The best beaches of Penang

The island state of Penang is located on Malaysia’s north-western coast. The state gets its name from the Malay word pinang, which is the name for the areca plant, which grows on the island in abundance. The history of Penang can be traced back to the 15^th century, when it was a remote backwater, inhabited by Malay communities and South Indian trade merchants. Francis Light an agent for the British East India Company landed in Penang in 1786 and this incident changed the complexion of Penang, forever as it went on to become a prominent settlement for the British in Malaya.

Modern-day Penang state constitutes the pearl-shaped Penang island and a strip on the mainland. The city of Georgetown, a vibrant multicultural enclave that is littered with gleaming skyscrapers and crumbling colonial edifices, is the capital of Penang. A world-renowned street-food destination, Georgetown welcomes hordes of ‘foodies’ all throughout the year, who descend on its famed Gurney Street to sample the many mouth-watering delights. However, aside from being a foodie destination, Penang is also known for its many stunning white-sand beaches which are a popular draw for tourists and locals alike.

Here’s a guide to the best beaches in Penang

Batu Feringghi

Batu Feringghi is the best-known beach of Penang. Easily accessible via a thirty minute taxi ride from Georgetown, this white sand beachfront offers a good selection of accommodation and dining options to suit all budgets. The white sand beachfront of Batu Feringghi, is a popular spot for beach sports like beach buggy-riding, horseback riding and beach volleyball, though the beach also hosts vendors of various water sporting activities like deep-sea fishing, parasailing and jet skiing. An adjacent beach, Teluk Bahang is a popular spot for snorkeling. Another popular attraction of Batu Feringghi, is its vibrant night market, populated with a multitude of local crafts and eats vendors.

Pulau Jerejak

The small tropical island of Pulau Jerejak is situated off the south-east coast of Penang and can be easily accessed by a ferry ride from the Bayan Lepas Ferry terminal. A study of the history of Pulau Jerajak, indicates that the island has quite a colorful past having served as a leper asylum and even a penal enclave over the years. Today, however the island is known for its many stunning beach resorts and its ancient rainforests that date back more than 400 years.

Monkey Beach

Located within the state’s star attraction, the Penang National Park located on the north-west tip of the island, Monkey Beach or Teluk Duyung, is named after the crab-eating primates that are resident in the park. This remote powder white sand beach which is often touted to be the ‘best beach’ in Penang, can only be reached via a boat ride which originates from the entrance of the national park or then via a long trek through the park itself.

Pantai Keracut

Pantai Keracut is yet another unspoiled beachfront located within the Penang National Park. Equally remote as Monkey Beach, Pantai Keracut is famed as a nesting site for both the Green and Olive Ridley turtles. These magnificent creatures come ashore here between the months of September and February. Yet another attraction in Pantai Keracut, is its mysterious meromictic lake which appears for only half the year, and features non-mixing layers of the sea and fresh waters.

So if you are planning a holiday to Malaysia’s ‘Pearl of the Orient’ anytime soon, be sure to pencil in a Penang beachfront or two to add the ‘wow’!

Bird watching in Malaysia

If you count bird-watching as one of your favored past-times, then a trip to Malaysia is definitely warranted for the country is home to more than 600 species of birds, many of which are endemic to Malaysia. So where in Malaysia would you go to do a spot of bird-watching?  Luckily, aside from bustling cities and towns, Malaysia is home to several verdant natural parks and nature reserves that attract both migratory and domestic feathered flocks and provide the perfect setting for hours of bird-watching.

Bukit Larut, Perak

Bukit Larut(Maxwell Hill) situated 10 km from Taiping in Perak is the oldest hill resort in Malaysia. Founded during colonial times, this hill resort which is located at a height of 1250 meters above sea level features English-style cottages and lush gardens. Bukit Larut is one of the wettest places on Peninsular Malaysia and hence the hill resort can be only accessed via the government owned four-wheel drives as private vehicles are barred from entering the resort. The leafy environs of Bukit Larut are considered to be a haven for bird-watchers.

Cameron Highlands, Pahang

The Cameron Highlands resort is another popular hill resort in Malaysia. Perched at a height of about 1500 meters above sea-level in the rugged hills of the Titiwangsa range, the resort is renowned for its quaint ‘Englishness’ and features several Tudor-style homes surrounded by fruit and flower-filled gardens that act as a magnet for  numerous species of  birds.

Fraser’s Hill Pahang

Fraser’s Hill in Pahang is yet another well-known locale for bird-watching in Malaysia. Also located in the Titiwangsa range, at a height of 1,524m above sea-level, Fraser’s hill is not as well developed as the Cameron Highlands, though it is blessed with a year round pleasant climate characterized by temperatures that range between 17°C~25°C ( 63°F~77°F). These affable temperatures help support a pristine forest environment that is home to more than 250 species of our feathered-friends.

Kuala Gula, Perak

The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary in Perak serves as an important pit-stop for migratory birds traversing from the northern to the southern hemisphere. The birds use the sanctuary’s mudflat area as a resting place during their flight. More than 48 species of migratory birds visit the sanctuary every year between the months of September and April. These migratory birds hail from faraway lands like Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Japan and China.  Common sightings at the sanctuary include Mongolian plovers, Common Redshanks, Common Greenshanks, Eurasian curlews and many more.

Taman Negara Pahang

The gargantuan Taman Negara national park that cuts across three Malaysian states, Pahang, Kelantan and Terrengganu is home to some of the world’s oldest rainforest terrain that dates back more than 130 million years. This expansive jungle canopy hosts more than three hundred species of birds and is considered a haven for the enthusiastic bird-watcher.

Kuala Koh, Taman Negara Kelantan

Kuala Koh National Park is located within the part of Taman Negara that passes through the state of Kelantan. This densely forested, rather remote corner of the Taman Negara teems with pristine wilderness and features fast flowing rivers that tumble down from the Tahan, Perlis, Gagau and Penumpu mountain ranges. The banks of these rivers are lined with lush trees which bear much fruit and provide a fertile hunting ground for many species of jungle birds.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park

The Kuala Selangor Nature Park is located within close proximity to Kuala Lumpur and can be accessed from the KL city center via a short two hour drive. The park features various habitats including a 25-acre brackish lake specially constructed to cater for the park’s numerous feathered inhabitants.

The Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary

The Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary was established in the year 2000 in the mangrove–dense wetlands located near the town of Likas. The sanctuary today plays host to various domestic and migratory birds like white-breasted water hens, purple herons, little egrets, crested mynas, collared kingfishers and many more.

Kinabalu National Park, Sabah

The Unesco World Heritage site of the Kinabalu Park is home to numerous species of birds. The many jungle trails within the park offer sightings of birds like the mountain black-eye, the mountain blackbird and the Kinabalu warbler.

Kilim Nature Park, Langkawi

Situated on the north-east tip of Pulau Langkawi, the Kilim Nature Park is reputed to be  abode of several eagle populations, the Brahminy Kite, the white-bellied fish eagle and the huge sea eagles are frequently spotted within the park.

Tax Free Shopping in Malaysia

Malaysia has long been acknowledged as premier shopping destination in Asia. In fact the Global Shopping Index in a recently concluded survey of world-wide shopping destinations lauded the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur’s ability to effectively combine low prices with a wide array of products and stores. The Malaysian government has long endeavored to improve and expand the shopping experience in Malaysia. To achieve this goal it has routinely organized events like shopping festivals and events like duty-free shopping extravaganzas during the holidays.  It seems that the Malaysian government is serious about establishing Malaysia, as not only the leading shopping destination in Asia, but it also wants it to become a global epicenter for duty-free shopping.

Currently Malaysia offers duty-free shopping at various designated zones in the country like:-

Airports

Duty Free zones can be found at the leading Malaysian air hubs like:

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

• Bayan Lepas International Airport (Penang)

• Langkawi International Airport (Kedah)

• Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Sabah)

• Kuching International Airport (Sarawak)

In addition to the above mentioned airport locales, duty free shops also abound in port cities like Port Klang (Selangor), Tanjung Belungkur (Johor), and Pengkalan Kubur (Kelantan).  Further three Malaysian islands namely Langkawi, Labuan and Tiomen have also been declared as duty-free enclaves as they are popular vacation destinations frequented by both domestic and international tourists. Shops and malls located within these various duty-free enclaves sell products like fragrances and cosmetics, gold and jewelry, textiles, liquor, chocolates, electronics, Malaysian souvenirs and more. It is believed that the prices of duty-free goods in Malaysia are lower than elsewhere in the world.

Aside from these duty-free zones and enclaves, the Malaysian customs department has also designated approximately 300 products  as being ‘free duty’ meaning they don’t attract any import duties or customs’ levies. These ‘free duty products’ are sold all over Malaysia and are not limited to duty-free enclaves and zones.  What are these free duty goods?

According to the information available on the website of  the Royal Malaysian Customs department the 300 free duty products  include sports equipment, wrist watches, fragrances, cosmetics, gadgets like cameras and computers, gold and jewelry, leather shoes and bags, apparel from leading brands more.

Shops in various Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Melaka proudly display the ‘Free Duty’ goods signage as they encourage shoppers to shop up a storm. Aside from these major cities, free- duty stores can also be found in various border towns like Padang Besar (Perlis), Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah), Pengkalan Hulu (Perak), Rantau Panjang (Kelantan) and Kuala Baram (Sarawak).

All these various Duty Free zones and enclaves, along with the numerous stores that sell ‘free-duty’ goods are playing their part in establishing Malaysia as prime destination for Tax-free shopping. Moreover, it helps to remember that the local Malaysian currency offers a favorable exchange rate for your pounds and dollars and most well-known retailers in Malaysia accept an assortment of popular credit cards. Measures that go a long way in helping you plan a tax-free shopping expedition to Malaysia.

The best museums in Kuala Lumpur

If you are a museum buff, then you are in for a treat when you visit Kuala Lumpur, for the city is equipped with several interesting museums that are definitely worth visiting. Moreover, unlike elsewhere in the world many of the museums in KL offer visitors free access or then only charge a nominal fee for admittance.

Listed below are a few of the city’s museums which are considered to be a must-do on any trip to the vivacious Malaysian capital city.

The National Museum

Kuala Lumpur’s National Museum which is housed in a typical Malay-style building is located on the outer fringe of the Taman Tasik Perdana (The Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens), a prominent attraction of the city. The National museum is the most prominent museum in Malaysia. This museum was established in 1963 and offers a valuable insight into the culture and history of the country via its vast repository of exhibits that are arranged within various viewing galleries like the History Gallery, the Cultural Gallery, the National Sports Gallery and the Natural History Gallery. The museum also hosts a conservation laboratory and library which features more than 6500 titles, and serves as a useful source for students and researchers. The grounds of the museum also host several interesting exhibits like vintage cars and locomotives. The National museum is deemed to be an attraction that is appropriate for all ages.

http://www.muziumnegara.gov.my/

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm, daily.

Petrosains –The Discovery Centre

A museum that is sponsored by a petroleum company may at first appear as a bizarre concept.  However, the Petrosians located on level 4 of Suria KLCC is well worth a visit, for it provides visitors with much information about a resource known as ‘liquid gold’ in a highly entertaining fashion. 

Petrosains is a showcase for the Malaysian petroleum industry and it offers more than 150 exhibits designed to educate the general public about the role that science and technology play in the industry. Many of the exhibits at Petrosians are highly interactive. Some of the museum’s star attractions include the Dark Ride where visitors are transported in a vessel shaped like an oil drop through rainforests and over mountain peaks, Speed which provides Formula 1 racing enthusiasts with a valuable insight into the science and technology behind the sport and the Geotime Diorama which takes visitors back 200 years, to meet a singing dinosaur and learn about earthquakes, fossils and petroleum. The Petrosians museum is guaranteed to be a hit with visitors of all ages.

http://www.petrosains.com.my/

Operating hours

Tuesday- Friday: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm (Last Admission: 4:00 pm)

Monday: CLOSED

Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday: 9.30 am-6.30pm (Last Admission: 5:00 pm)

The museum is open on all public holidays excepting on days like Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji

The Islamic Arts Museum

The Islamic Arts Museum showcases Islamic art from various eras and regions of the world. The museum which is located on Jalan Lembah Perdana, is equipped with various themed galleries like textiles, architecture, Malay World, jewelry, the Qu’ran, Arms and Amour, Metal works and Ceramics. These various galleries showcase a wide array of exhibits, which provide much information into the reigns of various Islamic empires like the Ottomans of Turkey and Syria and the Mughals who invaded India and ruled it from the 16th to 19th centuries. The museum is also equipped with a delightful restaurant that offers delectable halal fare from the Arab world and beyond.

Museum Opening hours: 10am - 6pm Monday to Sunday

http://www.iamm.org.my/i_ex/

Regatta Lepa

The month of April usually heralds the celebration of the water festival in many seaside communities of Malaysia. In the town of Semporna, situated on the eastern coast of Sabah the celebration of the Malaysia Water Festival takes the form of Regatta Lepa, a celebration that pays homage to the lepa or the traditional single-mast sailboat commonly associated with the native Bajau Palau people of Semporna.

The Bajau are known to be skilled craftsmen who build their single-masted lepas or sailing boats out of timber.  These lepas are usually elaborately adorned with intricate carvings and multi-hued sails and tapis (small flags). A regatta to honor this humble lepa was initiated in the early 1990s, to coincide with the celebration of the annual Malaysia Water Festival. This year Semporna’s Regatta Lepa celebration will be held from 26^th to 28^th April, days that have been designated for the celebration of the Malaysia Water Festival.  Aside from commemorating the annual water festival, the Regatta Lepa also helps to attract tourists to a town, primarily known as a gateway to the fabulous dive sites of the neighboring island of Sipadan,

The sail-boat festival, Regatta Lepa features many fun-filled activities and events.  The town of Semporna habitually hosts a festival bazaar for the Regatta Lepa which is set up a few days before the main event. This festival bazaar features many vendors of local crafts and eats and is a popular draw along with the regatta.  The program schedule for the 2013 Regatta Lepa features a roll call of contests and challenges, like a boat–tug-war contest, tele-matches, boating and kayaking competitions and even a quaint duck-catching competition. The actual Regatta is scheduled be held on the second day of the festival.

Previous editions of the Regatta Lepa have featured elaborately adorned lepas, which have onboard local song and dance troupes that feature beautifully-attired local women moving gracefully to the sounds of traditional gongs and drums. These visuals make for a stunning sight as the lepas participating in the regatta sail around the bay and are judged on their beauty and form.  .

The regatta is usually followed by a grand party in the town of  Semporna which features much revelry in the form of singing, dancing  and of course feasting. The event usually terminates with a wonderful fireworks display. The Regatta Lepa of Semporna provides tourists with a wonderful opportunity to witness a time-honored Malaysian tradition in a tropical paradise.

Langkawi Water Festival

Every year in the month of April, the island of Langkawi, popularly referred to as ‘the Jewel of Kedah’ celebrates its own edition of the Malaysia Water Festival. The Langkawi Water Festival was first held in 2002, but over the years, the festival has grown in stature and size immensely. So much so that in 2008, the Langkawi Water festival  entered the Malaysia Book of Records for the staging of a staggering 115 activities for the celebration of one single event, the  Langkawi Water Festival.

The Langkawi Water Festival has historically featured a portfolio of water-based events like an island-to-island kayak race, a sandcastle-building competition, an underwater treasure hunt, beach netball games and a fishing competition. However, down the ages, this water extravaganza has expanded to include various other types of competitions like batik painting competitions, graffiti painting, sand collage making, karaoke, cooking and even a sepakraga tuju tournament. The many events of the Langkawi water festival are hosted all over the island, though the main competition events are concentrated on Langkawi’s prime tourist areas like the Telaga Harbour Park in Pantai Kok and the Pantai Cenang beachfront.

The Langkawi Water Festival is essentially a tourist promotion effort which is actively supported by organizations like the Langkawi Tourism Action Council and the Ministry of Tourism Langkawi. The event and its many activities, has been known to attract the enthusiastic participation of the local islanders along with the attendance of domestic and international tourists.

If you are planning a spring break holiday to the beautiful isle of Langkawi,  you must plan on taking in some of the fun-filled activities of  immensely popular  Langkawi Water Festival. Langkawi is known for its many attractions like luxurious beach resorts, intriguing cultural sites, marine and nature parks and duty-free malls and shops that provide a fantastic shopping experience each time. The Langkawi Water Festival provides an additional dimension to the enjoyment of a vacation to the island of  Langkawi during the month of April.

 

Hiking in Malaysian National Parks

Malaysia is home to a sizeable amount of national parks and nature reserves. These national parks encompass many diverse terrains like underground caves, towering peaks, virgin rainforests, peat swamps and dense mangrove forests. Most of these national parks are equipped with a variety of hiking trails that are suitable for all levels of trekkers and hikers, and thus offer visitors an easy conduit to view much native Malaysian flora and fauna at close quarters.  

Taman Negara

The Taman Negara National Park, which extends over 4343 sq.km on Peninsular Malaysia, contains one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest within its boundaries. This national park which was founded in 1938 encompasses Malaysia’s largest conservation area. The flora and fauna that populate the Taman Negara national park have evolved over millions of years and are a sight to behold. 

Hiking activities in the park include navigating the longest jungle canopy walkway in the world suspended at a height of 45 meters above the jungle floor, undertaking cave explorations to various cave formations within the park like Gua Peningat, Gua Telinga, Gua Duan Menari and Gua Besar and climbing the highest peak on Peninsular Malaysia, Gunung Taha which rises to a height of 2,187 meters. This pinnacle can be conquered via a 4-7 day hike, which usually involves navigating tricky slopes and fast-flowing rivers. Teman Negara can be experienced via single-day trips or extended expeditions that last over a few days.

http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Places/States-of-Malaysia/Pahang/Taman-Negara

Endau-Rompin National Park

The Endau-Rompin National Park which extends over 900 sq. km is the second largest national park on Peninsular Malaysia. The park is renowned for its three stunning waterfalls namely Beringin, Pandan and Tinggi which tumble over ancient volcanic rock formations and are popular attractions for hikers and trekkers. Other trekking expeditions in the park offer hikers the chance to observe the lives of the Orang Asli (native indigenous Malay people) or catch sight of the increasingly rare Sumatran rhinoceros, for the park is an area of conservation for this endangered animal.

http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Places/States-of-Malaysia/Johor/Endau-Rompin-National-Park

Batang Ai National Park

The Batang Ai National Park in Sarawak is a protected rainforest nature reserve which is home to much native Malaysian fauna. The park is home to  native Malaysian fauna like orangutans, Borneo gibbons, giant squirrels, clouded leopards and more. The park offers five main hiking trails though hiking enthusiast are required to be accompanied by a registered guide before they can set off on their expeditions.

http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-batangai.html

Niah National Park 

The Niah National Park in Sarawak is one of Malaysia’s smaller national parks, that extends over approximately 31 sq. km. However, the park has much archeological significance, as it is thought to be the birthplace of human civilization for  the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia were uncovered in one of the cave complexes of the park during the 1950s/60s. The park offers a network hiking trails that lead trekkers to its various cave systems like the  Niah Great Cave, the Moon Cave, the Trader’s Cave and the Painted Cave,

http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-niah.html

Gunung Mulu National Park

The remote Gunung Mulu National park in Sarawak is an immensely popular destination for jungle treks. This park which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 is renowned for its spectacular karst formations, underground cave complexes and incredibly rich biodiversity.

http://www.mulupark.com/htm/about_gunung_mulu/

Bako National Park

The Bako National Park is Sarawak’s oldest national park which is located at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula at the confluence of Bako and Kuching Rivers. This park which was established in 1957 is located at a distance of 37 km from Kuching. The Bako National Park is home to a very varied terrain that features lush rainforests, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches and bizarre rock formations. The park is covered by a network of extensive trekking trails which range from facile jungle strolls to full-day hikes as it offers visitors ample opportunities to experience its unique topography and interesting plant and animal life.

http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-bako.html

Kinabalu National Park

The Kinabalu National Park in Sabah is another UNESCO world heritage site in Malaysia. Renowned for its rich biodiversity and varied ecosystems, the park hosts numerous plant and animal species. Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s tallest peak is located within park and is huge draw for hikers for it is surprisingly easy to climb.

http://www.sabahtourism.com/sabah-malaysian-borneo/en/destination/124-kinabalu-park/

Astro Kasih Beautiful Malaysia

Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad is a leading integrated consumer media entertainment group which has a key presence in Malaysia and various other Southeast Asian markets. The group is also known for its strong corporate social responsibility ethic, and has recently announced its second marine conservation effort, called Astro Kasih ‘Beautiful Malaysia’. The effort entails an attempt to set a Guinness World Records™ title for the Longest Underwater Clean Up at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

This mammoth effort is set to take place over a week from the 6^th to the 13^th April 2013. Astro’s marine conservation initiative has been backed by organizations like the Sabah State Government, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and the Sabah Journalist Association. Astro and its employees have been involved in various community service efforts in Sabah since 2009.

In 2011, the Astro group launched its first Astro Kasih Beautiful Malaysia Corporate Social Responsibility project and it went on to successfully transplant 777 individual corals at the Ribbon Reef located within the Tun Sakaran Marine Park in Sabah. This first effort was a huge success and the project gained immediate entry into the Malaysia Book of Records, for it eclipsed the previous record which had featured the transplant of 501 individual corals.

In order that a new Guinness world record is established, the divers who have registered for this huge clean-up effort will need to dive for a minimum of 168 hours and perform a continuous clean-up activity. The company has invited all certified divers to participate in this grand effort which will take place at 14 dive sites surrounding the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Kota Kinabalu.

Details of the endeavor are listed below but are also available on the website -Astro Kasih Beautiful Malaysia.

·         The company has invited all certified to take part in this massive cleanup effort. The divers joining the effort are expected to possess a diving certificate from a recognized diving agency such as PADI, NAUI, CMAS, BSAC or SSI with a minimum of 20 day dives (Open Water) or 10 night dives (Advanced Open Water).

·         The company will provide divers with complimentary boarding and lodging  at the Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu

·         Each participant will be performing a maximum of three dives per day or night. As the requirements for establishing the Guinness World record, stipulate that it needs to be a continuous clean-up activity. Participants are expected to dive at nighttime, and also during rainy weather.

·         Each clean-up team will consist of a minimum of 2 divers, of which one will be a professional dive guide/instructor.

·         Each dive is fixed at 40 minutes and the maximum depth of each dive is expected to be approximately 14 meters (45 feet).

·         The surface interval between dives will generally be two hours and during this time, the participant will be able to rest on a base boat or on a beach where food and drinks will be provided.

·         The divers will be required to use their own equipment for their dives though the company will provide divers with scuba tanks, weights and weight belts.

·         The clean-up effort itself will entail the removing of objects that don’t intrinsically belong to a coral reef like plastic, rubber, cloth and paper. However, the divers will not be expected to extract objects which are too heavy or which have gotten incorporated into the reef. After the objects have been removed, they will be sorted out into various categories so that they can be documented, recorded and finally properly disposed-off by the authorities.

·         Once the effort has been successfully completed, each diver will receive an Individual Guinness World Records certificate for his/her effort.

·         A Grand celebration party will be held to commemorate the success of the event on April 13^th during which selected divers will be awarded with various attractive prizes.

In addition to this clean-up effort, the company will also host another event – Astro Kasih Marine Conservation Day on 13^th April from 6.30am till 4.30 pm at the Taman Awam Teluk Likas in  Kota Kinabalu. This event will feature many informative and entertaining events like marine conservation talks, beach cleaning events, coloring and painting contests, sand sculpting competitions, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, mini music concerts and more. This event is open to the public and offers free admission.

Astro’s ‘Beautiful Malaysia’ effort should serve as an inspiration to other corporates all over the world, so that they too are encouraged to do their part to make planet earth a better place to live in.

.