November 5, 2005.
POINT TO PONDER:
Diversity is one thing we have in common. Celebrate it everyday.
This week was a 3:1 feast in experiencing richness of Diversity for me. Malaysians celebrated Halloween, Diwali (the Hindu Festival of Lights) and Hari Raya (the Muslim day of celebration at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting) during the week. It was fun to see celebrations (they know how to celebrate well), the integration of cultures and harmony between people.
Everyone coming together in celebration of different cultures reminded me of the late John Lennon's song “Imagine all the people living life in peace...”
STORYLINE:
During the excursion (not the kind we deal with at work, but actual vacation outing) to Kuala Lumpur, we passed by a very impressive building. It was a K.L. Railway Station. The tour guide told us a story that sounded much too familiar.
When the station was built, the blue print and plans had to be sent to the head office in London for central planning approval. The blue print was revised by the people in the headquarters so that the roof can accommodate for at least two feet of snow.
The driver told us that, “A century has passed since then and Malaysians are still waiting for the snow” (All the pitfalls of central planning that Andy Grove talks about in one of his books)
Also, during one of my trips to Philippines during the year end, it was refreshing to hear a song, “I am dreaming of a white Christmas.” The next requested song was, “All of my life I have been waiting…”