PURE Life Society (PLS) president Datin Paduka Mother A. Mangalam marked her 96th birthday on May 17 with a call for unity among people of different races and religions.
She has been in charge of the home for orphans and underprivileged children since founder Swami Satyananda passed away in 1961, continuing his mission to forge ties among multicultural Malaysians.
“Just like how flowers that come in a variety of colours still belong to the same family, people of different colours all belong to the human race and should love each other.
“This is the only way towards peace,” she said.
Mangalam, who was a teacher, started serving PLS in 1952.
She is also an adviser to Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship and has participated in many conferences dealing with social, welfare, religious, peace and educational issues.
Some 150 PLS staff, residents, alumni and supporters gathered at the PLS building in Jalan Puchong, Selangor, on May 21 to celebrate her birthday.
The event started with Mangalam releasing 96 birds, followed with a multi-faith prayer session led by religious leaders.
PLS vice-president Datin Poonam Kukreja gave a speech while former student Ravindran Raman Kutty recited poetry and the resident children put on multicultural shows.
After the cake-cutting session, all attendees had a vegetarian meal.
The guests included Malaysia’s Buddhist chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, Rev Eugene Benedict from Kuala Lumpur Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Rev Thomas George from Mar Thoma Church, Swami Samyamananda Maharaj from Divine Life Society, Harcharan Singh from the Sikh community and TK Lee from the Baha’i community.
Other guests included Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Dr Lee Lam Thye and Centre for Spiritual Advancement chairman Dr CD Siby.
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