Latest news with #Kasthuri
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Lawyer and mother Kasthuri finds new purpose in pageantry
Many women are told that life begins to narrow after thirty. Marriage, children and the weight of responsibility can make ambitions feel like distant echoes, tucked away on a high shelf. Kasthuri's most treasured moment came at an orphanage, sharing food, eco-friendly gifts and lessons on protecting the planet. The to-do lists grow longer, the dreams grow quieter and settling seems safer than stretching for more. But for some, their thirties and forties are not a sunset; they are a second sunrise. These years bring clarity, courage, and the conviction that it is possible to raise a family and a cause, to build a career and a movement. Kasthuri Muniandy, 37, embodies that belief. A practising lawyer, wife and mother, she has stepped into the spotlight as a top finalist in Mrs Earth Malaysia 2025. Away from the spotlight, Kasthuri sat with orphanage children, turning simple gifts into lasting lessons on caring for Earth. Her motivation did not come from a place of glitter and gowns, but from a quiet decision to grow. "As a lawyer, wife, and mother, I've always focused on others, which is my family and my clients. "Deep inside, I wanted to use my voice to inspire. When I discovered the Mrs Earth Malaysia platform, I saw a beautiful chance to do that and I took the leap," she told Sinar Daily. Drawn by the pageant's mission to champion environmental and social change, Kasthuri saw her values mirrored in its vision. She was no stranger to the stage, having competed in Malaysian Indian Supermodel 2021 and 2022, where she won the championship and several subsidiary titles, including Best Catwalk. But this time, the challenge was deeper. "Mrs Earth is different because advocacy is at its heart. My earlier experience gave me confidence and stage presence, but this journey demands substance, service, and heart,' she said. Her most meaningful moment so far happened far from the stage, inside an orphanage. Kasthuri joins hands with orphanage children in a neighbourhood clean-up, teaching them that even small actions can help build a greener, healthier environment for all. She brought food and eco-friendly gifts, then sat with the children to talk about small actions that protect the planet. "Watching their curiosity grow was deeply moving. It reminded me why I am here in the first place: to plant seeds of awareness and hope,' she said. The experience has expanded her in unexpected ways, moving her beyond the familiar boundaries of courtrooms and client meetings into spaces filled with cameras, audiences, and social causes. "Personally, I have become more confident and more open in expressing myself. Professionally, my public speaking and leadership have grown, and I have connected with people from many different backgrounds,' she said. Through it all, her strongest support has come from home. Her husband and son walk beside her in almost every activity. 'My family is my strength. From joining me in awareness walks to visiting orphanages and supporting eco-friendly initiatives, they've been there. This is not just my journey; it is ours as a family,' she said. As a finalist, Kasthuri plans to continue working with schools and orphanages, using workshops and social media to show that eco-friendly living is not only possible but practical. Her biggest challenge has not been time; it has been silencing self-doubt. "I asked myself if I was good enough for a platform like this. Then I reminded myself that purpose is more powerful than perfection. I decided to embrace who I am and grow one step at a time,' she said. If she wins the national crown, Kasthuri already knows her first move: a nationwide 'Green from Home' campaign to help families adopt simple, sustainable habits through education, community events, and digital content. To women who believe marriage or motherhood signals the end of their dreams, she offers a reminder that life does not stop when circumstances change; it simply takes on a new shape. "It is never too late. Your experiences make you stronger and wiser. Don't wait for a perfect moment, start where you are, use what you have and grow from there. You are worthy of your dreams at every stage of life," she added.
The Star
20-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Star
Island Glades yoga teacher bends limits
COMMENTS such as 'You do this with your body?' are often heard by Island Glades yoga teacher R. Kasthuri Kalaichelvi, who has long defied norms. 'I have never let such comments get to me. What others saw as limitations, I turned into my strengths,' said Kasthuri, 55, who embarked on her yoga journey in her early 20s. 'For me, yoga is never just about the physical body. 'It is a mental and spiritual journey, one that I've stayed committed to throughout the past 30 years,' she said. Kasthuri (standing) helps with the shoulder alignment of one of her students. Indeed, this Penangite has challenged society's expectations of a yoga teacher as well as the idea that yoga is only for certain body types. Before she started yoga, Kasthuri had been earning well in the corporate line. Yet, she had felt that something was missing in her life. She recalled how she began to look for answers when her godfather, S. Balasubramaniam, a man devoted to selfless service, introduced her to community work. 'When I was 19, he took me along on a spiritual talk held in SMK Georgetown, Batu Lanchang, where I was exposed to the principles of non-violence and vegetarianism. 'This resonated deeply with me. In seeking a balance between the body and mind, I discovered yoga,' said Kasthuri. Previously favouring gym weights and treadmills for exercising, she said yoga has kept her grounded. 'I noticed that on the days I practised it, I felt good, and on the days I skipped it, I felt off. 'Something inside me had shifted, and I fell in love with it,' she said. However, Kasthuri's journey did not come without challenges. 'In the beginning, my father K. Ramaiyah, a shipping officer, and my homemaker mother G. Elambal were worried about me embarking on a spiritual journey. 'My father had even feared that I would renounce the world. 'However, they finally understood and encouraged me to continue my spiritual and yoga journey. 'My godfather, who was a children's home caretaker, and his schoolteacher wife also took me under their wings,' she said. Kasthuri had also not been keen on marriage, as she felt that this would divert her from spiritual practice. But out of respect for her parents, she did marry and her husband V. Pethaperumal, a schoolteacher, went on to become her biggest supporter. She recalled how he took a loan to fund her trip to attend her first overseas yoga training held at the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram in Kerala, India. 'At the time, my husband's family commitments had been very high as he was the head of his family because his father had passed away earlier on. 'But seeing how serious I was about yoga, he did not think twice about taking out a loan for me to become a certified yoga teacher. 'I am truly blessed and grateful to my husband,' she said, adding that he had even agreed to her taking along their firstborn − just six months old at the time − to the course. Upon returning, Kasthuri began teaching as a freelancer in 2000. 'I used to teach at hotels, factories and anywhere else that welcomed yoga. 'I even entered a yoga competition while three months pregnant with my second child, and won second prize. 'My students grew from a few people to about 50,' she said. Kasthuri believes that yoga must be accessible to all. 'Yoga is not a product but a path. It's about discovering one's self and becoming a better human being,' she said, adding that one of her aims of being a certified yoga teacher is to change people's perception that yoga is all about physically excelling in poses. 'I want people to understand that yoga includes a commitment to consistent practice, self-reflection and exploring advanced techniques,' said Kasthuri. She said her yoga practice had enabled her to give back to society by spreading peace, love and compassion. 'I also do various charitable projects, such as giving food to the underprivileged. 'For this year's International Day of Yoga, my wish is for peace in the world. 'Peace begins within, and yoga is a powerful tool to cultivate inner peace,' she added.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Time of India
Gang rivalry leads to twin murders in Kovilpatti, nine arrested
Tuticorin: Two murders, believed to be retaliatory in nature, took place within a span of 30 minutes on Sunday night in a shocking escalation of violence at Kovilpatti in Tuticorin district. The murders sent shockwaves in the region. According to police sources, A Pragadheeswaran, 20, of Valluvar Nagar, was hacked to death near a Tasmac shop on Kadalaiyur Road. He had reportedly engaged in a heated argument with a group of men before being brutally attacked. The assailants, believed to be from a rival faction, fled the scene immediately after the murder. Less than half an hour later, a gang believed to be aligned with Pragadheeswaran retaliated by storming the residence of B Kasthuri, 50, at Shenbaga Nagar in Pudhugramam, and hacked her to death. Kasthuri, who died on the spot, was the mother of B Sathish, 22—one of the alleged attackers involved in the earlier incident. Her brother, S Shenbagaraj, who attempted to intervene, sustained injuries in the attack and was admitted to Kovilpatti govt hospital. The Kovilpatti East police rushed to both crime scenes, recovered the bodies, and sent them for postmortem. As a precautionary measure, Pragadheeswaran's body was sent to Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital, while Kasthuri's was taken to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Preliminary investigations suggest that long-standing enmity between the two families led to the murders. Police revealed that Pragadheeswaran had a prior conflict with Sathish over damage to a wedding banner. On Sunday night, Sathish and his friends allegedly carried out the attack on Pragadheeswaran. In retaliation, Kasthuri was murdered at her home. Tuticorin superintendent of police, Albert John, confirmed that nine suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the double murder. "A force of 90 police under additional SP oversaw vulnerable areas. DSP Kovilpatti and team secured four accused within minutes of the incidents. This prevented murders from escalating into a law and order concern," he added. Further investigation is underway.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
House patta issued to family of Class 12 student with disability in Krishnagiri
Krishnagiri District Collector C. Dinesh Kumar handed over an order granting a free patta to the mother of A. Kriti Varma, a disabled Class 12 student who had scored high marks in the recently concluded Plus Two examinations. The order was issued to his mother Kasthuri for a 1.5-cent plot at Jeenur village in Marasandhiram, where the family stays. Last week, the family had appealed to the Chief Minister for a limb transplant for Mr. Kriti, who lost both his hands elbow down and a few toes after he suffered an electric shock at age four. Mr. Stalin had promised him a limb transplant two years ago after he emerged as a topper in the SSLC exams. Ms. Kasthuri had also sought a free house patta from the administration.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
'Kaneer vendam thambi': Stalin promises to facilitate hand transplant for Krishnagiri student
Keerthi Varma and his mother Kasthuri KRISHNAGIRI : Thursday was a day of assurance for Keerthi Varma , an 18-year-old boy in Jeenur area near Krishnagiri, who scored 471 out of 600 marks in the Class XII state board exams despite the fact his arms were cut from the elbows after an electric shock in his childhood. Keerthi, who studied at the Government Higher Secondary School in Kurubarapalli, wrote the exams with the assistance of a scribe. After his exam result was announced, local reporters met him and his mother, Kasthuri, at their home. While talking to them, the boy requested chief minister M K Stalin to facilitate his hand transplant . He said doctors had told him hand transplant could be done once he turned 18. "I request the CM to help restore my hands," he said. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far 'Kaneer vendam thambi" (No more tears brother), Stalin posted on X on learning about the student's request. The CM mentioned that assistance would be coordinated through health minister Ma Subramanian. It didn't take much time for the health minister to contact Keerthi's mother over the phone. He asked them to reach Chennai on Friday for treatment. 'We will travel to Chennai with health department officials on Friday,' Kasthuri said. Keerthi and his mother, Kasthuri, expressed their thanks to the CM and the minister. Keerthi was raised by his mother as his parents separated when he was a child. He developed a passion for education. Despite his disability, he excelled academically, achieving the highest marks in his school with a score of 437 out of 500 marks in the Class X board examination. He received accolades from Stalin, actor Vijay and others at that time. On Thursday, Krishnagiri district collector S Dinesh Kumar visited the student at his home, congratulated him and inquired about his needs. Keerthi indicated that he required a laptop for his studies. The collector promised to provide one, utilizing funds from his discretionary budget, and committed to supporting his higher education. 'With the assistance of the Tamil Nadu govt, your hands will also be restored,' the collector assured him. The district administration gave Keerthi a laptop in the evening. DMK district secretary and Bargur DMK MLA Mathiyazhagan visited the student, promising to facilitate hand transplantation. He presented him a copy of a Thirukkural and gave a financial aid of Rs 25,000. Keerthi told TOI that his ambition was to study. "I have scored 471 marks and aspire to pursue a degree in robotics or artificial intelligence," he said.
