PENANG, Mon: Infants Lekeraj Sathasivam and N. Kirubasani have undergone successful heart surgeries, thanks to well-wishers and donors.

Both have been given a new lease of life and will be able to lead normal lives.

Three-month-old Lekeraj’s father R. Sathasivam, 48, is thankful his prayers have been answered.

"We had 11 family members bearing milk pots (paal kudam) during Thaipusam before the operation on March 14," he said.

"I don't know how to express my thanks to everyone who had made it possible for my son to lead a normal life," said the Penang Water Supply Corporation technician.

His son's surgery and treatment costing about RM 22,500 were paid for through donations collected with the help of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam Penang Council as well as an interest-free loan of RM 10,000 from Sathasivam’s employer.

Ten-month-old Kirubasani’s father, R. Nadarajah, also expressed his gratitude to donors for alleviating the suffering of his daughter who underwent an operation to close two holes in her heart.

"Kirubasani has started to gain weight, … it's a relief to see her bouncing around," said Nadarajah, 43, a tapper in Kedah.

The balance of the donations in both cases would be channeled to other deserving medical cases.