VISIT TO MALAYASIA
On the return journey from Melbourne, Australia to India in March 1998, I had planned to touch Kuala Lumpur. I had got an OK confirmation on Singapore Airlines ticket. But there was some lapse on the part of the travel agent, Globe of Calcutta who could not get it confirmed on computer by Malaysian Airlines. As it is my habit of checking the tour programme with airlines regularly I learnt about this mistake just in time. After meeting the managers of Malaysian airlines and sending message to travel agent at Calcutta with great difficulty I could get confirmation on the penultimate date of journey.
On Monday 30th March 1998 I boarded flight MH 120 at Melbourne at 2.15 p.m. and arrived at Kuala Lumpur at 8.25 p.m. At that time the new Kuala Lumpur airport was still being constructed. At the airport Dr. Khalid Rasheed a Professor at Kuala Lumpur University who hails from Uttar Pradesh received me. I roamed around the happy and vibrant city.
At Kuala Lumpur, as per my habit I went up to the top floor of the KL tower. The telecommunications tower adds glamour and splendour to the city. From its top I saw the whole of Kuala Lumpur and various land marks.The iconic Patronas twin tower was completed but not opened till then.
I went to various tourist places including the memorial of Tunko Abdur Rahman. I saw the Supreme Court also. I was happy to know that Indians, particularly south Indians were doing well in business and other professions, including lawyers and politicians. I was also happy to know that the Chinese and Malays live in harmony with mutual respect for each other’s culture.
Dr. Khalid Rasheed took me to Genting Heights, a hill station and tourist resort. From Kuala Lumpur it is one hour drive of about 40 kms to reach the peak of Genting Heights. On the way the landscape was beautiful. I even saw huge statue of Hanuman carved on the hills. There are Mosques, Hindus temples and Buddhist temples everywhere in Malaysia, which shows cosmopolitan and secular culture. At Genting Heights it had grand infrastructure to cater the comforts and likes of rich tourists. It has resort comprising hotels, casinos and theme park. From its peak the view of lush valley of rainforest and Kuala Lumpur was breathtaking.
I purchased my Golf set at the shop of Mr. Gill at Kuala Lumpur, which is the best sport shop in Kuala Lumpur. One of his ancestors participated in the Indian National Army (INA) of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and after the war was over he settled at Kuala Lumpur. I went to Islamic University of Malaysia and also to famous Mosque. Malayasia can be compared with any economically developed country of Western Europe.
Kuala Lumpur is a modern capital. In the middle of the nineteenth century a group of tin prospectors came to settle around the convergence of the Klang and Combak River. In almost 150 years, it has grown from nothing to a modern bustling city of Asia. This amazing city is the finest blend of ancient culture and modern life style.
On Thursday 2nd April 98 I boarded Singapore Airlines flight SQ 113 at 4.55 p.m. at Kuala Lumpur and arrived at Singapore at 5.50p.m. Without going out of the airport I boarded the same day the flight AI 417 at 9.40 p.m. at Singapore and arrived at Delhi at 00.40 a.m.
Be the first to comment on "VISIT TO MALAYASIA"