Page 29 - E-BOOK PULSE@FASS ISU NO.01/2023

ALUMNI VOICES SERIESLUMNI VOICES SERIESLUMNI VOICES SERIES
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I am Sivam Tamilselvam from a little town called "Hicom" in Shah
Alam. I am the youngest member of a very simple family. In fact, when
I enrolled in Form 6, I became the first member of the family to go to a
college. My father passed away before I could finish my secondary
studies but I continued with the support of my mother, who became
the breadwinner for the family.

In my school days, my Tamil language teacher told us about the
Department of Indian Studies, one of the oldest departments of
Universiti Malaya. According to my teacher, it was the only place to
study Tamil language right up to the doctoral level. My journey to UM
began there. During my high school years, I would go to the
department at the University to attend the seminars and talks. I was
drawn to the research being done on Tamil language and on the
socio-economic state of the Indians in the country. The department
hosted the first "World Tamil Conference" in 1966. The contributions
it has made to Tamil culture and community in Malaysia in the last 65
years is beyond comparison. My resolve to study here got stronger as
I learnt of these achievements and contributions.

Universiti Malaya, especially the Department of Indian Studies, has
shaped me on many levels. As a poor student, I studied hard through
my high school and undergraduate years to earn a scholarship from By Sivam Tamilselvam

the Public Service Department. During my Department of Indian Studies
undergraduate studies, I was fully involved in the Tamil 2010-2014
Language Society of Universiti Malaya (TLSUM). TLSUM text message searching for a news presenter on a radio
is one of the oldest student bodies in the country, news station. I gave it a try without hesitation. I was the
formed in 1959 by the students of the Department of youngest applicant to be selected after a rigorous
Indian Studies; the late Emeritus Professor Dr S. process of examination and interviews at RTM. In fact,
Singaravelu was the first TLSUM president. I can never RTM allowed me job flexibility so that I could finish my
forget hosting its 60th Diamond Jubilee ceremony as studies at UM. The learning opportunities provided by
the 2019 President. TLSUM’s “Peravai Kadhaigal” or the UM - both inside and outside the classroom - were
short story Competition is one of its kind in the world valuable in securing the position.
and has been featured in the Malaysian Book of
Records. I am always reminded that broadcasting is more than a
job. To me, it’s a form of public service. This came to the
In 2018, I went to University of Madras in Tamil Nadu, fore during the pandemic, when we were not only
India to study for a month under the Student Transfer disseminating information but actively working to
Scheme of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UM. The safeguard the community from the virus by giving
visit enhanced my knowledge about the art and culture information about the safety guidelines, medical
of the Tamils in India, the architecture of the famous facilities and so on.
Hindu temples, their history and Tamil media. I am
proud to say that I won the Dean's award every Although the time was distressful, there was satisfaction
semester and brought fame to the department. When I in knowing I was somehow helping the people and
was studying for the final year examination, I received a serving the community. Similarly, last year, when many

PULSE invites alumni members of FASS to share with us their share of history and the amazing things they have
done since graduating. Please send your articles directly to vilasomiah@um.edu.my (Dr. Vilashini Somiah, Co-
Editor- in- Chief), vandana@um.edu.my (Dr. Vandana Saxena, Co-Editor-in-Chief) or nadhwah@um.edu.my (Ms.
Nadhwah Tul Iman Mizam, Asst. Ed-in-Chief).
We are also open to receiving donations and any feedback, suggestions and questions as well.

28 | Pulse @ FASS