KUALA LUMPUR: The late Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan was one of the pillars of Malaysian public service, and a woman with strength and remarkable bravery.
Deva Kunjari, the daughter of Tun V. T. Sambanthan, shared heartfelt memories of Devaki, while describing her as a figure renowned for her unwavering advocacy for serving the people.
She said Devaki's involvement with the MIC and an NGO led by Toh Puan Umasundari Sambanthan, showcased Devaki's commitment to making a positive impact.
"In 2016, when challenges arose concerning the Vivekananda Ashrama (religious homes) and plans to construct a 23-storey building behind the Ashrama, Devaki played a pivotal role in supporting the cause.
"She frequently visited the place at that time. Devaki's wealth of knowledge, spanning back to the 1940s, provided invaluable assistance with information and documents," Deva Kunjari told reporters when met at Devaki's house in Brickfields here today.
Deva said due to Devaki's invaluable support, they were able to preserve the religious homes.
Deva Kunjari said in the 1960s, the late Devaki, Umasundari and Life President of Pure Life Society Datin Dr Mother A. Mangalam emerged as pillars of public service in Malaysia at that time.
She said the trio stood for principles although their styles and personalities were different. They used to come together for a common purpose, she said.
"Devaki's death is a sombre day for me as it marks the loss of a repository of Malaysian history deeply involved in numerous public service activities.
"She, along with my mother and Mother Mangalam, exemplified the principles of being Malaysian and they dedicated themselves selflessly to public service without any hint of selfish motives," she said, adding their achievements should be remembered for generations to come.
She said the trio's unwavering faith, fearlessness and dedication to service were equal to their service to God.
She said the leaders during Malaya's era of independence were of a different breed because their intentions of joining politics was purely for public service. She said joining politics was a recognised route for public service back in those days.
"In those times, people who want to serve the community and the country predominantly chose politics as their 'means' of serving the people. Devaki was an example of this model," she said.
About 100 family members and friends came to pay final respects to the late Devaki during the final rites held at her home and at Loke Yew Hindu Crematorium, where she was cremated at 2pm today
Among those who paid their last respects were MIC vice-presidents Datuk T. Murugiah, MIC veteran Tan Sri K. Kumaran, Batu member of parliament P. Prabakaran, Sentosa assemblyman Gunarajah R. George, Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad and National Land Finance Co-operative Society managing director Datuk B. Sahadevan.
Devaki died on Saturday, just one and-half months before her 100th birthday. She was the first woman elected to public office.
Known as the "Grand Dame of Malaysian Indian Politics", she was one of the last surviving members of the Merdeka generation.
Devaki had worked with contemporaries such as Datuk Onn Jaafar, Yong Shook Lin, Tun Omar Ong Yoke Lin, Puan Sri Putih Mariah, Tun Fatimah Hashim, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Tun V.T. Sambanthan, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun Tan Siew Sin, who all rallied causes around the time of the Merdeka movement, while developing the concept of a Malaysian society.
Devaki was married to the late P. Krishnan, who died in 1998. He was a self-made businessman and the founder of Krishnan Taxis, which operated Kuala Lumpur's first fleet of Mercedes-Benz limousines and taxi services.