A. Mangalam

Datin Paduka A. Mangalam A/P S. Iyaswamy Iyer (17 May 1926 – 10 June 2023), known as Mother Mangalam, was a Singaporean-born Malaysian nun and human rights activist who was the co-founder and the life chairman of the Pure Life Society.[1] She was known as the "Malaysian Mother Teresa".[2]

A. Mangalam
Born
A. Mangalam A/P S. Iyaswamy Iyer

(1926-05-17)17 May 1926
Singapore, Straits Settlements
Died10 June 2023(2023-06-10) (aged 97)
Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Other namesMother Mangalam
EducationRaffles Girls' School
Saradhamani Girls' School
OfficeCofounder of Pure Life Society

Early life and education

Mother Mangalam was born in 1926 in Singapore. She went to Raffles Girls' School and Saradhamani Girls' School. She obtained a Cambridge School Certificate at the Canossian Convent.[3]

Career

Mangalam came to Malaya in 1948. She passed a teacher's training course and taught at a Tamil school in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

Mangalam, along with her mentor, Swami Satyananda, founded the Pure Life Society in 1949. She was called "Sister Mangalam" when she started working for the foundation. The title "Mother" was bestowed upon her in 1985 by the society.[4]

Mangalam authored three books, Dew Drops on a Lily Pad, History of Kuala Lumpur Schools in Tamil, and Mother. She was a publisher of Dharma Quarterly since 1961.[5]

Mangalam was appointed a member of Moral Education Committee of the Curriculum Development Centre. She was also appointed a member of the National Advisory Council for the Integration of Women in Development (NACIWID) by the Ministry of National Unity and Social Development.[1]

Mangalam served as a Vice President of the Malaysia Inter-Religious Organization. In 1986, she began serving as an Advisor for the Inter-Faith Spiritual Fellowship.[2]

Mangalam received the Pingat Jasa Kebangsaan from the Sultan of Selangor in 1955, the Tun Fatimah Gold Medal from the National Council of Women's Organizations in 1977 and the Kesatria Mangku Negara by the Yang di Pertuan Agong in 2002.[6]

She was a 2010 recipient of the Merdeka Award in the category of Education and Community.[7]

Death

Mangalam died on 10 June 2023, aged 97, at Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.[8]

References
  1. "INSPIRING STORY OF MOTHER MANGALAM – BACMag". bacmag.bacs.edu.my. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  2. "'Mother Mangalam' is Honored on her 88th Birthday". www.mormonnewsroom.sg. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  3. "pls-founder-bio". purelifesociety.org.my. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  4. "Merdeka Award". merdekaaward.my. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  5. "Mother Mangalam's book of poems". thestar.com.my. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  6. "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". istiadat.gov.my. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  7. "Do small things with great love - Mother Mangalam". themalaysiantimes.com.my. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  8. Mother Mangalam, the 'Mother Teresa of Malaysia' has passed away, thestar.com. Accessed 14 June 2023.
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