BFM :: The Bigger Picture

Our guests point out the differences between classical Indian dances and “tribal and folk” dances and why the need to showcase the latter. Today we get a little performance history and a peek into an upcoming celebration called ‘Dhanyosmi’.

Rarely do we get to see a full dance performance with hip-hop and breakdancing at its core. But we had three dancers from the Par Terre Company who told us how hip hop is different from ballet and contemporary as well as the influence of the internet on the style of hip hop dance around the world. 

It’s football season and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh returns for his monthly show that examines specific sports through a medical lens. Senior Lecturer from the Sports Centre of Universiti Malaya, Dr Mohd Faithal Hassan joins the conversation.

The debate on plain packaging for tobacco products is a vexed one. This year’s theme for the World No Tobacco Day is “Get Ready for Plain Packaging.” The U.K. and France have followed in the footsteps of Australia in requiring all logos, colours and trademarks be removed from cigarettes packs.

Back in February, Malaysia’s health ministry said it was considering gradually introducing a plain packaging policy, but the news was met with strong resistance, including from our guest, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, CEO of the Institute of Democratic and Economic Affairs, or IDEAS, which is part of an International Coalition Against Plain Packaging. Wan Saiful explains why plain packaging causes more harm than good.

Our second episode on this issue was "The Case For Plain Packaging - Public Health", and we spoke to Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram, President of the National Cancer Society about her views on the issue. Find the podcase of the other episode at http://bit.ly/299Hjaa.

They take our jobs, they eat into our social welfare, they push our wages down. These are the accusations levelled against immigrants in almost any country, but we hear it often in the United States too. Continuing our exploration of immigration in the US, this week it’s about the economics of migration, and the hard work it takes to live some semblance of the American dream. This episode was originally broadcasted on 13th October 2015.

The other installments of The Pendatang Cometh series can be found here:

1) Episode 1: Arrival

2) Episode 3: Pushback

3) Episode 4: Identity

Olivia and Sophia, a brand new historical novel by Rosie Milne, follows the talented and highly driven Sir Stamford Raffles as he sets sail from Georgian London to make his name in Penang where he was assistant secretary to the governor-general. It tells the story of his two wives and the tremendous influence they had upon his life and legacy.

This week, on Invisible Cities, Uma and author Rosie Milne take you back in time to discover the role that two remarkable women played in the founding of Singapore.

Fasting, feasting and faith. Indeed, every Ramadhan, our Muslim friends observe a month-long fast, a time for spiritual reflection, self-improvement and increased devotion. Although a religious practice, complete abstinence from food and drink throughout the day is also proven to play a role in maintaining health. But with such practice, a new trend arises: Ramadhan bazaars and buffet spreads, often with unhealthy food. Dato’ Dr Nik Ritza Kosai Nik Mahmood, a General Surgery Consultant speaks about fasting and its benefits to your health -- if you do it right.

A dozen tux-clad, undergraduates from Harvard University came to town to sing a capella, with proceeds going to Dialogue in the Dark Malaysia, a social enterprise whose aim is to build empathy with those who are visually impaired. For the first time in their 70 year history, the Harvard Krokodiloes performed in the dark, and they shared their experience rehearsing sans visual cues, and their favourite moments of their World Tour so far.

Altaf Deviyati recently published a paper exploring the different types of private schools in Malaysia, with particular attention to private Islamic schools, which have gained in popularity as a viable alternative to the mainstream school system. We speak to Altaf about her findings, which is based on a case study of Al-Amin's primary and secondary schools.

The study can be viewed or downloaded through this link: http://bit.ly/28XOP3z

This is an edited recording of the panel discussion that was held at the BFM Health & Living Live 2016 on April 2nd. In Part 4 of 6, presenter/producer Ezra Zaid spoke to Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh, Consultant Dietitian Indra Balaratnam and Personal Trainer Noel Chelliah about our love affair with food. This affair has led to us be the most obese nation in South-East Asia. It has to stop.  BFM Health & Living Live 2016 is presented by AIA, The Real Life Company.

You can find all the recordings from BFM Health & Living Live 2016 under the term 'bfmhealth' on bfm.my.