Most teenagers spend their school years worrying about homework, friendships, and weekend plans.For Dr Moventhiran Ramakrishnan, growing up meant something very different.
By the time he entered Form One, he was already working part-time. Not for extra pocket money, but to help his family survive.
Today, at 39, Dr Moventhiran is the head of a neurosurgery unit in Klang, a position he once never thought possible.
Growing Up With Very Little
Dr Moventhiran was raised in Kuala Kedah, a fishing port town where financial security was never guaranteed. His father worked as a lorry driver, while his mother took on two jobs, working as a domestic helper and later as a hospital cleaner.
At the time, the family’s household income was just RM600 a month.
“We stayed in a rented low-cost house in Taman Bersatu in Kuala Kedah. Money was very tight,” he recalls during a recent interview.
Daily meals were basic and repetitive, dictated by necessity rather than choice.
“We could only afford meals like rice with rasam (a South Indian spiced soup) and sardine, or rice with soy sauce and a fried egg,” he says.
From a young age, Dr Moventhiran understood that his parents were doing everything they could. If he wanted more, he had to find a way to earn it himself.
“I had to take on part-time work to help with expenses and to buy reference books and stationery for school. I knew my parents couldn’t afford them.”
Learning Discipline Through Labour
His first experiences with work began early. At 13, he spent school holidays working as a labourer in a rice factory. By the time he was 15, he was working part-time at a scrap metal factory, carrying heavy loads of metal for RM2.50 an hour.
Those long days of physical labour left a deep impression.
“I knew that if I didn’t study hard, I’d work as a labourer for the rest of my life,” he says. “My father always reminded me that if I wanted a better life, I had to study hard.”
There were moments of motivation, too, even if they were small.
“Back then, my parents could only buy Kentucky Fried Chicken for me when I got first place in class. Second place? No KFC,” he says with a laugh.
From early on, education became more than an aspiration. It was his only way out of the poverty cycle.
Studying Against the Odds
With limited financial resources, tuition was not an option for most subjects. Instead, Dr Moventhiran relied heavily on self-study, often burning the midnight oil to keep up with his studies.
The results were remarkable.
He scored 9As in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations and later achieved a perfect CGPA of 4.0 during his matriculation studies at Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang.
He went on to pursue a medical degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, before completing his masters in neurosurgery at Universiti Sains Malaysia.
“Given my background, I never imagined I’d even have an office job,” he says candidly. “Who would have thought I’d become a surgeon one day, treating patients from all walks of life?”
The Teachers Who Saw His Potential
Throughout his schooling years, Dr Moventhiran received quiet but meaningful support from educators who recognised his determination.
He credits much of this to his time at SMK Dato’ Syed Omar in Alor Setar, where teachers went beyond their formal roles to help him succeed.
“I was blessed to have teachers who saw my potential. They gave me reading materials and even bought books for me because they knew my parents couldn’t afford them,” recalls Dr Moventhiran, the elder of two siblings.
Language was another challenge he had to overcome.
“Would you believe that for SPM, I studied everything without tuition except English?” he laughs.
“I was a Malay debater in high school, but my English was ‘koyak’ (bad). I used to feel shy because I couldn’t speak the language well. Thankfully, by reading English books, my command of the language gradually improved.”
A Turning Point in 2006
One of the most pivotal moments in Dr Moventhiran’s journey came in 2006, when Ooli Gunalan Manickam, then an administrative and diplomatic officer in Alor Setar, stepped in to help.
“He started a fund to pay for my airfare and first semester expenses to study medicine in UMS,” says Dr Moventhiran.
“Without his help, my parents could never have afforded to send me to Kota Kinabalu. And I would never have become a doctor.”
His entire university education was funded through scholarships and financial aid, an experience that continues to shape his outlook on life and success.
Life as a Neurosurgeon Today
Today, Dr Moventhiran leads a team of 25 neurosurgeons, medical officers, and nurses at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang. His unit manages a wide range of cases involving neurological, brain, spine, and nerve-related conditions.
His workdays frequently stretch beyond 10 to 12 hours, balancing emergency cases, administrative duties, and the training of junior doctors. He also spends between 60 and 90 minutes commuting daily, depending on traffic.
Despite the demands, his passion for medicine remains strong.
“I love my job. I truly want to help people,” he says. “Saving lives and seeing patients recover and return to their daily routines, that’s the most fulfilling part of what I do.”
Outside the hospital, he unwinds by playing football and touch rugby. At home, he is a devoted husband to Dr Yesotha Taramaraja and father to their two-year-old daughter, Laarashvie.
Giving Back and Looking Forward
Dr Moventhiran now encourages students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to persevere even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
“Never give up, even when the future looks bleak. If you need help with your studies, ask your teachers. They are always there to help,” he says.
His story stands as a reminder that background does not define destiny, and that with determination, support, and education, even the most unlikely journeys can lead to lives saved in an operating theatre.
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