NST amplified my youth mission of service

New Straits Times

7 days ago

WHEN I began working in a large multinational company in Seremban, I was introduced to youth activities by the late S. Rajaratnam, the then president of the Malaysian Hindu Youth Council.
A retired senior assistant from a leading secondary school in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Rajaratnam was a living example of "service above self", tirelessly involved in Hindu youth organisations across the country.
I was entrusted with the task of founding the Senawang Hindu Youth Organisation, with a mission to instil the values of Hinduism in young people.
It was through these activities in Negri Sembilan that I met two influential journalists: the late R.V. Veera, lead correspondent for the New Straits Times (NST) in Seremban, and Frankie De Cruz, leading the Malay Mail desk. Both became close friends, united by a shared passion for community service and youth empowerment.
The defining moment came on March 31, 1985, when Veera pledged to raise money for the Africa Famine Relief Fund by walking from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur — a distance of about 70 kilometres.
I was invited to join this noble cause, with an assurance that safety and security would be well-managed throughout the journey.
We were flagged off at 7.30am from the Seremban bus station by the then Negri Sembilan menteri besar Datuk Mohd Isa Abdul Samad (now Tan Sri) and state MIC chairman M. Muthupalaniappan.
Thirteen youths from Sena-wang joined the walk. The journey was challenging: rain delayed our progress and fatigue set in but our spirits remained unbroken.
After hours of walking, we finally arrived at the New Straits Times headquarters in Jalan Riong, Kuala Lumpur, at 8pm. The event was a tremendous success, raising RM13,320 from donors and well-wishers.
Veera, visibly exhausted, asked me to share our experience on TV3, giving the nation a glimpse of our efforts and dedication.
This event was broadcast nationwide, and through the lens of TV3 and the pages of NST, I became known as a youth leader.
The exposure and recognition I gained were invaluable, and it was all thanks to NST's support and Veera's dedication.
Veera was more than a journalist — he was a passionate advocate for social causes and a mentor to many young leaders. His daughter, once a journalist with NST, has since become a successful academician, continuing the family's legacy of excellence.
Veera's influence through NST made a world of difference not only in my youth service, but also in shaping my life's path.
Looking back, that walk from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur was more than a fundraising effort. It was a journey of solidarity, compassion and hope. It was also a journey that connected me deeply with the power of the media to amplify voices and causes that matter.
NST, through the dedication of journalists like Veera, has always been more than a newspaper. It championed community service, highlighted youth leadership and inspired Malaysians to come together for the greater good.
It empowered me to continue serving with passion and purpose.
I cherish this memory as an example of how the newspaper has touched lives and fostered change. It reminds us all of the power of journalism: not just to inform, but to inspire action and build a better society.
Thank you, New Straits Times, and thank you, Veera, for making a difference that still resonates today.