Dear MCG Members,
Greetings and warm wishes to all members. I know I am feeling excited about the recommencement of events and groups for this and the coming months, as I am sure you will too after reading our newsletter. Also at this time of year, we have many new people arriving in KL so if you are reading our Newsletter for the first time, welcome, and I hope we will see you at our events in the near future.
For the MCG team, it has been business as usual and we have a very exciting few months planned for you. We have three events for August and they should be on your 'must do' list.
First, our monthly lecture in August will be by Dennis De Witt, a 5th generation Malaysian Dutch Eurasian. Dennis manages the Malaysian Dutch Descendants Project. He will talk to us about the descendants of the Dutch East Indies Company. In Malaysia, these descendants are made up of settlers from Dutch Malacca, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. His lecture will be accompanied by never before seen pictures from private collections.
On the 21st of August we have an interesting visit to ISTAC. Our last event in August is a visit to Silverfish Books and a talk by Ramen Krishnan, its founder and publisher of Silverfish Books. Knowing what avid readers many of our members are, I am sure you will find this event most interesting. He will talk about the problems of running an independent bookshop, publishing, censorship laws and other related issues.
I want to sneak in news of the September lecture, as it is very special. MCG prides itself on the fact that we never repeat events, unless by popular demand. Collette Hassan, a long time member of MCG, and our expert on Malaysian Titles will give the monthly lecture in September. The New Comers Coffee morning is on Tuesday 10 th October. This annual event is a lovely morning, so please come along and bring a friend (or three). Representatives from each area of MCG will be on hand to talk to you and I am sure you will find other ways of enriching your membership with us. This month I want to specifically acknowledge our members, for without your support, attendance, commitment and enthusiasm the Malaysian Culture Group would not be the wonderful association it is - vibrant, interesting and friendly are three words that immediately come to mind. - Sunita Varlamos PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS Evolution of Buddha Images in SE Asia
Earlier this year Jehan Begum Mougin invited MCG members into her treasure trove home in Bangsar. As beautiful Buddha images and Burmese teak manuscript boxes from her Heritage of the Orient Gallery vie for space with her overflowing private collection which includes Islamic textiles, a move to a larger space in Ampang is imminent.
Jehan's love affair with Burmese art and Buddha images dates back to when her father was posted to Burma (Myanmar). Forging a strong bond with the then curator of the Burmese museum, a relationship which continues to the present, Jehan is able to source and certify authentic, quality Buddha images and religious artefacts. She cautioned that there were many fakes, especially from Thailand.
Spiced with information gleaned from 25 plus years of experience and expertise in Asian and oriental antiques, Jehan led the group from one stunning Buddha image to another – Burmese, Cambodian, Laotian and Thai – explaining the evolution of its depiction over the centuries, and how it differs from country to country.
Buddhist Art
Jehan pointed out that Buddhist art originated in the Indian subcontinent in the centuries following the life, death and eventual ultimate state of nirvana of the historical Prince Siddhartha/Gautama Buddha* . (*The date of birth and death are unclear, but most modern scholars have him living between 563 BCE* and 483 BCE)
*BCE ='Before the Common Era'– is eventually expected to replace BC ('Before Christ) '. BC and BCE mean the same.
Jehan also pointed out that although there are examples of Buddha images in caves that pre-dated temples back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, most scholars define two approximate periods of Buddhist art: the Aniconic or pre-iconic phase – avoiding direct representations of the Buddha (5th to 1st century BCE) and the Iconic phase – with direct representations of the Buddha(1st century CE* to the present).
*CE ='Common Era' sometimes known as the 'Current Era' – a relatively new term eventually expected to replace AD ('Anno Domini' in Latin, or 'the year of the Lord' in English) referring to year 1 as the traditional birth date of Jesus Christ). CE and AD is also interchangeable - 2006 CE = 2006 AD Iolanda Capodonna
Travel Tips on Myanmar (Burma)
Sunita gave us a really interesting talk and brought to life her travels in Burma.
The country's history goes back to the 9th century when the Mramma people came from the China-Tibet border areas. They became powerful controlling the trade routes between China and India. The years between 1084 and 1113 were the Golden Age and the great era of pagoda building began.
Myanmar has been ruled by the Mongol, British and Japan. It gained its independence in 1948 from the British. It is today ruled by the military junta and has one of the worst human rights records. Nearly 700,000 Myanmarese live illegally or as refugees in Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India.
Other facts:
- It is the second largest producer of opium in the world.
The people of Myanmar.
They are made up of 8 national races with the Bamars, Shan, Mon, Kayin, Kayah Kavah, Chin, Kachin and Rakhaing. The Government then further divides them into 67 sub groups. Bamar, who are 65 percent, make up the majority of the population.
Sunita took a four day trekking trip on her own as she felt she needed some time to herself. Her trek took her to several villages like Kalaw-Shadaw, Shwe Min Phne, the Shin Min Phone Wah Gyi Myaung and Khaung Daing. All names sounded so exotic.
She and her guide bought their food and water and the meals were cooked by the person in whose house she stayed in each night. She became a part of their family and after a tired day just slept on the mat rolled out for her in their simple homes which don't have furniture. The people lead a simple life and are devout Buddhists.
The simple villagers love having their photos taken and always put on their best clothes. The life is very rural, typically Asian where the women work in the fields and the rice paddies. Sunita even joined in helping some women who were cutting rice. Very brave as they only use scythes.
Schools are being built by the UN. They are the 3 rd most illiterate in Asia.
Trees mark the beginning of the villages. Pot making is one way they make a living. We were then shown slides about a mixture of Sunita's previous visits to Myanmar, along with some details about the country.
The government renamed the country Myanmar but the people still call it Burma. It is a Buddhist country very safe to visit where visitors are warmly welcomed.
The Burmese follow the Theravada Buddhists which follows most closely to the Buddha's teachings.
Yangon the new name for Rangoon has the golden dome which dominates the city. It rises 98 metres above its base. Mandalay used to be the old capital and has a beautiful teak bridge. Mingun is 11km up river from Mandalay and is accessible only by river. The mingun Bell is the largest uncracked bell in the world and weighs 90 tons.
We saw slides of Bagan where between 1057 and 1287 some 13,000 temples, pagodas and other religious structures were built on this vast plain. I think all this has made us realise that Myanmar should be our next holiday destination!
Thank you Sunita for the lovely informative morning.
Elise Hill
Sisters In Islam, Islamic Family Law What Is
It All About
Having such knowledgeable and dedicated speakers as Nik Noriani Nik Badh Shah and Raslina Razali address our Monthly Lecture was surely a privilege for MCG. We followed our AGM for 2006 with a most inspiring morning Lecture and lunch at the Islamic Arts Museum, one of the most beautiful modern buildings in Kuala Lumpur.
'Sisters in Islam (SIS) is an independent non-governmental organization which believes in an Islam that upholds the principles of equality, justice, freedom and dignity.
On this morning the Sisters in Islam spokeswomen explained to us their perceived inequities within family life and marriage, for Muslim women in Malaysia, of the recently revised Islamic Family Law and the fact that the Bill was passed despite rigorous dissention from some Senators.
During the 20th century there was confusion between divine law and human interpretation of the law, so in the early 1980s it was decided to take a consensus of ideas from Civil Law and of the various schools of Islamic Law to better suit family life of the time. This consensus led to the Islamic Family Law Bill Amendment of 1984, which was last amended as the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2005, on 23rd December 2005.
The amendments of 1984 were seen as a positive step towards assuring Muslim women's rights within marriage at that time, but further amendments in 1994 revoked several of these rights. Since then Muslim women have seen biases in both Civil and Divine laws that appear gender biased towards the male of the family and biased within the Shariah judicial process.
The 2005 Amendments were seen to streamline the inequities of law for the Muslim population among the individual Malaysian states, but according to Sisters in Islam they have instead intensified the vulnerability of Muslim women in marriage.
Since that date, 23rd December 2005, there has been strong opposition by men and women of all faiths to the possible affect of the passing of the Bill on the lives of Muslim women in Malaysia. They feel that the amendments are extremely damaging to women in the areas of polygamy, divorce, disposing of property owned by a wife or former wife, husband's responsibility of maintenance in cases of polygamy or divorce husband's claim to harta sepencarian from his wife/s in cases of polygamy or divorce.
Sisters of Islam claim that Islamic laws are not keeping pace with civil laws of Malaysia or in fact, the entire Islamic world.
Present laws for Islamic families in Malaysia are seen as unbalanced with selective interpretations and gender neutrality giving more burdens to the women and more rights to the men. Under modern living conditions, the wife wants realism in legal changes of her husband's marital expectations of her.
Sisters in Islam argue that so many times Islam is used as an excuse not to reform laws giving equality towards the Muslim woman's rights as seen in our present societies. The problem is that there are many schools of Islamic law, both major and minor schools, with differing interpretations. It asserts there is a lot of commitment required to go back to the original principles and to fit them to present day needs.
After the lecture they answered questions from the floor on issues like polygamy, marriage contracts, the numbers of schools of Islamic thought, Arabic Law and Islamic Law and the writing of Wills.
We would like to thank Sisters of Islam for giving of their time and explaining such a vital part of the law which so affects Islamic families, especially the women and children, and to thank the Committee for organizing such an informative morning.
Fran Turland
A Morning In Pakistan
Our members began arriving early in anticipation of a very special morning and they certainly weren't disappointed. Many were dressed in colourful kurtas and salwar khameez ready for the wedding celebration which was to come. We were greeted warmly by Madame Iffat Munir, wife of the Pakistani High Commissioner and several ladies from the Pakistani community in KL.
Our imaginary wedding celebration was staged by several young girls ranging from 10 to 16, all dancing and singing in public for the first time. Also, it should be noted that many of these girls were in the middle of exams, but took the time to entertain us. Our MC for the morning was Madame Rubina Amjad who explained each element of the ceremony.
Dholki - This ritual is named after the dholk or drum and is normally held one or two weeks before the actual three day wedding ceremony. During this event, young guests sing and dance while beating on the dholk. Traditionally the bride and groom hold separate dholki where family and friends gather at their respective houses and practice songs and dances for the upcoming mehendi ceremony.
Mehendi- This ceremony takes place on the first night of the three day wedding. Usually the most part of the event, it is filled with noise and colour, with women dressed in bright formal salwar khameez and saris, and with young girls in long skirts and blouse outfits called lehengas.
The bride traditionally wears a formal yellow outfit and has wet mehendi or henna applied on her hands and feet. It is customary for the bride to escorted onto the stage under a yellow dupata or large scarf, held up by six female relatives or very close friends. Her head is covered and bowed and she has very little jewelry or make-up on at this event, staying hidden from people, so that when she emerges on her wedding day she is truly a sight to behold.
Women who are happily married feed her sweets, so that she will always have a sweet married life.
The ladies then perform the sadka whereby the ladies circle any denomination of odd monies over the bride's head three times to give her blessings for a happy life and to ward off any evil. The money is then donated to the poor.
Nikah- The main wedding day is less eventful than the preceeding days. Typically the bride wears a bright red ghaagra, a heavily pleated skirt with a long blouse embroidered in gold. The dupata is hung low and wrapped around her shoulders, making certain that none of her elaborate gold jewelry is hidden. Grooms either wear traditional sherwani with a turban or a Western style suit.
Valima- The groom's family hosts the valima or feast, the night after the wedding. The feast signifies the consummation of the wedding and is roughly equivalent to an Western wedding reception.
After this last wedding ritual, all the guests were invited to a delicious Pakistani lunch which was greatly enjoyed by everyone, judging from the number who returned for seconds…and thirds!
Many thanks to Madame Iffat and here friends for entertaining us so warmly!
Cindy Peters Zeier
Twilight People: A History of the Peranakan Chinese
by Neil Khor
Wearing an immaculately cut suit and a shirt "ironed by his mother", Neil Khor's message to the MCG was all about "attitude". He explained that geography, colonialism, ethnicity and ritual are all important to understanding the Straits Chinese, but that "attitude" is their self-defining characteristic. And Mr. Khor himself exemplifies that attitude. He is currently a PhD student at Cambridge, speaks English with just enough of an accent to maintain his ethnic identity, and loves to discuss Penang, his own culture, and of course, food. His attitude towards his own roots is contagious.
Claiming that he is not a historian, but a student of literature, Mr Khor proceeded to show us maps and photographs and discuss the subtle changes in historical documents to help us understand the changing role of the Straits Chinese in SE Asian society. If he is not a historian, he certainly has the sensitivities of one. Mr. Khor presented an intellectual argument explaining how the cultural identity of the Straits Chinese, and their self-image, developed in the context of the history of the Malay Archipelago. He then used this explanation to comment on the future of this ethnic group.
Straits Chinese are members of a larger group known as "Peranakan", a Malay word meaning "adopted" that has come to be associated with ethnic groups that married into Malay society. According to Mr. Khor, the Peranakan are a "muti-ethnic conjunction." As early as the twelfth century, Hokkien traders traveled to Malacca on the monsoon winds, stayed for six months, and returned to China on the changing winds, only to repeat the pattern the following year. These traders were a distinct group, men of lesser social rank, with no official sanction from the insular Imperial society of China. They made themselves at home in the Malay Archipelago, marrying local women and making their fortunes from the developing trade routes in the Straits of Malacca.
Mr. Khor explained that, from the beginning, these Hokkien traders were different from those around them and enjoyed the luxury of maintaining their Chinese identity while adapting to local cultural practices. By the fifteenth century, the Chinese trading community had lost much of their dialect, dressed like Malays, but still clung to their beliefs of ancestor homage, celebrated the rituals of the seasons even in the tropics, and brought Chinese literary scripts to Malaya to give meaning to their worship. The world of the Peranakan Chinese became an interesting mix of traditions and their "attitude" began to blossom. Mr. Khor pointed out that some Peranakan Chinese, even today, cleanse their houses with Chinese incense on the eve of Friday prayers.
The arrival of the British colonists to the Malay Archipelago was critical to the development of an identity for the Straits Chinese. The British made them British subjects and provided them with an English education. According to Mr. Khor, the Straits Chinese became the middlemen for the British trading companies and the official policing mechanism for the British, setting themselves apart from the other Chinese and the local community. The response of the Straits Chinese to the British class system was to establish clubs, dress in the clothing of the British, and "become more British than the British." Mr. Khor illustrated this point with a photo of a Peranakan Chinese family showing the change of clothing styles over several generations and the increasing popularity of British dress. The Straits Chinese were afforded very special status by the British – they were British subjects, were allowed to fly the flag, but were not subject to the laws of Malaysia or of China. In Penang, where there was a large influx of Hokkien Chinese during the British colonial period, the Peranakan identified themselves with Western culture and saw themselves as "exceptional Chinese."
By the turn of the century, the Peranakan Chinese were a distinctive element in imperial British culture and a symbol of Imperial Multiculturalism. But they were also caught between two empires. Even though many of them were educated in England, after the Boxer rebellion they suffered travel restrictions to Europe. According to Mr Khor, this was a turning point in Peranakan Chinese culture. They encompassed western concepts of education, literature and medicine and differentiated themselves from the newcomer Chinese (Hokkien) population. When forced by global social changes to define themselves politically, they chose to be Malayans, and Malayans first. Mr. Khor noted that there was a strong movement to separate the Straits Chinese community from the opium trade, they recognized the importance of education for women, and in response to the rise in Chinese nationalism, demanded Malayan citizenship.
During the Japanese occupation of Malaysia in WWII, the Straits Chinese suffered what Mr. Khor called "a difficult extraction of money" and lost the social Japanese did not distinguish the Straits Chinese from the general Chinese community. After WWII, when the Straits Settlements were dismantled the Straits Chinese found it difficult to identify themselves as British subjects. During the secession movement, the community was forced to adjust the way it defined itself and how it was defined by the rest of the world. In response, political identity shifted to a collective cultural identity.
This cultural identity defines the Straits Chinese even today, but Mr. Khor asked the question – are the Straits Chinese "Half-past-six People"? Mr Khor has observed that outsiders view the Straits Chinese as "strange". They are dominated by an older generation, they very definitely practice the ways of the ethnic Chinese, but they speak excellent English and like to quote Shakespeare. They are survivors who represent a unique cultural evolution. With a photograph of some traditionally dressed, well manicured, Peranakan women as a backdrop, Mr. Khor asked us to think about the fate of this notable ethnic group. He feels that the Peranakan Chinese may be in their twilight hours, threatened by forces that have impacted small and distinct ethnic groups throughout history. The younger generation clings to the fine web of traditions but few are as enthralled with its intricacies as Mr. Khor.
Mr. Khor's presentation raised our awareness of the current situation faced by the Peranakan Chinese in Malaysia today. Peranakan Chinese have played an important and distinct role in Malaysian history. They are proud of being Malaysians and despite their Chinese traditions and ties to British culture, they are most at home in Malaysia. As Mr. Khor reminded us, they are distinguished by mannerisms, not blood and that is a fragile position for an ethnic group in a globalizing world.
Cheryl Hoffmann
"The Bhutan I Know" by Robert Tyabi
Robert's talk was special from the outset. Not only was it about Bhutan, a country that few people know much about, but it was based on his experience of living in the Kingdom with his family in the 1980s, at a time when even less was known about the Land Of The Thunder Dragon.
Robert told us the wonderful story of how he came to be invited to work for UNICEF and make a film on children in Bhutan. In the 1980s it took 5 days to travel to Bhutan, as there was no airport. (Further, communication with UNICEF HQ was performed by Morse-code.) This marked the beginning of a relationship with Bhutan and the Bhutanese people which has never stopped deepening for Robert and his family.
In preparation for the talk, Robert spent many hours looking through old slides he had taken of friends and landscapes in Bhutan, and I am sure, he and Hootoksi, his wife, enjoyed the opportunity to re-live many happy memories. The slides he selected to show us simply took our breath away. Bhutan is a country like no other. It is secluded by the mountains of the Eastern Himalaya, and thanks to its geographical position and the policies of the kings who have ruled since 1907, Bhutan still manages to remain outside the global mainstream.
Robert showed us slides of breathtaking landscapes of mountains and verdant valleys, deep forests of rhododendron and torrential rivers. We delighted in slides and stories of the amazing teschu's (festivals), archery competitions and community life.
The King of Bhutan is following his father's initiatives to replace the country's absolute monarchy, with a form of Constitutional monarchy. The Bhutanese do have a great love for their King, and this process is being undertaken in a slow and careful manner. Further, the King is famous for seeking to maximize what he terms Gross Domestic Happiness for his people, as opposed to pursuing a narrower GDP, the traditional measure favored by other countries. We saw many photos of the King and his Ministers performing ceremonial roles, often with a very keen sense of humor.
In order to limit the impact of Western culture on the small Kingdom, the number of tourists permitted into the country is restricted and a substantial levy must be paid. Nonetheless, I think most of the group who heard Robert's talk were wistfully imagining themselves in Bhutan's Shangri-La.
Sunita Varlamos
A Visit to Badan Warisan - Preserving Malaysia's
Culture
Badan Warisan established in 1983, was formed to preserve and conserve Malaysia's built heritage. Well known to some of our members, but new to me, I was among those, who were greeted by Elizabeth Cardosa, Executive Director of Badan Warisan, to educate us about their efforts and things their organization had established over the years.
Elizabeth explained that Badan Warisan was established to create awareness, educate and most of all having public support in order to conserve Malaysia's heritage. She explained that in Malaysia, life on the streets went to new architecture, but sadly to say, it seemed that developer, the government and its people in general tend to neglect old mansions, shop houses and other buildings just to keep up with the modern pace.
One example of that, is the Bok House, located near KLCC and with that a prime real estate location, once full of life and even a famous restaurant, but doomed to be eliminated.
Unfortunately, over the years it has been abandoned, neglected and left to fall apart. Badan Warisan's goal was to declare the house as a National Heritage, in order to save it. However, some of you may also have read in the paper, the house could be torn down.
Luckily, there are also positive developments and discoveries. Badan Warisan may have found remains of the Santiago Bastion in Malacca, which according to their records, was destroyed by the British, after taking their position in Malacca. There is still a lot of research and preservation to do, but if confirmed it could be a definite treasure.
One project Badan Warisan can be sure of is the completion of a traditional two-storey shop from the mid-late 17 th's (Portuguese era) on 8 Heeren Street in Malacca. In the olden days, such a shop house served as a shop, residence and animal stable at the same time. Today, it is a base for heritage tours, exhibitions and workshops and definitely one example of the preservation and conservation of the Malaysian heritage.
But, there is still much to do for Badan Warisan and the obstacles are sometimes were high and frustrating Elizabeth told us. For instance, in some areas in Malaysia rows of old shop houses are abandoned and with that all community life is taken away. So, it seems that now not only the buildings, but also its people vanish forever.
Badan Warisan's challenge is to urge public and private owners not to forget their heritage and keep this in mind when tearing down buildings. But with their determination, their constant efforts to hold on to tradition, I'm sure that the members of Badan Warisan will overcome the obstacles and Malaysian people will be grateful and proud that the people of Badan Warisan never stopped stressing the importance Malaysia's heritage.
We thank Elizabeth Cardosa for this interesting talk and wish her all the luck for Badan Warisan's future projects.
Anja Kehding
For further Information:
2. No. 8 Heeren House, Malacca
Guided Tours : 10:30 am, Tuesday and Thursday. Others by appointment Min. 3 persons, 28 RM per person, with special rates for groups
For further reading:
BOOK CLUB REPORTS Group
I The book tells the story of eleven characters who, when faced with the Japanese invasion of Burma during WWII, have to run away to safety. There are eight English, two Burmese and one Anglo-Burmese girl, eleven different and very colorful characters who provide the author with very good material for studying human nature in all its diversity. The characters are interestingly intertwined through a mixture of feelings: envy, hatred, friendship and love, feelings that make them react sometimes in very unpredictable ways.We have Paterson, the manager of the rice mill and the highest in rank among them, and therefore much envied by the less lucky people like Betteson and Portman, who both feel trapped in undeserved and unwanted positions.
Then, there is Mrs. Betteson, whom all consider a batty lady and who is generally disregarded by most people, including her husband, and Mrs. Portman, a beautiful woman, who is very much aware of it and tries to take advantage of her beauty. Next, there is Connie McNairn, a young lady who developed unrealistic feelings for Paterson and, not being answered by him, managed to encourage in her mother, Mrs. McNairn, a high level of frustration and hatred against him. And then we have Major Brain, a very sensible fellow, who joins the run-away group, although he does not know if he really wants to leave Burma, after all. The Burmese are two siblings, a boy called Tuesday and his older sister Nadia, who are the only family Paterson has and consider themselves as such. And then, there is Miss Alison, the half Burmese, half English
girl, a nurse who did not come to terms with her mixed blood and
considers herself a half cast. The group is very heterogeneous and,
therefore, there are quite a number of clashes of personalities
and opinions. If one expects to find a lot of information about Burma, one might
be disappointed...there are not too many things about it, although
one gets quite a good feeling about its people.
Luisa Bold
Group
II This book tells the story of Li's life – of abject poverty on a commune in rural China, to being selected (on the basis of his long toes) to join the Beijing Ballet at age 11, to an invitation to travel to America as part of a cultural exchange, and his later defection, marriage and career as a dancer.
Li's book is inspiring and insightful. Book club members felt that Li's story had many layers. On the one hand, we read and learnt about China under Mao's rule and the unquestioning loyalty that was expected and given. On the other hand, we learnt through innocent eyes first interpretations of Western life and the apparent excesses and opportunities that many take for granted.
Li was the second youngest of seven boys, a feat unheard of in China today. The family unit was very close, loving and supportive. We read with pain when Li left his family to live in Beijing and the sadness he suffered from seeing his family once a year. But Li, and his family, regarded the opportunity a great privilege and he dedicated himself to the task with unbelievable determination and vigor. Indeed, his commitment forced us to rethink the Western approach to success being one which relies on 'natural talent' to the Chinese approach which seemed to find success in sheer hard work and dogged determination.
Though Li's defection to America could be interpreted as an act of betrayal we believed this was more likely an act of courage. Our newest book club member, Minna, had sourced articles from The New York Times written in April and May 1981 announcing Li's defection. It was interesting to read an alternative source of information about the event. This helped to make the story, which was quite incredible, totally real.
Overall, we enjoyed the book and found it to be well written and generally easy to read. We would recommend the book.
Sunita Varlamos MCG Book Club Group 2 Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month unless this clashes with a public holiday*.
27th September
*18th October
29th November
31st January
28th February
28th March
25th April
30th May
27th June
Lynn Davies
NEWSLETTER REPORT You can submit articles, artwork and photographs to the editor at mcgevents@yahoo.com with ''newsletter'' in the subject line.
Please submit all articles for the September newsletter by August 5.
Stories are edited for reasons of clarity, space or accuracy of expression. The opinions expressed in the MCG newsletter are those of the writers concerned and not necessarily those of the MCG.
Jaishree Balasubramanian
BOOKING POLICY FOR EVENTS Reservations Wait List Payments Cancellations Refunds Eligibility Event Participation Eligibility Your co-operation with the Booking Policy would be much appreciated by the Events Planning Team.
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