Kunavathi Helps Bring Deepavali Cheer to Thousands of Prison Inmates

Losing her eyesight at just 12 years old has never stopped K Kunavathi from making a difference in the lives of others. Now 56, she has spent the past decade volunteering in an annual Deepavali charity programme, helping to prepare festive treats for inmates at Penang Prison and Jawi Prison.

As reported by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Kunavathi joined around 60 volunteers at the SJKT Azad school hall in Butterworth this year to pack 4,000 food parcels containing traditional favourites such as murukku, athirasam and mixture.

Although the packing process involves hours of repetitive work, she finds joy in being part of something that brings happiness to others.

"There is quite a lot of work, but it makes me feel fulfilled. I hope that whoever receives these Deepavali treats will be happy and blessed," she said.

Kunavathi is a member of Malaysia Hindhudharma Mamandram (MHDM), a non-governmental organisation that promotes Hindu values, cultural traditions and community welfare. The organisation has been carrying out the Deepavali initiative for 20 years, continuing a tradition started by its late former chairman, Dharma Pooshanam V Nanda Kumar.

The programme aims to ensure that Hindu inmates can still observe Deepavali according to their religious customs, even when they are unable to celebrate with their loved ones. Besides the traditional snacks, each pack also includes gingelly oil, santhanam (sandalwood powder), shikakai (a traditional hair cleanser), kumkum (vermilion powder) and vibuthi (sacred ash), allowing the inmates to observe their customary ritual bath and prayers on Deepavali morning.

This year's preparation was carried out with the support of the Om Sakthi Devotees Association. Around 30 of its members prepared the murukku at their centre in Simpang Empat, working from 8am to 5pm before the items were transported to the school hall for packing. According to The Star, the entire initiative cost approximately RM10,000.

Kumares Nalla Thamby, chairman of MHDM's Penang branch, said the programme was one way of putting the spirit of Deepavali into action. He highlighted how the Festival of Lights encourages people to do good and spread positivity, regardless of their race or background. For Kunavathi, volunteering has become a meaningful part of her life.

She sells religious items at Sri Sitti Vinayagar Temple in Kepala Batas and had always hoped to do something that could benefit others. After learning about MHDM several years ago, she decided to get involved in its activities and has remained a familiar face at the annual Deepavali programme.

Although her visual impairment sometimes makes certain tasks challenging, she does not let it stop her from contributing. Fellow volunteers are always ready to lend a hand whenever she needs assistance.

MHDM Penang chairman Thanabalan Nanda Kumar said Kunavathi is the organisation's only blind member, but that has never stopped her from willingly taking part in its activities.

Beyond the Deepavali initiative, she also joins gotong-royong activities and charity fundraisers, while conducting free Hindu religious classes for children and teenagers aged between six and 17. Kunavathi has won a Penang state-level Thirumurai competition for her recitation of devotional hymns and has also received the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat in recognition of her contributions to the community.

"Her calm nature and positive attitude make her a very respected person here," Thanabalan said.

This Deepavali, Kunavathi is celebrating with her relatives, some of whom have travelled all the way from Johor to spend the festive occasion with her. Despite the challenges she has faced, she remains determined to continue volunteering for as long as she is able.

"Doing charity makes me happy and I really enjoy it. We should all try not just to celebrate, but also to help others during festive seasons. I hope everyone has a happy Deepavali," she said.

For Kunavathi, the joy of Deepavali goes beyond the lights, decorations and festive food. It is also about remembering those who may be spending the occasion away from their families and finding simple ways to make them feel loved. And through her kindness, she continues to remind us that making a difference does not depend on what we can see, but on the compassion, we carry in our hearts.

Source / Image Credit : penangtoday.my