Volunteer honoured for community work
PETALING JAYA: As he stood before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to receive the National Youth Icon 2025 award, 31-year-old Thashidaran Tharmar could hardly believe the moment was real.
After more than a decade of giving his time, energy and heart to community service, youth empowerment and volunteer work, the national recognition felt like the reward of a lifetime.
'It was definitely the proudest moment in my life,' he told theSun.
'To know that all the hard work, tears and sweat has been noticed, I am very grateful and can't thank my family enough for their constant support.'
The Klang-born changemaker was selected from 236 nominees spanning 113 districts across 15 states, a testament to the impact he has made.
His story began at Multimedia University, where he volunteered with the Indian Cultural Society to organise workshops for Tamil pupils transiting to secondary school in Dengkil, Selangor. That first step into service lit a spark that grew into a burning passion.
Since then, Thashidaran has led more than 300 initiatives in Malaysia and beyond, including life-changing missions in Laos and Nepal.
In 2018, he guided a team in Laos to teach English and entrepreneurship, rebuild schools and construct bus stops.
Then in 2020, he helped lay a water pipeline in a remote Nepali village, a project that now provides clean water to more than 300 families.
'They still get clean water now. I get updates from them.
'That's probably my favourite memory from everything I've done.'
He said those experiences not only broadened his worldview but also transformed how he leads.
'I've definitely learnt to be more grateful and to appreciate the little things in life.'
'My leadership has become more inclusive. I've come to see the value of listening to input from all avenues. These days, I mostly empower young leaders.'
For Thashidaran, youth empowerment is not just a phrase, it is also a mission lived out on football fields. He coaches more than 150 students from B40 families across four Klang Valley schools, using the sport not for trophies, but to instil hope.
'The main goal is to use football as a way to build character, discipline and self-confidence,' he said.
'These students may not be academically inclined, but all of them have shown better grades and improved self-esteem.'
Despite juggling responsibilities in his family's logistics business and serving as a Human Resources Development Corporation accredited trainer, Thashidaran remains passionate for volunteerism.
'My family used to bring me to orphanages when I was younger to donate food, clothes and groceries,' he said.
'Spending time with those kids made me realise that I could share my happiness with others.
'The ability to bring change and the sense of satisfaction volunteerism brings are the reasons I still do what I do.'
Thashidaran hopes to scale up his work in education and entrepreneurship, focusing on underserved communities and youths.
'This award isn't a personal victory, it's a win for all youths out there striving to make a change.'
'Now, I'm more fired up to reach a bigger part of the community.'
On what he would say to young Malaysians dreaming of making a difference, he said: 'Find your passion and seek out avenues that help you fuel it. It's less about abundance and more about resourcefulness.
'Find your why, then leverage what you already have and remember to always be kind to yourself before showing love and care to others.'
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The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Volunteer honoured for community work
PETALING JAYA: As he stood before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to receive the National Youth Icon 2025 award, 31-year-old Thashidaran Tharmar could hardly believe the moment was real. After more than a decade of giving his time, energy and heart to community service, youth empowerment and volunteer work, the national recognition felt like the reward of a lifetime. 'It was definitely the proudest moment in my life,' he told theSun. 'To know that all the hard work, tears and sweat has been noticed, I am very grateful and can't thank my family enough for their constant support.' The Klang-born changemaker was selected from 236 nominees spanning 113 districts across 15 states, a testament to the impact he has made. His story began at Multimedia University, where he volunteered with the Indian Cultural Society to organise workshops for Tamil pupils transiting to secondary school in Dengkil, Selangor. That first step into service lit a spark that grew into a burning passion. Since then, Thashidaran has led more than 300 initiatives in Malaysia and beyond, including life-changing missions in Laos and Nepal. In 2018, he guided a team in Laos to teach English and entrepreneurship, rebuild schools and construct bus stops. Then in 2020, he helped lay a water pipeline in a remote Nepali village, a project that now provides clean water to more than 300 families. 'They still get clean water now. I get updates from them. 'That's probably my favourite memory from everything I've done.' He said those experiences not only broadened his worldview but also transformed how he leads. 'I've definitely learnt to be more grateful and to appreciate the little things in life.' 'My leadership has become more inclusive. I've come to see the value of listening to input from all avenues. These days, I mostly empower young leaders.' For Thashidaran, youth empowerment is not just a phrase, it is also a mission lived out on football fields. He coaches more than 150 students from B40 families across four Klang Valley schools, using the sport not for trophies, but to instil hope. 'The main goal is to use football as a way to build character, discipline and self-confidence,' he said. 'These students may not be academically inclined, but all of them have shown better grades and improved self-esteem.' Despite juggling responsibilities in his family's logistics business and serving as a Human Resources Development Corporation accredited trainer, Thashidaran remains passionate for volunteerism. 'My family used to bring me to orphanages when I was younger to donate food, clothes and groceries,' he said. 'Spending time with those kids made me realise that I could share my happiness with others. 'The ability to bring change and the sense of satisfaction volunteerism brings are the reasons I still do what I do.' Thashidaran hopes to scale up his work in education and entrepreneurship, focusing on underserved communities and youths. 'This award isn't a personal victory, it's a win for all youths out there striving to make a change.' 'Now, I'm more fired up to reach a bigger part of the community.' On what he would say to young Malaysians dreaming of making a difference, he said: 'Find your passion and seek out avenues that help you fuel it. It's less about abundance and more about resourcefulness. 'Find your why, then leverage what you already have and remember to always be kind to yourself before showing love and care to others.'
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Thashidaran named National Youth Icon 2025 for service
PETALING JAYA: As he stood before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to receive the National Youth Icon 2025 award, 31-year-old Thashidaran Tharmar could hardly believe the moment was real. After more than a decade of giving his time, energy and heart to community service, youth empowerment and volunteer work, the national recognition felt like the reward of a lifetime. 'It was definitely the proudest moment in my life,' he told theSun. 'To know that all the hard work, tears and sweat has been noticed, I am very grateful and can't thank my family enough for their constant support.' The Klang-born changemaker was selected from 236 nominees spanning 113 districts across 15 states, a testament to the impact he has made. His story began at Multimedia University, where he volunteered with the Indian Cultural Society to organise workshops for Tamil pupils transiting to secondary school in Dengkil, Selangor. That first step into service lit a spark that grew into a burning passion. Since then, Thashidaran has led more than 300 initiatives in Malaysia and beyond, including life-changing missions in Laos and Nepal. In 2018, he guided a team in Laos to teach English and entrepreneurship, rebuild schools and construct bus stops. Then in 2020, he helped lay a water pipeline in a remote Nepali village, a project that now provides clean water to more than 300 families. 'They still get clean water now. I get updates from them. 'That's probably my favourite memory from everything I've done.' He said those experiences not only broadened his worldview but also transformed how he leads. 'I've definitely learnt to be more grateful and to appreciate the little things in life.' 'My leadership has become more inclusive. I've come to see the value of listening to input from all avenues. These days, I mostly empower young leaders.' For Thashidaran, youth empowerment is not just a phrase, it is also a mission lived out on football fields. He coaches more than 150 students from B40 families across four Klang Valley schools, using the sport not for trophies, but to instil hope. 'The main goal is to use football as a way to build character, discipline and self-confidence,' he said. 'These students may not be academically inclined, but all of them have shown better grades and improved self-esteem.' Despite juggling responsibilities in his family's logistics business and serving as a Human Resources Development Corporation accredited trainer, Thashidaran remains passionate for volunteerism. 'My family used to bring me to orphanages when I was younger to donate food, clothes and groceries,' he said. 'Spending time with those kids made me realise that I could share my happiness with others. 'The ability to bring change and the sense of satisfaction volunteerism brings are the reasons I still do what I do.' Thashidaran hopes to scale up his work in education and entrepreneurship, focusing on underserved communities and youths. 'This award isn't a personal victory, it's a win for all youths out there striving to make a change.' 'Now, I'm more fired up to reach a bigger part of the community.' On what he would say to young Malaysians dreaming of making a difference, he said: 'Find your passion and seek out avenues that help you fuel it. It's less about abundance and more about resourcefulness. 'Find your why, then leverage what you already have and remember to always be kind to yourself before showing love and care to others.'
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
NST: More than a newspaper, a childhood cornerstone
In the tapestry of my childhood, Sundays held a special place — not just for rest or family gatherings, but for the much anticipated arrival of our newspaper vendor at our doorstep with copies of Tamil Nesan and the New Sunday Times. We were unique in our neighbourhood, the only family subscribing to both newspapers. While my mother and elder sister immersed themselves in Tamil Nesan, the rest of us eagerly turned to NST, our gateway to the English-speaking world. The reason behind this choice was simple yet profound: my parents believed deeply in the power of English. They were determined that all eight of us would read, write and speak English fluently. This was not merely about language, but an investment in our future, a bridge to opportunities in a rapidly modernising Malaysia. NST was their trusted partner in this mission, a daily school of life and language learning rolled into one. Sunday mornings were a ritual of sharing and discovery. The newspaper was carefully split among us, and I was usually the first to grab the Section 2 pullouts. This section was a treasure trove of features, vivid pictures, cinema listings and unusual stories that sparked my curiosity. This culture of sharing made the experience of reading NST unforgettable and deeply engaging. We often had a dictionary by our side, ready to decode the high-standard English crafted by polished writers and seasoned editors. NST was not just a newspaper; it was a shaper of our family's thoughts, a silent teacher that nurtured our command of language and broadened our understanding of the world. I still vividly recall an article explaining how a humble water glass could be melted and shaped into various forms, like an elegant vase. That seemingly simple read stayed with me; it even helped me answer a question in a science exam. It was a proud moment, made possible by the knowledge gleaned from NST. Another unforgettable memory was a special advertisement in NST promoting a paint brand. The newspaper edition that day was scented with the fragrance of strawberries that turned reading the paper into a sensory experience. Reading the Sunday paper was a shared family affair. After everyone had taken turns poring over the pages, the paper found new life in our home — my elder sisters used it as a protective layer for the kitchen cabinet surfaces, guarding against wear and tear. There were no plastic laminates back then, so the newspaper was a practical and cherished resource. We never threw the papers away: instead, they were passed on to the kacang puteh uncle or the nearby sundry shop, ensuring every sheet was reused and valued. Looking back, those Sunday mornings with NST were more than a weekly habit — they were a cornerstone of my upbringing. From the colourful features and intriguing stories to the fragrant advertisements and practical reuse, the paper wove itself into the fabric of our family life. It was a shared treasure that connected us, educated us and prepared us for the future. As the New Straits Times celebrates its 180th anniversary in July, I reflect with gratitude on how it was more than ink and paper to us. It was a family companion, a language mentor and a window to the world. Through its pages, my parents' vision of equipping their children with English skills came alive. The legacy of the New Straits Times is not only in its history, but in the countless homes like mine where it sparked curiosity, learning, and dreams.
