As a result of sacrificing many childhood pleasures due to family circumstances at a tender age, I consider the maturity I had to carefully plan my future even at a young age as God’s blessing.
My hometown is Shah Alam and I begun my primary education in SJK(T) Hicom. Owning only one school uniform a year, some years of not being able to afford a school bag and the burden of carrying books in a plastic bag are still fond memories of today which shaped me.
Although my father worked as a security guard and my mother worked as a factory worker, their income was hardly sufficient for a month.
It made it difficult for my family to meet my educational needs. As my father was suffering from stroke when I was 10, he could not go to work and make an income. Our lives turned dependent on my mother's since then.
I completed my primary education as an underperforming student as I was not able to excel in any subjects other than Tamil language.
Through my father’s habit of buying newspapers weekly, I developed knowledge and interest on current affairs.
Unable to speak fluently as he stutters since birth, my father would ask me to read the newspaper aloud. I used to read to him like a news presenter. This laid the first stone towards my career as a journalist today.
While in secondary school, I worked in car wash shops during the holidays and sold newspapers in the weekends to help earn an income for my family.
Among my siblings, my elder brother and sister had to start working in a factory after Form Three due to family circumstances. I was always afraid my education could be halted too.
I was in the last class until Form Five in secondary school and I could not afford to attend tuition classes. I asked my friends who attend tuition classes for model questions and never hesitated to reach out to my teachers.
I took Tamil language and Tamil literature as additional subjects for SPM. As there was no teacher in the school to teach the subjects, I had to attend classes externally.
Reluctant to ask my mother for money, I would save my pocket money to pay for the classes.
I did not get the result I expected for SPM and my father passed away unexpectedly. I was upset that all my siblings were not able to further their studies due to poverty.
Even through the poverty, I learned from my parents the importance of dedication, strength, and hope.
STPM was the only avenue available towards my childhood dream to set foot in university. I studied tirelessly for a year and a half.
Apart from school hours, I sat in the lobby and learnt from other students. The teachers were aware of my predicaments and remained supportive throughout.
In 2015, I excelled in the STPM examination and was also chosen as the best student in school.
After that, I got the opportunity to pursue my bachelor's degree in Indian Studies at University of Malaya (UM). I received JPA scholarship after obtaining excellent results for two semesters.
From being an underperformer in primary and secondary school, I maintained excellent results in university consecutively and managed to receive Dean’s list award six times.
Apart from academics, I actively involved myself in extracurricular activities for my personal growth. In particular, I was the director of a national short story competition and the president of Tamil Language Society in UM.
Through a short exchange program to University of Madras in India, I learnt more about Indian culture and subjects on the field of media.
I graduated with a first-class degree last year. Having faced many challenges in life, being the first graduate in the family is an unforgettable memory for me.
I applied for jobs at many places even during my undergraduate years. I was shortlisted for an interview at the RTM radio news department during my final year. The job was confirmed soon before I finished my degree.
I got the opportunity to work as a newsreader and editor as early as a 23-year-old at the RTM radio news division which has a 75-year history. I consider this my duty to serve the country as I have the greatest responsibility of presenting national and world news to the people.
As I maintained excellent results, I had the opportunity to pursue my PhD directly in UM. I hope to complete my education in the field of Tamil media and become a young doctorate soon.
Being a journalist is not only the responsibility to construct and read news. As a young newsreader reminiscing my journey on this World Radio Day, I consider it a moral duty to stand as the communicator of the government and the voice of the community. Most importantly, age and poverty should not eliminate the courage to pursue one’s dream.
* Sivam G.Tamilselvam is a news reader and producer at Berita Radio, RTM.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
