KLANG: One of the nation’s foremost educationists, Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah (pic), was a history professor at Universiti Malaya, when he noticed there weren’t many Indian students from the community’s grassroots in public universities.

Thus began his crusade in 1982 to provide education and uplift the community.

After decades of service to uplift the Malaysian Indian community through education, the founder of the renowned Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) passed away in his sleep early yesterday morning. He was 84.

Back in the early 1980s, Dr Thambirajah found that Indian students were either not making it to Form Six after doing badly in Form Five or were not scoring well enough in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations to secure seats in public universities.

He then summoned 42 Indian undergraduates from the university in 1982 and put forward his idea of providing tuition and mentoring classes for young Indians from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The undergraduates, some of whom became very prominent Malaysians, took to the idea, and hence, SMC was born the same year.

Dr Thambirajah’s modus operandi was simple but very effective as he consolidated an educational module revolving around loyalty facets such as religion and culture.

Hence, the name SMC was chosen since Lord Murugan represents the Tamil language, culture and people.

Students were trained to observe and regard education as a holy pilgrimage, and hence events such as the Kalvi Yathirai (educational pilgrimage) were held at the Batu Caves Murugan temple annually.

Students were also mentored to dress impeccably when attending classes, with the boys having to wear neckties because Dr Thambirajah strongly believed that for students to excel, their confidence must first be boosted to make them feel good about themselves.

Parents were also brought into the fold, and students took part in ceremonies organised by the SMC that honoured their mothers and fathers.

Dr Thambirajah’s strategy worked, and to date, some 300,000 students have passed through SMC’s doors.

On the personal front, Dr Thambirajah was a very high achiever, starting off as a Kirby-trained teacher and then pursuing tertiary education majoring in Russian History at Washington University in the United States.

After years of teaching and imparting knowledge and education, he pursued a law degree, was admitted to the Malaysian Bar, and set up his own legal firm after retiring as a university academic.

Among his students at Universiti Malaya was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was quoted in the media in 2017 as saying that Dr Thambirajah was his mentor, guru and lecturer.

“He was my professor and instrumental in my educational well-being during my days at Universiti Malaya.

“He still has my respect and admiration,” Ahmad Zahid had added.

Dr Thambirajah leaves behind his wife, Puan Sri A. Indrani; two children – Dr Sumitra and Anand, two grandchildren and his SMC family.

Those wanting to pay their last respects can do so at SMC Ashram, No 40, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Petaling Jaya, from 10am to 2pm today.

His final rites will be conducted at the Shah Alam Nirvana Memorial Park at 3pm on the same day. For details, call 012-5042837.