The most overused word of the year goes to.....yes you are right....MAKKAL SHAKTHI!

Truest concern, this word has been overused lately. Famously. Notoriously.

There were 2 articles or rather forwarded mails that I received on two different scenarios where the article ended with MAKKAL SHAKTHI.

First, the installation on Tamil signboard at Seputeh where the writer mentioned this was an effort by Hindraf and NOT MIC and ended MAKKAL SHAKTHI!

Second, the writer questioned the need for ASTRO to charge for Maharaja package where else our fellow brothers from the Muslim world did not have to pay for their own. He urged the people to boycott ASTRO if they did not answer the call....ended MAKKAL SHAKTHI!

Makkal Shakthi which means People Power has been often uttered by all sects of people. Caste, colour, creed did not matter. Yes it is worth acknowledging the vastness and depthness of this power amongst us lately.

I beleive that people power means, invoking our greatest abilities within us, tapping the potential and channeling it for a greater cause, for the upliftment of mankind. Well at least thats how I interpret it.

My concern is due to the term being used as a provocative measure or rebelliously natured. Makkal Shakthi is neither to introduce protest as our problem solver nor a block to racial harmony. It is very much positive (Hmmm but try uttering it in a mamak stall today and see the reaction from others). This reminds me of the analogy where a knife can be used by surgeons to save lives and also by another to murder. Which way it is utilised depends on us.....the people again.

Both the scenarios mentioned above are to be applauded. Yes the people power had been a catalyst in some manner or another. However, midst of us Indians busy finetuning or questioning what other Indian (s) should be doing or should have done...it is also time for reflection, to answer simple questions, a rather grass root questions......how many of us, the URBAN indians at Seputeh would be able to read the Tamil signboard? How many of us out there are willing to compromise their Selvi, Lakshmi, Arasi for their children's education? How many of us, the Indians who I beleive the Hindus are able to know the significance of temples and worships?

Folks, we had a punching bag before....Datuk Samy Velu.....now we do not have anyone but ourselves. Yes, we are Hindus, we are Indians, we have general wellbeing of our fellow brothers and sisters in mind, we are fighting for our rights to make it a better world, we are trying in all our ways and means to educate others. Excellent!

However, let us not forget the roots of the problem and solution for it.....us. Tansformation must begin with the individual, when the individual changes, the world will change says Bhagawan Baba. How true that can be.

This Makkal Shakthi should be a Mantra, a remover of ignorance, Maya, amongst us not a tool for destruction. Wisely used, then we live up to Mahatma Gandhi (oh ya the most popular man lately too) and Martin Luther King. The power of the people should flow through the individual, family, society, nation and world at large. The force created from this energy should transcend and be a torch for many....a legacy itself.

Points to ponder......