18/10/2025

SATURDAY | OCT 18, 2025

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Sustenance from potted bounty

o Shelter getting by from sale of herbal and medicinal plants at self-run nursery

“I just want to give them the best. Deepavali comes only once a year, they deserve to feel special. Every year, we follow full Hindu traditions – starting at 6am with an oil bath, followed by prayers, breakfast and fireworks at night,” he said. Sponsors provide food during the three-day celebration so the kitchen can close and everyone can enjoy the festivities together. Now 60, Muneeswaran dreams of building a permanent home for the residents. “By 65, I hope to build a single-storey home for elderly men, elderly women and children,” he said. To fund that dream, he turns again to his plants and to the kindness of Malaysians. “If 100,000 people buy one plant for RM30, we can raise RM3 million. “I believe when you do good, God helps you. There are so many kind-hearted Malaysians and with their help, we can make it happen.” Individuals keen to render assistance to Yayasan Seribu Harapan Malaysia may do so via inquiries to yshm.org@gmail.com.

a haven for abandoned, orphaned and underprivileged children – a home built on discipline, education and unconditional love. The youngest resident at the shelter is just three years old, while the oldest is 71. “Today, we have about 38 children under our care, and more than 200 have completed their studies and moved on,” Muneeswaran said, adding that education remains the heartbeat of the home. “Some have earned certificates, diplomas and even degrees. Some of our children have graduated from Sunway University, MSU and government universities and polytechnics. “So far, 40 have graduated. Some are now teachers, accountants and engineers.” As Deepavali approaches, the home is buzzing with excitement. The children are busy cleaning, painting and preparing murukku and sweets for the festival. “Yesterday, we took them shopping for new clothes. I like to take them shopping myself so they can choose what they like,” he said, adding that he spends about RM7,000 on Deepavali clothes and accessories.

are already placing advance orders for family and friends,” he said, adding that the aroma of freshly made sweets each morning continues to draw customers. Shopper A. Suguna, 29, a nurse from Subang Jaya, made her way to Brickfields after work to buy clothes and sweets for her family in Seremban. “I come here every year because there’s a wide selection and the atmosphere feels festive. This year, I want to make sure everything is ready before heading home for the holidays.” Suguna said the vibrant sights and sounds of Brickfields have heightened her excitement for her trip home to celebrate Deepavali. Flower vendor A. Sivananthan, 54, said sales have started to pick up and expects this weekend to be the busiest period for traders. “This whole area, especially the flower stalls, will be packed and we usually sell out completely,” he said. Jewellery and accessory shops were also bustling with visitors, with colourful lights and oil lamps placed in front of business premises, adding to the festive mood. – Bernama Today, the garden he built feeds not only the body but the soul. It pays the bills, keeps 38 children clothed and schooled, and teaches them the value of patience and care. “We grow many of the plants ourselves, and I teach the children how to look after them,” he said, adding that the home now cultivates more than 50 types of herbal and medicinal plants. “These herbs are not just for sale, they also help with our health.” Customers drop by daily to buy plants, while Muneeswaran travels around Malaysia every week to sell them. “That’s how we keep the home running,” he said. But behind the flourishing garden lies a story of heartbreak, one that began with the loss of his son. “I started this home because of my son. He passed away and in his memory, I started what was then called Saravanan Caring Home. “Later, the government officially registered it as Yayasan Seribu Harapan Malaysia.” From that grief, grew compassion. What began as a father’s tribute has become

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: With Deepavali being celebrated on Monday, the atmosphere in Brickfields is turning lively, with crowds thronging “Little India” to shop for festive items. A Bernama check found rows of shops offering traditional attire, accessories and Indian sweets buzzing with customers choosing sarees , kurtas and home decorations in preparation for the Festival of Lights. Textile trader R. Pushpa, 53, said sales have picked up since last weekend, with many visitors looking for matching outfits for the whole family. “Business was slow last week. But now more people are coming, especially in the evenings and on weekends,” she said. Pushpa, who has been operating in the area for more than five years, said sales this year have been more encouraging compared with last year, with shoppers appearing more enthusiastic about buying new clothes. Meanwhile, Indian sweets seller M. Krishnan, 52, said popular sweets such as laddu, jalebi and palkova are in high demand. “Orders are increasing every day. We’ve had to restock frequently because many customers PETALING JAYA: In the quiet lanes of Bukit Beruntung, rows of plants stretch towards the sun – maha vilvam ( Aegle marmelos ), tulsi (holy basil) , ajwain and curry leaves swaying gently in the morning breeze. What began as a few pots behind his home has blossomed into a thriving nursery that now sustains Yayasan Seribu Harapan Malaysia (YSHM), the charity Dr M. Muneeswaran founded 15 years ago. “I used to cater food to support the home. But after (a medical procedure), the doctor advised me to stop. That’s when I started a nursery.”

Brickfields comes alive with festive feel

The flower vendors section is one of the most popular among visitors to Little India. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN