MAICCI Dinner_28.08.08

The Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (MAICCI) organized a dinner at Dewan Wawasan, Menara PGRM to commemorate the Chamber’s 53 years of Nation-building.

Dewan Wawasan

I attended the dinner with my colleagues from my company, HSSI. About 1,500 people attended the dinner. The Guest for honour was YAB Dato’s Sri Mohd. Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Other VIP who attended were Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu,Presiden MIC, Datuk S. Subramaniam, Minister of Human Resources Malaysia and other dignitaries.

Dinesh, Raj, Mr. Mathew & Chris

Mr. Vimal & Mr. Nitchi

Arrival of Deputy Prime Minister

Brief History about the Chamber

On 30th October 1950, the Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce was registered with the founder President being Mr. S.O.K. Ubaidulla. On 16th September 1989, the Chamber’s name was officially changed to ‘Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry’. Today MAICCI is represented domestically in most government ministries and agencies and has developed an extensive network of connections with the global marketplace and international Indian diaspora. Currently the President of the Chamber is YB Datuk K.K.Eswaran. Our Director (HSSI) YB Datuk Ir.S. Santhakumar is the Deputy President.

Dignitaries at the party

LEKAS Highway (Package 1) Opening_22.08.08

Lebuhraya Kajang Seremban (LEKAS) is a new dual 3-lane highway between Kajang and Seremban. The Highway of 44 km in length, starts from the south of the Kajang Ring Road and ends at Paroi, in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. LEKAS forms the alternative route to Kuala Lumpur(K.L.)-Seremban PLUS Highway for motorist travelling from east of K.L. to Seremban.

LEKAS map

The official opening ceremony of Package 1 of LEKAS from Kajang South to Pajam was carried on 22th August 2008 at the Kajang Selatan Toll Plaza. It was officiated by YB Dato’ Ir. Mohd Zin bin Mohamed, Minister of Works. As Design Engineering Consultant for the project, we were invited to witness the opening ceremony of the Highway.

Toll Plaza at Kajang Selatan
Y.A.M. Tunku Naquiyuddin and Y.B. Dato' Ir Mohd Zin

Y.B. Dato' Ir Mohd Zin presenting hampers to motorist
Mr. Mathew (Project Manager)_right and Nara (Design Coordinator), HSSI

Raj (Chief Engineer_Bridge) & Mr. Nitchi (COO, HSSI)

The construction of LEKAS highway is divided into 3 packages i.e. Package 1, 2A and 2B, and 3. This package 1 of 18.2 km length was completed in July 2008. Package 2A from Pajam to Mantin is scheduled to be completed by December 2008.

HSSI Birthday Bash_ 22.08.08

The staff of HSSI celebrated the birthdays of our advisor Dato' Maniam and CEO Mr. Chan Kin Pooi by holding a Birthday party at the roof top of our building in Bandar Permaisuri, Kuala Lumpur.

A slight drizzle did not dampen the spirit of the occasion and the celebration was held under the tents. The staff turned up in full force by six p.m. to wish our distinguished Guests of Honours. Dato’ C.S. Maniam fondly known as “Uncle” Maniam, who is the father of our Director Dato’ Santhakumar, turned 84 years old, the day before on 21.08.08. It was a very special 50th birthday for Mr. Chan today.

Raj and Somnath with Dato’ & Datin Maniam

Uncle Maniam cutting birthday cake

Mr. Chan cutting his cake flanked by his family

The food that was of many varieties and plentiful, was catered from Little Caterers.

Thosai and Roti Jala served hot from the pan.

Dato’ Santhakumar, Dato’ Abu Bakar (Chairman), Mrs. Chan and Datin Manium at the VIP table.

HSSI ladies

Shantini, Balasingam, Dinesh, Sharmendra & Ramesh

Staff enjoying a hearty meal

Raj, Somnath, Mr. Mathew, Puan Azlina, Nara, Devaraj and Mr. Nitchi

I am sure everyone enjoyed the party, which went on until ten at night. The staff welcomed the opportunity to mingle and catch up with news and gossips.

We wish both of our distinguished guests good health to celebrate many more birthdays in the future.

A special thanks to our GM Mr.Vimal and his team, Yoga and Mohan, who worked hard to make this occasion an enjoyable and memorable day for everyone.

Thank you for the memories.

2008 Mines Mensa Scrabble Challenge_16.08.08

The 8th Mines Mensa Scrabble Challenge, which was jointly organised by Malaysian Mensa Society and Mines Shopping Fair, was held on 16th August 2008 at Mines Shopping Fair, Kuala Lumpur. Due to limited spaces (because of ongoing renovation works), there were only 17 players for the Masters Category and 20 players for the Intermediate Category took part.

Participants for the Tournament
Tournament Directors Alex Tan & Ganesh Asirvatham

Rama took part in the Masters Category while his cousin Vijayaraj played in the Intermediate Category.

After seven rounds of play, Rama managed to achieve second position after winning five games (W-W-L-W-W-L-W). Pui Cheng Wui, who was undefeated, emerged Champion while Vannitha achieved third position.

Rama Vs Tengku Asri

Rama Vs Khoo Beng Way

Rama Vs Pui Cheng Wui

Rama Vs Vannitha

Rama Vs Sreepathy Iyer

Rama Vs William Kang

Rama Vs Gan Yi En

In the Intermediate Category, Viji managed to achieve third position after winning five out of six games. The top three winners all had five points but were separated by the spread points.

Viji Vs Teo Wee Seong (Score 441-380)

Viji Vs G. Krishna Iyer (Score 398-330)
Viji Vs Tan Ker Hee (Score 330-307)

The elder and younger scrabblers

Distracting entertainment for Merdeka celebration during the matches.

Prizes for the first eight winners for each Category

Photographs of some of the winners below:

Intermediate Category
Champion Reynold Lin

Runners Up Teo Wee Seong

Viji collecting his third position prize

Masters Category
Champion Pui Cheng Wui
Runners Up Ramaraj
Third Position Vannitha
Khoo Beng Way collected prizes for highest game, highest word (QUINTES-110 points), highest average game & fourth placing.

Prize Winners Group Photo

It was a good outing for the Raj cousins at this tournament. For Viji, this was his first prize-winning performance.

Raj & Viji

For more photos, visit our photo album at http://ksrajchitra.fotopic.net/

Another Master in the Family_06.08.08

My elder sister-in-law, Dr. Savathri, attended her graduation in University Malaya (UM) on 6th August 2008 to receive her Masters degree in Public Health (Oral Health). She completed the four years full time Masters degree with five other course mates. They are the pioneer group of graduates for this Masters programme as it was the first time UM had offered this course four years ago.

Incidentally, my sister-in-law graduated from the same University for Dentistry Degree 26 years ago. She has been working as a Dentist in the service of the Government when she was offered a full time scholarship to pursue the Masters programme. Currently she has been promoted to Deputy Director in the Ministry of Health based in Putrajaya.

Mum & sis-in-law
Rama, Raj, Dr Savithri, Chitra & Priya
Jayaraj, Drs Savithri & Mahendraraj, Aishwarya & Anandaraj
Veni, Aishwarya, Sis-in-law, Priya & Sharmini
Vishnu, Viji , Sis-in-law,Krish & Rama.


It was celebration time. We all met up in my house and my brother treated us dinner at Syed Restaurant at SS 19, Subang Jaya.

Mutton Briyani feast

Girls' party
Boys' party