A Celebration of Good over Evil
Mention Thaipusam and instantly my mind conjures up images of huge crowds of Hindu devotees at Batu Caves, colourful kavadis, body piercings, shaven heads, and people balancing milk pots, also known as the ‘palkudam’, on top of their heads, climbing the 272 steps up to the caves.
Devotees carrying the 'palkudam' on their heads
The real meaning of Thaipusam is not a show of bravery by outdoing others by having the most body piercings or carrying the most attractive kavadi. It is instead a celebration to commemorate the victory of Lord Muruga over the demon army.
When I was much younger, I used to associate Thaipusam with Thailand, as they share the first syllable, ‘Thai’. How naive I was at that time. Through observations in the papers and the shared experiences of Hindu classmates in school, I slowly and gradually came to know more about the Thaipusam festival.
It was from my Indian friends that I learnt that the Thaipusam festival is named as such because it is observed on the Pusam star in the Tamil calendar month of ‘Thai’, which falls either on January or February each year. I was relieved that I didn’t reveal my foolishness in front of them, because then I would definitely be the laughing stock of my class.
My Hindu friends in school also used to have a strict vegetarian diet for 48 days before performing their vows to cleanse themselves. I honestly salute their efforts. If I were them, I would never have gotten past the first week itself!
A kavadi bearer
The rituals that take place on Thaipusam day itself are complex and show the faithfulness of the devotees to perform their vows. They also have to endure a huge crowd while balancing the milk pot or kavadis, and yet they still made it all the way to the top of Batu Caves.
This year on the 30th of January, the spotlight was once again on the masses of devotees at Batu Caves. About 1 million devotees and tourists thronged the Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple in Batu Caves, despite the hot and humid weather to fulfil their vows.
I hope that Malaysians from all walks of life will try to understand the significance of Thaipusam, and at the same time learn more about this celebration as we live in a very multi-cultural country. And every year more and more people from all over the world join in this religious festive as proof of its popularity.
