TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS IN ONE EVENING

 I went to Chennai on 8^th July for a week, primarily to witness the installation of my elder daughter, Kavitha Srinivas, as the President of the Rotary Club of Chennai Spotlight, an all-women's club, on 10^th July. The function was held at S Convention Centre in T.Nagar and was scheduled to start at 6.30 pm.

 Just a couple of days before leaving for Chennai, I received an invitation to attend the Prize distribution function for the winners of the mega short-story competition in Tamil, conducted by Raya Chellappa in memory of his late mother Swarnambal. There were 325 entries and 35 prize winners. I got one of the ten second prizes of Rs 2000/-. The venue was Anna Centenary Library, and the function was to start at 5.00 pm. I was in a dilemma: whether to stay until I ​received the prize from the hands of Tiruppur Krishnan, the chief guest, or leave at 6.00 pm to be in time for my daughter’s function. I chose the second option and missed receiving a prize in a short story competition I had participated in for the first time in my life.

 When Chellappa knew that I might not be staying back, he decided to honour me with a Ponnadai (Shawl) for my association with the Tamil literary world through Prabha Rajan Talent Foundation. The meticulously planned event also witnessed the release of a book containing all 35 prize-winning stories by the chief guest. Though I collected the certificate about the Prize later, I ​managed to get the two copies of the book which were given to all prize winners​ before leaving the venue. Chellappa had ensured that all the prize winners had received their cash prizes through G Pay on the morning of the event. Kudos to Chellappa and all his family members who ensured that the programme was conducted in a grand manner befitting the occasion.

At 6.00 pm, I rushed to my daughter's function. Within a few minutes of reaching the Convention Centre, the meeting started with the mandatory Tamil Thai Vazhthu, followed by the National anthem. The surprise of the evening was R.U. Srinivas, Kavitha's husband, singing the invocation song in Tamil, in his melodious voice that set the tone for the action-filled evening that followed. After the formalities of the outgoing President, Dharanija Ramakrishnan, presenting the report of the activities of the Club during her year as the President and the recognition of the team that made it possible, it was time for my daughter to take over the mantle from her.  It was a proud moment for me, belonging to a family of Rotarians, to see my daughter, who was the Annette of the Rotary Club of Madras South, of which both my younger brother Seshadri and I are Past Presidents, take over as the President of another vibrant club.  After a brief but eloquent introduction of Kavitha by her talented daughter Nila, supported by her son Arul on the graphics, it was over to Kavitha.  In her acceptance speech, Kavitha outlined the four major projects she planned to undertake during her year as the President and made a very passionate appeal for funds. The chief guest of the evening, Rtn. DGE Dr​ Vijayabharathi Rangarajan, during her speech, was spontaneous in committing Rs I lakh towards the club's projects next year. Apart from the family and friends of Kavitha, including her brother-in-law who had come from Bangalore specially to attend the function, there was a good turnout of Co-Presidents of other clubs and District officials. It was an evening full of “warmth, vibrant energy, laughter, friendship and a sense of purpose”.

Rotary Club of Chennai Spotlight is a dynamic Club with many talented members who get involved in many activities of the club. I am sure Kavitha, a hardworking, committed, people's person, will take the club to greater heights with the support of her wonderful team. Wishing you all the best, Kavitha. God Bless!

 

Reinvention at 70

My reinvention story started after I retired from my job in 2007, as the CMD of Anugrah Madison, a company I founded in 1986, at the age of 44. Inspired by hundreds of biographies I have read (and still read), I decided to pursue a lifelong dream of writing my autobiography, immediately after retirement. It was a candid story of a boy from a lower middle-class family, from the chawls of Bombay, who rose to make a name in the world of advertising as a specialist in Rural Marketing/communication. Interesting story of a city boy becoming a rural specialist! An uncommon story of a common man. 

The success of my autobiography titled ` Courage My Companion` published in 2009, made me take up writing seriously. Encouraged by Mr S.Muthiah, a veteran journalist and my mentor, I started writing on various topics. I uploaded them to my blog and also shared them with my contacts through social media. Many of my articles were also published in both local and national media. The positive feedback I got for my style of writing encouraged me to try different genres of writing. I am happy to say that in the last 16 years, since the publication of my autobiography, I have published 13 books covering eight genres of writing. It includes, besides my autobiography, a book on Rural Marketing, three books containing collections of my essays published in the media, a short story collection, a novella, History of an Association, a biography of a well-known Rotarian etc. Today, writing is one of the important activities, besides reading, which keeps me busy.

 Though I retired as the CMD of my company at the age of 65, I continued for the next five years as the Chairman Emeritus of the company, attending the office for half a day. This allowed me to use my Secretary in connection with a few professional and voluntary organisations I was involved with. She also helped me in my presentations on Rural marketing to the students of management institutes across the country. At 70, I finally decided to cut my umbilical cord with a profession with which I was associated for 45 long years. Simultaneously, I also decided to resign from all statutory responsibilities connected with all the other organisations I was involved with. I also stopped teaching. I did this to ensure that I lead a stress-free life, post retirement. Sports, Music, and watching films on OTT or TV do not interest me. Though I believe in total surrender to God, I am not spiritually oriented. So I concentrate on my writing, reading, and also cooking -another passion which I enjoy. I experiment with new recipes, which I share with friends and family. 

2013 marked an important turning point in my life because of two incidents: I lost my wife, Prabha, in January, and I had a heart attack necessitating angiography with one stent placed in my heart in December. It was April ,2012 ,that we had a memorable trip to Kashmir. Prabha called it a `childhood dream come true`. Unfortunately, within six weeks of our return from that dream holiday, her world came crashing down. We discovered that she was being consumed by the dreaded crab disease, and metastasis had already set in. Exactly seven months after the diagnosis of the disease she was gone on 5th January,2013. She was only 61. My `Kashmir ki Kali` left me after being my life partner for 40 years.

 Though her end was expected, as it was terminal cancer, I was shattered. However, I decided to stay alone in my part of the home instead of merging with my son's family. I tried to maintain it as well as she would have liked me to, as Prabha was a house proud woman. I had promised to look after the garden that she had created around my home. I did it with the help of a gardener. I always felt that she was around the house and keeping an eye on me. Many friends who came to offer condolences assured me that time is a great healer and I would forget and learn to live without Prabha. But I decided not to forget her. Instead of mourning her death, I decided to celebrate her memory by starting the Prabha Rajan Talent Foundation ( PRTF) in 2013. Prabha, encouraged by me, had become an accomplished story writer in Tamil, late in life. Through PRTF, I started helping budding women writers come to the limelight. I have been doing this by sponsoring writing competitions in association with some well-known Tamil magazines, besides helping some of them publish their first books. These activities also keep me busy in my old age. While coping with the loss of my wife I got very busy completing my book on Rural Marketing and getting ready for its release in October,2013. The hectic schedule preceding and following the event and the tension associated with it resulted in my getting a heart attack. While recovering from the setback, staying alone in the house, I started missing Prabha- the minute-to-minute care that only a life partner can give and which you can demand from her. It was a wake-up call, making me realise the importance of looking after my health. 

I decided to completely change my lifestyle, to ensure that I face my twilight years with good health. I stopped imbibing the cup that cheers and the deadly snacks that go with that habit. I ensured that my dietary habits also changed to suit my new lifestyle. I have a good breakfast, a moderate lunch and a frugal dinner before 7.00 pm. I go to bed by 9.00 pm and get up by 4.30 am. In addition to my morning walks, which I have been doing for the last 50 years, I also started doing some physical exercises at home, which included Pranayama and Meditation. I have never been physically adventurous, but I am willing to challenge myself with new projects which involve my brain. My general health parameters are ok, though I do suffer from shifting muscular pains and other age-related health issues. I have learnt to live with them. In 2024, 

I made another major decision with a long-term vision. I decided to shift to Nana Nani, a well-run senior citizen home in Coimbatore, to lead an independent life without responsibilities, despite having everything going for me at my home in Chennai. I had my son staying with me, and my siblings staying in the same housing complex. My elder daughter was just 10 minutes away by car. I did this to ensure that I am not a burden on my children on a day-to-day basis. Another reason was that my 40-year-old independent home was beginning to show many cracks and was becoming a security risk. I wanted to clear the way for my son to take up the redevelopment of the house. I chose Coimbatore to move because of its pleasant weather 10 months in a year as against the scorching heat of Chennai for 9 months in a year. Besides, Nana Nani offers many facilities. It has a vibrant community. Apart from the instant medical facilities, it also has many in-house activities to keep me busy, without having to go out. I have become popular as a writer in the community, with the residents eagerly looking forward to my reviews of programmes held in the community. I have helped many writers and other talented people in the community to come to the limelight through my interview-based articles, published in some magazines and shared on social media. I was thrilled when, within 12 months of my stay in the Home, I received the `Inspiring Writer Award` from the residents at an Award function. 

My friendly nature and positive attitude have helped me to make many new friends who make me feel a part of a big Nana Nani, Phase 4 family. I don't feel lonely at all. Besides, my policy of `detached attachment` towards my near and dear ones helps me in not missing anyone. I am very happy with my stay at NNP4 for the last two years. 

As an Octogenarian at 83, I am enjoying my new avatar as a writer/author while following a policy of making at least one person happy every day. I am financially secure and can manage my affairs without depending on my children. I have discovered the joy of giving- sharing my resources, in terms of cash, kind and my time, for the benefit of those in need. Staying in a Community like Nana Nani, I feel a new purpose and meaning in my life. I am leading a stress-free life, waiting impatiently for the final departure call from my maker, constantly praying that the Lord above takes me with my shoes on.

LRGK- A HELPFUL SOUL – A tribute

 The news of the sudden demise of L. Rajagopalakrishnan (LRGK- 87), my wife Prabha's elder sister Jaya's husband, brought back memories of my long association with him. I first met him at my wedding in 1972. As Prabha had lost her father when she was only 20 days old, LRGK performed the role of her father at the wedding, while her elder brother Srinivasan conducted the wedding. LRGK was a handsome young man who played an important role at the weddings of my two daughters held in 1994 and 1998. Since I had opted for the labour contract for the catering, someone from the family needed to keep a close watch on the utilisation of the materials by the chief cook. LRGK, a knowledgeable man on the subject took charge of this job. He positioned himself outside the store room where all the groceries and vegetables required for the wedding were stored and kept a close watch on the materials being taken by the cook. Often missing out on important events at the weddings.

LRGK was an ardent devotee of Lord Murugan. As a father less child, LRGK had to struggle against all odds to get his B.Com degree. Like my father, he had no other interests in life except his family and his job in the TVS group as a manager in a department. He was a doting husband and a caring father. As the only surviving maternal uncle for the children of his sisters, he would be the first to arrive at any event in their families to extend whatever help he could. He was extremely popular among all his nephews and nieces.

As his first son was disabled due to a birth injury, he was particular that his second son, Parthasarthy, popular as Keerthy in the family, was well educated. Keerthy was not happy with the BSc degree for which he was admitted to a private college and wanted to get a Bachelor's degree in Engineering.. Though he had already spent a few months in the college, LRGK went to the office of the Vice-Chancellor of SRM College of Engineering to explore the possibilities. He sat outside the office of the Vice Chancellor for two days and did not leave until he secured admission for his son. A man of determination and perseverance indeed! Keerthy did not let him down. After getting his Engineering degree, he went to the USA on a job visa, where he later decided to settle down. He married Sangeetha, a girl chosen by his parents, who proved to be an ideal match for Keerthy. This made for each other couple have two teenage children – son Madhav Ojas (16) and daughter Yahvi (13) excelling in their chosen fields. It is a happy family making their parents proud.

LRGK was lucky that Keerthy, who was visiting India on a short holiday, was with him during his last days and will leave for the USA only after performing all the rituals. My heartfelt condolences to the family, particularly to Jaya, who has been a pillar of strength to LRGK in his life. Despite the many serious health issues that she has, it is commendable how she faces the many ups and downs in her life with tremendous willpower. I pray to God to give her the strength to face the loss of her life partner for 58 years.

May his soul rest in peace!