The Malaysian that Malaysia made me — Padma Zachariah
AUG 27 — I was born on 31 August, exactly ten years after Merdeka.Since I could remember, my late dad would...
Padma Zachariah was born on 31 August, exactly ten years after Malaysia's independence. Growing up, her father would tell her to love Malaysia more than anyone else. For Padma, being Malaysian Tamil is more than just a label; it is a part of her blood and her breath. Her family never pushed her to practice specific traditions or speak only Tamil; instead, they raised her as an individual.
Padma's favourite food, Laksa Kedah, was a staple in her school canteen, thanks to her classmate Rozitah's father. She was raised with Malay neighbors and friends, who instilled in her the values of respect, politeness and familial closeness. It wasn't until 2018 that Padma learned the phrase "saudara senegara," which she found to encapsulate the essence of Malaysia better than any words could.
Despite the challenges and criticisms she faced for openly embracing her Malaysian identity, Padma believes that loving Malaysia should not mean surrendering any part of her Tamil heritage. She cherishes the blend of Tamil and Malay languages, the flavors of Laksa Kedah and Malay cuisine, the respect she shows to elders through cium tangan, and the warmth of her friendships.
To Padma, Malaysia is not just a country; it is her very being, a tapestry woven with the threads of her Tamil roots and her Malaysian identity.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
