A family observes their first Deepavali without their eldest son

Usha Suppiah and her three children are observing a modified Deepavali celebration in Malaysia following the death of her eldest son, K Indiran.

K Indiran died in February after being found unconscious at Kem Tentera Batu 10 in Kuantan. The 22 year old soldier had served for less than two years before his passing.

Usha Suppiah says her son often helped manage the household and cared for his younger siblings after Usha lost her husband, an air force officer, in a plane crash in 2016. The family follows a Hindu tradition that typically prohibits celebrating Deepavali for one year after a relative dies. However, Usha and her children decided to hold a small prayer ceremony and a modest gathering with relatives from across the country.

This differs from previous years when Indiran would return home a week early to help decorate the house, shop, and prepare traditional food like muruku. Usha recalls how Indiran would entertain guests by dancing and singing during family gatherings. She also remembers his regular phone calls to check on her well being. While she initially worried about his choice to join the military, she eventually supported his decision to follow in his father's footsteps.

The family plans to continue their lives while keeping his memory alive during the holiday.