Janaky’s services to country and Indian community recognised

In recognition: Palanivel presenting the award to Janaky at the Malaysian Mukkulathor Council fund-raising dinner.

PUAN Sri Janaky Athi Nahappan who joined the Indian National Army as a 17-year-old and fought the British on the Burma-India border in the Second World War was honoured by the Malaysian Mukkulathor Council, recently.

She was bestowed the inaugural Pasumpon Muthuramalingam award for her services to the country and the Indian community at the council’s dinner to raise funds to purchase a building in Kuala Lumpur.

The 87-year-old insisted on getting down from her wheelchair and walking a few steps to receive the award from MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel who was the guest of honour and association president Kannu Sivakumaran at the dinner last week.

Janaky, who rose to the rank of captain and second in command of the Rhani of Jhansi Regiment, married newspaper reporter Tan Sri Athi Nahappan who later became the MIC deputy president and a minister.

After the war, Janaky and other INA veterans became founder members of MIC and has served in various capacities in the party.

She was chairperson of the MIC Batu branch, a CWC member and chairperson of the Wanita MIC and was also appointed a senator.

Apart from her political career, she was also very active in various social organisations including the Girl Guides Association where she was the state commissioner for Selangor, National Council of Women’s Organisations and other Social Welfare Associations.

She is the first woman of Indian origin outside India to be awarded one of India’s highest title — the Padma Shri by the president of India for her social welfare services and to the Indian National Army in 2000.

Earlier, Palanivel in his speech, said the trust of the Indian community in Barisan Nasional was growing steadily.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is committed to helping the Indian community and his endeavours must have the support of the community,” he said, before pledging a RM100,000 donation to the council’s building fund.

S. Vell Paari, the son of former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu pledged RM500,000 while several others pledged sums of between RM30,000 and RM5,000 for the fund.

Kannu Sivakumaran said the council was in the process of identifying a building in Kuala Lumpur for its headquarters.

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, MIC Youth chief T. Mohan, Johor state executive councillor M. Asojan and other businessmen were also present.