The details are fuzzy as I had read this story long time ago but the lesson is clearly imprinted on my mind. Once upon a time, in land far away, some company — let’s call it ACME Corporation — put up a huge billboard advertising their ketchup. The billboard was an eyesore and the local people complained to the authorities to have the company take it down. Fact was that ACME was not breaking any city ordinances and so they refused to remove the billboard. One enterprising woman in the community had an idea on how to deal with ACME. She started a campaign telling others not to buy ACME ketchup and explained why. ACME’s ketchup sales plunged and it got the message. The billboard was history.
Consumer boycott is a very powerful weapon. It can be wielded with devastation force. Refusing to do trade with another sends a powerful message.
[Previous post: Malaysian Repression.]
When I first heard of the institutionalized discrimination of the Malaysian government against their citizens of Indian origin, my first impulse was to make a mental note that I will not fly Malaysian Airlines. If all Indians who sympathize with the discriminated group in Malaysia refuse to buy Malaysian — whether airline tickets, holidays, or furniture imported from Malaysia — it would send a clear signal of disapproval of the people of India. The Indian government has to do nothing. And besides, India has no standing when it comes to Malaysia’s internal affairs. The Indian government cannot and should not do anything, but Indians can and must do something.
The fact is that it is an integrated world — and no nation is an island. We are linked to each other through common humanity for millions of years but now we are also linked through trade and travel. We are all dependent on each other, and if someone tends to forget common humanity, we can use the trade link to remind them of our shared existence and destiny.
Atanu Dey : Life is a Random Draw 
There are so many blogs running on the same theme … this has suddenly become hot amongst bloggers …
so the comments will get repeated at forums … can’t help it
Issue raised at my pals blog
http://nishantkashyap.blogspot.com
holds good here as well —-
just wondering ….
we had a parallel to the Malaysia case … very similar … separated by probably a week
plantation workers … who were taken by the British … ( from Bihar and Jharkhand to Assam in this case)… Protested … they were also a poor lot … their demands seemed similar … they wanted some sort of parity with the protected lot (STs in this case)
In comparison to the Malaysians, our guys had a far worse outcome to their rally … many were beaten badly … women stripped … few died …
I see that the concern for them has died but for the Malaysians is high
…is this a case of
Ghar ki Murgi Daal Baraabar
LikeLike
I disagree with Bawra on the lack of concern issue as well as his suggestion that there is some STs are getting shafted worst than Indian malays.
Only people who know anything outside of india exist are discussing that issue.
I know plenty of Indians who dont even know malaysia exists or chennai for that matter
I do agree with Atanu that Indian government should do nothing b/c it simply is too weak and even attention needs to be economized.
LikeLike
@ Notsure
I am talking about the Adivasi issue of Assam … They are not STs … but plantation workers brought in from bihar and jharkhand … they were trying to get ST status.
Maybe being in Boston prevents Indian news from reaching you …
I am curious to know 3 things – How much of India have your traveled ? … Do you think you are smarter and know more because you live in US? … How much time have you spent in TN or for that matter south of vindhyas???
LikeLike
When I first heard of the institutionalized discrimination of the Malaysian government against their citizens of Indian origin, my first impulse was to make a mental note that I will not fly Malaysian Airlines. If all Indians who sympathize with the discriminated group in Malaysia refuse to buy Malaysian — whether airline tickets, holidays, or furniture imported from Malaysia — it would send a clear signal of disapproval of the people of India.
Except for a small though essential flaw in your reasoning. How will the Malaysian government/airline connect the decrease in ticket sales to protest by Indians to refuse to fly Malaysian airlines, unless the boycotting Indians tell them the reason for not flying? They could very well ascribe it to something else within the reservation system.
LikeLike
While it would be good if the boycott of Malaysian goods and services by those who disagree with the Malaysian government’s repression of minorities were explicitly connected, it does not really matter in my opinion. Think of it like a vote but not at the ballot box but at the cash register. If sufficient people vote, the message gets through; if not, then it does not matter if you explicitly mention why you are voted the way you did.
LikeLike
Bawaras gone bewda now and attempts rhetorical questions. All of which are non sequitur and reveal his inanity.
I’ll turn it around for humor
How much of IndiaJhumritallaiyaa have you traveled ?
Do you think you are smarter and know more because you live in US satpuda? … How much time have you spent in TNAsaam or for that matter south of vindhyasNorth of silchur?
LikeLike
Looks like wordpress doesnt support Del tag?
any ways IndiaJhumritalliayaa was suppost to cross out India leaving Jhumritallya so the questions for humor were
How much of Jhumritallaiyaa have you traveled ?
Do you(Bewda) think you are smarter and know more because you live in satpuda?
How much time have you(Bewda) spent in Asaam or for that matter south of North of silchur?
LikeLike