Missing boy Satishkumar turns 6 today

His family however remain optimistic that he would come home soon and have decided to celebrate his birthday today.

Satishkumar’s mother, K. Parvathy, 29, said the family will usually buy new clothes and a birthday cake for the boy every year.

“This year, my eldest daughter Mageswary, who is very close to Satishkumar, suggested we pretend he is still around and celebrate his birthday so that we won’t really feel the void that he left behind.

"My daughter said she'll cut the birthday cake on his behalf, said Parvathy.

“During Thaipusam this year, I carried the paal kudam (milk pot) and pierced my cheeks as a sacrifice to Lord Murugan. I have vowed to continue doing this every year until my son is returned to me,” she said.

The housewife and mother of three said she gets very upset and sad whenever she sees things that remind her of her son who she fondly calls Thambi.

“I still keep his clothes. I still have all his photos in my phone. I get really sad when I see them. Thambi’s favourite food are french fries, fried chicken and Kuey Teow Soup.

“He also loved ‘sambhar’ (dhal curry). Everytime I cook sambhar, he would ask for second helpings. We really miss him."

Parvathy said the last time anyone was in touch with the family regarding her son’s disappearance was last year.

“The police had called us to identify a photo of a missing five-year-old. That was the last time they called us. After that, there was no news about my son,” she said.

Parvathy painfully recalled how her son went missing last year.

“On that fateful day, my husband S. Anbarasan, brought my father S. Velmurugan and my son to buy food at food court in Jalan Sama Gagah near Permatang Pauh.

“My husband waited in his lorry as he could not find a parking spot while my father went to buy food. While my husband was busy talking on the phone, my son took some coins and told his father he wanted to follow his grandfather to buy food.

“My husband saw my son trailing my father into the food court. However, when my father returned, he said he didn’t see my son following him. That was the last time we saw him,” she said.

Meanwhile, investigating officer, Mohamad Ehsan Abu Bakarsaid there were still no leads as to the whereabouts of the child.