Our History

The USM Thaipusam Thanneerpanthal was first initiated by Mr. Kuppan from the USM Development Office, with the support of Mr. Arumugam, Mr. S. Sathu Raman from the School of Social Sciences, Mr. Bob Veeriah from the Registry, and Mr. Sukumaran and Mr. Boominathan from the Development Office. In the early days, contributions for the Thanneerpanthal came primarily from the staff of the Development Office which then consisted of over 100 Indian staff members and from a few friends across other university departments.

In the early days, students from the Indian Cultural Society (Persatuan Kebudayaan India Induk USM) volunteered to assist in serving iced syrup drinks to devotees on Thaipusam Day. Today, with the establishment of Sekretariat Sukarelawan India (SSI) USM, this student-led volunteer society has become the key support of student engagement, taking a central role in both the preparation and service during the Thanneerpanthal, continuing the tradition of active student-led volunteerism by uniting all the USM Indian students.

Formation of the First Committee

As the initiative grew, a formal Committee was established to ensure better organisation and sustainability. The first Committee was chaired by Dr. Rajagopal from the School of Biological Sciences, with Mr. Kuppan as Secretary and Mr. S. Sathu Raman as Vice-Chairman.

The Committee formally sought approval from the Vice-Chancellor at the time, Tun Hj Hamdan Sheik Tahir, to collect donations from Indian staff members and the wider campus community. Approval was also requested for the use of tables, chairs, electrical wiring, and the University sound system.

This process of formal approvals has continued over the years, ensuring that the Thanneerpanthal operates in full compliance with University regulations while proudly displaying the USM name on banners and face boards, a tradition that endures to this day.

A 50-Year Legacy

Over five decades later, the Thanneerpanthal has grown from humble beginnings into a landmark community service initiative at USM. Today, it not only serves iced cordial and syrup drinks but also provides free vegetarian meals to over 3,000 devotees, supported by a united community of staff and students.

In 2025, the USM Thaipusam Thanneerpanthal proudly marks its 50th year of continuous service, organised by USM Sekretariat Khidmat Masyarakat Thaipusam and co-supported by Sekretariat Sukarelawan India (SSI) USM. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of service, volunteerism, and community unity, bringing together generations of USM staff and students in celebration of devotion and compassion.