As the clock ticks away the final hours of 2024, we at Astro Ulagam are reflecting on all the amazing accomplishments of our fellow Malaysians!
From breaking barriers in sports to pioneering groundbreaking technologies, our nation has truly shone bright this year. So, let's take a moment to celebrate and give a big shoutout to these inspiring individuals who have made Malaysia proud!
Malaysian Silambam Team
12 gold medals, 1 unstoppable team. The Malaysian silambam squad proved their prowess at the Asian Open Silambam Championship in Qatar, dominating the competition and emerging as the ultimate champions.
Malaysian Biker Katiravan Becomes One of the Few Malaysians to Step Foot in Antarctic
At 63 years old, Malaysian biker Katiravan Subrayan continues to defy boundaries and inspire the world with his extraordinary global expedition. Recently, he added another historic milestone to his journey, becoming one of the few Malaysians to set foot in Antarctica.
Katiravan’s quest, which began in January 2023, is far from an ordinary adventure. With a mission to raise awareness about climate change, promote environmental conservation, and showcase Malaysia as a premier tourist destination, his journey is a story of unwavering commitment and unparalleled courage.
Anoushri Menon’s Journey to the Royal Education Award
Anoushri Menon has received the prestigious Royal Education Award and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Human Development Science with Information Technology (Honours). Despite financial constraints, her parents instilled in her the value of education, which became the cornerstone of her success.
Anoushri’s achievements culminated in her receiving the prestigious Anugerah Pelajaran DiRaja (Royal Education Award), a testament to her academic excellence and active involvement in extracurricular activities. For her, this recognition symbolizes the countless sacrifices made by her parents and the unwavering support from her family.
Janorashikin’s Simple Act of Feeding a Hungry Child Touches Malaysian Hearts
Janorashikin Jasdi, a 39-year-old Preschool Student Management Assistant (PPM) at SJKT Ladang Jawi, her instinctive act of feeding a young, hungry pre-schooler during a football tournament became a heart-warming symbol of unity and compassion across Malaysia. The touching moment, which has since gone viral, unfolded on December 7 at the Under-6 MIFA Beyond Kids Cup hosted by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang. In the midst of a busy interval, Janorashikin noticed one of her young charges; an Indian boy struggling with his meal. Without hesitation, she gently cooled the hot food and fed him, a gesture filled with motherly care.
Kasiban’s Tribute to His Late Father and Mother’s Sacrifice
Growing up in a single-mother household after his father's passing four years ago, just as he was entering University Malaya, Kasiban displayed remarkable resilience and determination. Today, his name shines brightly as the recipient of the Anugerah Pelajaran DiRaja 2024, a much-needed award to his dedication and hard work.
His father’s passing was a life-altering moment that shaped Kasiban’s perspective on healthcare. Witnessing the compassion of healthcare professionals who supported his family during those difficult times motivated him to pursue nursing.
M. Laxmann Earns Prestigious ‘Top in the World’ Award in A-Level Examinations
Johor’s pride shines bright as M. Laxmann, a recipient of the Orang Muda Johor Scholarship, makes history by earning the prestigious Top in the World award in the A-Level Cambridge examinations. This esteemed accolade, presented by the Cambridge Assessment International Education, recognizes students who achieve the highest marks globally in a single Cambridge A-Level subject.
Laxmann, a former student of Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (Johor English College), displayed academic excellence with an extraordinary 100% score in Mathematics. His achievements extend to other subjects, securing an impressive 97% in Chemistry and 93% in Physics; indeed mind-blowing.
Dentist R Vijendran Earns Law Degree at 69 ; Proving Age is Just a Number
Dr. Vijendran Rajenthiram, a dentist with nearly four decades of experience, graduated with a law degree on November 16 at the age of 69. His journey highlights that stepping out of one’s comfort zone and pursuing new ambitions is possible at any stage of life.
“We should never stop learning,” he shared. “It could be simple things like picking up a new skill or instrument. It keeps the mind active, and I think that’s what keeps us young.”
Vijendran’s decision to pursue law was driven by a long-standing passion that began in his youth while watching legal dramas like Perry Mason and admiring iconic figures like the late Karpal Singh. Despite his initial choice to pursue dentistry, the pandemic provided him with the opportunity to revisit this dream._3.png)
Ts. Uma Shangery - The winner of 2024 Women’s Space Awards, Business category
Ts. Uma Shangery Aruldass’s childhood fascination with newspaper stories by her mom and curiosity led her to a career as an aerospace engineer and Technical Services and Planning Manager at Berjaya Air. The sky is no limit! Emerging as the winner of 2024 Women’s Space Awards – Business category, we had the honour of interviewing the pioneer that we all should look up to.
From her dad bringing her to the Thunderbirds airshow at the Malaysian Air Force Base to watch those planes fly in all directions to bringing home posters of fighter jets with detailed engineering diagrams; indeed, an ah-mazing experience and memories she had during her teen days. And the fascination drove her to study Aerospace Engineering. Uma pursued a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, and a Master’s in Aviation Management and is now, doing her PhD in Air and Space Law.
Insp S. Karnan Honoured for Rapid Arrest in Triple Murder Case
This inspiring 39-year-old officer from Muar CID recently solved a heart-breaking triple murder case, where the main suspect was a family member. Despite the complexity of the case, Insp Karnan made him a relentless force in his line of duty. The officer from the Muar Criminal Investigation Department who recently made headlines for his swift and efficient solving of a heart-breaking triple murder case. The tragedy involved the loss of an elderly couple and their 11-year-old girl._3.png)
Yamuna and Yasoda - With Grandmother as Their Guiding Light, Twins Earn Degrees with Dean's Award
Double the smiles, double the inspiration. That's how we could define, the twins - S. Yamuna and S. Yasoda! These 23-year-old twins may seem like your average pair of sisters, but their story is anything but ordinary. They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And these incredible ladies have taken thousands of steps to reach this moment. The twins have been inseparable throughout their academic journey, studying side by side from primary school to secondary school, matriculation, and finally UTM. Their hard work and dedication earned them the prestigious Dean’s Award.
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Malaysian Preschool Teacher Neermala Doraisamy Honoured with Asia Education Awards 2024
Malaysian preschool teacher Neermala Doraisamy has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to education, earning the prestigious Best Preschool Teacher Award at the Asia Education Awards 2024.
With 19 years of dedicated service in the education field, Neermala, 43, currently teaches at SJKT Lurah Bilut in Pahang. The award was presented at the Asia Education Conclave (AEC) in Bangkok, Thailand, an event that celebrates exceptional educators from around the globe.
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"Being a Vet is My Passion": Dr. Ima Inspires Change with Her Viral Take on Treating Dogs
Prominent veterinarian Dr. Salehatul Khuzaimah, fondly known online as Dr. Ima, has become an inspirational figure after her recent TikTok video went viral. The video, posted on October 9, showcases Dr. Ima’s heartfelt commitment to treating animals, including dogs, at her clinic, an act she performs with unwavering passion and a profound sense of duty. The feature, shared by dog media company MyForeverDoggo, highlights Dr. Ima's courageous journey as a Muslim veterinarian challenging stigmas while embodying the principles of kindness and care through her faith._2.png)
Mum’s Heartfelt Thanks to Barber Who Gave Autistic Son His First Haircut in 8 Years
This amazing barber who went above and beyond to help a young boy with autism overcome his fear of haircuts. This mother's heartwarming post about her son's first haircut in eight years will have you reaching for the tissues. It takes a special kind of person to understand and cater to the unique needs of a child with autism. This barber not only took the time to understand his fears but also made the extra effort to make him feel comfortable and safe.
For many children with autism, a simple haircut can be overwhelming. Sensory sensitivities and the fear of unfamiliar surroundings often make it difficult for them to sit calmly in a barber’s chair. This was the case for Shariza’s son, Aisy, who had struggled with haircuts for as long as she could remember._1-(1).png)
Yak Fang Ling - Visually Impaired Since Birth, Now Graduates with Honours in Counselling from UNIMAS
Top student Yak Fang Ling graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling with Honours from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). Yak, who was born blind, chose her degree path with a strong purpose, to give back to society and make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Originally from Selangau, Yak’s journey in education began with incredible hurdles.
Yak’s journey to her degree was not without its challenges. Accessing study materials presented an early obstacle, as most books were available only in hard copy. Yak adapted by using online resources and credited her lecturers for providing soft copies of materials, enabling her to study independently. Navigating the large university campus was another hurdle, but with the support of friends and classmates, she learned to overcome this barrier as well._3.png)
Kisona Clinches Dutch Open Title for Malaysia
Women's singles shuttler S. Kisona has ended her three-year title drought by clinching the Dutch Open title. The independent player defeated Azerbaijan's Keisha Fatimah 21-14, 21-16 in the final on Sunday (Oct 27) in the Netherlands, marking her first win since the Spain International in 2021.
This victory is particularly meaningful for the 26-year-old, as it’s her first title since parting ways with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) at the end of 2022. Kisona is also the first Malaysian woman in singles to secure a senior international title this year, a milestone that renews her aspirations to succeed independently.
81-Year-Old Grandmother of 27 and Great Grandmother to 14 Receives PhD
At 81 years old, age proved no barrier for Christine Longuet, also known as Rohani Abdullah, who has achieved her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in human ecology and ethnobotany. After a decade of journey, she completed her thesis titled Tempat, Tumbuhan dan Masyarakat di Terengganu; Penilaian Berdasarkan Dua Era, making her the proud recipient of a PhD from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).
Kathiresan Moorthy's Journey From Taking His SPM BM Paper 7 Times To Being An Award-Winning Teacher
At the age of 38, Kathiresan Moorthy stands as a beacon of success in the realm of education, having earned recognition as an award-winning primary school teacher. His impressive collection of accolades is an example to his innovative teaching methods, and he goes beyond classroom boundaries by coaching fellow educators. Recently named among the finalists for the Pemimpin GSL's 2023 Malaysia Teacher Prize, Kathiresan's journey to success was far from straightforward._17.png)
Sivabalan’s Record-Breaking Kolam at NU Sentral - 100 Shades, One Masterpiece
Sivabalan Arumugam , a name that needs no introduction with artistic perfection in Kolam creation, has once again astounded us with his latest achievement. As the founder of Life Creation Event Planner and Life Creation Rangoli Kolam, Sivabalan has etched his name in the Malaysia Book of Records for using the “Most Colours in a Single Rangoli Kolam.”
This extraordinary feat, created at NU Sentral in conjunction with Deepavali, featured a 20 x 25 feet kolam adorned with 100 distinct shades of colour, an incredible achievement, completed entirely by Sivabalan himself._3.png)
Mountaineer Thillaimuthu Nagarajan, The First Malaysian to Conquer Highest Peaks on all Seven Continents
Honoured by the Malaysia Book of Records, Nagarajan stands as the first Malaysian to conquer the 7 Summits Plus 2 Challenge, scaling the highest peaks across all seven continents. Beyond the conventional Seven Summit challenge, he successfully completed the Bass List, Messner List, and Hackett List variations._14.png)
Anjala Devi's Compassionate Act: Feeding a Young Man in the Hospital
A 63-year-old C. Anjala Devi has captured the admiration of netizens after a video of her feeding a young man at Hospital Sultanah Aminah went viral. Speaking to Harian Metro, Anjala, who resides in Larkin, shared that she was at the hospital visiting her nephew, K. Jaya Shankar, who had been admitted following a heart attack. Anjala noticed the young man struggling with his meal and decided to help, saying, "I thought of him as my son and helped him as I could not stand to see him struggle."_18.png)
Melaka-Born Editor, Praboo T. Arivananthan's Aro's World Premieres at LA Shorts, Los Angeles
A 28-year-old Melaka-born film editor named Praboo T. Arivananthan now based in Hollywood, has made significant strides in the film industry with his award-winning work on the short horror film, Aro's World. The film was recently showcased at the LA Shorts International Film Festival (LA Shorts) on July 19.
LA Shorts is one of the largest international short film festivals globally, screening over 300 films annually and featuring seven award categories recognized by the Academy Awards (Oscars)._27.png)
Professor Kalai Mathee Makes History as First Malaysian Woman in American Academy of Microbiology
Professor Kalai Mathee, a true luminary in the field of her passion - science. Not only has she made groundbreaking contributions to her field, but she is also an inspiration for women in science worldwide. Among them is Prof. Dr. Kalai Mathee, a distinguished professor and researcher at Florida International University (FIU).
In 2020, Mathee who hails from Ipoh made history by being inducted into the prestigious American Academy of Microbiology, as the FIRST female scientist from Malaysia and the SECOND overall. This academy is the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, one of the oldest and largest life science societies globally._28.png)
Malaysia Chef Satiawani's Cendol Stole the Show at MasterChef Tamil
Malaysian Chef Satiawani, who has earned a spot on the world map by joining MasterChef Tamil Season 2 as a contestant from Malaysia, has once again wowed us and the judges with her creativity in making the refreshing Malaysian dessert, Cendol._12.png)
Malaysian Women's Kabaddi Team Wins Historic Gold at Indonesia Open
The Malaysian women's team achieved a historic victory by winning gold at the Indonesia Open International Kabaddi Championship. The Malaysian women's team achieved a historic victory by winning gold at the Indonesia Open International Kabaddi Championship, according to a report by Malaysia Nanban._15.png)
From Street Vendor to Entrepreneur: The Rise of Kavievanan Subramaniam and Tea Thambi Café
Kavie now has Tea Thambi stalls in Bangsar, Masjid India, Brickfields, and Bukit Bintang. Additionally, he has enough name recognition to receive catering requests from event managers. However, he told FMT Lifestyle that his proudest achievement was the establishment of the café on Jalan Tun Perak, which began serving its first customers last year._27.png)
Dr. Loshseni’s Prestigious Awards Highlight Her Impact on Society
Dr. Loshseni Gunasegaran, with a rich legacy in the field of medicine, has distinguished herself by earning prestigious awards that celebrate her significant contributions to society and the nation. Furthermore, her notable achievements include being listed in the Britishpedia encyclopedia of Successful People in Malaysia, receiving the Anugerah Pandu Puteri Diraja by Seri Paduka Baginda Permaisuri Agong, and training over 200 florists as a certified florist._36.png)
Malaysian-Born Arjun Gananathan Receives Ralph D. Gants Access to Justice Award
Arjun Gananathan, a doctoral candidate at Harvard Law School, was honoured with the 2024 Ralph D. Gants Access to Justice Award for his exceptional contributions to improving access to justice and advancing fairness.
Sivasangari Honoured With The World Games Athlete of The Month
Sivasangari Subramaniam wins The World Games Athlete Of The Month. Malaysian squash star Sivasangari Subramaniam has been crowned Athlete of the Month by The World Games following her remarkable title-winning run at the London Classic._20.png)
Tanabalan's Epic Journey on Riding Bike 14,769KM to Madinah, Saudi Arabia in 40 Days
P. Tanabalan, a dedicated meter reader at Tenaga Nasional Bhd, recently accomplished a remarkable feat by traversing 14,769 kilometers across multiple countries to reach Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Undertaking this profound pilgrimage as part of the Jelajah Silaturahim motorcycle expedition, Tanabalan, along with 18 companions, embarked on a transformative journey that lasted 40 days._15.png)
Thamini Vijeyasingam and Three Other Malaysians Secure Spots in Harvard's Class of 2028
Thamini Vijeyasingam, an alumna of ELC International School in Sungai Buloh, will pursue studies in Economics and Philosophy by securing admission to Harvard College, the prestigious undergraduate school of Harvard University, for the upcoming academic year, graduating in 2028._7.png)
Malaysian Coach Roobenraj Velayutham Appointed to Head Iraqi National Badminton Team
Coach Roobenraj Velayutham joining forces with the Iraqi National Olympic Committee and Badminton Federation to take the game to new heights. Hailing from Malaysia, Coach Roobenraj brings with him a wealth of experience, having been a former player in the Malaysian mixed doubles team.
The appointment of Roobenraj marks a new chapter for the Iraqi national badminton team across all age groups. This strategic move aims to elevate the standard of play and foster the development of champion players under his guidance._18.png)
Sarvysswharrann Yogeswaran Makes It To America's Got Talent Season 19 Auditions
Sarvysswharrann Yogeswaran who has earned the limelight back-to-back in various aviation competitions has once again made it to the headlines as he is gearing up for America's Got Talent Season 19 Auditions!
Being the roman numeral mavrick - the gem is about to rise as the 1st Human Roman Numeral Coverter, turning numbers into Roman numerals up t0 1,000,000 (Billion)._17.png)
Thank you for making our nation PROUD, guys!