S.P Narayanasamy
Sacrifice is the Pinnacle of Patriotism
_"As I held on to my father, I watched in awe the massive crowd that had gathered on that eventful day. I saw Netaji delivering an encouraging address to thousands of his followers here from a distance. I saw Malays, Chinese, and Indians witnessing this momentous event...I was there, and it is still fresh in my mind as though it happened yesterday."_
Indian National Army (INA) veteran Mr S.P Narayanasamy and secretary of the Netaji Service Centre, was just ten years old when he joined the INA's Balak Sena - The youth wing of INA in 1943. Since then, young Narayanasamy became an ardent admirer of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and followed his path of freedom fighting from the India-ruled British Raj.
Background
Born in Sungai Besi on June 8 1935, Mr Narayanasamy is the seventh son of twelve children of Mr R. Supaiya Servai and Mrs Meenachi. His father was with the Indian International League (IIL). His brother served as an officer in the INA, and his sister enrolled in the Rani Jhansi regiment. They were assigned at the Burma front, alongside the Japanese Imperial army.
Mr Narayanasamy followed his father's footsteps, actively involved in freedom fighting movements, community service, and spirituality. He was married to the late Ms Vasundradevi in 1969 and were blessed with five children. All five received university education.
Education and Career
Until standard five, Mr Narayanasamy received his early education at San Peng Tamil School, Loke Yew Road. Later, he started to work in a western company as an office boy for family survival before the Japanese Rule, during their surrender and British Rule in Malaya. After working for a few years, he joined as an office boy in the Indian Bank. There, his career advanced from a clerk position to a cashier gradually.
To be highlighted, Mr Narayanasamy's diligence and sharpness had attracted the attention of M.A. Muttaiya Chettiar, an Indian banker cum politician. Mr Muttaiya served as Mayor of Madras city and Minister of Excise and Education in the provincial government of Madras Presidency. His recommendation led to Mr Narayanasamy's promotion in his banking career. He also made valuable fellowships with renowned politicians and retailers such as Tun V.T Sambanthan, Tan Sri S.O.K Ubaidullah, Globe Store Tan Sri Kishu and his uncle Mr Narayanan Daas, Mr Lingatevar, Mr K. Palanivel Pillai and many more.
Mr Narayanasamy retired in 1990 after 39 years of service in the banking industry.
Political Involvement
Mr Narayanasamy was 17 when he joined as a Youth Committee member of Local Indian Congress, branch of the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), in 1952. Party members spotted him well due to his high enthusiasm and patriotic spirit. At 19, he had an excellent opportunity to participate in Indian Congress Conference in Tamil Naadu. He contentedly witnessed many inspiring speeches from famous political leaders. He optimised his chance to develop diplomatic relations and built close contacts with them. The most notable event in his political experience occurred during a leader search assignment for MIC, particularly from a Tamil background. He and his team played an essential role in identifying Tun V.T Sambanthan as a viable choice before being duly elected as the fifth President of MIC in May 1955.
Spiritual and Religious Life
Mr Narayanasamy's spiritual and religious journey was strongly influenced by his father as he grew up watching him carrying out devotional activities. At the age of 28, he was elected as a committee member of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devastanam of Religious & Education branch under G. V Thevar. In 1968, Mr Narayanasamy was elected as Chairman of the temple. An impressive 'Raja Gopuram' gateway for the temple was erected during his five-year tenure in 1972.
Mr Narayanasamy explored his spiritual journey through religion and firmly believed, followed and lived accordingly.
Community Service
Netaji Service Centre (NSC) was founded in 1965 by Mr Narayanasamy and his friends Mr Gurubatham, Mr Amarick Singh, Mr Choudry, Mr Bani and Mr Marimuttu. In 1997, it was expanded to Netaji Welfare Foundation (NWF) initiated by Tan Sri L Krishnan and Tan Sri K.R. Somasundram, assisted by M Narayanasami and his friends who co-founded NSC.
Mr S.P Narayanasamy has contributed substantially in providing historical inputs on pre and post-independence movements in Malaya. He has been a great source of information in publishing, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose - A Malaysian Perspective. He also provided paperwork inputs for university and college students and was admired as a walking library of Malaysian Indians.
Mr S.P Narayanasamy is a selfless man who upholds Netaji's ideologies today. He constantly reminds INA of their struggles and shares war stories (WW2) tirelessly from generation to generation for years.
Mr S.P Narayanasamy lived and still gave his whole life for the community, culture, religion, and his beloved nation Malaysia and motherland India. He is the epitome of patriotism, and his unwavering dedication towards Netaji is highly commendable and emulates the younger generation.
