SPECIAL REPORT | Stepping into T Nhaveen’s home, one will notice a faint fluorescent light and an altar in the living room.
The portrait of the young boy was placed on the table, framed with white garlands, surrounded by fruits and flowers. The floor was full of trays holding rice, petals and spices.
“Today is actually one year after he left us. For us, the pain is still the same, nothing has changed,” said Nhaveen’s mother Shanti Dorairaj. There was a long silence after Shanti uttered those words.
In June last year, Nhaveen was attacked violently on his way home. He was found and sent to Penang Hospital the next morning, and eventually passed away. At the time, Nhaveen was 18.
With news on the new Pakatan Harapan government and the accusations against former premier Najib Abdul Razak getting all the attention, quietly in a flat at Bukit Gelugor, Penang, Nhaveen’s family held a memorial prayer.
The dimly-lit living room was filled with smoke as a Hindu priest led the family to recite prayers for Nhaveen.
The male elders, who were in their white robes, were sitting on the floor citing mantras, while Nhaveen’s mother, aunts and grandmas were staring at his portrait, gently wiping their tears.
