Samy Vellu's son said to be candidate

my story which appeared in the NST today






Samy Vellu's son said to be candidate

SEVERAL new faces and some who lost in 2008 are expected to be named as MIC candidates for the next general election.

These newcomers, comprising up-and-coming party leaders, are said to be closely linked to party president Datuk G. Palanivel.

Among the potential candidates are said to be first-term MIC central working committee members A. Sakthivel, 41, M. Mohana, 35, and M. Madhu Marimuthu, 48 and former senator N. Rawichandran, 49.

Also in the list are said to be S. Vell Paari, who is likely to contest the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat previously held by his father, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, and former MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran.

Madhu, when contacted, denied that candidates were being considered due to their close relationship with Palanivel.

"That is not true. This is no ordinary general election, it's a mother of all battles.

"The candidates cannot just be his men. They must be able to raise money for projects, run campaigns and take care of their respective constituencies well.

"We need candidates who can perform, have the credentials and do not carry any baggage.

"A lot of factors need to be considered, it's not about being close to the president. We need to win this election as the future of MIC depends on this."

In the 2008 general election, MIC won only three out of nine parliamentary seats and seven out of 19 state seats which it contested.

The parliamentary seats it won were Segamat (Johor), Cameron Highlands (Pahang) and Tapah (Perak).

A central working committee member said that Madhu and Sakthivel had already been told to start work for the Kapar parliamentary seat, Mohana for the Kota Raja parliamentary seat and Rawichandran, Batu Caves state seat.

"They were told to start work in those constituencies and make their faces known to the people there," said the member who did not want to be named.

He added that Vell Paari's name was being considered as MIC wanted a strong personality for Sungai Siput, a seat close to the heart of MIC as two of its past presidents had held it, namely Tun V.T. Sambanthan and Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

The source added that Vigneswaran, who left MIC in 2008 and returned to the party in 2009, was expected to make a comeback to national politics.

Vigneswaran, 46, was a two-term Kota Raja member of parliament before losing in the 2008 general election.

"He may have lost with a big majority, but that was because the people were just angry at that time. Many big names lost, too," said another party leader.

He said there was a different trend in voting now and argued that the people today would vote for a candidate who could serve them.

"What the people are looking for are those who can perform."

There is also talk that MIC Wanita chief Datin Paduka Komala Krishnamoorthy, who lost her Kapar seat in 2008, would not be fielded this time around.

The MIC youth wing is optimistic that their chief, T. Mohan, will be fielded despite him losing the 2008 election and the bad blood said to be brewing between him and Palanivel.

"No matter what has happened, Palanivel cannot afford to sideline Mohan. He is a party worker, well known among members and the public for his work," said a youth leader.

A former MIC secretary-general said Palanivel was keeping the cards close to his chest and was careful not to mention names, fearing in-fighting in the party.

"Whoever the candidates are, they must have all the right qualities, able to perform, open to the people and hard-working. They cannot afford to be complacent any more."


(Source : NST)

Why DOGS are better than MEN

Started the day BADLY and saw this article online. Can't think of a better way to express how much I AGREE!!


# Dogs always think you're smart and don't make fun of your shortcomings
# Dogs are willing to sleep on a rug and fetch on command
# Dogs spend less time worrying about hair loss
# Old buddies don't show up on doorstep unexpectedly
# Dogs are utterly disinterested in professional sports
# Your parents find them easier to like
# Dogs are rarely jealous of your former boyfriends
# Dogs are willing to hold your purse in public
# Unlikely to roll over and lose consciousness immediately following intense play
# Dogs don't complain when you want to go for a walk
# Dogs are willing to eat anything you put on their plate and will always want more
# Dogs tend to bath themselves daily, men must be encouraged to do so
# You can put a dog in a crate when you don't feel like having it around
# Dogs expect to go outside on leashes... men think they can do everything on their own
# Dogs do not have problems expressing affection in public.
# Dogs miss you when you're gone.
# You never wonder whether your dog is good enough for you.
# Dogs feel guilt when they've done something wrong.
# Dogs don't brag about whom they have slept with.
# Dogs don't criticize your friends.
# Dogs admit when they're jealous.
# Dogs are very direct about wanting to go out.
# Dogs do not play games with you -- except fetch (and they never laugh at how you throw).
# Dogs are happy with any video you choose to rent, because they know the most important thing is that you're together.
# Dogs don't feel threatened by your intelligence.
# You can train a dog.
# Dogs are easy to buy for.
# Dogs are good with kids.
# Dogs are already in touch with their inner puppies.
# You are never suspicious of your dog's dreams.
# Gorgeous dogs don't know they're gorgeous.
# The worst social disease you can get from dogs is fleas.
OK. The *really* worst disease you can get from them is rabies, but there's a vaccine for it, and you get to kill the one that gives it to you.)
# Dogs understand what NO means.
# Dogs don't need therapy to undo their bad socialization.
# Dogs don't make a practice of killing their own species.
# Dogs understand if some of their friends cannot come inside.
# Dogs do not read at the table.
# You can house train a dog.
# You can force a dog to take a bath.
# Dogs don't correct your stories.
# Middle-aged dogs don't feel the need to abandon you for a younger owner.
# Dogs aren't threatened by a woman with short hair.
# Dogs aren't threatened by two women with short hair.
# Dogs don't mind if you do all the driving.
# Dogs love to dance
# Dogs don't step on the imaginary brake.
# Dogs admit it when they're lost.
# Dogs don't weigh down your purse with their stuff.
# Dogs look at your eyes.
# Dogs like your size.
# Dogs do not care whether you shave your legs.
# Dogs take care of their own needs.
# Dogs are color blind.
# Dogs aren't threatened if you earn more than they do.
# Dogs mean it when they kiss you.
# Dogs are nice to your relatives.
# Dogs obsess about you as much as you obsess about them.
# Dogs don't care how you dress.

(http://www.huskycolors.com/men.html)

Feeling pregnant????

Just after I got back from India, I noticed something strange in myself. I am the type of person who cannot sleep beyond 7.30am, no matter how late I had got into bed the night before, but since coming back from the trip, I have been waking up so late 9.30am, and up to 11am!! Once I went back sleeping for 12 hours. I thought I was just tired or caused by some kind of virus. Puzzled, I shared this with a friend who said i might be PREGNANT!!
Instead of checking with a doctor or taking a pregnancy test like any sensible girl would do, I went online and searched on signs of pregnancy.

Here is what I found :


1. Swollen, tender, or sore breasts and/ or nipples
2. Darkening areolas
3. Spotting
About five to 10 days after conception, some women notice light spotting when the
embryo implants in the uterus.
4. Urinary frequency
5. Fatigue or unusual tiredness
6. Nausea
7. Just feeling pregnant
8. Headaches
9. Mood swings
10. Metallic taste in your mouth
11. Mood swings
12. Vivid dreams
13. Food cravings
14. Altered sense of taste
15. Constipation
16. Stomach cramping
17. Back pain
18. Heightened sense of smell
19. Shortness of Breath
20. Bloating
21. Elevated Basal Body Temperature
22. Dizziness or fainting
23. A missed period

And finally...

A positive home pregnancy test.

Will check my status soon and update :)

India trip

These are some of the pics taken during our trip, Sept 2011.

The route we took :
Chennai - Chidambaram - Salem - Yercaud - Salem - Dindugal - Thenni- Munnar - Udumalpet - Chennai

India trip, sept 2011

Finally made the long awaited trip to one of my fave cities in the world, Chennai.
Well, this was supposed to be our honeymoon trip but it turned out that we spent too much time traveling and could not do anything else, ehem ehem :)
But it was a good trip and I enjoyed my self too much until we, sorry, I, became broke :(
Thank God I had brought extra RM so it was not too bad.
One of the best thing was the exchange rate, we managed to get 15.28 so had a great time shopping.
This is what I did in India for 11 days.

Day 1 (Sept 3)
Left LCCT, KL at 3.50pm and reached Chennai at 5pm something. Due to some miscommunication problem, my cousin who was supposed to meet me at the airport was waiting at another part of the airport and we spent nearly 30 minutes trying to find him.
After finally locating him, we got a car for hire to take us to T. Nagar (shopping heaven) where we got two sarees from Pothys for my two aunties in Chidambaram. Thanesh was excited seeing so many people on road and was busy clicking away and recording on our Canon 550D. Meanwhile, I was too tired and just wanted to sleep to sleep in Chennai.



But of course, that didn't happen and at 10.30pm, we were on our way to Chidambaram in an express bus. I fell asleep before the bus left the city and only woke up when we got to Chidambaram where my uncle came to pick us.
I've never seen Chidambaram so quiet and empty (what do u expect at 3am) and there were so many banners of an ex MP of the area. He looked like some cinema politician but kinda cute :)


Day 2 (Sept 4)
We had a way too heavy breakfast at uncle's house (had tosai, two idlis, kesari, vadai - all in one big leaf) and then left to Vaitheswaran temple. We got a small Indica to take us to the temple and then to a relative's house at Seerkazli and then back to Chidambaram. The trip cost us Rs1000. We left at 8am and got back to Chidambaram at 2pm.
Again, we had a hearty meal, chicken briyani this time. We had fried chicken, chicken perattel, egg and fried fish. And so, with such heavy meal, had no choice but to rest at home since Thanesh wanted to sleep.
In the evening, we went to my aunties houses and later Thanesh was given the Annamalai University and Nadaraja temple tour while I stayed back at my aunty's house and had henna on my hands.


Day 3 (Sept 5)
This is one of the most tiring trips we took in India. We visited a girls school in Chidambaram earlier in the morning where my aunty teaches. It was Teacher's Day that day and so there were some minor celebration at the school. We managed to get a bus to Salem at 11.30 am. The ride was bumpy and the weather was just too hot for my liking. We finally reached Salem at bout 5pm. We had a quick bite at Hotel Shevroys near Salem. The food was OUT. But we had to eat something after traveling for so long with only LAYS and biscuits.
Luckily they had a somehow clean toilet at the back of the hotel which was really useful at that time. We left Salem at about 5.40pm and it had started to rain heavily then. We had asked the hotel we were going to stay to send a car to pick us from Salem bus station. That cost us Rs1000. A normal bus ride would be less than Rs20 but we were too exhausted and did not know where to get down or where the hotel was. So we got on the car and went up to Yercaud.
The journey was simply beautiful and we soon forgot our tiredness. The driver told us there are 20 hairpin bends and we were nearly 2,000 metres above sea.The air was so cool and clean. We reached our hotel some 50 minutes later.
We checked into Hotel Shevroys (Rs1000) and settled for the night.

Day 4 (Sept 6)
We started the day early and the weather was simply beautiful. It was kind of cold for me and I was wearing a jacket and shawl. Thanesh had arranged for an auto for Rs500 for half a day tour of Yercaud. We first went to the Shevroys temple, a Perumal temple inside a small cave. U have to actually crawl to get inside but the cave opening gradually became bigger and you can actually stand and pray. The statue was dark in colour and had water dripping on to it. The whole thing was serene and calming. After that we went to the Pagoda Point, Gentleman Seat, Ladies Seat - all of which are high points in Yercaud.
We also went to Botanical garden which I would advise one to skip if you are not too crazy about plants. Half the time I was there, I was wondering if I might chance upon snake.
By then I was too hungry to see anything and was hoping for the tour to end so that I can eat something. The auto driver also took us to the Yercaud town and later to a International school there where he told us actor Vikram had once studied there.
And so by 1.30pm, our tour ended. We had our lunch at Selvam's, where Thanesh had briyani (what else) and I had a parota (Indian bread). After lunch I had a nap while he went for an ayurvedic massage. It began to rain later in the evening and so we were glued to TV, watching my fave Tamil serials :)


Day 5 (Sept 7)
Got up eary, had our breakfast or Rawa Thosai and took the 8am bus to Salem. The driver was probably feeling naughty and was playing up randy Tamil songs, much to the embarrassment of the most of the women in the bus. But the boys were having a field day, teasing and making fun of each other. It was a good trip bu the hairpin bends are really scary as the bus was travelling quite fast. Thanesh had paled slightly (he is going to kill me for this) but I enjoyed the journey.
And so we reached Salem an hour later and after enquiring from the bus drivers there, we were told the faster route to Munnar, Kerala is through Thenni. And so we got on a bus to Dindugal, which took about five hours. We passed several other towns like Karur and others.
Throughout the journey, what struck me the most are the banners and cut outs of Opposition leader and cinema actor Vijayakanth. I did not realise just how popular he was in the south until I saw them.
We got to Dindugal at nearly 2.30pm and from there we got on another bus to Thenni.
At Thenni bus station, we managed to find a clean motel which allowed us to use their toilet. Indian toilet but I had no other choice.
And then, at 4.45pm, we got on the Thenni-Munnar bus. It took us 4hours to reach Munnar town. The view uphill is simply breath taking. But because of the continuous travelling, and because I could not sleep a wink, I began to develop headache and could not wait to get to a comfortable bed. I was too tired to enjoy the trip. But we made friends with the bus conductor, Mr Alagarsamy. He said he has been a conductor on the bus for nearly 26 years and knows everyone of his passengers personally.
I was too tired to even make an effort to be friendly so I left the work to Thanesh who was more than happy to share his tales of Malaysia and listen to Kerala stories.
We finally reached at about 9pm.
We checked into a homestay, run by a young lad called Kuttan for Rs750. And after a quick dinner, (briyani again for Thanesh), we hit the bed.


Day 6 (Sept 8)
We managed to get an auto driver contact number from Kuttan. His name is Dennis (9446997775) and he was the best driver we had so far. Friendly without being irritating, he shared with us many interesting stories of Kerala. We visited all the must see places in Munnar like Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Elephant Sanctuary, few high points in Munnar, tea estates, and saw the Tamil Nadu - Kerala border from a point.
Beautiful place, simply superb. Clean, cool air, water falls everywhere, the whole place is calming and I cannot imagine anyone leaving a place like that to move elsewhere.
We were also showed several spots where the Myna movie was shot.
We managed to have lunch at nearly 4pm after which we were brought to an ayurvedic centre where we had traditional massage and oil all over our bodies.
Try it if you must but I felt that I would not regret it if I had missed this. Anyway, the massage was Rs1000 per person which included steam.
Later we had lunch and was taken for a night safari (Rs2500) in a jeep. We left at 10pm and got back home at 4am. Sleepy and tired as the roads were terrible. I fell asleep many times. But we managed to see some wild elephants and wild boards, rabbits (the driver kept waking me up to see rabbits...grrrhhh). The stories of the forests were entertaining but after a while, I just dozed off.


Day 7 (Sept 9)
I have begun to miss Malaysia and could not wait to get back home. I was dreading the journey back to Chennai which will take hours :(
After breakfast, Dennis took us to the Eravikulam Park (the ride there cost us Rs300) to see the Nilgiri tahr which of course we didn’t. But the trip up there was great. Colder. But since I was already on the mood to get back home, I did not pay much attention, just did what is expected of us, took some photos and left.
We got on a mini bus to Udumalpet where we reached at about 7.45pm. Had dinner there and got on a sleeper coach to Chennai. KPN Travels. That was the best bus i’ve taken, no seats just beds :)
Slept immediately after getting on the bus at 9pm.


Day 8 (Sept 10)
Reached Chennai at 6.45am and checked into a hotel at T. Nagar for Rs1250.
Finally, did what I had been waiting to do... SHOPPING. :)
Went to Satyam theater but tickets for Mangaktha was sold out for the day. So bought tickets for tomorrow night and went to Pondy Bazaar.


Day 9 (Sept 11)
Visited the Kapaleshwarar temple and had a heavy breakfast at Saravana Bhavan.
Continued shopping.
Thanesh bought for me the most gorgeous saree, the one Trisha wore in VinnaiThandi Varuvaya :) :)
Cost only RM140.
That made my day :) thanks dear
Went for the movie at 10.30pm. Expected a rowdy crowd but the audience was decent. The movie is superb and if you are not a Ajith fan before this, you will be after this movie.
Just the type of movie I would enjoy, no senseless masala, teary scenes. A lot of fights (which I like) and Ajith simply looked amazing in this movie.

Day 10 (Sept 12)
Checked out of the hotel early and went to MGR and Anna memorial parks, Parry’s, Spencer Plaza (had KFC there) and then got back to hotel. In the evening, my uncle from Chidambaram called and asked us out for dinner at Talapakatti Briyani.
Great meal but I was too sleepy to enjoy.


Day 11 (Sept 13)
By now, I was just looking to leave India and sleep on my bed back home. Suddenly the noise, people, crowd and everything Chennai is and I loved were no longer enticing. I longed to get back home.
Our flight left at 5.50pm and we reached LCCT at 12.20 am.
Good trip but too tiring to enjoy much.

will upload the pics soon

back, after so long.
covered the MIC 65th AGM last week, nothing impressive but this is just what i think okay...






Except for the talks of an additional minister for the MIC and the speaker Tan Sri K. Kumaran’s antics in trying to control the delegates, the party’s recently concluded 65th annual general meeting lacked spark and substance.

While granting an additional minister to the MIC might solve problems in the party and legitimise Datuk G. Palanivel’s seat as the president, the question on everyone’s mind is how will that help the community.

It was also interesting to note that there was no mention of the 30 demands of the party in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak speech but instead the announcement of the additional minister seemed to be overtaken by the course of
events.

“It was more of a show than a matter of substance. We have asked for so many things but nothing substantial was granted. How will a full minister be the answer to all our requests,” asked a senior party member who declined to be named.

The additional minister also may not necessarily translate into votes as talks of back door appointment would continue to haunt Palanivel unless he carries out drastic changes or proves he is not a person to be taken lightly.

Perhaps this had prompted the normally media shy and composed Palanivel to threaten to leave the Barisan Nasional if the coalition allows other Indian based party into the BN.

“Umno doesn't have any other Malay parties at the supreme level. MCA also won't allow another Chinese party into BN. If Umno allows other Malay-based parties to join BN, then we will also allow the same,” he had said in reaction to BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor statement that the MIC was blocking other Indian-based parties from joining the coalition.

His statement drew the ire of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president M. Sambanthan who said the statement seem to challenge Najib’s 1Malaysia concept and will only serve to further divide the community.

“If he thinks only MIC should be there to represent the community, then why are there so many Indian parties out there? Don’t belittle our contribution all these years,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

The lack of colour at the AGM could also be contributed to the fact that Palanivel was not a great orator like former president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu who would sing, recite poetry or joke with his audience.

But that audience is slowly changing where younger people are taking over, people who may not have the time for songs, jokes and poetry.

Perhaps, taking note of this, Palanivel did not waste his breath charming the audience, instead went on outlining the situation and needs of the community.

He asked Najib to look into 10 main issues including death benefit insurance scheme for all Indians, small businesses loan facility, scholarships, financial assistance for cultural and religious affairs and more jobs in civil service.

But a critic said instead of giving 30 long wishes, Palanivel should have instead focus on two or three issues and get the PM to commit or at least give a favourable answer to satisfy the people.

“We should have concentrated on only a few things, like the status of Tamil schools in the country or Felda like scheme for the Indians. That would have been better rather than handouts here and there,” said the former member of Parliament.
He also pointed out that many other requests read out in Tamil were not read in English by Palanivel, depriving many non-Tamil speaking guests to take note of what the community needed.

Palanivel certainly won the hearts of the delegates especially when he gave out about RM800,000 to 152 divisions to be used to run activities for Deepavali as grassroots leaders have always complained of lack of fund to run activities.
MIC Youth leader T. Mohan said the party returned united after the AGM and said there won’t be teams in the party as all were happy with the announcement of an additional minister.

“There won’t be another Samy Vellu - Subramaniam feud in MIC anymore,” he stressed.