The new cabinet was announced on May 15, 2013, revealing the representation of the Indians in the cabinet with two ministers, three deputy ministers and shockingly P Waythamoorthy as deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

The insults and abuse started throwing in from all angles and all directed to Waythamoorthy. He was called a betrayer, a self-seeker, a cheat, a fraud, a traitor, all expressing their anger and discontent.

The current mood remains the same, with few being sceptical and even fewer applauding the decision.

As a result of the Hindraf Rally in 2007 that created awareness of the discriminatory policies that favoured the majority, Waythamoorthy lived in exile in the United Kingdom for almost five years.

He believed there was a need to lobby Hindraf in the international arena and expose the marginalisation of Indians in Malaysia. The lobbying raised international attention and condemnation of the race based policies practised in Malaysia and called for fair and better governance.

Waythamoorthy was supported in his course by various human rights advocates and fellow Indians worldwide. There are very few who know of the modest life he led in the United Kingdom and never ending desire to uplift the marginalised Indians.

In fact there are fewer who know of his deep rooted involvement in fighting for human rights since his early beginnings and even before the emergence of Hindraf.

Hindraf a trigger for change

Meanwhile in Malaysia the 12th general election showed how Hindraf had become one of the triggers for a major change in the course of the country in what has come to be called a political tsunami in Malaysian politics.

The ruling Umno-led government lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Hindraf which had barely existed for three years then, and which was barely known up till August 2007, suddenly had caught the mood of a large proportion of Malaysians, causing a major upset in the process .

Hindraf had planted a new dawn in the political atmosphere in Malaysia.

Waythamoorthy returned to Malaysia in August 2012 and persisted with his activities to address unequal treatment of the Indian minority in the country.

Hindraf has always been consistent on its stand to find permanent and comprehensive solutions to the 56 years of neglect of the Indian community.

In August 2012 after careful research the Hindraf blueprint was drafted identifying the immediate and crucial gaps and at the same time presenting workable solutions to uplift the poorer Indians and to include them in the mainstream development.

Hindraf called on both coalitions, Pakatan and BN to endorse the document that will personify the sincerity of the endorsing coalition in responding to the matters relating to the deprived Indians.

In return Hindraf pledged support in GE13. It was much expected and hoped that Pakatan would endorse the document.

Alas, despite various attempts by Hindraf, the Pakatan leadership refused to sign this document, stating various self-serving and convenient reasons.

As a result BN came forward in an unprecedented move to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hindraf that would addresses the longstanding issues of unequal treatment of the Indian minority and to impact the lives of more than 1.5 million Indians in the country.

The (incumbent) prime minister apologised to the Indians for the past and attempted to make real amends for those lapses. It was a truly historic event for the poor and the underclass.

GE 13 saw BN coming into power again although still without a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

With this came a major shift in race representation in Parliament. The Indians gained more seats than ever and leaving the Chinese almost unrepresented in the government.

New dawn for Indians

In the midst of the current chaos of alleged fraud and unfairness of GE13, the irrelevant accusation of the Chinese betrayal and the uncalled-for verbal attacks of those who felt betrayed, one thing is for sure, the shift of an opportunity for Indians to uplift themselves from the slumber of the past 56 years.

Waythamoorthy's representation is crucial to ensure that the Memorandum of Understanding comes into reality.

Some have expressed their discontent at his appointment for lack of a portfolio. Waythamoorthy's portfolio lies in the vast ground work already done in bringing to light the state of the Indians, primarily the marginalised Indians, it lies in the consistency of his plight to uplift those who are ridden in poverty and his sacrifices towards that end.

This is more than can be said of those who presented in paper great portfolios and represented the Indian community for decades without ever identifying or fighting for the real struggles of the race.

What's worse is some even contributed directly towards the downfall of the Indians in this country in their pursuit of selfish advantages. Waythamoorthy's portfolio lies in his performance prior to his appointment as opposed to those who were previously appointed consecutively but never performed.

Some have questioned the betrayal of Waythamoorthy and Hindraf for swaying towards BN and others declaring that Waythamoorthy nor Hindraf represents the Indian community.

It is indeed a mockery that the only movement (Hindraf) that was courageous and relentless enough to represent the "Voice of the Voiceless" should now be attacked in such a manner.

In truth isn't the current marginalised status of the Indians in Malaysia a result of years of betrayal of those whose hands in which the wellbeing of the Indian had been placed?

Isn't the betrayal and neglect so back rooted and sadly by those who led the society themselves. Pakatan had benefited from Hindraf ‘s political tsunami in the last GE, and gained the support of many Indians.

With Pakatan ruling the nation, Malaysia would be a truly changed and democratic nation that would definitely address all the shortcomings of the deprived Indians,....or would they?

Why then did they not endorse Hindraf's blueprint? Why not even a "Memorandum of Understanding" that would seek to secure some level of responsibility if Pakatan were to take power?

All this despite Hindraf's numerous and tireless efforts to obtain some measure of commitment by Pakatan. By not endorsing the blueprint or even coming close to an understanding was Pakatan not betraying the Indian community?

The current marginalisation of the Indians is a direct result of being "taken for a ride" in the past 56 years. Is it wrong to ensure the same would not happen again through Pakatan?

Leaving this aside, in the past five years prior to GE13, has there been any attempt by Pakatan to bring these changes to the Indians?

Hindraf was left without a choice. Are the marginalised Indians to wait another five years in the hope of "nothing".

Bearing in mind that the movement's agenda was at all times NOT to seek a change in government but only to seek upliftment of the Indian community.

Take advantages of changes

With this being said it is time for all Indians to rise and make good of what is to come, as there will definitely be changes.

Avoid gossip that is mere talk, be rid of long politicising discussions that really amounts to nothing and refrain from personal opinions of those you know nothing about.

Instead review your lives and the changes you want made. Do not wait for opportunities to come your way but rather seek it and persevere it like you have never done before.

Let it be licences, scholarships, vacancies, contracts, loans or other opportunities, simply grab it.

If you are unemployed find a job that suits you, if you work under another, choose to be the boss instead, step out of the conventional ways of how things are done and urge yourself to go one step further and for what is rightfully yours.

For these are opportunities that are owed to you. Work it to your best! In the process cultivate good family practices, nurture children and lend a hand to another that's less fortunate.

Preserve the rich culture you're born into and teach the ways of live that even you ought to. Above all keep to your faith, cherish it and defend it as it is the light that will guide you all the way.

To quote Mahatma Gandhi: "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win."