KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian non-governmental organisations (NGO) have been urged to take a leaf from Datin Paduka Dr Mother A. Mangalam's book, to serve the less fortunate in the country, said social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
Mother Mangalam is a 96-year-old humanitarian, who has dedicated her life to helping the underprivileged and those in need regardless of race, creed, or colour.
In a tribute to Mother Mangalam, Lee said NGOs should take inspiration from her sense of devotion and commitment, using that as motivation to help in their own ways, while also promoting unity in diversity.
"She has spent 70 years of her life dedicated to the non-profit organisation Pure Life Society and the cause she believes in.
"Throughout these years, her outreach programmes and activities have been able to get Malaysians together, and have brought about multiracial, multicultural and multireligious understanding.
"Mother Mangalam is also an educator. She has guided and educated orphans and underprivileged children of different races, helping them to be useful citizens of the country," he said.
Mother Mangalam, who is Pure Life Society's life president, has won numerous awards for her immense contribution to social service, including the Merdeka Award for community education in 2010.
In 2013, she also received the BrandLaureatte Grand Master Brand Icon Leadership Award for her lifetime services to society and the country.
Mother Mangalam was also conferred an honorary doctorate in degree in humanities from Taylor's University.
Born in Singapore on May 17, 1926, she was a teacher by profession until she took optional retirement from the teaching service in 1977 to devote her time to work for the Pure Life Society's orphanage.
In addition to her educational and welfare activities, Mother Mangalam served for 10 years as the Malaysia Inter-Religious Organisation vice-president.