Latest news with #SriMuruganCentre
The Star
20-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Thambirajah effect lives on
As a mother, a human resource professional of over two decades, and an Indian woman who has journeyed through both corporate Malaysia and grassroots community work, I write this with a heart heavier than I ever imagined possible. The passing of Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah (pic) has left a void so profound that I find myself asking: Who do we turn to now? Growing up in Malaysia, especially as part of the Indian community, meant growing up hearing his name spoken with reverence, admiration and a sense of safety. His presence was constant in books, on stages, in community halls, and most importantly, in the hearts of every parent who dreamt bigger dreams for their children. His message was clear, unwavering and urgent: 'Education is the way forward.' For our community, education has never been a luxury. It is a battle against generational poverty, discrimination, and the belief that we must settle for less. Thambirajah understood this deeply. But he chose not just to understand – he chose to act. And that, right there, is the 'Thambirajah effect'. It wasn't just that he built the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC); he built hope. He created structure, discipline, values and, most importantly, belief. Belief in children who had been counted out. Belief in families who had almost given up. Belief in us. I've seen it firsthand. As an HR professional, I've interviewed thousands of candidates. Those who came from SMC or had been touched by his influence walked in with something different – clarity, humility, fire. They were respectful, prepared and purpose-driven. That's no coincidence. That's his legacy in motion. But for me, this loss cuts deeper than legacy. It feels personal. In a quiet, emotional moment years ago, Prof told me, 'Don't worry, maa. He (my son) will do well. When the time comes, come and see me.' Those words became my anchor. I held onto them through the toughest parenting moments. That promise kept me steady. But now, that door no longer exists. That guiding light is gone and I'm frozen in time, waiting for a moment that will never come. That promise, one I cherished with every fibre of my being, is now one I can no longer claim. I am heartbroken yet I know, even in this grief, that his mission was never about one child, one mother or one promise. His mission was for all of us. And now, it is ours to carry forward. We owe it to him to make sure no Indian child is left behind and to fight for access to education – not handouts, but opportunities. We owe it to him to teach our children not just to chase success, but also to understand why education matters – and to instil discipline, purpose and pride in the next generation, just as he did. We must remind them that while degrees may open doors, values and vision are what keep those doors open. That respect, humility and resilience are not soft skills – they are the survival kit he gave us. As I write this, with tears in my eyes and pride swelling in my chest, I say: Thank you, Tan Sri, for showing us that ideas, when paired with discipline and conviction, can move generations. You didn't leave us in the dark. Your voice may be silent but your vision still roars. You will never be forgotten. MANGALAGOWRI RAMANATHAN Note: A former history professor at Universiti Malaya, Thambirajah passed away on June 23. He was 84.
The Star
05-07-2025
- General
- The Star
A tribute to Tan Sri Datuk Dr M. Thambirajah
WITH the passing of Tan Sri Datuk Dr M. Thambirajah on June 23, 2025, aged 83, Malaysia lost more than a towering educator and community leader – we lost a quiet giant, a man whose life's work transformed the trajectory of thousands, particularly within the Malaysian Indian community. To many, he was best known as the founder of Sri Murugan Centre (SMC), a sanctuary for academic discipline, cultural grounding, and purposeful ambition. Yet his influence extended far beyond the walls of that institution.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Tribute to education altruist Dr M. Thambirajah
AS a mother, a human resource professional of over two decades and an Indian woman who has journeyed through corporate Malaysia and grassroots community work, I write this with a heavy heart. The passing of Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah has left a void so profound, I ask myself: 'Who do we turn to now?' Growing up in Malaysia, especially as part of the Indian community, meant growing up hearing his name spoken with reverence, admiration and a sense of safety. His presence was constant in books, on stages, in community halls, and most importantly, in the hearts of every parent who dreamt bigger dreams for their children. His message was clear, unwavering and urgent: 'Education is the way forward.' For our community, education has never been a luxury. It is a battle against generational poverty, against discrimination, against the belief that we must settle for less. Dr Thambirajah understood this deeply and he chose not just to understand but to act. And that is the 'Thambirajah Effect'. He did not just build the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC), he built hope. He created structure, discipline, values and most importantly, belief – belief in the children who had been counted out, belief in families who had almost given up and belief in us. I have seen it firsthand as an HR professional, interviewing thousands of candidates. Those who came from SMC or had been touched by his influence walked in with something different – clarity, humility and fire. They were respectful, prepared and purpose-driven. This is no coincidence; this is his legacy in motion. For me, this loss cuts deeper than legacy; it feels personal. In a quiet, emotional moment years ago, Prof told me: 'Don't worry, maa. He (my son) will do well. When the time comes, come and see me.' Those words became my anchor. I held onto them through the toughest parenting moments. That promise kept me steady. But now that door no longer exists. That guiding light is gone and I am frozen in time, waiting for a moment that will never come. That promise, one I cherished with every fibre of my being, is now one I can no longer claim. I am heartbroken yet I know, even in this grief, that his mission was never about one child, one mother or one promise. His mission was for all of us. Now, it is ours to carry forward. To mothers like me, educators, HR professionals and community leaders – we owe it to him to make sure no Indian child is left behind. To fight for access to education, not handouts, but opportunities. To teach our children not just to chase success but to understand why education matters. To instil discipline, purpose and pride in the next generation just as he did. We must remind them that while degrees may open doors, values and vision are what keep those doors open. That respect, humility and resilience are not soft skills but the survival kit he gave us. As I write this, with tears in my eyes and pride swelling in my chest, I say: 'Thank you, Tan Sri, for seeing us when others looked away, for helping us where others gave up and for showing us that ideas when paired with discipline and conviction can move generations. 'You didn't leave us in the dark; you left us in the warm, unwavering glow of your teachings. And as a mother, you have my promise that I will do my part. Your voice may be silent but your vision will still roar. 'And in every child we lift, in every mother we comfort and in every student, we see you in their success. Rest in eternal peace, our guiding star. You will never be forgotten.' Mangalagowri Ramanathan
Free Malaysia Today
24-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Champion of Indian education M Thambirajah dies at 83
M Thambirajah founded the Sri Murugan Centre with the aim of uplifting Indian students through academic support, personal discipline and self-confidence. KUALA LUMPUR : Educationist and founder of the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) M Thambirajah died today, aged of 83. SMC co-director Surain Kanda said the public may pay their last respects tomorrow at SMC Ashramam in Petaling Jaya from 10am to 2pm, before the final rites at Nirwana Setia Alam at 3pm. 'He was more than just a leader; he was a visionary whose mission was clear, that every Indian home should produce at least one graduate. 'His efforts transformed the lives of thousands,' Surain told Bernama. Thambirajah founded SMC in 1982 with the aim of uplifting Indian students through academic support, personal discipline and self-confidence. What started as four small centres grew into a nationwide movement with over 103 physical and 128 virtual centres, currently serving more than 10,000 students annually. An alumnus of Universiti Malaya, he went on to earn his master's and PhD from University of Washington, US, and later completed his bachelor of laws with honours from University of London. He served as a senior lecturer at UM and authored several influential works, including the history textbook, Malaysia Dalam Sejarah. His lifetime contributions were recognised both in Malaysia and internationally. He was conferred the title 'Tan Sri' in 2012 and received India's highest award for overseas Indians, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. Thambirajah also served on key national advisory bodies, including the special implementation task force on the Indian community under the Prime Minister's Department. 'He believed in action rather than rhetoric, and service over self,' said Surain, adding that over 52,000 students have graduated through SMC to date. Thambirajah is survived by his wife A Indirani, children Dr T Sumitra and T Anand, and two grandchildren.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- General
- Barnama
SMC To Carry On Founder Thambirajah's Legacy In B40 Education
PETALING JAYA, June 24 (Bernama) -- Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) is committed to continuing the legacy of its founder, the late Tan Sri M. Thambirajah, in helping students from the B40 group gain access to quality education and ultimately break free from the cycle of poverty. SMC co-director Surain Kanda said the legacy and guidance of Thambirajah would continue to serve as a compass in the core mission of SMC. Describing the passing of the education figure as a great loss to the Indian community in the country, he said SMC remains steadfast in its mission to uplift the B40 group from poverty. 'To achieve this goal, SMC focuses on three main areas: first, providing education to students from B40 families; second, offering temporary relief to poor families to support their daily expenses; and third, helping B40 families find sources of supplementary income,' he said. He told reporters this at the final tribute ceremony for Thambirajah, held at SMC here today. Family members, friends and former students were seen arriving at SMC from 10.30 am to pay their last respects to Thambirajah, who died yesterday at the age of 83. Thambirajah founded SMC in 1982 as a non-governmental organisation focused on education and character development for the Indian community. Meanwhile, Thambirajah's daughter T. Sumithra hopes her father's legacy will inspire young Indians to rise and help the community. "His legacy cannot die with him. So to all of you young Indians out there, I hope he has inspired you to do much, much more for the Indian community of Malaysia.
