GEORGE TOWN: Losing two loved ones in military service has been profoundly painful for S. Usha, yet she remains determined not to dissuade her other children from pursuing careers in the uniformed forces.
The 52-year-old mother of four had lost her husband, Mejar C. Kayamboo, in 2016, and just days ago, her son, Trooper K. Indiran, died during training.
She has urged the public to refrain from speculating about her son’s death, asserting that her eldest son experienced neither bullying nor abuse.
“Tough training in the military is normal but should not be mistaken for bullying.
“His (Indiran’s) late father served in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and went through tough training.
“Indiran had said the drills were hard and demanding, but that’s normal to test endurance.”
Usha said the post-mortem confirmed her son had not been bullied, beaten or harmed.
“His physical condition was perfectly normal.
“So don’t tarnish the Armed Forces with false claims. We’ll have to wait for the investigation results,” she said.
On Feb 18, Indiran, 22, who was taking an armour crew course at Kem Batu 10 in Kuantan, Pahang, was found unconscious and rushed to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan where he died the next day.
His father, Mejar Kayamboo, was an Air Force pilot who died in 2016 when his Beechcraft B200T crashed near the ammunitions terminal at RMAF Butterworth, Penang.
Meanwhile, K. Sarvien, 17, is resolved to serve despite losing his father and elder brother.
“The losses were tragic for me and the family. They left a tremendous impact on me mentally, but I’m still adamant about completing my education and putting on the uniform to serve the country.
“I have gone through four years of rigorous training, and while the exams are tougher than the physical tests, I am doing all right.
“My friends and I look forward to graduating by this year to join the police force,” said the final-year student at the Royal Malaysian Police Mara Junior Science College in Kulim, Kedah.
Usha said she would respect Sarvien’s ambition, although she feared for his safety.
“He has always wanted to help people.
I am willing to leave it to fate and remain hopeful that my other children will accomplish their dreams,” she said.
Indiran was accorded a military burial before his remains were laid to rest next to his father’s grave at Batu Lanchang Indian cemetery.
