My Odyssey: Revolutionary and Evolutionary is an autobiography of Jeyaraj C. Rajarao, which reflects the many dimensional attitudes of the author throughout his life. As he recounts his life story it is evident that he has lived a life with passion, integrity, wit and mischief. A life of black and white, with a very little grey in it. The narrative begins with a simple story of love that spans decades. It then takes the reader through a young boy’s experience of the Japanese occupation of Malaya until she gains independence. It is obvious that the political, social and economic situation of the period influenced Rajarao as a young boy and helped form his ideologies. Rajarao is hard-hitting and critical when he conveys his opinions about the activities of the Prime Minister, and his cohorts, that caused Malaysia to be regarded as the worst kleptocratic country in the world. However, the reader becomes aware of how much Rajarao loves and despairs for Malaysia as he shares how she is being torn apart by race and religion-based policies. No doubt, there is much that can be regarded as controversial or confrontational but that is inevitable when the truth is told. The book is intensely personal and immensely interesting. He is brutally honest as he admits his mistakes and apologizes.
This book is recommended for the young and the old, as it is both a history book as well as an autobiography. It is dribbled with sharp observations on life and draws the reader into a different era, yet it also educates them and recommends a purpose-driven life. The Odyssey is certainly the most thought-provoking, enlightening and stimulating.
Poem: To My Kamala
Introduction
An Autobiography Idea Conceived
Reasons for Writing My Life Story
The Narrative
1. WISEST AND BEST DECISION: MEETING KAMALA
Vow to Forever Be with Kamala
Kamala’s Family
Kamala’s Father
Kamala’s Mother
Kamala’s Father, the Pioneer Migrant
Kamalas Mother Expires
Kamala Enrols in the Penang Convent
Christian Schools’ Logos Changed by Decree
Kamala in the Penang Convent
Kamala and I Meet for the First Time
Kamala and I Engaged in Games and Sports
Kamala Returns to Singapore
Kamala and I Meet Again
Kamalas New Lifestyle
Kamala Guardian, Charles, Shifts Home
Kamala Employed and Self Dependent
Kamala Lives with her Father
Kamala Supports Gender Equality
Kamala Lives on Her Own
2. MY BEGINNINGS
My Problematic Birth
My Name, Meaning and Usage
Infant Days at My First Home
Continuing Life in a New Home
Growing Years
Cultural Practices Observed
First Lessons in Gardening
Becoming a Devout Christian
Schooling Begins
Carefree and Happy Days
Impending Japanese Occupation
3. THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
General Understanding
Japan No Worse than Other Invaders
Japan Repents Atrocities with Compensation
Non-Japanese Invaders and Their Atrocities
USA and Its Brutal Bellicosity
Ruthless British Imperialists
Japanese Attitudes towards Malayans
Personal and Family Experiences
Arrests of Identified Crooks and Traitors
Training Centres Established, Schools Reopened
4. MY EXPERIENCES DURING THE JAPANESE REGIME
My First Nihongo Gakko (Japanese Language School)
My Second Nihongo Gakko at Francis Light School
Selected to Deliver the Annual Victory Address
Experiences as Buyer of Goods
Outdone Buying My Ration
Cheated Selling Cigarettes
5. BUILDING BLOCKS IN MY LIFE
Continuing Impacts of the Japanese Occupation
Mock Modesty, the Ruin of Humbugs
Mastering the Japanese Language
Living and Schooling in Ipoh
Lessons Learned and Return Home
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Indian Patriotism
Netaji Addresses Penang Indians
Desire to Join Balak Sena
Admission and Training as a Balak Sena
Education and Military Training
Practical Familiarisation and Feedback
Daily Routine: Morning Exercise
Serious Studies
Physical and Weapons Training
The Final Parade
The Last Memorable Event
6. NEW HOME AND REGULAR SCHOOL
New Home: Move to Jelutong
Ground-floor Layout and Goings-on
Basic and Useful Skills Acquired
Top Floor of the Home
Surrounding Areas of the Home
Mum and Dad and Their Influence
The Side Garden and Enclosures
Schooling Starts at Hutchings School
Admitted to Penang Free School
7. GROWING UP IN PENANG FREE SCHOOL
First Days at School
Ambition to Be Best in Everything
The Christian Linkage
Compulsory Athletic Participation
Attempts to Be a Sportsman
Pataudi the Cricketer Perishes
Dead Duck Hockey Player
Goalkeeper Faces a Penalty Kick
Rugby Ropes Me as a Sportsman
My Zealous Scouting Years
Progressive and Pushy Scout
Shameful Selfishness to be the Best
Becoming a King’s Scout
Attending the First Post-war Pan-Pacific Jamboree
Seven-day Suffering Sea Journey
First Stay at Perth
Railway Trip through Bushland to the Campsite
Back Home and Return to School
Hiking Round Penang Island
Problem with Headmaster J.E. Tod
Scouting Career Continues to Flourish
Participating in Indoor Physical Societies
8. MATURING AT SCHOOL
Flourishing with Indoor Societies
Taking on Mind-related Societies
Role in the RSPCA
Upward with the Literary and Debating Society
Seasoned with the Music and Drama Society
The Parnassus Society
Maturing as a Prefect and Editorial Board Member
Prefectship
Editor of the PFS Magazine
Final Studying Phase
Pinhorn Memorial History Competition
Gratitude and Humility Upward Rising
Recalling Close Friends
Gratitude to Teachers
Last Days at Home
9. SINGAPORE AND UNIVERSITY DAYS
University of Malaya in Singapore
Self-enhancing Acts
Rigorous, Ruthless Ragging
Ragging Agonies
Dirty Dumbo: Dangerous Disease
Other Ragging Abuses
Joining the University Socialist Club
FAJAR Editorial Board
Community-oriented Services
THE PSYCHE Newsletter
Sunday School Started
Health Aid Facility Initiated
10. A DEPRESSING AND DELIGHTFUL PHASE ENCOUNTERED
The First-ever Sedition Trial
My Interrogation by the Special Branch
Aftermath of the Interrogation
The Socialist Club and the FAJAR Trial
Seeking Legal Counsel
Crown Witness at the FAJAR Trial
Return Home Realising Toadying Triumphs
Two Other Crown Witnesses
Harry Lee Kuan Yew: One-time Hero of the Socialist Club
The De Facto FAJAR Trial
My Studies: First Failure and Determination to Succeed
Lack of Equity Destroys Unity of a Country
Progressing in my Studies
My Trip to India, Pakistan and Ceylon
Time with Kamala
Socialist Club Commitments
Height of Achievement in the Socialist Club
Professor J.B.S. Haldane’s Address
Final Days at the University
11. BEFORE AND IN BRITAIN: LOGICAL CATACLYSMS
Won a Scholarship and Admitted to SOAS
Becoming an Atheist
Priming the Journey to London
Free Time Spent as Best as I Could
Teacher and Speaker Spells End
Journey to London
Suez Canal
The Pyramids
London and Settling Down in Hans Crescent Hall
Incredible, Patronising Orientation Courses
The Hans Crescent Affair
SOAS’s Superior Slants
Living and Learning in London
Life at Hans Crescent
Leaving Hans Crescent and Exploring Life Outside
My Poem Recaps First Impression of London
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Founding of FOMSA
Workers’ Party and Socialist Activities
Finding a New Home for My Family
12. LONDON LIFE: UPS AND DOWNS
My Family Life Begins
Happy Weekend Pastimes
Visitors to Our Home
My Research and Studies
Meeting Eminent Scholars
A Satisfying and Happy Opportunity
Bumping into Racial Differences
Awkward Attitudes Arousing Arrogance
Heart-breaking Calamity
My Tragedy: Abandoned Studies
Being True to One’s Self
Journey Home and Mutiny on the Ship
Singapore Special Branch
13. BACK HOME IN PENANG
No One Welcomed Me Home
Normality Begins
Returned Books and the Malayan Special Branch
Got a Job
Moving to Our New Abode
Penang Free School Teaching Phase Begins
My Duties at School
Community Service Starts with Penang Library
Modernising Penang Library
Art Aficionado Becomes an Art Dealer
Hosting an Eminent Artist
Attracted to a New Job
Joining the City Council, George Town
Discharging Duties and Novelties Introduced
Environmental Enrichment
Entertainment Enhancement
Increasing Information through Public Lectures
Major Art Exhibitions Organised
Unwillingly Quitting My Council Job
14. KUALA LUMPUR: MY NEW MILIEU
New Home, New Job
Children’s Education
Facing Differences between Individuals
At the RRIM: Bright, Bizarre and Bitter Experiences
RRIM Publications Officer
Head of the Publications, Library and Information Division
Drinking and Smoking Stigmatises Self
Smoking Routine Begins in Penang
Addiction to Drinks while in RRIM
My Current Shame and Atonements
Remembering B.C.
Variences and Clashes with RRIM Directors
Teaching History at the University of Malaya
Final Working Years at RRIM
My Farewell Parties
15. FACING AND FIGHTING REALITIES
Retired Life and the Essence of Living
Malaysian Medical Association
Mechmar Boilers
Cement and Concrete Association
Consultant to Confexhub Group
Becoming a Writer
16. THE FINALE
Reflections on the Past Are Crucial
Influence of Religion, Past and Present
Religion, the Opium of the People
Religion as a Virus of the Mind
Purpose of My Life
Being Honest to Oneself
Searching within Oneself
Penang State Government Award
Discovering My Deep Inner Self
Music and Books
Happiness Is Self-Created
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