Tribute to The Unsung Heroes
Friday, December 16th, 2005Tribute to The Unsung Heroes
Everyday, certain people make a difference, in their and their loved ones’ lives, rising against daunting odds and disadvantages, to achieve beyond what we, in our comfortable everyday lives, would expect possible from someone from that kind of disadvantaged background — just like the lotus rises from the mud, to bloom majestically above the water. Or, without our noticing their contribution, made a difference which contributes to our lives as well, but remain largely unnoticed in the background.
Today, here, I chronicle their remarkable feats, that has changed their everyday life, or have enriched the lives of others.
1. That 12-year old girl
This girl, from a Tamil school, walks 15km to and 15km from school everyday… and as I have detailed in an earlier post here (included below to re-emphasize)
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Recently, in the newspapers, there was a report of a 12-year old Indian girl, who managed to score the maximum number of A’s in the UPSR (that includes Tamil because she was from a Tamil primary, and that means more subjects taken than those from our (piss-lousy) regular national schools).
She walks 15km to and 15km back from school everyday, plus, she is not really in an economically-advantaged family.
That’s three (3) StarWalks, per day, everyday.
And she doesn’t get to sleep after completing her ‘StarWalk’… she has to study, or help her parents/family.
Sometimes, I think most of us are just too pampered. We never know what the human spirit is capable of, until either we read about it because something remarkable was done by someone, or, because circumstances changed that forced us to do something … which requires tremendous effort, and made us realize that we could actually do that. Not to mention though, that the whole experience is probably one which is very not comfortable (sic).
Something like the Thai tycoon who dropped to the level during the economic crisis that he and his wife needed to sell sandwiches by the roadside, and somehow managed to pick himself up and make a name for himself again, all through good and honest effort, necessitated by the less-than-rosy circumstances.
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The point of this is, through her effort she had managed to earn the deserved attention and subsequent assistance of others. My appreciation to the charitable parties who chipped in to support what could be the first step in changing a family’s life for the better, through education.
2. An Indian guy who managed to own a collection of vintage car(s)
Okay, I forgot whether this should be singular or plural car(s) but the point is that he managed to own at least one. I can’t really remember the newspaper report already, as I read it about two years ago while I was still in university. There was this Indian guy who didn’t study, and mixed with gangsters, and all the complications that comes with that, until one day that one of his parents passed away (if I remember the story correctly) he regretted and resolved to turn over a new leaf, unfortunately despite his best efforts he failed in his SPM. … and eventually he went to a temple and wanted to end his life but was stopped somehow… and then he <b>stole</b> (this part of the story could be of debatable morality) a pail, and made a living washing cars. One day, he saw and admired a vintage car, and took the chance to sit in it… to get a reprimanding by the owner that he is not fit and ‘polluted’ the car. Well, this made him resolve to own such a car one day. Eventually, he met a benefactor who supported his efforts at studying again, and eventually he qualified as a medical technician in some specialized medical implant. If I remember correctly, he is doing a business something to do with those medical equipment supplies, got married (got through some initial opposition from the bride’s family) and has a daughter about 7 yrs old at the time of the story. And he managed to own one (or more?) of them cars. Truly, an inspiring story… it’s not the conclusion yet, but it seems to me like a good beginning…
3. That dude(s) at the burger stall by the roadside
All over Malaysia, the Unnamed Dude is the ultimate solution provider to the UN-recognized problem of nocturnal hunger. Did any of us spare a thought for these industrious and enterprising people? They hold day jobs, presumably labour-intensive… and then at night, until 12am, they man the stalls that dispense salvation for the masses threatened by starvation. Talk about cleaning up and keeping the cooking implements, and getting home and bathing, they should only be sleeping at 2am. God knows what time they have to wake up for their day job.
When it rains, we may complain that our hunger tonight is not going to be salved. But for them, it’s the loss of one night of income, totally at the mercy of the elements. Income that needs towards going towards the leasing of the stall, the leasing of the trading site, the trade licenses, the kickbacks to corrupted law enforcers (the dirt) and what’s left over, installments for the car (or motorbike), for the family - parents and children, for the next meal, etc.
All in, there should be a Memorial to the Unnamed Burger Dude just like there is a Memorial to the Unnamed Soldier.
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Another low-profile hero is Ramly. It was this dude who made possible the opportunity for many to supplement their income and improve their livelihood. This entrepreneur, is not in the limelight but without him, thousands in the country (and some people internationally) would not have Ramly burger. In terms of contribution to the rakyat and country, one Ramly is worth a thousand Tajuddin Ramlis (whatever the name of that sometime-ago ex-MAS boss was.)
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So here you have it, people who have made a difference in their own lives, and people who have done so and at the same time made a contribution to the lives of others. Through effort, and through necessity. My tribute goes to them.
