A Village is the Heart of a Nation. It represents the values that the people hold dear and important in their lives. The value system that they believe in does not ever change with time; priorities do but not values. Values are built upon spiritual beliefs and truths, traditional culture/ heritage. And these do not ever change come what may.

Malaysia is a country that has rapidly developed in the last 46 years. A rural to urban migration took place to facilitate this development that resulted in numerous benefits to the people. These have been primarily economic. But the economic progress that we enjoyed before the pandemic of 2020, had however come about sadly with a huge price. It was at the expense of our social fabric and the environment, primarily in the developed urban areas of our beloved Malaysia.

Section 12, Petaling Jaya “Towards an Urban Earth Kampong/Village’ can be a story of how we need to and want to live. It can be based on the wisdom of village integrity and harmony and upon the needs of children, the elderly, single parents, and perhaps even the disabled. Respect and honour for all life through love, compassion and respect for the Earth is a guiding philosophy of an Earth Village. It will depend upon each and every one wanting to and making it happen.

This idea was proposed and a concept paper written and submitted formally by Thayanithi Kulenthran who was an executive committee member, to the second Executive Committee of the Residents Association of Section 12. The idea was approved in principle by them. We hope that the residents of Section 12 will over time appreciate and approve the idea to be adopted.

A number of events had since then been planned and executed by the RA 12 Executive Committees and subcommittees, that draw upon some of the ideas of the Urban Earth Village. 

Note: The above was written way back in about 2009. The current RA12 Executive Committee from about 2019/2020 has executed some remarkable programs within Section 12 based on their very own thoughts and initiatives. They in effect, are actually working towards making RA 12 Petaling Jaya an Urban Kampung.

EDUCATING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF SECTION 12

(A Dayanidhi Earth Initiative)

THE EARTH AND I

How do we awaken and educate children and people on the Earth as a Being - a Living Being? Through the program “The Earth and I”.

I was awakened to this awareness and consciousness many years ago - in my own garden. The experience I had was unusual and heartbreaking. Hence I feel I have a duty to the Earth Being in making this knowledge gradually known, beginning first with children and folks in my neighbourhood

I began in 2021 with TREE POSTERS ON EARTH. These posters educate neighbourhood communities. Folks read the posters at leisure and can even return to them later.

A group of children with accompanying adults stop by to view the Tree Posters.

We began to display posters regarding Earth on the trees we had planted in front of my home (DayAnidhi Earth) on 21st April 2021. Posters remain on the trees for about 4 months. The first posters were a NASA image of EARTH and a poem on The Earth and I. Drivers slowed down, taken aback by the image of the EARTH that stared at them as they drove past. The EARTH image is to keep reminding folks of the EARTH. Posters that followed included an artwork of the EARTH done by three RA12 children after a class on Compassion for the Earth Being for Earth Day 2022.

My purpose is to educate RA12 folks about “Being an Earth Carer”.

The Tree Posters have given an introduction to the Earth and some of the ecosystems on which human life and well-being depend. We are indeed encouraged by walkers – adults, parents, and children who stop by to look at and read the tree posters.

“The Voice of the Earth” - A Neighbourhood Street talk under the Trees for EARTH DAY 2023

Children and their parents need to begin to know the Earth. Other than tree posters, a talk can begin to do wonders. Bearing this in mind, Earth Day 2023 was celebrated via a Talk titled “The Voice of the Earth”.  I presented the talk beneath the mature trees on the street in front of my home DayAnidhi Earth. Eight (8) children, four parents (4) and one (1) grandma, a total of 13 people from my neighbourhood, attended the talk and participated in a small activity, all of which were conducted under and at the trees. It took 40 minutes - planned thus in view of the attention span of the young children between 6-12 years of age. The talk was planned for a small group of 12 people as some deep concepts were going to be shared. The talk was also based on a new set of tree posters focussing on a reach out to children.

Earth Day 2023 Talk - The Team that participated (one parent was taking this photo - a father)

The other parent is in this photo - a dad.

PERSPECTIVES OF SECTION 12, PETALING JAYA

What is unique about Section 12, Petaling Jaya?

It has its own little forest - an ecological haven that has grown over time amongst the abandoned university bungalow quarters. Also for an urban neighbourhood it has interesting wildlife. See images below of birdlife spotted.

The Forest of Section 12, Petaling JayaWhere many of us take our morning and evening walks

The Forest of Section 12, Petaling Jaya

Where many of us take our morning and evening walks

The abandoned University Malaya bungalows and areas within and around

The areas where we live and play

Where our children play

Where our children play

WILDLIFE Spotted in Section 12, Petaling Jaya

Crested Serpent Eagle (?); photo credits to “MK”-resident Sect 12, PJ

Strike Heron (?), LHS image, White Myna (?) on fence, RHS image; photo credits to “MK” - resident Section 12 PJ.