Blog Entry #7 : My Idol, my grandpapa

In life, usually, everyone has at least one person that they adore. That someone who gave inspirations from their life's stories. That someone that inspired us to be a better person.
For me, that some is my maternal grandfather, Mr. Muniswaran

He is someone I have always been with since I was a little girl. Until this day, he is the person whom I call when I am in trouble or when I need some encouragements. For all that I know, I adore him so much for all the words and actions he display to me, including his life experiences.

His life story is one thing that I will never get bored listening to every time I asked him. It was filled with so much of emotions and challenges. To see where is he now, is an inspiration.

Let me tell you a little bit about my 80 year old grandpa. He was the 9th child and the youngest for his parents. He always told that he was a pet to his dad,who was then, a firefighter. After few years, as a child, he lost his father.

Grandpa used to tell that his father was a very tall man. His mother on the other hand, had to care for all of her children at that time. She was only a housewife. She could not care financially for all her children and few of her children were separated to relatives.
Those were the times of Japanese Occupation.
 Grandpa used to say that they only ate sweet potato and nothing more than that.  Life at that time was scary for him and his family.

One of my grandpa's relative promised to care and give him education. The family took grandpa to Klang from Kuala Kubu Bharu at the very young age. Instead of giving grandpa a proper education, he was asked to help farming. Frightened and lost, my grandpa as a child, ran away from that place finding for his mother. He said he took the train from Klang to Kuala Kubu Bharu and walked many kilometers to his house. As devastated as it seemed, grandpa's mother was taken aback of her youngest child's condition.

Grandpa is the second from the RIGHT

As time pass by, his mother's condition was challenging caring for her children. So, his elder sister took him with her when she was married. Grandpa's brother-in-law was a police officer. He was a strict man. Grandpa moved around the country with his sister's family and grew up with his nieces and nephews. As time goes by, he realised that he may be a burden to his sister . So, grandpa left to find for work after his Secondary 3, he was offered a job as a teacher at a school in Malacca. After few years, he was offered a position in the Customs.

He worked himself up, away from his family and retired as a Superintendent Officer of Customs in Penang. I could go on more and more of his life's story, but it is at a great length. As summarized, this story has inspired me in many ways. Without his sacrifices, I may not even be given this opportunity to further my studies.My grandpa is one of those people who have encouraged me to pursue my post-graduate degree as well.

Thank you Tata for being such a inspiration!