One Malaysian's story that melts hearts but holds no punches
“Death takes one at any time, in our finite life. But when mind rules over matter, you thrive, in my mind, more and more majestically, while grief and gloom wrap me wearily.”
It is not often a book begins with a bittersweet piece of poetry that could melt even the stoniest of hearts. Yet, this is how “My Odyssey: Revolutionary & Evolutionary” begins, with a poem dedicated to the author’s late wife.
As Jeyaraj C Rajarao writes in an early chapter of his work, his wife Kamala may no longer be present physically, but she is still very much with him in other ways. Her passing, he said, inspired him to write a book as a way of memorialising her.
During the launch of “My Odyssey” on Saturday, Jeyaraj shared that he was also encouraged by his two granddaughters to publish the book, despite initially wondering: “Who would want to read my life story?”
As it turns out, he has an eventful life story indeed. His name might not be very well known among everyday members of the public, but to those in the corridors of power, Jeyaraj is a familiar face.
The nonagenarian has rubbed shoulders with many of the old guard of Malaysian politics, and has been doing so for the longest time. Given that he was born in 1932, to say he has seen and experienced much of Malaysian history would be an understatement.
As such, it only makes sense that the man who served the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia for decades – writing extensively on socioeconomics – would put his thoughts and memories on paper. Read More...
