INTIMA has welcomed its newest affiliate to the circle of socialisation, the INTI Punjabi Society (IPS). The new affiliate is reported to be under “the umbrella of the Indian Cultural Society” according to Asterisk sources in INTIMA.
The decision to allow this club to run is seen as an aberration on the part of INTIMA and the Students Affairs Office (SAO). IPS has just created an opportunity for students to take advantage of what appears to be a new loophole in the system to create clubs of differing heritage.
Will we be seeing Hakka or Hokkien cultural clubs fall under the umbrella of Chinese Cultural Society in the future? Should we expect to see a Javanese subdivision of the Malay Cultural Society sometime soon?
Only time will tell if INTIMA and SAO regret their decision.
By Sandheep Nair
sandheep90@msn.com
I have comment on the article because as what I have find the Sikh community is a community itself not under the umbrella of Indian. If you fill up a government form there an option for bangsa Sikh and agama Sikhism. If that us bangsa india and agama Sikhism then what you have said would be true. The Hakka or hokkien society is break of the chinese society and for the Indian society we have malayase or Telugu. So how is this problem to be judge now?
But what exactly is your point?
The question posed is if it's wise to have different factions under an umbrella from a "mother" club. If factions were allowed, we could possibly have tons of different clubs. Then having a general "Chinese" or "Indian" etc etc society would be pointless.
I just HAD to comment on this one. The Indian Cultural Society in INTI, and also in many other institutions, is dominated by South Indians. This is clearly illustrated in their choice of events and activities. But the Indian culture is so much more. I think it would be a good thing to have a representative of the Punjabi community as well. I am Indian. But I don't know much of the Punjabi culture. Or of the Malayalam, Telugu, Kannadam, Gujerati and other Indian cultures.And ICS can't cover all the festivals and cultures that come under these ethnics-they would take up the entire event calendar! If a group of students decide to get together and project their culture to the rest of INTI, then it's pretty much their right. And if they were to fail miserably at doing so, it would be their problem as well. At least no one's going to accuse INTI of denying the Punjabi community's rights. Wouldn't that be a more regretted decision?
Exactly Vj,
I am all for promoting Punjabi culture but why does it have to be a separate club from the INDIAN cultural society when in fact, they are of Indian descent as well.
Well said Sandheep. But yes a lot of problems have been raised due to this concern. many people can judge it on how they would want. But recently a political leader, A sikh political leader in Kuala Lumpur stated from the rules of the government that Sikh already falls in the category lain lain but looking from few years back they fell under the Indians. Besides that your article have given a very positive effect on Inti Punjabi Society(IPS). now they would with their own members co operate and most probably in very short time will be merging with the ICS. If the members are to total up with ICS it would be a greate chance to prove that ICS still can be one of the upcoming clubs in future.
I like that positive vibes are coming from this article, and that people are open to discussion!
If today, the Punjabis are up with their society, then tomorrow the gujeratis,bengalis,Malayalees,telugus or watever race might start another society within the ICS Umbrella. If this continues, ICS would be meaningless and separate into being nothing.The main reason for INTI to start an ICS itself is to gather all Malaysian of an "Indian Origin" and cultures into being a one single body, that we are Malaysian Indians. Why wont the south indians dominate ics when the north indians never take any initiative to unite and work as one. If you want to project your culture, ICS can work that out by not just having a Vasakhi night but also the celebration of other Indian cultures. Gujjus,bengalis,malayalees are having their new year.. Lets work that together and not create a misunderstanding! Remember, as you can say "Sikh community is a community itself not under the umbrella of an Indian", but why do they recruit other indians into the society???? And if Sikh community is not within the umbrella of an Indian, then what are you if not an indian and where are you from? or which part of Canada/America is punjab situated if its not india??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Ethnic_groups_of_India
Prashun does make some good points.
By the way, I do worry that this discussion might turn sour if we do not maintain some diplomacy in our comments.
I am proud that we are able to discuss this issue openly without any flaming or inappropriate comments. Great job guys!
Let's keep this discussion going as it allows both ICS and IPS to improve on their respective clubs.
On a side note, The Asterisk will be approaching both clubs for their comments as to allow for an unbiased and objective discussion. That is, of course, what this online paper is striving towards.
no offense meant. Its just my 2 cents and Relax guys! we can do something better by not being separated!:) Its going to be for a good cause!
Hi there everyone .. I am the current advisor of Indian Cultural Society and previous chairperson . As an indian i value the sentiments of other ethnic indians and their roots . The main objective of this society is to Unite all indians in INTI and to become one not to have a society whicj is divided by small sun ethnics . The punjabi's tamil's telugu's bengali's and etc are all part of an ancient race called indians and we should be proud top be under one umbrella which unites all of us . Many people will have different views but at the end of the day we must in order to protect ones roots we must stay united . i went through few comments and i came to see that someone has suggested that the indian cultural society is conquered by the south indians . I find that very hard to digest because the fact is majority of Indians in Malaysia in comprised of indian originating from the southern region of indian and it's not our fault that we were brought in a larger scale compared to our north indian brothers by the british so naturally when anywhere in malaysia when there is an indian society being formed majority of it will be comprised by south indians but we never forget our north indians brothers . According to one of our bloggers the indian cultural society have been bias to the south indians folks in inti which i can bravely deny . Yes i agree that majority of our members is comprised of south indians but for your information our vice chairperson is bengali and our treasure is a Punjabi and we work closely as unit to held successful events which depicts indian cultures from all over the indian region . I personally belief we have to work as one in order to show people that we are united and not argue about this issue as if we hate one another . Anyone got any qualms please be free to email me as sarathkarma @hotmail.com.
I would like to say that the IPS is pointless...I am a Punjabi myself, but honestly I think it is pointless...Punjab is a state under India itself, and when filling in forms for government, I state that I am an "Indian", but under religion, I state that I am a Sikh. True enough, there has been a sect of people in Punjab who are trying to break off from India and create an independent Punjabi nation called "Khalistan", which I also think is rather nonsensical. I have no problems with the IPS, but as I have said, Punjab is a state in India, and a Punjabi is, well, an Indian who comes from the state of Punjab. What also concerns me is that, the events that the IPS are organizing (or planning to organize) are a little bit worrying. For example, they are planning to organize a trip to India, which is fine (Punjab = part of India), but when I inquired about the price, I was told that it would be about RM2k...This is not a price that many people in the workforce would take out willingly, what else with us students, I just feel that this is overly ambitious. also, they are organizing a trip for the "Melaka Barsi", this I feel is not right, the club is called the "Inti Punjabi Society", not the "Inti Sikh Society", the Melaka barsi is a huge Sikh prayer event held in Melaka every year, and although I have no problem with people from other religions having an interest in the Sikh religion/culture, I feel that by the IPS organizing this event they are making the club a little discriminatory, because, Punjab is a state, and there are Punjabi Muslims, Punjabi Christians, Punjabi Hindus, Punjabi Buddhists and others as well, I have even met a Punjabi Jew! This simply means that those whose ancestors, and/or parent(s), or even themselves, who originate from "the state of Punjab", is a Punjabi, but not necessarily a Sikh. Organizing the Vasakhi Festival is fine, because although it is a Sikh holiday and holy day, it also represents the harvest festival which is celebrated by Punjabi's (regardless of their religion) around the world. I feel that they should merge with the ICS, and perhaps under ICS itself they would be able to organize events in a joint manner. Although the Punjabi's have a culture of our own, so do all the others in India, the Bengalis, the Gujaratis, the Tamils, the Rajastanis and etc. If the IPS wants to promote Sikhism, they should open up a club which is called, the "Inti Sikh Society", which would make more sense. For example, in Inti we have the "Chinese Cultural Society" which has events and programs of many thing from the Chinese culture, like the "Diabolo" or "Chinese yo-yo", the various Chinese musical instruments, foods, and, many other aspects of the Chinese culture, regardless of their religion. And you do not see other branch clubs such as "Hokkien Society", "Hong Kong Society", "Canton Club" etc etc...However, at the same time, there is also the "Buddhist Society" which spreads the word and teachings of Buddha, which makes it a religious education society.
All in all, I'm just saying that the IPS should either get linked with ICS Or change their name to the Inti Sikh Society.
I have no issues against anyone, but this is just my 2 cents worth, and my thoughts on this topic. Because I feel that a club should reflect its Name and purpose, and, that there should not be 2 clubs who are doing the same thing generally...
Cheers...
Hey,
Sandeep thank you so much for bringing this up. As what the current ICS adviser commented, the main idea of the club is to unite all Indians. the current case is that, we don't get the support the other Indians in the institution. During the exhibition week, we go all out to promote the club, and encourage our fellow Indians to join the club,it always ends up in vain. Our own fellow Indians don't come forward to support. When we go up to the juniors they question us about the club,and leave pathetically. They look down, feeling disgusted of the community and the efforts. Commenting about ICS, only practicing south Indian conceptual programs are is not the right thing. If you observed the recent Alohilani last year, we had performances representing most of the Indian ethnics. Events like these brought us Indians together. You guys have to come forward, and participate. Standing right at the back of everything and being a negaholic over the club is not going to bring you any where. Why can't anyone rejoice and appreciate the efforts of the club? We brought the Indians together, like it or not. The other members and staffs of Inti,why even Dr Sia is happy. We had so much support from B&G,guards and lecturers.Why not be happy,support and stay strong? Quoting Sarath
' I personally belief we have to work as one in order to show people that we are united and not argue about this issue as if we hate one another'
Wah...look like the water poured on the seed had grown has a tree.. Well thanks to sandeep to bring the issue..has state everyOne have great point down here.. FOr ICS you guys have really moved from bottom level to the respected level currently. Good job guys..but now the problem is what vino said that the interaction among the students with club is quite down...you guys must really push for that..as usual carry on with current activities and create new activity.. The making different stuff to interact and pull in more new students for the club.. Since I have heard ICS had join with IPS maybe new board refresh could bring the club to better standard.. I hope Sandeep can create more interesting issue due intionline is like bored already..