Friends' reunion in 2021: (Front row, from left) Vekneshwari, Lavania, Navanita and Sathia Vani. (Back row, from left): Audrey, Shalani, Subhashini, the writer, and Anne John. Photos: Sree Vaneesa Nagalingam
School days are often some of the most cherished memories in life. For many of us, those years gave rise to close friendships that lasted long after we left school.
Hailing from Ipoh, our group of friends formed a lasting bond during our time at Sekolah Menengah Raja Perempuan in Ipoh, Perak. We were fortunate to have one another, not just for guidance and learning, but for laughter, storytelling, and fun adventures. Among us was Lavania Baloo, whose bubbly personality and infectious laughter always brightened our days.
Lavania Baloo was born on Nov 23, 1985, as the eldest of five siblings. From a young age, she was independent, responsible, and a pillar of strength for her family.
Dr Lavania Baloo had a zest for life and was a go-getter to achieve her dreams.
After completing high school, our paths diverged as we pursued further studies, but Lavania continued to inspire us with her drive. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Industrial Biology from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and her passion for environmental science led her to pursue a PhD in Environmental Engineering, which she obtained, also from UTM, in 2015. It was during this period that I realised how deeply Lavania had inspired me, not only to pursue my own studies but to face life’s challenges with courage.
Dr Lavania Baloo and family during her convocation in UTM, 2015, after she had completed her PhD.
Lavania kept herself motivated by listening to inspirational talks from figures like Professor Dr Kader Ibrahim and Sadhguru. I vividly remember her travelling all the way from Johor to Kuala Lumpur to attend Nick Vujicic’s motivational talk. She was always keen to learn from people who had overcome great struggles. There were moments when she would ask me, “What keeps you going?” and I would laugh, responding, “It’s friends like you that keep me moving forward.”
As the years passed, our bond grew stronger through reunions, bachelorette parties, and our annual gatherings in Ipoh. We often escaped our hectic schedules with road trips and hiking adventures, reliving our carefree youth. Some of my most cherished memories are our travels together to Singapore and Bali, Indonesia – trips that filled us with laughter and joy.
After completing her PhD, Lavania served as a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Petronas from 2015 to 2023. She was a dedicated educator, with a deep passion for research in wastewater treatment. In 2018, she married Naveen, and together they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Keyshara, who shares her mother’s bubbly nature. Even with her demanding career, Lavania’s love and care for her daughter were unwavering. Whenever we visited, little Keyshara would always charm us by joining our conversations, just like her mother.
Friends' reunion in 2021: (Front row, from left) Vekneshwari, Lavania, Navanita and Sathia Vani. (Back row, from left): Audrey, Shalani, Subhashini, the writer, and Anne John. Photos: Sree Vaneesa Nagalingam
In July 2023, Lavania took a leap of faith and resigned from her position at Universiti Teknologi Petronas to move to Selangor, where her husband worked. At the same time, she was expecting her second child.
Tragically, in February, we received the heartbreaking news that Lavania and her unborn child passed away during childbirth. The pain of losing her, just when we had been eagerly awaiting the birth of her baby, was unimaginable.
Losing a soul sister like Lavania has left an irreplaceable void in our hearts. She will forever be remembered as a bravehearted woman who brought light and laughter into our lives. Her life motto, “Dare to dream and dare to act for your dreams” continues to inspire us.
Lavania was more than a friend; she was a soul sister who showed us how to remain positive, no matter what challenges we face. Though we may not meet her in person anymore, she will live on in our hearts and memories.
This tribute is a celebration of Lavania’s remarkable life. She was a wonderful daughter, a caring sister, an amazing friend, a devoted wife, and, above all, a selfless mother.
