Trip to Uttar Pradesh, India_27.10.09

Another trip to India and this time, I went to visit my project site in Uttar Pradesh with my colleague Kong YT. We left KLIA on 27th October 2009 by MAS and arrived in Delhi about 11.00 p.m. The next day we had to catch a train to Jhansi early by 6.15 a.m.

It was my first time travelling by train in India and was worried about the train's condition as I have heard a lot of negative things about Indian trains compounded by what is portrayed in movies.

I was pleasantly surprised as this was a special express train which travels from Delhi passing Agra, Jhansi and other specific stations to Bhopal. There were a lot of tourists taking the train to Agra. It was a comfortable and fast train ride of 3 1/2 hours covering 410 km from Delhi to Jhansi. Snacks and breakfast were served in the morning.

Train ride to Jhansi
Jhansi Train station

Arrived safely in Janshi and stayed overnight to visit our project site involving rehabilitation and upgrading to 4 laning of Jhansi-Lalaitput section totalling 50 km.

Preparatory works for concreting of Pier structure
Completed Bridge Pier structures
Four lane highway under construction

Our Team Leader supervising the construction of the Highway is a Malaysian, Mr. Liew Hin Leong and is assisted by a team of Indian Engineers and Technicians. We stayed with him in the company's Guest House in Jhansi. We had lunch at Jannak's consisting of vegetarian "thalli" of chapatti, naan, rice with delicious vegie dishes.

Lunch at vegetarian shop, Janak's.

Northern Indian "Thalli"

We came back to Delhi by train on 29th night and flew back the next day tired and longing for nasi lemak for breakfast!

Deepavali Celebrations_17.10.09

Last weekend was our Deepavali celebrations. This year it was my brother's turn in Klang to host the Deepavali celebrations. My brothers and families gathered on Friday for our prayers ceremony. After prayers, we all went out for dinner at Chola Kitchen in Klang. We would normally go for a Chinese Restaurant for our annual family dinner but this year as it was a Friday, half the family members were vegetarians. Chola Kitchen was ideal as they serve veggie and non-veggie catering for our twenty family members. Food was delicious from vegetarian briyiani to mutton briyiani.

Host family Jayaraj, Veni, Kanga & Vishnu

After going to Temple, we had our Deepavali breakfast consisting of thosai with chicken curry. Guest started arriving at noon till three in the afternoon.

Rama, Priya, Chitra & Raj

Raj & my youngest brother, Dr. Mohan Chitra, sisters-in-law & mom-in-law

Elder Brother Dr. Raj & mum

We left at four in the afternoon to visit my mother-in-law in Kelana Jaya followed by Deepavali dinner in my sister in-law's home in Puchong. After a full day of celebration, we went back home near mid night.

In Case Of Emergency "ICE" Campaign_26.08.09

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE."

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.

News from India_15.08.09

Two weeks ago, I was in Trichi and Kolar (near Bangalore), India, visiting my highway project sites. It was hot, about 38 degrees, and tiring journey travelling along the highway, where the widening to 4 to 6 lanes of highway of about 70 km each, were in progress. My job was to inspect the existing bridges, check on the construction of new bridges and resolve any site issues arising.
Concreting of kerb at median

Bridge pilecap concreting works
Fresh coconut for a cooling drink
'Ramraj' adverts commonly seen for textile garment

Noted down some articles of interest from the newspaper "The Hindu" on the 4th August 2009 as follows:

1. The Parliament has adopted 'The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2009', which envisages free and compulsory education to children in 6-14 age group. It was reported by Mr. Kapil Sibal, Human Resource Development Minister, that presently out of every 100 attending elementary school only 12 reached the graduation level;
2. The Bengal state government has issued an notification ordering that 15 year old or older buses, trucks, vans etc should not be allowed to operate effective 1st August to check on pollution. The Motor Vehicles Department would not be renewing their permits after the expiry of the stipulated time.
3. 1st death due to H1N1 in Pune on 3rd August 2009. 14 years old girl was admitted in private hospital on July 26th with high fever and breathlessness. Only on the 31st July, her throat swaps were taken for testing. Her conditioned worsened and died on 3rd August. The Authorities and public were up in arms on the lack of urgency by the private hospital.

2009 SJC Girls' Futsal League_02.08.09

It was the final day of the 2009 SJC Girls' Futsal Competition on 2nd August. In addition to the sixth round matches played, the fathers and mothers had their opportunity to display their skills in the futsal court in the Mum's & Dad's Competition.

With the Champions decided last week in the Majors Division, the runners up spot was up for grabs for Turquoise and Amber, who played Citrine and Emerald respectively. Both the matches were keenly contested and both produced upsets. In the first match, Emerald played the hearts out to beat Amber by two goals to one, to notch their first win of the tournament. Turquoise outplayed Citrine in the second match, to win two goals to nil to clinch the Runners Up position with 12 points. The results did not effect the table standing as Citrine finished as Champions, followed by Turquoise, Amber and Emerald.

Amber Vs Emerald match
Citrine Vs Turquoise match

In the Senior Division, Sapphire managed to overcome Jade by four goals to three, to emerge undefeated in the League. The second match between Garnet and Opal ended with Garnet winning by three goals by one. Garnet with the formidable forwards, Mayday and Malaysia, was thwarted by the courageous goalkeeping of Devika of Team Opal. The final table standing for Seniors is Champion Sapphire followed by Garnet, Jade and Opal.

Coach Thomas Ward giving instructions during break

The top of the table clash between Diamond against Ruby ended with Diamond crowned champions by winning three goals to nil. In the second match, Topaz revenged their previous defeat by beating Amethyst by two goals to nil. Diamonds are Premier Champions followed by Ruby, Amethyst and Topaz.

Diamond Vs Ruby Match
Coach Afif talking to Ruby players

After the girls completed the final games, the mum's and dad's futsal was played respectively. Three teams of seven players (5 players + 2 reserves) played each other in round robin format and the top two teams met in the finals. In the dad's final, the match between Alpha Fathers and Titans had to be decided by penalty shootout after the teams played to a goalless draw. Alpha Fathers outscored in the penalty shootout to emerge Champions.

Dads Champs Alpha Fathers with their medals and hamper

In the mum's futsal final, Team Red Starz overcame Alpha Mothers by two goals to nil. The Champions were rewarded with medals and hamper.

Mums Futsal match
Mums Champs Red Starz

Dr. Amin (Chairman SJSC), Glen, Azman & Dr.Nazir

The prize giving ceremony was held just after the mums and dads futsal. Dr. Amin, our SJCSC Chairman, gave his opening speech followed by presentation of medals and certificates for the league volunteers i.e. referees, webmaster, coaches, assistant coaches and team managers. The trophies for each player was given out by the respective coaches and team managers. Medals were also given to the Champion and Runners Up of each division. This was followed by presentation of the medals and hamper for the mums and dads futsal champions. Farouk, our SJCSC Coordinator, gave his closing speech to bring the curtains down for another season of girls futsal.

Trophies for each player
Dr. Amin giving opening speech
Dr. Amin presenting volunteer medal to Dave (webmaster)

Coach Larry giving the trophies to his charges Team Emerald
Majors Champion Citrine
Seniors Champion Sapphire
Premiers Champion Diamond
Farouk giving his closing speech

Champion Team Captains

Football family of Tun Kamalul

Everyone was treated with High Tea comprising of mee hoon with ikan bilis sambal, sausages, curry puff and fried chicken.
High Tea party
Makan-makan delicious food

On a personal note, Chitra and myself together with a small band of dedicated volunteers, were finally relieved that we managed to complete the league this year despite problems of lack of players and parents volunteers, and the threat of H1N1 epidemic. Special thanks to Mark and Ida, especially for organising the Mums and Dads futsal. A great appreciation for all those who volunteered as referees for the matches. Thanks to Dave for the SJCSC website updates. A special mention for my wife, Chitra, who worked tireless in the background organising the registration exercise, scorekeepers during the matches, players T-shirts, prizes and medals, and catering the High Tea etc. etc..

Thank you for the memories.

For more information visit us at http://www.sjcsc.com/

Photos of 2009 SJCGFL can be viewed at our photo album http://ksrajchitra.fotopic.net/

2009 SJC Girls' Futsal League_26.07.09

It was the top of table clash between Citrine and Amber in the Majors Division in the fifth round of matches played this Sunday. Citrine took a two goal lead in the first quarter but Amber managed to pull one goal back in the second quarter to set up an exciting second half. After a goalless third quarter, both teams went all out to score and another three goals were scored. Citrine managed to win by outscoring Amber for a final score of four goals to two. With this win, Citrine achieved an unbeaten total of thirteen points to be declared Champions of Majors Division with one game to spare. In the second match, it was a close one between Turquoise and Emerald. Turquoise managed to score twice in the first and last quarter to beat Emerald by two goals to nil. Turquoise's win gives them three points lead over Amber, to take the second place in the table standing.
Citrine Vs Amber
Turquoise Vs Emerald

In the Seniors Division, there was another top of the table clash between Sapphire and Garnet. Sapphire took the lead by scoring twice in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Garnet had to play with only three players as one of the players, Loo Fui June, was injured by the ball. Sapphire's players sportingly chose to play with three players also in the third quarter. The girls ran themselves to the ground with Sapphire managed to add another goal. In the fourth quarter, brave Loo wanted to help her team by playing despite her bleeding lips. Garnet managed to pull one goal back through an own goal. In the end, Sapphire won by three goals to one to emerge Champion of Senior Division. Garnet played well but was probably affected by the injury. Kudos to Sapphire for upholding our core value of sportsmanship in the third quarter. In the second game, Jade played against Opal to try to keep up with the top two teams. Jade took the lead with two goals in the second quarter and added another two goals (one own goal) in the third quarter. The game ended with Jade overcoming Opal by four goals to nil.

Sapphire Vs Jade
Jade Vs Opal

In the premier division, the match between Amethyst and Ruby was a closely fought one. Both team managed to score one goal each in the first quarter. Ruby took the lead in the second quarter and managed to keep the lead to the end to win two goals to one despite pressure from Amethyst. In the second game, Diamond overwhelmed Topaz with a score of nine goals to one. The top two spots would be decided next week when Diamond meet Ruby. Both teams have equal number of points (twelve) but Diamond has a better goal difference.

Amethyst Vs Ruby
Topaz Vs Diamond

Team photos as below:
Team Emerald with coach Larry O'Hara
Team Diamond with coach Mark & Team Manager Ida
For more information visit us at http://www.sjcsc.com/
Photos of 2009 SJCGFL can be viewed at our photo album http://ksrajchitra.fotopic.net/

2009 SJC Girls' Futsal League_19.07.09

It was an exciting fourth round of Girls' Futsal last Sunday. There was an upset in the Premier Division, where Amethyst managed to beat table toppers Diamond by three goals by one. The match between Ruby and Topaz was also a close one with Ruby winning by two goals by one. Diamond's loss allowed Ruby to equal the score of nine points each with Diamond leading, on goal difference.

Amethyst Vs Diamond match
Tun Kamalul refereeing match between Ruby and Topaz
Ruby Vs Topaz match
In the Seniors Division, both matches ended with identical score of five goals to one. Sapphire and Garnet beat Opal and Jade respectively to reinforce their first and second position in the table standings.
Sapphire Vs Opal match

Coach Bruhan with Opal players
Garnet Vs Jade match
Garnet Vs Jade match
In the Majors Division, Turquoise managed to upset Amber by winning by two goals to one. The two teams are even in points (six) in the table standing. In the second match, Citrine was given a walkover win over Emerald by three goals to nil, due to insufficient players. Citrine is leading the table with ten points and needs a win from the last two matches to clinch the Majors Division Championship.

Claudine refereeing match between Amber & Turquoise

Amber Vs Turquoise match

Coach Larry O'Hara training Emerald players
Citrine's team photo as below:
Team Citrine with coach Claudine and team manager M. Theanmalar
More photos:
Ida and her girls
Priya and cousin Vyshnavi
For more information visit us at www.sjcsc.com

Photos of 2009 SJCGFL can be viewed at our photo album http://ksrajchitra.fotopic.net/