Drive safely

What does is the madness of the balik kampung rush and with it, the tally of road accidents, fatalities and injuries. What does is the flurry of activity as traffic police mount yet another operation to induce motorists to drive safely. Even so -- like so many things associated with the spirit of Hari Raya such as open house, the mandatory seeking of forgiveness and the green ang pow packets or duit raya -- Ops Trafik has become a routine.

The tedium of it all casts away the little things that make all the difference to festive cheer: Courtesy, patience, compassion and humility. Apply these to the hours of waiting at airports, bus terminals and train stations as well as the long journey home and we may find a certain spiritual upliftment and a sense of inner well-being.

The supremacy of the traditionally-cooked lemang may not be challenged by the oven-baked foil-wrapped lemang but there is no lack of festive cheer because the spirit and meaning of Hari Raya are retained in the hearts. Still, there is a dampener in the form of needless road accidents. If that sounds too gloomy, do forgive us in the spirit of Hari Raya for being a damp squib. And drive safely.

-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur