‘I don’t want anyone to look down on Dad’: A son’s tribute to his special father in Singapore

Karthigeyan (left) and and Shanger Pannerchelvam (right) are not only sons, but also protectors of their father, D. Pannerchelvam, who has intellectual disability. The family celebrated his 67th birthday in June. - Photo: ST

SINGAPORE: D. Pannerchelvam cannot read a clock. He struggles to tell the value of different dollar bills and knows little about his two adult sons’ jobs.

Yet every night, the 67-year-old carefully packs his younger son’s work bag. “Socks, T-shirt,” he said when asked what he places inside.