Many letters on the ineffectiveness of the MIC, the state of the Indian community and the need for government intervention has been written. The fact is that no one with power in the government is going to heed these calls and help the Indians for that would be politically wrong in the racial politics of Malaysia.

They should desist asking (or more correctly) begging the government for help. Arguments such as 'As a Malaysian citizen, a deserving Indian has the same right to expect help from the government' are valid but irrelevant.

The Indian community should not waste time with such arguments and meaningless events and activities such as the coming MIC elections. Will it matter if S Subramaniam or G Palanivel becomes the MIC deputy president? The time, money and energy saved from such futile tasks can be directed towards themselves and their families, particularly in caring and educating their children.

If each Indian, however high or low on the social rung, works hard to ensure that his children are at least one step better than him, the community would progress in no time. The Chinese Malaysians have generally done it. They are generally independent of the government in their needs and are continuing to progress. Our Indian brothers should do likewise.