Marie welcomed the girl and her parents, Lidawati Zakaria and Ismaidi Ismail, at her home earlier today.

“I’m very excited as we had planned to meet but many things got in the way,” Marie said, tears of joy filling her eyes.

“My daughter also sent gifts for the baby from Singapore.”

Marie and her daughter, Naroshinii Annaselam, were on their way to the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Batu Caves last year when the latter noticed a couple in distress in a pickup truck on the road near the temple.

Upon closer inspection, she found that Lidawati was semi-conscious and exhausted in mid-delivery, with the baby halfway out, while her husband was still behind the wheel unable to do anything.

Marie and her daughter reacted instinctively, with Naroshinii taking off her kurti top to help deliver the baby.

Other Thaipusam devotees also ran to their aid using some cloth to cover the windows of Ismaidi’s truck, protecting mother and child from the searing heat and giving them some privacy, too.

The account of the delivery went viral, with social media users saying the devotees’ actions were reflective of the harmony and unity among Malaysia’s diverse people.

Lidawati and Ismaidi expressed their happiness at finally being able to meet Marie a year after their baby girl, Fathimah, was born.

Lidawati said she was grateful to everyone who helped her to deliver her only daughter, who she said was an active child and a fast learner.

The mother of five said her experience was proof that Malaysians helped each other, regardless of the differences in culture and ethnicity.

“I hope one day Fathimah will also contribute towards greater unity in Malaysia,” she said.