I refer to the article [#1] Will Indians remain just sweepers and guards? [/#] by Prof P Ramasamy (March 22) and wish add my comments.

I believe the Indian community in this country have certainly done much better now than during the independence era. Although it is true that many still live in poverty, this has been largely brought about (I think) by their being caught in the same circumstances such as work employment situation and living areas rather than as a result of any deliberate attempt by anyone, much less the government, to stifle their progress.

I know of many Malaysians of Indian origin who have done extraordinarily well for themselves in various professions, including law, medical, education and commerce and industry. If you say there could be more, I would not only say yes, but that this could also apply to the Malays and Chinese as well as the Kadazandusuns-Muruts and Ibans, Melanau, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit and Lun Bawang.

There are hopeful signs, though.We see children of different races going to the same schools, colleges and universities. Therefore, while we cannot possibly do very much to change what happened yesterday, we can certainly do something for the present and the future.

This means, according to the writer, there has to be an effective leadership, represented not by the few who think by giving out scholarships here and there, visiting Batu Caves once a year to be with the flock, and making impressionable statements about helping the lot of the Indians, but by people with the vision to see things beyond that.

This is of course easier said than done, because in the context of Malaysia's political power play, some communities tend to give more than they take while others take more than they give, to the extent that some feel the extra pressure and have to bend backwards. The writer describes this as social injustices that need to be righted not by yes-men, but people who are prepared to stand up and speak out their minds.

Poverty after all cuts across the board. It is not only the poor Indians that need help but also the poor Chinese, Malays, Kadazandusun-Muruts and Dayaks.

As this country's leader perhaps Dr Mahathir Mohammad should emphasise less on those points that he has been articulating over the need for Umno and PAS to talk over. Whatever PAS' reasons for not willing to sit down with Umno and talk about the points Mahathir has repeatedly mentioned, the effect of doing so would only widen the gulf of misunderstanding between the different communal groups in this country.

Look broadly at those who are caught in the trappings of misery and poverty on this land irrespective of their racial origins and religions. Help the poor, but not only when we ourselves have realised the mistakes we have made all these years since Independence by not integrating our people in their thinking as Malaysian people.

If we always like to think of ourselves more as Malaysian than Chinese, Malay, Indian, Kadazandusun-Murut or Dayak, then we would have achieved a great deal in national integration.Until and unless we are prepared to do so, then we are thinking more like racial bigots.