PUCHONG – Growing up in a small and tightly knit community of Cameron Highlands, IT technician and business owner Pukalenthi Theviannan was raised like any other small-town or kampung boy – where close neighbourly relations are the core of society.
However, when he moved to the Puchong suburbs around three decades ago, the 52-year-old found a far different culture when compared to life back in his hometown.
In fact, he found its direct opposite. The father of a 19-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old son observed that the hustle and bustle of the big city gets in the way of being friendly and neighbourly towards one another.
But on December 18, Pukalenthi’s perception of urbanites changed when he noticed Selangorians coming together irrespective of race and religion during the merciless flash floods that killed 48 people.
“The flood is really an eye opener. It has given many lessons to the people as it was amazing to see Indians, Chinese, Malays helping each other.
“We could identify immediately that during an emergency, we don’t differentiate who we are, what colour we are – we just help.
“The people did not depend on the government’s help, they instead helped one another – it was the rakyat that turun padang (offered and joined to help),” he told The Vibes.
While volunteering in Taman Sri Muda, Pukalenthi observed that within an hour, seven or eight volunteers offered aid either in cleaning the properties or providing food.
“This beautiful gesture brought back memories of my kampung (hometown) lifestyle where I grew up, four to five decades ago. It’s nice to see it making a comeback,” he said.
Repairing computers, gadgets for free
Pukalenthi, who owns an information technology business (Giat Solutions Sdn Bhd) in Puchong for the past 25 years also took this opportunity to offer a helping hand.
A fortnight ago, when a friend’s house in Klang was hit by the flood, Pukalenthi offered to repair his computer for free, not knowing that his friend managed to save the computer in time before the house was submerged.
This prompted an idea by his friend that he will share Pukalenthi’s contact details should victims need their personal computers (PCs), notebooks or laptops that were damaged to be repaired for free.
“I also shared on my WhatsApp story that I would repair gadgets (PCs, notebooks or laptops), which have been damaged for free, for the flood victims.
“Immediately several friends asked whether it is okay for them to reshare my post and I thought to myself, why not?” adding that he did not anticipate the viral port would reach this far.
Pukalenthi admitted that he started to get worried initially, when calls and messages started pouring in.
However, he managed to brace himself with the support of his wife and endless encouragement.
Most of the victims who contacted are university students and lecturers, followed by clinics and homeowners, Pukalenthi said.
“When lecturers called and said quite a few of their students panicked and needed assistance, I knew it was my turn to do something good.
“I spoke to my technical team (staff) as a few of them are seniors in the industry, we agreed that it is okay for us to handle it.
“We started to post our ‘offering’ on our company’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, and that’s when the news really spread,” he said.
Over 100 units being repaired
To date, Pukalenthi has received over 100 units of submerged gadgets, and have managed to successfully repair 30% to 40% percent of them.
Apart from Shah Alam, Pukalenthi also received submerged gadgets from Hulu Langat and some parts of Old Klang Road.
He reiterated to victims from other states to send their submerged gadgets to him, especially those from the east coast as they too were facing a similar disaster.
Currently, Pukalenthi is trying to obtain refurbished notebooks by setting up fundraising to purchase and distribute them for free, to students suffering from this disaster.
“We understand their situation. When I was there (Taman Sri Muda), I saw all their belongings dumped outside their homes – their sofa, kitchenware – ‘habis’ (finished), everything was gone. They have no choice but to start their life from zero,” he said.
When asked how long he will continue this noble deed; he confessed that he will never turn anyone away.
“I don’t think I will ever reject helping these victims.
“Some help by saving lives. Some help by giving shelter. Some help by giving food. But I help them by recovering their computers, laptops, and notebooks.
“They have to go back to school (university) or work. The victims have suffered enough and that is the least I can do,” he said.
Interested parties can contact Mr Pukalenthi Theviannan via WhatsApp at 012-231-1009 / 012-215-1009. – The Vibes, December 31, 2021
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