GEORGE TOWN: Known as the “miracle baby”, S. Thulaashi, made it into the headlines of papers around the world.

On the Boxing Day, exactly 12 years ago, Thulaashi was just a 22-day-old baby, fast asleep on the mattress, when she was swept out to sea by the 2004 killer tsunami which hit her parents’ café. About 30 minutes later, a second wave brought her back safely to shore again, still sound asleep.

Today, the miracle baby is now 12 years old and to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the tsunami, the girl’s family held a special thanksgiving prayer, a ritual which they have been performing annually.

Counting their blessings since that fateful day, the prayers at Miami Beach in Batu Ferringhi was to appease the Hindu guardian of the sea, Lord Shiva.

Thulaashi was seen throwing flower petals into the sea at the seaside next to Miami Cafe, an outlet operated by her father A. Suppiah, 69.

Then, the girl and her father waded through the shallow waters to perform the rites, which took about 20 minutes.

“I am happy that I survived the tsunami.

“I am relieved to have made it through the disaster and my survival, to me, is just unbelievable,” she said when met at the beachfront after the thanksgiving ritual.

S. Thulasi (right) who miraculously survived the 2004 tsunami, looks at the sea with her father, A. Suppiah at Miami beach in Batu Ferringhi. Pix by SHAHNAZ FAZLIE. SHAHRIZAL
S. Thulasi (right) who miraculously survived the 2004 tsunami, looks at the sea with her father, A. Suppiah at Miami beach in Batu Ferringhi. Pix by SHAHNAZ FAZLIE. SHAHRIZAL
S. Thulasi throws flower petals at Miami beach in Batu Ferringhi. Pix by SHAHNAZ FAZLIE
S. Thulasi throws flower petals at Miami beach in Batu Ferringhi. Pix by SHAHNAZ FAZLIE
S. Thulasi (2nd from left) throws flower petals during the special thanksgiving prayer. She is one of the 2004 tsunami survivor. Pix by SHAHNAZ FAZLIE. SHAHRIZAL
S. Thulasi (2nd from left) throws flower petals during the special thanksgiving prayer. She is one of the 2004 tsunami survivor. Pix by SHAHNAZ FAZLIE. SHAHRIZAL