Rare picture of late grandfather, Athimulam with my cousin, Devika. He "ran away" from his native country, India with many other Indians for greener pasture. Malaya was their chosen destination. Britain was Malaya's colonial master then and they had brought in thousands of indentured workers into rubber estates, tin mines, railways and employed the educated Indian immigrants into civil and public administration because they knew the Indians are hard working lots. Grandfather joined Public Works Department as a trucker at an early age.
Grandad married in his teens, a common practice in Indian families of yesteryears and blessed with eight children. He had managed to raise his children to be in good standing in the society. Education was strictly stressed to all of them at an early age.Hardly finished his primary school back in India, he educated himself at a very much older age. He reads and writes Tamil language fluently. He picked up national language, Bahasa Melayu pretty fast.
A very disciplined man throughout his life, grandfather was a respected person among his peers. Truly a thrifty and penny wise, he would never spend unnecessarily. Grandfather is a master of 3R concept, reuse, recycle and reduce. Nothing goes to waste. He would collect all the discarded "usable scraps" and give them a new lease of live. His Malay friends referred him as "Ayah," meaning father as mark of respect.
My fond memories of my beloved grandad will always be cherished in my mind forever. He lived well, helped needy people, provided "soft loans" (chetti) with reasonable interest to many who need immediate hard cash out of pity for them although he was not keen. Grandad wished that I studied medicine. He wanted me to become a Doctor, but I did not manage to fulfill his wishes due to circumstance and unfavourable condition back then. Now, I vowed to myself that at least a Ph.D. or Doctoral as a compensation, least he would be happy seeing me completing the highest post-graduate studies. It is just a step away now.
Grandpa may your soul rest in peace or all the best in the current life you're in. I know you're watching and blessing us. We really miss and love you.
