12th Nov 1983 Pei Mei School Graduation

National Day Celebration 10th October 1983 in Calcutta

National Day Celebration 10th October 1983 (Double Ten Day)

印度華僑各界慶祝 中華民國七十二年雙十國慶

1983 Tibetan Refugees Self-Help Centre, India

The overnight train ride from Calcutta reached Siliguri early in the morning. From here I bought another train train ticket to the final distination - Darjeeling.

Summer 1983 Tibetan Refugees Self-Help Centre

Darjeeling

Following the direction in my Lonely Planet travel guide book, I came to this Centre on Northern hillside of Darjeeling. I found the regugee's kitchen and as suggested by this guide book, I tried the Tibetian soup dumpling for lunch. Though summer, it is cold in a hill station like Darjeeling, and this bowl of fresh from boiling hot soup with meat dumpling served well to give some warm to the body.

I met friendly and outgoing young Tibetans (Photo above). They lookforward to the outside world. The refugee centre after all is too small a world for them. As such they make effort in mastering English, a necessary skill to live outside the refugee center.

I came to Darjeeling by a Toy Train, a big toy train. Most visitors do not take the small train because of slow and time consuming. There are plenty of jeep and buses for batter choice. But I took up the suggestion in Lonely Planet to try this world unique Toy train. It was a memorable experience. I had an exciting riding experience most travelers never had......clinging to the window side of the train and ridded for half an hour. What made this happen is.......

It seemed to be a popular sport of the young people of the hill to Darjeeling. They made they own skating board of a meter length wood plank with two or three wheel on. While there is no vehicle in sight, they would link on the board with their hands and feet floating in the air, they slice down the deep slop down the road. Its is a height speed extreme sport.

This toy train ride took a whole day. By the time I reached Darjeeling the sky was dark.

Photo From Round the World Adventure in Darjeeling, India

on Jul 29 '07 by Michael & Erin

Most of my time in Darjeeling in 1983 were drizzling or misty. The spectacular mountain views of Darjeeling were obscured by mist. This is how Darjeeling looked like in above photo taken by Michael & Erin in 2007

中華民國駐軍蘭伽公墓剪彩典礼

Jharkhand District, Ranchi City, Ramgarh Town

张其勇忆述重修中国驻印军兰伽公墓往事

（星星生活特稿/作者：捷克佳）

"......经过八个多月的施工，工程于1982年完成，并在1983年2月14日举行隆重剪彩典礼。台湾侨务委员会庞守谦处长和印度兰伽军区司令R.S. Puri准将共同主持仪式。除当地的印度人之外，还有请来的和尚进行超度法式。印度华侨协会也自加尔各答市组团并租赁两部旅游巴士，专程前来兰伽镇参加当日的庆典。(newstarnet.com)"

I been to a unique town in India. It was in 1983. That is the Military Town of Ramgarh where, for the first , I saw a highly disciplined contingent of Indian Army and commanders.

In the above Chinese article that mentioned 2 tour buses, I was in one of the buses that went to Ramgarh in Ranchi on 14th February 1983.

Here are some memories of that trip:

The buses stopped briefly in front the restaurant of Chong Ki Yung, who would a month time receive recognition from Taiwan Government for his merit effort in restoring a forgotten Chinese army cemetery in Ramgarh. It is the opening of this newly restored cemetery I came, alone with 2 bus lot of Chinese residents of Calcutta City.

At the cemetery ground was an army brass band composed mostly Sikh army. They march and played several tunes during the ceremony. It was a very hot day, while all the VIP and visitors seat under shelter of tents, the whole band of Sikh Army stay under strong sun the whole ceremony cession.

The newly Temple also declare open that day and I was amount the first batch of visitor to enter the temple. I was among the last in the line and as I turn my head I saw the main gate at the distant came a big noicy crowd of villages men and women and children approaching the temple. There were VIP inside the tinny and I thought if these crowd also enter same time they may jam the temple. As I was at the doors at that time so instingly I close the 2 wings of the big door trying to keep the noisy crowd outside, at least till all the VIP inside have left.... soon a member approach me and told me its OK to let them in....all of them. So I let all and every one of the group of villagers into the shrine....................

Chinese Army in India - The X Force

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Force

Why 600 Chinese soldiers rest-in-peace in the soil of India?

There is a chapter in modern history which the Indian and Chinese forgotten. A capter the young generation of British and American do not know exist. This is also a page the Japanese want to tear off and destroy.

1942, China sent troops into Burma to assist the British in holding back the Japanese conqueror. Chinese loose to the highly self sacrificing Japanese. These Chinese forces became broken up, and retreat out of Burma. Part of these forces entered India’s Ramgarh under the British at that time. Calcutta, during the WW2, was a place of refugee providing refuge protecting many a Chinese scholars, politicians and business men.

This retreated Chinese army were re-equipped and re-trained by American instructors at British expense. They were named X Force and used by General Joseph Stilwell as the spearhead of his drive to open a land route to China (the Ledo Road).

Eventually they return to China with 600 of them choose to remain in India for ever.

Read full stories in : Chinese Army in India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Force

印度加爾各答梅光學校校長丘莉蘭自1983年起管理 加爾克漢德省蘭齊市的「中華民國駐印軍蘭伽公墓」。1995因中風不良於行，由學生陳學良接管。

抗日遠征軍公墓斑駁剝落 2010-04-05 22:43:07　中央社記者何宏儒印度蘭齊5日專電

印度加爾各答的華僑4日前往「中華民國駐印軍蘭伽公墓」春祭，因年久失修，墓園祠堂、佛堂樑柱有裂痕，部分墳塚出現破洞、英烈靈位碑也斑駁剝落，亟待整修。

墓園位於加爾克漢德（Jharkhand）省首府蘭齊（Ranchi）近郊的蘭伽（Ramgarh）地區，原名「印度蘭伽中國抗日遠征軍烈士公墓」，為第2次世界大戰期間中華民國遠征軍埋骨之所。

加爾各答（Kolkata）華僑後來將湮滅在荒草荊棘中的國軍墳墓集中遷葬一處，修建成環境清幽的墓園，並僱請專人管理。

6位加爾各答華僑4日分別搭飛機、火車，前往墓園舉行春祭。加爾各答與蘭齊市相隔約320公里；華僑抵蘭齊後，需再花費約2小時車程，走山路抵達墓園。

1983年起受托管理墓園的加爾各答梅光學校校長丘莉蘭對中央社記者表示，加爾各答華僑每年固定在青年節到清明節期間及軍人節時，前往墓園舉行春、秋祭。

最近10年來，她因中風而較少參與，並在4年前將管理之責交棒給學生陳學良。

中央社記者走訪園區，發現一處圍牆遭緊鄰的大樹壓迫，已經崩裂；部分墳塚出現拳頭大小破洞、部分墓碑則有裂痕；蔣公題字「英靈赫奕」的英烈靈位碑也斑駁剝落。

另外，園區大門接待小屋屋頂鋼筋也已露出；陳學良憂心「屋頂不知道那一天會掉下來？」

丘莉蘭強調，維護管理墓園雖然是國家的事，但「我們有責任來幫忙國家保管這個地方」。

由於蘭齊市至蘭伽山區路途遙遠而辛苦，陳學良說，整修工程勢必需要花費數倍於平地或市區的費用。他希望台灣政府撥款協助，以儘早完成整修，告慰異鄉英靈。

Spring Trip, India 1983

Front row 2nd from left : 葉幹中- 僑領, 華僑協會主席, 培梅中學校長

1917年出生，廣東省梅縣人.

1963年11月和1988年7月、1993年8月先後被聘為國民黨第九屆、十三屆、十四屆中央評議委員。

1983 Spring Trip to Buddhist Holy Land

The Mahabodhi Temple was built in the 6th century AD beside the Bodhi Tree where Buddha attained enlightenment.

The main temple structure a huge 50-meter stone-carved pyramid with endless carvings at the 4 sides. The said beside this main temple is the actual Bhodi Tree.

The temple surrounding is a maze of paths, gardens, shrines, and a beautiful green meditation park.

旅印華僑所辦的第二所華僑學校

陈荣进 叶干中 梅光学校

印度葉幹中 葉幹中 張 杰 曾志堯 歐陽勝駒

The only Hakka Association in India

印度加城梅屬嘉應會館

The Meixian Jiaying Association

in Calcutta, India

The President: 葉幹中 (Ye Gan Zhong)

Overseas Chinese Association of India

19-20 New Meredith Street,

Calcutta 700072

India

Fax: 247-6405

僑務工作

加爾各答的《印度日報》(1933)

印度日報社長張啟華﹐

僑領譚銳燊和鄧崇銘﹑

佛教代表悟謙法師﹑李畹生和劉金昌居士，

連葉幹中

忠義堂

和譚銳燊﹑鄧崇銘

“塔壩中國城”隨筆 http://big5.fmprc.gov.cn/gate/big5/in.china-embassy.org/chn/ssygd/chunchaochao/t240227.htm

培梅学校是印度目前仅存的一所华人学校，坐落在华人集中的塔坝区。该校创办于1925年，由当地华人华侨捐资兴建。1951年，因老校舍过于破旧，当地华人又建了一座新的教学楼。

1982 BAHA’I YOUTH CAMP

BAHA’I YOUTH CAMP

AT SEMATAN BEACH

JULY 23-26, 1982

This is my last Baha'i event in Malaysia. After this I left in August to India. The supposed to be a month Baha'i Teaching trip ending up as a school teacher for 2.5 years in a Chinese School in Calcutta.

I attended this Youth Camp but certainly not as a youth at almost 30.

Since then I never return to stay in Kuching though I came back several times for short visit.

In 1998 I return to settle down in Malaysia (in another town) with a family. By then a new generation of youth has grown up. Though only one generation in gap, the characteristic are great different. From the old generation of “Group” consciousness youth to today young generation of “Self” consciousness youth.

Beware, not to repeat the mistake of the “Self Centered” Western Youth.

It is a generation of extremely “Self Centered” young of the West that bring the Western Countries down from once powerful of the last century. Economy, Cultural, Intellectual….

1 January 1981

 

1980 Study Class with Saeid Khadivian in Kuching City in Dr. Fozdar residence

Mr. Saeid Khadivian was the chairman of National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan in the 1980s.

In previous two years of 1978, and 1979 Malaysia had send a dozen of Travel Teachers to Taiwan and another dozen of Pioneers settled down there. Malaysian Baha'is were proud of this Teaching project to the Chinese. However, when Mr. Saeid Khadivian, as Taiwan NSA Chairman, was here for several days with the Malaysian Baha'is, he didn’t mention any words of the Malaysian Teachers and Pioneers in his country Taiwan.

Perspectives of Sarawak History

"....It brought back memories of our history lessons in Form 2 or Form 3. I'm sure most of us went through this book during that time. I recall reading stories of exciting battles and uprisings and rebels and pirates.

Of course at that time, the White Rajahs and the British were portrayed as the good guys, and the baddies were Rentap (the Iban chief of Bukit Sadong fame), Sharif Masahor (the Melanau warrior) , Liu Shan Bang (leader of the 1857 Chinese Uprising) and Rosli Dhobi (who assasinated the second British governor Sir Duncan Stewart in 1949)........" JAMES YONG

http://stjoe-form5in1976.blogspot.com/2010/04/perspectives-of-sarawak-history.html

Filipino immigrants

The initial acceptance of Filipino immigrants in 1960s resulted in the influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah in 1970s.

Like all in a sudden, coming from no where, the street of then quiet Kota Kinabalu Town streets swarm with children from Philippines. They are here all right, but some of these grown up children deliberately stand in front passing by young ladies to show that they have no pant to wear. Children with no basic moral is what an insult to the local who hosted and provided them.

I was amount those gave a helping hands in the 1970s. In 1971 I was in Sandakan and a Red Cross Member. Few boats full of refugee landed in Sandakan and immediately they were accommodated in St Mary Secondary School with foods and clothing.

As if the help from the local Christian is still insufficient to keep them warm, the Sandakan Red Cross landed a hand by giving out blankets to them. I jointed in the group of 20+ uniformed Red Cross members to St Mary Secondary School to distribute the new blankets. To say distribute, it is rather more accurate to say the blankets were being robbed off by the lawless crowd of no ruling.

Malaysia is a nation of peace and unity and provide sanctuary to those in refugee. The equilibrium should not be hampered by accepting those rejected by God and unwanted by their own countrymen.

JAYCEES KOTA KINABALU

PESTA EASTER 1978

TRADE AND FUN FAIR

Adult Rm0.40

Child Rm0.20

The initial acceptance of Filipino immigrants in 1960s resulted in the influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah in 1970s.

Like all in a sudden, coming from no where, the street of then quiet Kota Kinabalu Town streets swarm with children from Philippines. They are here all right, but some of these grown up children deliberately stand in front passing by young ladies to show that they have no pant to wear. Children with no basic moral is what an insult to the local who hosted and provided them.

I was amount those gave a helping hands in the 1970s. In 1971 I was in Sandakan and a Red Cross Member. Few boats full of refugee landed in Sandakan and immediately they were accommodated in St Mary Secondary School with foods and clothing.

As if the help from the local Christian is still insufficient to keep them warm, the Sandakan Red Cross landed a hand by giving out blankets to them. I jointed in the group of 20+ uniformed Red Cross members to St Mary Secondary School to distribute the new blankets. To say distribute, it is rather more accurate to say the blankets were being robbed off by the lawless crowd of no ruling.

Malaysia is a nation of peace and unity and provide sanctuary to those in refugee. The equilibrium should not be hampered by accepting those rejected by God and unwanted by their own countrymen.

Summit of Mt. Kinabalu

April 1978

My second and last climb. The first climb was in 1976.

Mt Kinabalu (4095m) - the tallest mountain in South-East Asia

While most climbers take two days to ascend and descend Mt Kinabalu, we made the trip in one day because we have previous experience of climbing (except Rony, yellow shirt in above photo). After all, the whole distance is only eight-kilometer climb.

Our team is 2 Japanese men, 1 German lady and 2 Malaysian (Rony and me) and a mountain guide.

Rony and I started in late afternoon from the Park Headquarter and the other 3 and guide started later but catch up with us on the way up at night.

We reach the summit in time to watch sunrise.

Today (2011), at this age, I would not be able to make another trip in only 1 day.

The German lady (left in above photo) is a school teacher in Mat Salleh Secondary School of Ranau. She love Sabah's nature and local people. She told several friends that after retirement in the future she would come to live in Sabah. True enough, In 2000s, a friends told me she did came back to Malaysia and made Sabah her 2nd home.

Ayyam-i-ha - a day when the Baha'is donated their blood

Ayyam-i-ha or Intercalary Days (February 26 to March 1)

2 pints of red warm blood from Victor Wong and Chin Kah Thing. Both are universal O- type blood which can be transfuse to people of all blood types.

Donating blood in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Chin Kah Thing (photo below)

Ayyam-i-ha, or “Days of Ha,” are the days Baha'is members devoted to spiritual preparation for the Fast, hospitality, charity and gift giving.

Throughout the world the Baha'is celebrate the festival of Ayyam-i-Ha each year from sunset on February 25 to sunset of March 1 as a preparation for their Fast, which begins March 2 and ends March 20.

During Ayyam-i-Ha, Baha'is members perform acts of charity, give gifts to friends and family, and attend social gatherings.

Baha'u'llah has said of Ayyam-i-Ha: "It behoveth the people of Baha, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name."

Followers of Baha'u'llah promote a Universal Humanity in Universal Peace.

On 27th February, 1978. Two Baha'is youth of Sabah came to Queen Elezabath Hospital to present their gifts.

People with O- type blood are universal donors. Their blood can be given to people of all blood types.

Both young men donated their O blood to the needy. Their universal blood match their universal Faith.

Father Tudball - the last meeting

One morning under the hot tropical sun I met Father Tudball at Baram River.  I was travelling by bus toward Miri while he was travelling toward Brunei.  Both buses must stop at the river mouth for ferry crossing. There we saw each other.

Glade I had a camera those days. That was our last seeing each other.

In 2008 I learned that he has retired and settled down in Singapore.

My Grand Mother

International Teaching Conference in Hong Kong

On 29th November 1976 (photo above)

“Emancipation of Women” Talk by

Shirin Fozdar (1905 - 2 February 1992)

On 29th November 1976 (photo above)

“Distinctive Character of Baha'i Life” talk by

Hand of the Cause `Alí-Akbar Furútan (29 April 1905—26 November 2003)

During his talk, Dr. `Alí-Akbar Furútan  related a humor. He said he hope we wouldn’t mind he keep on repeating on some points. Because Abdul Baha also repeated his points from different views when he gave talks in America. In one occasion, an American lady became impatient and complained Abdul Baha that He kept on repeating points.

Abdul Baha asked her gently

“ Can you tell me which part I have repeated?” Abdul Baha asked her.

The American lady could not remember any point that Abdul Baha has repeated.

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Message to the International Teaching Conference, Hong Kong -- November 1976

November 1976

To the friends assembled at the International Teaching Conference in Hong Kong

Dearly loved friends,

With grateful and joyous hearts we extend our warmest greetings and express our highest hopes to the followers of Baha'u'llah gathered, at this critical point of the Five Year Plan, in this Conference on Asia's eastern shore. This great continent has nourished mighty civilizations; above its horizons the suns of major Revelations of God have risen; on its soil many of the heroes of this New Age have shed their blood and offered their lives in token of their love for Him Who is the Beloved of the World and the Desire of the Nations.

What an imperishable glory has been bestowed upon the people of Asia, the first to be illumined by the rays of God's Faith, the first recipients of His Call and the first promoters of His Cause. Their spiritual capacity is extolled and the great role they are destined to play in the strengthening of the foundation of the New World Order of Baha'u'llah unhesitatingly affirmed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His Tablets of the Divine Plan

This great continent contains within its boundaries the heart of the Faith and its Cradle, the lands wherein its Founders toiled and suffered, and not only the great majority of the human race but the great majority of the followers of Baha'u'llah. The potentiality of such a situation cannot be underestimated, nor must the great force latent within so large a proportion of the Army of Light be neglected. They must be mobilized to accelerate the expansion of the beloved Cause, to consolidate its victories, to enhance its prestige and to augment its influence. We appeal to every participant in this historic Conference to become conscious of these tremendous but hidden potentialities which, if properly tapped and directed, can hasten the process of the spiritualization of the nations of Asia, the influence of which will extend far beyond the confines of that continent -- even to the entire planet.

We eagerly await news that from this Conference will surge throughout Asia a wave of vigorous activity devoted to the execution on the individual, local and national levels, of systematic plans designed to attract the great masses of that continent to the life-giving, all-embracing Message of Baha'u'llah. Such plans must provide opportunities for those thousands who in recent years have swelled the rank and file, as well as for those veterans who have, for so many years, striven in the path of service to the Cause. It is through active participation of more and more new believers in both teaching and administration that the consolidation of the Baha'i community can best be achieved.

In a continent so richly endowed, so greatly blessed, new generations of Baha'is must continually be raised up, trained from childhood in the school of the love of God, and nurtured under the shadow of His Cause. Baha'is in every country must be constantly urged and, wherever necessary, assisted to pass on to their children as their most cherished legacy, the precious Faith they themselves have embraced. Those new generations of Baha'is will have a vital role in consolidating the Cause of God on a firm foundation.

The establishment of Local Assemblies as the basic administrative unit of the World Order of Baha'u'llah and as rallying points for the Baha'is of every community should, in accordance with the objectives of the Five Year Plan, be multiplied no matter at what cost of effort and endurance. The process of invigorating the Local Assemblies requires, during the Five Year Plan, the consultation of all the institutions of the Cause.

Publication of literature in many languages as part of a determined campaign to win thousands upon thousands of diverse peoples in all spheres of life must be vigorously pursued. Participation of all believers in supporting the Baha'i Funds, the lifeblood of the Cause, must be given adequate attention, and the blessings which reward the act of voluntary giving for the promotion of the Faith, no matter how small the amount may be, must be lovingly and wisely explained.

May this Conference become a landmark in the process of attracting vast numbers of the great Chinese race scattered throughout the world. May it be a prelude to the unprecedented expansion of the Faith in all the countries of Asia. May it become a source of strength to the supporters of the Most Great Name so that despite the rising tide of trials and upheavals afflicting the world, and whatever forces of opposition may be mounted against the Cause of God itself, the believers will not waver or become diverted from their course, but be ever more confirmed in their determination to raise the edifice of the Faith of God as the last bastion of hope to a lost and wayward humanity.

The Universal House of Justice

SMK Ranau - A school of natural and artistic charm