The Indian community in Malaysia must open up to realities as they are the most 'backward' of the three main races. This is in relation to issues pertaining to poverty levels, social ills, university enrollment and dilapidation of family values.

The existing political party that represents Malaysian Indians must open up to the pool of professionals and young working force. When a society opens itself and is willing to talk and act about their current and future challenges, it is the first right step towards the betterment of the community.

We must not look at Indians affairs through the conservative myopic end of a 'municipal drainpipe'.

While all these moves will accelerate and enhance the move to hopefully raise consciousness among the Indian community to improve their economic, spiritual and social plight, one notable major obstacle that the community will face is leadership and the need to address and change the so-called 'crab mentality'.

The paradigms of change requires that the leadership factor is important in being receptive to new ideas and being able to harness the talent pool of resources to collate and address the real issues even if there are unpopular decisions to be taken. The old adage, "if it isn't broken, why fix it?" should be set aside to be forward thinking, open and seeking the best brains and resources in the country irrespective of their religious, social or political affiliations.

For too long, these issues affecting the Indian community have been highlighted only to be suppressed by some forces. The government alone cannot be depended upon while the community is not taking the right mechanisms to deal with this extremely critical problem. A think- tank compromising individuals of neutral and credible standing and being acceptable to the masses is urgently needed

In parallel terms the Indians in Malaysia would go down as the African Americans in US if not worse economically, socially and politically, if the problem is not tackled immediately. The tangible and intangible cost ramifications and implications to the economy in the longer context are unthinkable. It's like an octopus whose tentacles are spreading everywhere with cancerous proportions and atrophy.

With forward thinking actions, committed political support to carry out the strategies implemented, it should accentuate the positive traits of the Indians namely hard work, good communication abilities, enthusiasm and strong cultural values. This will be the foundation for a better and brighter tomorrow and eventually spur the nation's economic growth further to new heights

I am sure the need to blend the young and the old and the need for realists, as well as the academicians of both gender would ideally make up the think-tank.

At the end of it a lot of soul searching and unpopular decisions need to be taken. Statistics need to be gathered and compiled to convince everyone of the sad plight of the Indians. The real problems must first be identified and agreed upon for action.

I strongly believe contrary to popular notion, finance alone will not be the biggest hurdle to raise the economic and social level of Indians and reduce their social ills. Instead, to change the mindset of the generally bureaucratic community leaders at state and national levels who currently serve as a role model and mentor to the youths will be a real test of time. Much may be made of a youth, if he/she be caught young!

I believe if the findings and recommendations are of a constructive nature. Indians specifically and Malaysians at large must come forward to pull together and assist a community caught at the crossroads and unsure of its future.

It is also hoped that the Indian community seeks the views of the other races and community leaders on what they perceive are the problems hindering the progress of this community.

I sincerely hope the community leaders would accept the realities of the situation to check on the plight of the Malaysian Indians. There is no short cut and the road will be long but for the sake of our future generation we hope that commonsense and political will would prevail.

Let's not look back 15 years later during vision 2020 and count our sheer inertia and indolence. Now is the time to act!

Let us ponder what St Basil the Great, the fourth century Bishop of Caesarea once said: "When someone steals another's clothes, we call them a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not?"