A tribute to the estate headmaster who served beyond the classroom

Gengatharan Murugesan, a revered figure in the community of Slim River, Perak, passed away on August 30, just three months before his 100th birthday. Born in Nova Scotia Estate, Teluk Intan on November 23, 1926, Gengatharan spent 21 years as a teacher at the Tamil school in Lima Blas Estate, eventually retiring as its headmaster in 1973. His legacy, however, far transcends his years in the classroom.

Gengatharan, who lost his parents at a young age, grew up to be a dedicated educator and community leader. He and his wife, Sarathamball Sundram, spent their 21 years at the school not just imparting knowledge but also serving their community. Gengatharan's daughters, G Sundarambal and G Meenambal, recall how their father was always ready to help their classmates who struggled with their studies.

Beyond academics, Gengatharan played a crucial role in helping the estate workers obtain citizenship by communicating with government officials on their behalf. He also arranged Bahasa Malaysia classes for adults to make the process easier. Gengatharan's service extended to distributing Deepavali goodies to hospital patients and families in need.

He was also an active member of the Hindu Sangam in Slim River, serving as its president for 24 years. His daughters were also his biggest source of inspiration, who remember him for his emphasis on sharing, service, and helping each other.