Bright days ahead: Selvih (right) and Solomon cannot wait to celebrate the Festival Of Lights as electricity is now back in their household after 10 years of living in the dark. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: After 10 years of living without electricity, this Deepavali will truly be a festival of lights for S. Selvih as her house is finally getting power supply.The 54-year-old grandmother, who had previously used candles and oil lamps, said she was happy to finally feel the true meaning of Deepavali.
“It feels like a dream come true and will be the most memorable celebration I ever had,” she said yesterday, beaming with joy.
Selvih, who lives in Permatang Damar Laut near Bayan Lepas, works as a cleaner at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Currently living with her grandson R. Solomon Vijay, 11, Selvih was euphoric yesterday when many people, including technicians from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), came to her house.
The helping hand came from the Penang branch of Malaysia Hindudharma Mamamdram.
The association’s education bureau chairman, SV Manimaran, said on learning that Selvih was literally living without power supply, they knew they had to help.
“We spent about RM4,000 to get the wiring, power points and lighting,” he said.
Manimaran said as a temporary measure, the electricity supply comes from the connection provided by her kind neighbour.
“TNB will install the meter today, just in time for Deepavali tomorrow,” he added.
Manimaran thanked Permatang Damar Laut’s village community management council and Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid for their support.
A check with Penang TNB confirmed that the electricity supply request was made on Oct 25 and the installation of the service line and meter will take place today.
For Solomon, his first reaction to the news was that he would be able to read his books and do homework more comfortably.
“Now I can celebrate Deepavali with my grandmother and the most important thing is that I can study better,” said the pupil of SJK (T) Ramakrishnan.
Malaysia Hindudharma Mamamdram Penang chairman Thanabalan Nanda Kumar, who was touched by the boy’s reaction, said he considered it a noble deed done.
“Giving them light will significantly boost productivity, focus and comfort, making it a valuable contribution to the community’s overall well-being,” he said.
