Uma Sambanthan

Toh Puan Umasundari Sambanthan née Subramaniam (8 September 1929 – 31 January 2020) was a Malaysian activist, social worker and leading figure of the cooperative movement. She was also the wife of Tun V.T. Sambanthan, former Malayan Labour Minister, president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and regarded as one of the founding fathers of Malaysia.

Early life She was born on 8 September 1929 in Bruas, Perak, to O.M. Subramaniam, a senior officer with the Public Works Department and his wife Jayalakshmi Swaminathan Sastrigal. Uma was educated at the Anglo-Chinese School in Sungai Siput, Perak, where she won the Best Indian Student of the Year scholarship in 1942.

However, her education was interrupted by the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945.

After the war, she went to India to study science at the University of Madras, majoring in chemistry and graduating with First Class honours. She then studied for a master's degree at the Presidency College, Chennai in India.

Upon returning home, she taught in Singapore for three years but gave up her teaching career and returned to Malaya in 1956, when she married the young Sambanthan, who was then the serving president of the MIC political party.

Independence Day memories She was only 27 years old during the proclamation of independence on 31 August 1957. She still remembered what she wore on that momentous occasion — an off-white silk sari with a red border, a personal favourite as it had been an engagement gift from Sambanthan.

"It was so symbolic... a sign that we were free of the colonial regime, free to think for ourselves, free to lead our own country", she said.

Uma and Sambanthan stood behind Tunku Abdul Rahman during the ceremony when the Union Jack was lowered and the Federation of Malaya flag was raised.

Death Uma died on 31 January 2020. She was 90 years old. She leaves behind her daughter, Deva Kunjari, who is a lawyer. Her remains was cremated at Sungai Siput Hindu crematorium on the morning of 2 February.

Deputy Prime Minister, Dato Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail conveyed her condolences to late Uma's family. Minister of Human Resources, M. Kulasegaran also expressed his sympathy and condolences to Uma’s family. Kulasegaran praised her well known charity work and as an advocate for women's issues and rights. Kulasegaran also told that she was devoted in serving her country and her people.