'Your words truly touched my heart': Brother of late Singaporean with cerebral palsy responds to letter from President Tharman
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has sent a condolence letter to the brother of the late Gunaseelan, a Singaporean with cerebral palsy who died on Aug 29 from pneumonia.Gunaseelan, 42, was notably carried up Malaysia's Batu Caves by his brother during Thaipusam in 2025.His brother, Suresh Vanaz, 47, responded in a Facebook post on Friday (Sept 11) to President Tharman's letter, describing it as one that is "very special and heartfelt"."Thank you so much, Mr President, for taking the time to read about Seelan's life and the love and care that surrounded him," Suresh wrote."Your words truly touched my heart and mean so much to me and my beloved brother, and all our loved ones during this painful time."In a photograph of the letter shared by Suresh, President Tharman commended him, stating that he had a "beautiful bond" with Gunaseelan."You stood by him and gave him not just security but warmth and dignity," the President said.