02/08/2025

SATURDAY | AUG 2, 2025

18

Better late than never

COMMENT

by Daniswaran Seenivasan

I F someone had asked me during my first year at Universiti Malaya what my greatest ambition was, I would have said “getting a good CGPA”. That was it, that was my entire world. Every decision, every thought and every effort, all anchored on the pursuit of academic excellence. Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But looking back, I realise how narrow my perspective was. I only realised that studies are not everything when I was at the end of my third year, and for someone in a four-year programme like mine, that was already very late. Three years, six semesters had already gone by, just like that. I had only one year left. By then, I had spent enough time watching others grow beyond lecture halls, winning competitions, leading organisations and travelling the world while I was buried in books. It hit me hard and I asked myself, “Is this all that university is meant to be?” That was my wake-up call. I told myself, “Nothing is ever too late, and everything starts from the first step”. So, I took that step, then another and another. I started small, with an innovation pitching competition. It was not something I had planned months ahead for. We registered just a few days before the event at the Engineering Faculty of Universiti Malaya. I still remember how rushed everything felt

Daniswaran (right) with his team pitching their idea at the L’Oreal innovation competition. – PIC COURTESY OF DANISWARAN

secretary of Rakan Muda UM, information officer of MIYC Lembah Pantai, co-founder of startups like JIIVI and Co and The Beardsmiths, cultural performer, athlete and a statistical analyst intern at Maxis. It sounds like a list, doesn’t it? But each role taught me something different about myself. One thing I learned is that you will only know your true talent and where you excel by involving yourself in diverse pathways. It is not about showing off or trying to impress others but for you, yourself. Because at the end of the day, no one else can discover your talent except you. For me, I found mine through entrepreneurship and business pitching. I realised I had a knack for coordinating teams, structuring ideas and delivering pitches that resonate. That discovery did not just stay on campus; it brought us all the way to represent Malaysia in the international finals in Paris. When I was coordinating food distributions during Ramadan, I learned the humility of service. When I stood before global leaders speaking on sustainability, I understood the power of voice and representation. When we launched JIIVI and Co, a smart compost bin startup, I faced While Berry and Orange Cat appear to be the frontrunners among locals, dozens of other cats have since entered the race, each with their own slogan and campaign platform. Pirate is running on “More Kibble For All”, while Puzzle has taken a pro-catnap position. Freya is running on the “Com-meow-nist Party” and advocating for “Frisky’s South 4 All”. Another favourite in the race, Minerva, is simply running on “Crime”. The cat quickly got out of the bag and a slew of other animals have since entered the race. A dog duo, Duke and Ella, entered on a shared ticket with the tagline, “You got anyone betta?” While only a few dogs are on the ballot, McNamara said it would be “ridiculous” for a dog to be elected mayor of the bike path. As of Thursday, the race opened up to even more exotic animals, including a parrot named Timber, a guinea pig named Ms Potato, a snake, aptly named Large Snake and a tortoise named Nagi. “I’m a big fan of Nagi the tortoise. I think his

leadership in Bali and standing in Paris as a National Champion in the L’Oreal Brandstorm Challenge. Sometimes, I still can’t believe it. But let me tell you one thing I will never forget. During the Brandstorm finals, we were

failure, doubt and rejection but also learned resilience and hard work. When I competed in sports, danced on stage or led logistics for major events, I discovered teamwork, discipline and the beauty of diverse talents. What I did not expect to find in all these experiences was purpose – a purpose that goes beyond personal success. A purpose to empower others, to be a bridge between communities and to always ask: How can I contribute? To those of you reading this, especially if you feel like you have “missed the boat” or that it is “too late to start”, I want you to know, it is not. It is never too late to start but you need to start somewhere - just take that first step. As for me, my journey does not end here; it will continue, with every step forward, every challenge embraced and every person inspired along the way. Because, as I have come to believe, we are all just one decision away from changing our lives. Daniswaran Seenivasan is a final-year BSc Statistics student at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com age and experience is good,” local voter Gabe Smith told NBC10 . “You know, diversity in a campaign is probably good,” added Somerville resident Valerie Folan. While there are countless cat-idates, many residents seemed to stand behind the incumbent, Berry. “I am a little partial to Berry because she has held a town hall in our garden a few months ago, so I think I’m just waiting to see if other candidates are going to speak up more,” said resident Andrea Wen, who frequently walks the trail. Given the competitive nature of the race, some pets have decided to throw their hat in for other governmental positions. Wasil the cat is running for attorney general while Whiskers, also a cat, hopes to be elected as chief of staff. A QR code is displayed on the bike path for people to cast their votes. According to the form, a winner will be announced on Sept 5. – The Independent

sitting there, hearts pounding, waiting for the results. My hands and feet were sweating. The only thing running in my head at that moment was, “Please God, just bring us into the top six”. And then they announced our country’s name, “Malaysia”. I literally dropped to the ground in pure disbelief and joy. We had done it. From UM

but somehow our idea landed us as the first runners up. I remember thinking, “Wow, is entrepreneurship this easy?” (spoiler alert: it is not.) That experience was my spark. It gave me the confidence to explore further. I soon realised that winning second place was only the first stepping stone, not the finish line. In just four months, I pushed myself beyond what I thought were my

“One thing I learned is that you will only know your true talents and where you excel by involving yourself in diverse pathways. It is not about showing off or trying to impress others but for you, yourself.

to Paris. From just-another-student to top six out of over 80,000 teams from 42 countries. Beyond the passports stamped and awards won, what truly changed me was the way I saw the world and the role I wanted to play in it. At Universiti Malaya, I wore many hats:

limits. I travelled to six different countries, which were France, the United States, Turkey, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, representing Malaysia in international forums, debating ideas with future diplomats in Washington, sharing my thoughts on youth

Race for mayor in Massachusetts goes off leash

NBC 10 reported. Then Noah’s Ark opened...claws quickly came out as a furry competitor, “Orange Cat”, began campaigning for the role as well. “Berry became mayor of Somerville without an election, and I thought that was bologna,” said Orange Cat’s owner, Janet McNamara. “Orange Cat stands for fair and free elections.” Both Berry and Orange Cat frequently stroll along the bike trail and are known and loved amongst residents. “The original race, we have photo evidence all over the Somerville Discord, was Orange Cat vs Berry, who is the incumbent,” one resident said. “I see Berry all the time, Orange Cat almost as much. And then other candidates started coming in, and then Berry’s sign was stolen.” Signs for Berry, who is running along the TabbyCat Party, later reappeared with a promise to “Make Cats Outside Again”. Meanwhile, Orange Cat’s campaign has been “paid for by the catalyst party”, according to signs.

COMMENT

by Isabel Keane

THIS mayoral election has gone to the dogs... and the incumbent cat is not happy about it. A race to elect the newest “Bike Path Cat Mayor” in Somerville, Massachusetts (yes, that’s a thing) has been hijacked by an array of other animals – including a parrot, guinea pig, snake and tortoise. Several ferocious felines, including incumbent Mayor Berry, had been campaigning for the fictitious role of “Bike Path Mayor” when posters for other pets to fill the role began popping up in the Boston suburb. The highly contested race began after Berry’s owner, Mallory Bisset, placed a humourous poster declaring her indoor outdoor cat the “Bike Path Mayor” as a way to let passersby know she is not a stray, just a cat that loves to spend time on the trail,