Wednesday, June 29, 2016

At Kuala Lumpur



  After a long time from my hibernation at home due to various reasons,  I  made up my mind to travel.  My daughter  took  me to that Island Country of prosperity, mixed cultures, unexpected weather et al., but  an extremely beautiful place of interest, Kuala lumpur, - Malaysia. .
This Malaysian capital has recorded History of not earlier to 1800s. People thronged there in search of livelihood from neighboring China, Sri Lanka, India and a group of Islands, nearby. Kua Lumpur derived its name as a City in the confluence of two rivers. Gombak & Silent river! In the language of Malaysia, Malayan, it means " muddy waters", which has developed in leaps and bounds in less than Two centuries.
Labourers from nearby India, China & Hing Kong, Indonesia came here for then newly discovered loads of Tin Ore, Lime Stone, various other ores, enough to make this a rich country for Mining Industry.                                                            
 The early rulers were Muslim Kings, along with few Indian businessmen and Chinese investors. In less than a century, Malaysia developed as a Tourist spot of attraction with neighbouring China Sea, more than 150 islands, highlands... which made British settlers to build Fort George and Ship Industry. Ores were shipped from here as labour was very cheap.
The Central Market, one of Kuala Lumpur's Market places is a one stop Market for local items like White Coffee, Oats, Berrys, Cinnamon and dry fruits.
There are several Buddhist shrines here in Penang, and they were early settlers.

INDIANS:
Kuala Lumpur has at least 17-20% of Indian population, most of whom are Tamils, Muslims, and very few Telugu people, and scanty Kannada speaking people.
Many Indian temples have come up during the Pillais, who were rich miners & business men from Tamil Nadu, also Chettiars,and Srilankans.
There are quite few Mariyamman Temples, Srinivasa Perumal, Pulliyar Ganesha, Shiva temples. The famous Batu Cave, has a Cave temple of Murugan, Subrahmanya...Pattu= Ten lime stone made caves are known as Batu Caves, where a gentleman from Pillai family has made huge contribution to improve the natural Cave,  the entrance to which looked like Vel of Murugan.


Buddha Image , Penang.

 I could  see Indians in Temples, Little India, Times Square, and quite a few other places near the sea.
Twin Towers built during Colonial Regime is no less interesting. T he towers were designed by Argentine architect Cesar Pelli. They chose a distinctive postmodern style to create a 21st-century icon for Kuala Lumpur. Planning on the Petronas Towers started on 1 January 1992 and included rigorous tests and simulations of wind and structural loads on the design. Seven years of construction followed at the former site of the original Selangor Turf Club, beginning on 1 March 1993 with excavation, which involved moving 500 truckloads of earth every night to dig down 30 metres (98 ft) below the surface.
The construction of the superstructure commenced on 1 April 1994. Interiors with furniture were completed on 1 January 1996, the spires of Tower 1 and Tower 2 were completed on 1 March 1996.
Statue of Cornwalils, George Town, Penang.
Being the capital city of Penang, George Town plays an important role especially in the political and economic welfare of the population of the entire state. It is the seat of the state government where almost all of their ministries and agencies are based. Most of the Malaysian federal government agencies and departments are also located in George Town. The Penang State Legislative Assembly is located between Light Street and Farquhar Street near Fort Cornwallis.
MALL CULTURE
Kuala Lumpur has numerous Malls, to make available all their fashion needs, clothing, Crats made by Chinese artisans... All Malls have tight security most of the time since a huge number of tourists from other countries  visit 24/7 here. 
CURRENCY:
Currency in Malaysia is Ringgit, almost Rs 20/in India equals a Ringgit here. 
FAMILIES:
Generally Malays local or otherwise live with their parents, and there is no control over population, probably due to rich oil refineries, and following Islam, though Moderate Muslims are local Malaysians. 
Soon you land in KL international Airport.. you are lost! They have English Boards... but seldom clear.. I learnt few words- Basuk= Entry, Keluar= Exit..Bandaraaya- Municipal Corporation.. Jalan= Street..Putra=Native ..Puteri= local ladies... Jaya= Nagar...Kanak-Kanak= KIds( Chille-palle ) Awas= Caution... Customs- Kastams..Condominium- large Apartments..DudukDuduk= Seats.. Salamat- Welcome.. More.. later:)
RM ringgit tandas - toilet. Wanita lady..lelaki Man !!
These are some words I learnt during my Month-long stay at this warm place, with people sporting a head gear, a typical Malaysian dress for Men & women, greeting people with a little smile on their small, pale face. 

Trekkers' Delight near Bengaluru