The decade-long saga of the Vivekananda Ashram has undoubtedly ignited the passion of past and present residents of the Brickfields community, and beyond.

Granted that not everyone shares a sense of history and thus a connection, however tenuous to a heritage, to many the ashram symbolises an identity sanctuary. The ashram is perceived as a quintessential part of their identity - a cultural anchor and importantly, a historical monument to the contributions and sacrifice of the pioneer generation.

The ashram is a physical embodiment of the shared collective memories of the past and present generations. It is also seen as a potential identity anchor for engendering a sense of belonging for future generations.

This in part explains the groundswell of emotions, passion and nostalgic sentiments of the many groups and individuals that have come forth to support the struggle to preserve this iconic heritage.

The government has responded to the overwhelming public demand to preserve this historical-cultural space by taking the proactive measure to declare the ashram and the grounds a heritage site.

The members of the management committee or ‘trustees’ are apparently determined to forge ahead with some form of development on the hallowed grounds of the ashram. Ostensibly, their rationale is to ensure sustainable funding for the ashram and the four Tamil Schools under their stewardship.

Obviously, the trustees are using different perceptual lenses from that of the larger community to frame the issues and formulate the solutions.

The trustees say they require funds for the said schools’ educational, cultural, spiritual and youth development activities Thus, the renewed proposal to develop the property is premised on the promise of a long term sustainable funding for the schools, as well as future development. “This is why TVAKL needs a plan that will ensure long term sustainability of its objectives in education and youth development”. ( The Star , Nov 12, 2014)

The government has provided a different picture vis-à-vis the funding issue of the schools. Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan is reported to have categorically stated that “millions of ringgit had been disbursed to the four Tamil schools managed by the board of trustees of the Vivekananda Ashram. ...all four schools were given financial assistance by the government through the years, so the question of not having enough funds should not arise.” ( The Star , Nov 5, 2014)

The Save Vivekananda Ashramam Brickfields Action Group (SVAB) and the larger community of NGOs and concerned citizens have pledged to contribute financial and other resources to preserve the ashram site and sustain the said schools, provided the trustees scrap their physical development plans.

It was recently reported that the trustees have demanded a compensation of some RM60 million from the National Heritage Department if they are prevented from undertaking their proposed development. (T he Malaysian Insider , Nov 19, 2015)

Prudent to share this plan?

One has to assume that the trustees already have a long-term strategic development plan for the RM60 million demanded? In order to make their case, would it not be prudent for the trustees to share this plan with the members and community alike? If the plan is made available for analyses, evaluation and feedback by all concerned parties, surely there will be little grounds for the sincerity of the trustees to be questioned?

This brings us to the fundamental question - what does the larger collective of ‘Save the Ashram’ community expect of the trustees?

Quite simply, the trustees are deemed to be the guardians of an inter-generational heritage. They are expected to be the stewards that would protect and preserve the community’s historical legacy. It is an implicit ‘trust’ placed on them by past, present and future generations.

The principle of stewardship is paramount in that the ashram is deemed to be held in trust on behalf of the community, and is not privately-owned. The trustees need to understand that their stewardship role goes well beyond managing TVAKL as a company, although it is incorporated as one.

Transparency is a fundamental principle that must be upheld at all times by those entrusted with stewardship. Thus, it is imperative that the trustees present the TVAKL annual operating budget and a strategic development plan, not just to its members, but the larger collective of concerned citizens. This way, all stakeholders would be privy to the annual and long term plans, and the resources required to implement the programmes and activities of the TVAKL.

The trustees must also undertake a series of regular public consultations with all stakeholders (including the relevant government agencies), to explore the potential sources of sustainable funding. This would provide the opportunity for all parties that have pledged to publicly declare their promised contributions, including the quantum and frequency thereof.

Understanding and valuing the ashram as an inter-generational identity heritage, a sanctuary of spiritual and cultural learning for present and future generations, are paramount. Concomitantly, opening up the membership to all that subscribe to the mission of the ashram would most certainly be beneficial for the long term sustainability of this revered institution.

Eligibility for membership must not be seen a contest between those hanging on to a nostalgic past and those wanting to extract surplus value from the ‘property’!

A repeat of this saga 10 years down the road (or any point of time) must be avoided for the sake of preserving this invaluable heritage and historical institution.

We must not to devalue philosophy and teachings of Swami Vivekananda that inspired the establishment of the ashram more than a century ago, by our myopic and selfish actions.

The Vivekananda Ashram must remain the oasis that provides the sanctuary for the human soul amidst the concrete jungle that Brickfields has now become!