Veteran newspaper distribution agent dies after collapsing at home
ANEWSPAPER distribution agent Paramasivam Karuppiah Pillai from Klang, who died on May 9, had served the industry for 35 years.
Fondly known as Siva among his peers, relatives and people in Klang, he was said to have collapsed in the bathroom of his home after a trip to Sabak Bernam to collect unsold newspaper copies. He was 54.
Siva, whose wife C. Uma Devi Pillai succumbed to cancer in 2016, leaves behind two sons P. Laxman, 22, and P. Divyan, 20.
Divyan said at one time, his father was one of the top three newspaper agents in Selangor who was responsible for the delivery of over 200,000 copies of newspapers daily.
“My father followed in my late grandfather’s footsteps. He started by delivering newspapers to houses at the age of 19 on a bicycle. Then, he got a motorcycle before setting up his own distribution agency, West Point Periodicals, in 1998.
“Over the years, he worked hard to save some money and finally in 2009, he got his own shop in Centre Point Klang. He had six workers to help him.
“However, in recent years my brother Laxman, who is studying Business Management in KDU University, started helping him which gave him some time for himself,” he added.
He described his father as a slightly reserved man who was hardworking and disciplined.
“Now there is only the two of us,” said Divyan, who is studying Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University.
Divyan said Siva was hardly home when they were growing up as children due to his long hours on the job.
“He used to tell us about his life, the hardships that he went through and how he didn’t want us to suffer like him,” Divyan said, adding that their father grew closer to his sons and started spending more time at home after his wife’s death.
The family will be holding Athma Shanti prayers on Monday, May 25 at their residence in No. 9, Jalan Jambu Mawar, Kawasan 6, 41000 Klang.
The prayers will start at 8pm and is expected to end early Tuesday morning, followed by lunch at 12.30pm at the same location.
Divyan said due to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), the prayers and ceremony will be limited to close family members.