Lee Kuan Yew turns one today in Tamil Nadu

(Above) Named after Singapore's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew Jayaprakash was born on March 23 last year and lives in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, with his father B. Jayaprakash, mother Bhagiyalakshmi and two-year-old sister Subhasini. In the prayer room of their house is an image of the Singapore leader, whose death last year was mourned deeply by many in the area.PHOTOS: V. ASHOKAN

SINGAPORE: Lee Kuan Yew Jayaprakash tries to stand up, and when he manages with the help of a small green plastic chair, he immediately looks at his mother Bhagiyalakshmi and flashes a wide toothy smile.

Lee, as he is known by his family, then sits back on his haunches and launches at full speed towards the front door of the small four-room house that leads out to a newly paved road in the town of Mannargudi in southern Tamil Nadu state.