One who has not seen Malaysia has not truly seen Asia.
(A Travelogue By Prof. S. S. Dogra)
On the night of April 23, 2026, as AirAsia flight AK-64 prepared for takeoff from Terminal-2 of Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, I quietly realized that this was not going to be an ordinary journey. Accompanying the Indian Disability Darts Association (IDDA) Para Team led by Mahendra Singh, I was travelling not merely to another country, but into a new chapter of life itself.
For the first time beyond my earlier Nepal visit, I was stepping onto an international stage carrying the tri-color in spirit, responsibility in heart and journalism in soul. Around me stood determined para darts players dressed in Indian team jackets, their faces glowing with confidence and hope. In that moment, we were not just passengers waiting for boarding announcements—we were representatives of India’s courage, resilience and inclusive sporting spirit.
“Malaysia: The First Glimpse”
Our flight landed in Kuala Lumpur in the early hours of April 24. Dawn had not fully arrived, yet Malaysia had already begun introducing itself through silence, discipline and beauty.
Outside the airport, broad expressways stretched endlessly beneath neatly arranged palm trees and illuminated flyovers. The city appeared remarkably calm—almost poetic in its orderliness. As usual, I occupied the front seat beside our driver, Aftab Ibrahim, whose warm smile and fluent English transformed the drive into an informal cultural orientation session.
He spoke passionately about Malaysia’s multicultural society, economic progress and peaceful lifestyle. Through the car window, I watched modern skyscrapers emerge between green landscapes, giving Kuala Lumpur the rare distinction of being both futuristic and environmentally harmonious. Even before reaching our destination, the country had already begun making an impression upon my mind.
“Mission GO 4 GOLD Begins”
The venue of the Selangor Open Darts Championship at Quayside Mall in Kuala Langat resembled an international sporting carnival. Inside the massive hall stood 24 professional dartboards, giant LED displays, official scoring systems and participants from different nations sharpening their focus before competition.
The Indian contingent immediately immersed itself into what we proudly called “Mission GO 4 GOLD.” Yet amid the intensity of international competition, humanity revealed itself in the simplest form.
Feeling thirsty after hours of travel, I casually approached a Malaysian female player named Tafifa regarding drinking water. Without even knowing me personally, she instantly offered Malaysian Ringgit to help purchase a bottle. Her spontaneous kindness carried no formality, no hesitation and no expectation. That small gesture became my first real introduction to Malaysian hospitality.
As a journalist, observation and interaction are instinctive habits. Despite the hectic atmosphere, I managed an exclusive conversation with K. Saegaran, Secretary of the Selangor Darts Association and chief organizer of the championship. Even while balancing enormous responsibilities, he welcomed dialogue with warmth and professionalism—qualities that would define many of my later interactions in Malaysia.
“In Search of Shelter, We Found Humanity”
By afternoon, reality presented a challenge. Our accommodation was located far from the championship venue, creating practical difficulties for players who required comfort and reduced travel strain. Mahendra Singh suggested approaching a nearby Gurdwara, especially since several players preferred vegetarian meals. What followed soon transformed into one of the most spiritually enriching experiences of the journey.
Our first stop was a modest Gurdwara in Pautra, where Granthi Jatender Singh greeted us with remarkable affection and immediately offered Guru Ka Langar. Though limited space prevented accommodation for our large group, the warmth of seva and humility created an unforgettable emotional comfort.
Later, at Gurdwara Puchong, Granthi Jagrup Singh and Simran Kaur Ji made sincere efforts to arrange rooms for our contingent. Though accommodation remained unavailable due to prior occupancy, they refused to let strangers feel abandoned in a foreign land. Instead, they connected us to a young Sikh gentleman named Jaspal Singh Sakhi—popularly known as “Jassi.”
And truly, “Jassi jaisa koi nahi.”
Within a short time, he arranged economical accommodation near the venue and coordinated pure vegetarian Indian meals through relatives associated with “Desi Swad” restaurant. In a world increasingly driven by transactions, such selfless assistance felt deeply spiritual.
“India Scripts History in Malaysia”
The second day of the championship became historic for Indian para darts.
As matches intensified, the Indian players displayed remarkable precision, concentration and mental strength. Then came the defining moment—Mahesh Pratap clinched India’s first Gold Medal in the wheelchair category, scripting history on Malaysian soil. The triumph ignited celebrations throughout the Indian contingent.
Soon medals followed one after another:
• Mahendra Singh secured Silver
• Rohit Gupta and Rahul Gupta captured Bronze
• Dr. Manish & Meghwal added multiple medals to India’s tally
Watching the Indian flag rise during medal ceremonies was profoundly emotional. Thousands of kilometres away from home, patriotism somehow feels even stronger.
The championship also provided opportunities to interact with several international personalities, including Nancy Ambore, President of the Malaysian Darts Association, along with players, officials and sports lovers from various nations. The event demonstrated that sports possess a unique power—to unite people beyond language, nationality and physical limitations.
“Nights of Music and Brotherhood”
That evening, after attending peaceful Shabad Kirtan at Gurdwara Puchong, our team returned to the hotel carrying both spiritual calmness and sporting satisfaction. Inside our modest room, the atmosphere slowly transformed into a celebration of companionship. Mahendra Ji, Alok Sharma Ji and I began singing old Bollywood classics through a portable karaoke system specially brought from India, while Rohit entertained everyone with flawless mimicry performances. Laughter echoed through the room long into the night.
For those precious hours, there were no medals, no disabilities, no pressures of international competition—only friendship, music and shared humanity. Travel often teaches that the most unforgettable moments are rarely the grandest ones.
“Metro Journeys & Soul of Kuala Lumpur
On the third day, we stepped away from the championship arena to experience Kuala Lumpur more intimately through its efficient metro system. A helpful Malaysian young woman guided us patiently while purchasing metro tokens for Batu Caves. Such courteous behaviour from strangers had now become a familiar Malaysian characteristic.
At Batu Caves, the magnificent 47.3-meter-high golden statue of Lord Murugan stood majestically beneath the tropical sky, while colourful stairways carried devotees and tourists toward the sacred limestone caves above. The atmosphere reflected Malaysia’s extraordinary multicultural identity—a land where temples, mosques, churches and gurdwaras coexist with visible harmony.
During our return journey, another memorable human encounter unfolded. Unable to purchase metro tickets due to the cashless system, we were assisted by a Pakistani gentleman named Hassan Bhai, who used his own smart card to arrange our travel and even returned the balance cash to us. That simple act quietly dissolved political boundaries and reminded me that humanity remains larger than geography.
“Kuala Lumpur: Discipline Wrapped in Greenery”
Kuala Lumpur reminded me in several ways of Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram—lush greenery, humid but pleasant weather and a relaxed urban rhythm. What impressed me most, however, was civic discipline. Drivers rarely used horns unnecessarily. Pedestrians enjoyed genuine respect at zebra crossings. Roads were clean, scientifically planned and remarkably free from chaos. Noise pollution seemed almost absent.
The city carried the sophistication of modern urban planning without sacrificing cultural roots. Elegant high-rises stood alongside traditional residential architecture, while digital platforms like Grab made transportation seamless and tourist-friendly. Malaysia appeared modern, yet emotionally grounded.
“A Farewell Filled with Gratitude”
Every meaningful journey eventually arrives at its final chapter. On 27th April, before departure, our entire team gathered for a farewell lunch at “Desi Swad,” graciously hosted by Jassi Paaji. The warmth of Indian food in a foreign land, combined with heartfelt conversations, created an atmosphere less like hospitality and more like family.
Later at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, another emotional moment awaited me. K. Saegaran personally arrived to bid farewell to the Indian contingent. During our final group photographs, he unexpectedly presented me with a glittering medal in recognition of my contribution toward promoting darts through journalism and media. For a journalist, such moments carry emotional value beyond awards. In return, Mahendra Singh Ji, Santosh Kumar Gupta Ji and I honoured him with a traditional Himachali cap—a humble symbol of Indian gratitude and friendship.
As our AirAsia flight lifted into the evening sky toward New Delhi, every member of our team carried back far more than medals and luggage. We carried stories.
Stories of kindness.
Stories of struggle and triumph.
Stories of strangers who became family.
Stories that restored faith in humanity.
“More Than a Travelogue”
This Malaysian journey was not merely about attending and covering an international championship.
It became:
• a celebration of inclusive sportsmanship,
• a lesson in humility and service,
• a discovery of multicultural harmony and
• a reminder that compassion transcends borders.
Representing India internationally filled me with pride, but the true richness of the journey emerged through human connections—the warmth of Sikh hospitality, the generosity of strangers, the dedication of para athletes and the silent dignity of Malaysian society.
Malaysia no longer felt foreign. It felt familiar, welcoming and emotionally connected. Perhaps that is why an Indian-origin Malaysian gentleman smilingly told me during the visit:
“Jisne Malaysia nahi dekha, usne Asia nahi dekha.”
(One who has not seen Malaysia has not truly seen Asia.)
Today, as I revisit those memories, I realize that journeys are never measured merely in kilometres travelled. They are measured in experiences lived, hearts touched and perspectives transformed.
And somewhere between the dartboards of Selangor, the prayers of Gurdwara Sahib, the colourful steps of Batu Caves and the disciplined streets of Kuala Lumpur—I discovered a beautiful truth:
Sometimes, the finest journeys are the ones that quietly transform us from within.
And as always—the journey continues.
[Prof.S.S.Dogra-Bureau Chief-Delhi, Himalini Magazine, Nepal & Member of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia)