Kunavathi sebar keceriaan setiap Deepavali meski hilang penglihatan

Kunavathi, a 56-year-old woman with severe vision impairment since the age of 12, embraces Deepavali with joy and the desire to share kindness and happiness with others. On a busy morning at the Tamil National Primary School (SJKT) Azad in Butterworth, Penang, around 60 volunteers prepared special festive treats to bring a little joy to those who may not celebrate the festival like others.

This annual tradition, which has been ongoing for decades, holds great significance for Kunavathi, who has been part of the volunteer team for the past decade.

Despite her visual impairment, Kunavathi has never missed a year of participating in the program and is always ready to help in any way she can. The program, initiated by the non-governmental Hindu organization, Malaysia Hindhudharma Mamandram (MHDM) 20 years ago, aims to enable members to celebrate Deepavali according to their respective religious and cultural customs, even if they are far from their families.

This year, the organization provided 4,000 traditional treats, such as muruku and athirasam, for prisoners in Penjara Pulau Pinang and Penjara Jawi, as well as essential items like coconut oil, sandalwood powder, traditional hair conditioner, kumkum, and vibuthi for religious bathing rituals.

Kunavathi, who sells religious items at the Sri Sitti Vinayagar Temple in Kepala Batas, has long harbored a desire to help others. After discovering MHDM a few years ago, she felt compelled to join the organization as a volunteer. Despite her vision challenges, Kunavathi finds solace in knowing that others are always ready to assist when needed. This year, the organization prepared around 4,000 traditional treats, including muruku and athirasam, for prisoners in Penjara Pulau Pinang and Penjara Jawi.