Uncle shares Nhaveen’s story at seminar

THE uncle of T. Nhaveen, the teenager who died last year allegedly at the hands of bullies in Penang, addressed an antibullying seminar organised by the Penang Indian Wellbeing Association, Makkal Osai reported.

As one of the keynote speakers at the event attended by 11 Tamil schools in the state, A. Suryakumar spoke movingly about the 18yearold and how his victimisation and death had affected the family.

Held at Komtar, the seminar was organised with the assistance of Penang Against Bullying, Persatuan Kebajikan Asas Pulau Pinang and Persatuan Kebajikan Ceria Pulau Pinang.

The organisers said the menace has spread from schoolyard bullying to workplaces and even public places.

The seminar was part of an effort to ensure that lessons learnt are not forgotten and the campaign against bullying continues.

Other speakers included Befrienders Penang president Dr Florance Sinniah, Dr S. Vicknesvaran and Charity Foundation Association of Penang president Alagesan Ayaru.

The speakers spoke about the causes of bullying, the effects on youth development, and how to combat the scourge.

The Tamil schools, which were represented by members of their parentteacher associations, shared their experiences in handling such matters in their schools.

> A 74yearold Indian woman was shocked after a National Registration Department (JPN) officer suggested that she dress up in her wedding attire and take a photograph with her husband to present as evidence for her citizenship application, the paper also reported.

Nagamma Katthan said she was born in Chaah, Johor, but was only given a red IC while her 78yearold Indiaborn husband became a Malaysian citizen during the British occupation by taking an oath.

Their eight children have blue ICs. Nagamma said that she had for decades gone to the district and state JPN offices numerous times to apply for a blue IC but to no avail.

The authorities have required her to take Bahasa Malaysia exams but she is illiterate.

But being told by the officer that she should get a photo taken with her husband in their wedding revelry and her thaali was insulting, said Nagamma.