BACK HOME, SWEET HOME!

A trip to Chennai is always hectic. The two weeks I spent from 25th September to 8th October were packed with activities. I went primarily to attend my new book launch on 27th September and the Shraddhams for my mother and father, scheduled for 4th & 7th October. Once in Chennai, I got roped into other activities.

I couldn't have asked for a better audience than the one I got for my book launch at Tag Centre, thanks to my good friend R T Chari. More than 180 people were in the hall, all senior citizens eager to know what I have written in my new book `Life in a Senior Citizen Home`. Not surprising that 80 copies were sold out at the meeting. Similar responses I got for my book at the 41 Club meeting held on 3rd October at the Cosmopolitan Club and the Sharan meeting on 4th October. Before the end of the two weeks, I found that the first print order was exhausted, and I had to order a reprint to supply my potential buyers in Nana Nani.

I also took the opportunity of my stay to visit my sister Prema, staying at Asiana Subham, who was turning 80 on 29th September. A small lunch get-together at a restaurant in Mahendra City. And good food with a surprise cutting of a birthday cake made her happy. On 2nd October, I attended the wedding reception of the daughter of Subramanian, an ex- employee of my company, Anugrah Madison. He had converted to Christianity to marry his lady love without changing his name. He surprised me by inviting me to hand over the first copy of a booklet on Saint `Emi Carmichael` to the priest who had conducted the wedding. She had inspired the family to name his daughter `Emi`.

The next day I had the privilege of witnessing a feature film on Radhakrishna Swamiji – Sai Padananda , an ardent devotee of Shirdi Saibaba who became a saint himself. His spiritual journey continued until his Mahasamadhi at the Sai Spiritual centre in Bangalore in 1980. As an ardent Sai devotee myself, I enjoyed watching the film, sponsored by Krish Kumar, the CEO of Pepsi. I thank my good friend Satyen Bhat, who was the Production Controller of the film, for including me in the invitation list for the premiere show of the film in the theatre at Prasad Labs.

Meeting family members and friends at Bessy, invading the Registrar's office a couple of times in connection with the redevelopment of my house in Sastri Nagar, and visiting my favourite temples kept me busy the rest of the days. A short time spent with Thavam and Bakthi, my grandchildren through my son Balaji and Tulse, was made memorable by 5-year-old Bakthi, chatting away nonstop using big words like `Camouflage` and explaining the meaning to me. I understand she has already become a voracious reader. So also Thavam, with whom I played a game of Chess and lost!

Out of the two weeks, for 8 days I enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of my brother Seshadri and his wife Mythily. Staying in their beautifully maintained home was a pleasure.

On 8th October, a Thursday, I had the privilege of being dropped at the Chennai airport by my elder daughter Kavitha, after the mandatory visit to Shirdi Saibabs temple in Tiruvanmiyur and picked up from the Coimbatore airport by my younger daughter Sowmya and her husband Sathya. I am blessed.

After suffering hot and humid weather in Chennai for two weeks, I was hoping to experience pleasant weather in Coimbatore. It was not to be. On landing at the airport at 3.15pm, the temperature was 34 °C, and it was sultry. Such weather is an unusual phenomenon for Coimbatore. The bad weather is continuing. Blame climate change! Fortunately, I am comfortable under the fan in my room at Nana Nani- my home, sweet home!

Dr Shanmugam Navaneethakrishnan -from Medicine to Devotional Lectures

  It was a programme based on the Ramayana by a talented group in the retirement community where I live. As part of the programme, I saw a gentleman giving a brief extempore discourse on Rama, quoting from the scriptures, and singing a couple of verses as part of his discourse. Unlike the popular concept of the person giving religious discourse dressed in traditional attire, the gentleman was wearing a trouser with tucked in half shirt with just a spot of Vermilion and Chandan on his forehead. I was intrigued. I found out that he was Dr Navaneethakrishnan, one of the residents of Nana Nani, Phase 4 ( NNP4)

I have come across many senior citizens, post-retirement, pursuing their passions for writing. Singing, drawing, dancing and many other creative pursuits. Some dedicate their services to voluntary organisations or even volunteer their services to their favourite temples. Some even go totally spiritual, learning the Vedas,  Sanskrit, Bhagavad Gita and many such spiritually oriented activities. Dr Navaneethakrishnan in Nana Nani, Phase 4 (NNP4) stands apart from these people. I decided to explore his life story.

Born in Madurai in 1942, Doctor was the seventh child in a family of seven brothers and three sisters. His father, Shanmugham Pillai, was a wealthy landowner with a charitable disposition. He was so popular for his generosity that two streets – 1^st Street and 2^nd Street – in the area where he lived in West Madurai were named after him. He passed away when Doctor ​Navaneethan was in the sixth standard, and it was his eldest brother, Rajagopal known as Kudai Veedu Rajagopal, a famous lawyer, who brought him up in life. He studied in two local schools in Madurai and  later did his Intermediate at the American College in Madurai. Though he had no interest in pursuing medicine as a career, it was his brother, impressed by his marks in the intermediate examination, who persuaded him to do it and guided him at every stage, until he got his admission to the MBBS course.

After earning his MBBS from Government Madurai Medical College in 1965, he did a truncated Master of Surgery (MS) course and got trained in plastic and thoracic surgery before specialising in gastroenterology at Madurai Medical College, focusing on surgical gastroenterology. Over time, he mastered laparoscopy, endoscopy, colonoscopy — all camera‑guided techniques that transformed treatment.

He joined the Tamil Nadu government health service in 1967  as an Assistant surgeon serving across the state, gaining invaluable exposure to community health. He retired as Professor of Surgery in 1995.

In 1971, he married  Nageshwari, who was then pursuing the MBBS course. Her father, Dr Shankar Ram, was running a nursing home in Alleppey and was a well-known doctor there. After marriage, she moved to Madurai and, over a period of time, Dr.Nageshwari became a well-known obstetrician and gynaecologist in Madurai.

After retirement from government service in 1995, Dr Navan​eethan joined Avvai Janaki Hospital​ (AJS) in Madurai, started by his brother in 1975 to provide free or heavily subsidised medical services, including surgeries to poor people living in the neighbourhood of their palatial home. In 1982, his father-in-law decided to close shop in Alleppey and joined AJS as a partner. Doctor Navaneetha​n used to visit this hospital as a consultant when he was in service, but became a full-time employee in 1995.

Between 1975 and 2020, when he decided to retire from his profession, he had performed more than 30,000 surgeries, including laparoscopic surgeries and liver, pancreatic and kidney surgeries, in addition to 1,20,000 endoscopies, both diagnostic and therapeutic, with a focus on poor patients. Among the scores of Awards and recognitions he has won during his long career, he values the Award for Meritorious Service given to him by the Indian Medical Association in 1987.

After the hospital was sold in 2012, outpatient services continued until 2021, in the name of Avvai Janaki Clinic. Even during the period of the pandemic, the clinic was active in taking care of the patients in the neighbourhood, totally free or at heavily subsidised fees. It was around this time that the serious health issues of his wife made him decide to completely retire from active service and look for a more relaxed, stress-free life​ outside Madurai. It was his sister-in-law Anandhi, who was already well settled in  Nana Nani Phase 4 since 2017, who persuaded the couple to move to Coimbatore and start a new life.

A doctor who used to work from morning 7.30 am to late at night suddenly found himself having a lot of free time. While he continues to spend time daily reading medical journals, making notes, and attending conferences online and offline to stay current, he developed a special interest in reading devotional literature for the first time in his life.

When I asked him if there was any indication of his interest in devotional literature during his student days or his ability to give ex-tempore talks, he said , “I had an aunt who served in an Ashram. She never married but totally devoted herself to a spiritual life as a devotee of Yoganantha Swami and attained yoga samadhi next to him in the Ashram. That must have influenced me to think of spiritual pursuits after retirement. As regards my ability to give extempore talks, I owe it to my Tamil teacher in the school who would encourage me to participate in elocution competitions and guided me at every stage of the preparations. He was the person who taught me the importance of giving a talk interspersed with quotes from scriptures. This training helped me even in my career as a professor of medicine”

Since settling in Nana Nani in 2021, he has found time to immerse himself in Tamil literature like Thevaram ( a collection of poems on Lord Siva by several Tamil saints), Tiruppavai ( songs on Perumal – Lord  of Tirupathi) by poet /saint Andal),  Thiruppugazh @ Divine Glory consisting of lyrics on Lord Muruga ( popular as  Karthikeya in the North) and Thirumandiram –  exposition of Shaiva Agamas in Tamil.   Beyond gaining knowledge of these scriptures, his lifelong habit of note‑taking enriches his study, enabling him to speak with clarity on spiritual topics at public gatherings.​ 

" I am blessed with a good memory. That helps, in giving extempore lectures, though I do meticulously prepare for every lecture,"  he said.

His first​ devotional talk was in 2024,  Mrs Malliga Sekar, a veteran of religious discourses in the community, asked him to give a brief talk focusing on the history of Madurai Meenakshi Temple at a programme where she was giving a discourse on the goddess Meenakshi. The success of this effort saw him being invited to give a talk on Rama, Muruga, Guruvayurappan ( Lord Krishna). Recently he gave an engrossing and informative talk on the significance of the two words, “ Thiruneerum Aintheluthum” (Nama Sivaya), which was highly appreciated by the audience. He is currently working on lectures on Rudraksham – a sacred five-faced bead representing Lord Shiva and life history of Pattinathar Swami, a revered 10^th Century Tamil mystic poet and Shaivite saint.  He has already memorized several songs from Pattinathar and Thirumandiram.

His new love for devotional  literatures is in addition to providing  consultations three days a week at Shanti Social Services Charity  Hospital in Singanallur in Coimbatore. On other days, he practices yoga for nearly an hour to maintain fitness. He is also popular among the residents in NNP4 as a doctor who can be approached by any resident for free advice and consultation at any time of the day. A man with a charitable heart, ​a trait inherited from his father, he also co-sponsors many religious events in the community.

​Dr Navaneethakrishnan is an outstanding example of a senior citizen who thinks out of the box to pursue a new interest in life and makes a success​ of it. Proving once again,  that age is no barrier for  pursuing old or new passions in life.

MORNING WALKS ON THE BEACH ROAD

  

A morning walk has become an integral part of my life​ for the last 52 years; if I miss walking even for a day, I feel miserable–as miserable as when I don’t get my mandatory morning coffee or am unable to get rid of the garbage of the previous day from my belly!

For 50 years, I used to go for a morning walk to Elliot's Beach Road, Besant Nagar, popularly known as Bessy, until I moved to Nana Nani in Coimbatore in Feb. 2024. Though it was just 10 minutes from my home, I would take the car up to Beach Road, park it in an allotted space, and then go for a walk!  Every morning it was a pleasure to see the rising sun and breathe in the fresh sea air. 

An interesting aspect of the morning walks used to be the sight of hundreds of people who came from all strata of society, belonged to different age groups​ ​- a melting pot of religions, regions, castes and communities.

 Single men and women, or groups of them, took brisk walks, many listening to music on their iPods. Some of them carried their mobiles, speaking loudly with their spouses, children, friends or business contacts, letting the whole world listen to their problems. A few of them appeared to be talking loudly to themselves while walking–you thought they were crazy, but then you realised that they were operating a hands-free mobile or using Bluetooth and talking to someone!

There were some who believed that they must stop and not only say ‘Hi’ to their friends but also discuss the day’s politics or weather, thus defeating the very purpose of having a brisk 30-minute walk! I had a friend who had learnt to tackle such unwanted intruders. If anyone stopped him to say ‘Hi’, he would continue to jump or jog on the spot until the conversation was over, and then continue​d his walk! Another friend used to walk with his palms together forming a ‘namaste’ behind his back. According to him, it was a healthy practice which he had perfected over the years; I tried it and failed! Then, there was this man who had a habit of walking with his left arm firmly glued to his side and the right arm swinging up and down during his brisk walk. There were a few who specialised in walking backwards, and others who practised yoga, meditation, pranayamam and Surya Namaskar while sitting on the parapet wall, bordering the walkers’ footpath.

During the walks, you could not miss the group of senior citizens, both men and women, sitting on the parapet wall having heated discussions. The women were invariably talking about problems with their daughters-in-law or maidservants, and the men were talking about politics or cricket. 

It was also funny to see some women in outlandish or ill-fitting clothes! There was an old lady, in her eighties, who was wearing loose-fitting jeans, a T-shirt, a ‘red’ pottu on her forehead and hair in plaits like a typical South Indian woman. Obviously, she was the mother of an NRI who had converted her from a nine-yard saree to jeans and T-shirts! Equally funny was a fat old man walking with a quarter (not half) pant with a T-shirt of some US University,  wearing a splash of vibhoothi and a pottu on his forehead!

The most beautiful thing about the morning walks was that nobody cared about your clothes or your peculiar walking habits. Most people were totally lost in their thoughts, like I would be most of the time, not noticing some friends who were passing by, wishing me.

As I have repeatedly said, the only thing I miss in Nana Nani in Coimbatore is the morning walks in Bessy followed by gup shup with two groups of friends- a fun group and a group which met over a cup of  Kumbakonam degree coffee at Velu's coffee, where the owner served customised coffee to everyone in the group.

Thirty minutes of walking and 60 minutes of gup shup were enough to ​keep me active for the day.

AN ESSAY CONTEST FOR FEMALE WRITERS IN TAMIL

After the last series of contests with Rani Weekly, this year Prabha Rajan Talent Foundation is sponsoring an Essay contest for women writers in association with Kalaimagal, the 95-year-old literary magazine in Tamil. I am forwarding the details of the contest published in the September 26 issue of the magazine. All female writers in  Tamil are encouraged to participate in this contest, held as a part of my (late)wife Prabha's Platinum Birthday commemoration

 

Book Review-

 GRAMMAR OF SILENCE

 by R.Seshasayee

 I recently read a fascinating novel - The Grammar of Silence by Mr R. Seshasayee,​ which is unputdownable. The novel has been written after extensive research into the social history of Tamil Nadu and is woven around the lives of three women- Dharma, Vinodhini and Mary who dare to claim their voice and space in a tyrannical patriarchal society. The episodes and the conversations featured in the novel give the reader the impression that the author had a ringside view of the events in the characters' lives. While it is easy to write a novel based on contemporary themes, the author has done a ​remarkable job in his efforts to capture the social history going back five centuries.  I agree with Prof. Venkatachalapathy's comments that `The novel succeeds admirably in getting historical details right without losing the throb and pulse of real people`. I also liked the way each chapter ended with a small twist, which makes the reader eagerly look forward to the next chapter. ​The author`s deep knowledge of classical music also helps in embellishing the narrative of the novel.  It is a must-read novel.

Seshayee, a chartered accountant and a senior business leader,  has held several important positions both in the corporate world, professional bodies and social institutions. He is currently the Chairman of Asian Paints Limited. A bilingual writer, he is the author of several short stories in Tamil which have appeared in leading Tamil magazines. His mother,  Vasumathy Ramaswamy, was a very popular writer in  Tamil. ` The Dance of Faith` was his first novel in English, published in 2022. After conquering the corporate world, Seshasayee is all set to conquer the literary world.

 

SHARAN - TOWARDS MUTUAL SUPPORT

The number of senior citizens with children settled abroad and those living alone because of the breakdown of the joint family system has multiplied manyfold. Correspondingly, the number of Senior Citizen Homes (SCHs) with excellent infrastructure and services for senior citizens has also grown. But what about those who cannot afford such expensive SCHs or those not in a position to move to an SCH for several reasons? Many of them lead an insecure and lonely life. What kind of support system do they have?

This is where informal groups of friends come together in many cities to provide help and support in times of need to such people. This story is about “Sharan”, started by a few friends in the Adyar neighbourhood in South Madras in 2008. Reflecting on its origin, Shri R.Shanker, one of the two founders with children living abroad, has this to say:

“During my walk in Indira Nagar, Adyar, one day, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was my friend T S Venkataraman, whose children also live abroad. He talked about the need for a few friends living alone in the neighbourhood to come together to form an informal support system –to support the elders in their own homes, particularly during health emergencies, apart from offering any other help they need.”

Both friends decided to act on the idea with a few more friends. The result was the birth of Sharan, an association of senior citizens, which was registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Act in 2010 with the primary objective of providing ‘Mutual Support’ to its members.

T S Venkataraman adds, “We initially faced difficulties in enrolling members, as many were sceptical about the need for one more association. Two well-written articles about Sharan in The Hindu supplement “Downtown” and a report in “Adyar Times” catalyzed to create more awareness about Sharan among residents of Adyar and adjoining areas. What differentiates Sharan from the other associations is its aim to promote among its members is, the spirit of mutual support; a desire and mindset in every member to help others in the group in times of need to the extent possible.

An ex-Sharanite, Hariharan, with help from his designer son, helped design the Sharan logo. The visual of multiple stretched hands represents the motto of Sharan: “Towards Mutual Support”. Another Sharanite, Dakshinamurthy @ Kavignar Thenmugan, wrote the lyrics for a special Sharan Anthem, which was set to music by Sharanites Radha Shanker and Usha Sethuraman.

Every meeting of Sharan starts with this anthem sung by a couple of Sharanites. Sharan is managed by a committee consisting of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and six members who are elected by the members and hold office for a period of two years. The first President of Sharan was Prof. V.Narasimhan. He was followed by T.R.Gopalan, R.S.Bakshi, and Dr.H.Raman. Since the beginning, Sharan has seen the Presidents and their Secretaries with the active support of the Management Committee members, doing a commendable job.

In order to provide opportunities for members to bond, Sharan regularly organises cultural and social activities. Within ten years since Sharan started, scores of activities covering lectures, visits to old age homes, outstation trips both within the country and abroad, Temple visits, celebration of all important festivals, musical evenings, workshops on health-related subjects and many other activities which would help members bond, were held regularly. On the personal level, any appeal or help sought by members through telephone calls or messages in the Sharan WhatsApp group was promptly addressed by members living close to the affected person.

Like all other associations, the COVID pandemic made Sharan go online. It was in July 2021, when the pandemic was at its peak, that K. Vishwakumar took over as the fifth President of Sharan with Raji Venkatesh as his secretary for a second term.

Raji says, “We conducted virtual meetings with Sharan members month after month during the first 7 months, from Aug 2021 to Feb 2022. In May 2021, the chanting of the Dhanwantri Mantra by a group of dedicated Sharanites was started for the good health of all members. I am glad to say that this online chanting is continuing even now every day without a break.”

It is interesting to note that a Dhanvantri big homam was performed on 17.12.25 at Viswakumar’s residence for the well-being and prosperity of all members and mankind.

When the physical meetings started again, Vishwakumar offered the air-conditioned meeting hall on the second floor of KOKILADVANI in Valmiki Nagar, which he owns, for FREE to Sharan to conduct all its meetings. He has also provided a basic sound system and a screen for use in meetings.

This hall can comfortably accommodate about sixty people. Since then, Sharan has had all meetings at this Hall. Only for special meetings like the AGM or the Founders Day celebrations, where the attendance is bigger, are outside venues considered. Expenses related to some of these meetings are sponsored by some members. This has helped Sharan save a considerable amount used for hiring a hall and paying for refreshments.

It was during Vishwakumar's tenure as the President that Sharan brought out a book commemorating the Pearl Anniversary (12th Anniversary) of Sharan. The book gives not only the History of Sharan but also a brief bio of its members. Though Smt Janaki Venkatraman and R. Parameshwaran have succeeded him as President, Vishwakumar, supported by his wife Geetha, continues to be a live wire Past President, extending every possible help to the new teams in their efforts.

Some of the new ideas introduced during the last three years include revival of Sharn E magazine ( a quarterly online magazine edited by Parameshwaran), formation of three distinct Whats App groups covering Sharan News, Sharan Greetings and Sharan entertainment to ensure that important information is not lost in the deluge of responses and forwards by members and the formation of special interest groups like cards, music, share market, chit chat, potluck etc. Besides programmes like `Chai Pe Charcha` and Breakfast meetings in members' homes, the President and Secretary also visit the homes of the new members and others who are having mobility problems, creating better bonding.

Sharan started with just 10 members. As of June 2026, it has 130 members. Interestingly, except for a few singles, most of the members are couples. Ladies take a more active part than men in all the activities. From an informal association of a few friends, Sharan has evolved into a very vibrant group which is run on professional lines while retaining the core principle of `Friendship`& `Mutual support’. It is a fact that in today's digital world, it is friends, more than family, who help in fighting loneliness among elders.

I would like to conclude this article with a quote from a member, Mrs Malthy Sinha,” Good friends are like stars; you don't always see them, but you know they are always there for you.”

(Latest issue of Madras Musings carries this article)

JURY DUTY- People Vs Ananya Sharma

A Crime drama  with a difference ( Review)

I went to see a Crime drama  ( not a murder mystery) this Sunday, primarily because my daughter Sowmya was donning a small role in it. Titled Jury Duty- People Vs Ananya Sharma, it was held at the Crimson restaurant in Broadway Mall in Coimbatore, in front of an audience consisting of friends and relatives of the performing artists. It was an  Immersive Theatre Experience, where the audience became jurors to decide whether the accused is Guilty or Not Guilty! Am told that it was a first-of-its-kind experiment by any theatre group in Coimbatore.

What impressed me was the enormous efforts put in by Director Chanda Katuria and her team to make the whole show feel authentic. Each table with members of the audience acting as jurors had a file containing the case details, with a writing pad & pens to make notes and placards featuring the words guilty, not guilty and not convinced.

 After each of the three acts, when the audience was asked to give their opinion, there was animated and serious discussion among the jurors!
With the prosecutor ( Somy Sridas) and the defence lawyer (Abhirami Ramesh) vigorously arguing the case and questioning the witnesses, there was not a dull moment in the play. All the artists, including Sowmya,  playing the role of a Housekeeper who is the jealous guardian of the murdered Businessman, lived their roles.  However, I would like to single out Mrs Sneha Ramesh ( mother of Abhirami ), who was going on the stage for the first time and gave a convincing performance.​ So also Kshitij Mathur, the lawyer, who had a long piece requiring phenomenal memory. In the film world, he would have got the title `One-take artist`

Though I had sacrificed both my pre and post-lunch siesta on a Sunday, I sat glued to the seat, thoroughly enjoying the ninety-minute show and the delicious lunch that followed. Congratulations to Chanda Katuria, of PLATFORMANCE specialising in  Drama, Theatre and Musicals, who had conceptualised, written & directed the play. Look forward to more such experiments from her.

A Home for the golden years ( DD-Aug, 2026)

 My first exposure to an old age home was 20 years ago, when my mother-in-law was admitted to a modest home run by a distant relative located in an independent home in a busy residential colony in the suburbs of Chennai. It was close​ to a popular temple and other facilities that senior citizens require. It also provided home-cooked meals. My mother-in-law, a highly independent woman who died at the ripe age of 89, spent the last six years of her life in that old age home, when there were negative connotations about old age homes. Her NRI son, for his own reasons,  ​​decided to keep her in the Home despite my offer to look after her in my home. Just to make her feel we still cared about her, I would bring her home every month for a week's stay. One day, she told my driver, “I don’t know why my son-in-law brings me here every month. I am getting bored here. I am very happy in my  Home with a lot of new friends to talk to. Here I spend the whole day only watching TV or listening to music. Everybody is so busy. That is the first time I realised the importance of a​ senior citizen home in the life of elders and their need to be with like-minded friends in their old age.

Has anything changed with Senior Citizen Homes over the years? Yes, a lot.  ​​Modern-day homes located in gated communities have all the basic facilities that senior citizens need and much more for those who can afford the price.

 During my visit to Coimbatore in 2022, to get an idea of life in senior citizen homes, I visited a few friends staying in popular Senior Citizens Homes to get feedback on their experiences in the gated communities where they were staying. This was for an article I was writing for an online magazine.​ I found all of them very happy. I did not know then that within two years of writing that article, I would myself move into Nana Nani in Coimbatore.

 I have been staying in Nana Nani for more than two years, leading an independent and happy life without responsibilities.​Based on my own experience living in a Senior Citizen Home and my understanding of how many other senior citizen homes function, I would like to make the following observations and suggestions for the benefit of those who are planning to move into a Senior Citizen Home.

 - Judging by the good times that many of the residents are having in many senior citizen homes, I would say it is an option worth considering by people who have reached the end of their useful lives, have no family responsibilities and who are financially independent, to spend their twilight years in peace and contentment

 - It is no longer a stigma on the children if their parents voluntarily choose to stay in senior citizen homes which provide them the necessary independence, comfort and the company of new friends with similar backgrounds.

 -Once they have decided to move to a Senior Citizen Home, they should visit a few Homes and stay in their guest houses for a few days to get a feel of the place. They also must talk to some residents to find out what they think of the facilities on offer and their satisfaction level before they make up their mind.

 -Many new Senior Citizen Homes offer five-star facilities which may not be used by ​everyone, and such Homes are very expensive. It is important to choose a facility which satisfies one`s basic needs and is available at a reasonable cost.

 -It might be a good idea to retain one's own home for some time and sell it only when one is fully satisfied with the Home being considered.. Most of the Homes keep increasing their maintenance charges and meal charges from time to time because of escalating costs. Residents must be prepared to face this contingency.

 -Food becomes a major issue in the Senior Citizen Homes. One has to be mentally prepared to adjust one's tastes to the menu on offer. Coimbatore, the most popular city for SCHs, where most of them offer only vegetarian meals and that too the South Indian variety. One's choice of food & the city where one wants to settle down can also be determining factors in selecting the Home.

 -Better to go for the facilities offered by well-known groups. They have the resources and commitment to run the facilities efficiently because their reputation is at stake. Homes started by individuals or private parties are generally not reliable.

 -It is very important to ensure that the Home has reliable in-house medical facilities and is in a position to handle any medical emergencies. This is one of the main reasons that elders staying alone,  with their children living abroad, shift to Senior Citizen Homes. Many Homes promise this facility but lack the necessary infrastructure to provide the service. Also check if such homes can help you get full-time or part-time attenders in case of necessity. Such facilities normally come at an extra cost.

  -Senior Citizen Homes with attached hospices or with facilities to take complete care of bedridden patients can be considered by working couples who have old and infirm parents who need constant help and attention. Atulya Senior Care, which has branches in several cities, specialises in this kind of service.

 - If you have children living in other cities, go for a two-bedroom facility so that there is a place for them to stay whenever they visit you.

 -If one wants to enjoy one's stay in Senior Citizen Homes,  it is important to be friendly with other residents. Remember that more than one's own children, it is the friends who make one's life interesting in old age. Besides, if one is friendly with the able-bodied residents in the facility, they become one's support group and caregivers in case of emergencies until the family members come and take over.

 I would like to conclude this article quoting the words of a resident in another popular  Senior Citizen Home in Coimbatore.

 ”The two essential needs of every individual apart from roti, kapda and makhan are freedom and friendship. Both these crucial requirements for healthy and happy living are assured in the life of elders in Senior Citizen Homes”

 

 

A PLATINUM BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO PRABHA

My late wife Prabha would have turned 75 today  (27th July,`26). A Platinum Birthday! Prabha's passion for gardening as a hobby is legendary in our family circles. I always used to tease her that her first love was gardening – everything else was secondary.  As a tribute to her memory, I would like to share an article I wrote about her passion for gardening​ some time ago.

.Excerpts from the original article:

Over the last several years that we have been living in our own house, Prabha managed to grow hundreds of flowering plants and other green plants. We have over six varieties of jasmine (Malli): Nithya Malli, Pavala Malli, Mullai,​Jadhi Malli, Adukku Malli, & ​Gundu Malli, and over forty varieties of crotons and scores of colourful Hibiscus, Exora and Arali plants; flowering plants with no fragrance.

We even have fruit-bearing trees – Sapota (chikku), Guava, lemon-sized Japanese oranges (called Kungfat) besides a coconut tree, banana tree, mango tree and even a drumstick tree!

In the absence of a regular gardener, ​Prabha tends to each plant herself. Every morning she would go around the compound checking, trimming, weeding, cleaning and generally looking after the plants. Spending nearly 60  minutes on this particular activity.

Whenever we were travelling, she constantly worried whether the maid had watered the plants or not. Almost akin to how pet owners worry about their pet dogs or cats when they are away on tour.

As soon as we returned from any tour, the first thing she would do is to go round inspecting the plants as if saying “Hey Guys, I am back to look after you!” There is a perceptible difference in the appearance of the plants as well; those drooping suddenly seem to perk up! I wonder if there is any truth in the belief that plants can also communicate with their patrons.

In the morning she would pluck flowers for Puja, and in the evening she would be busy collecting Nithya malli (jasmine) flowers growing on our terrace. Come rain or sunshine, she spends about 60 minutes every day plucking these fragrant flowers (nature's aphrodisiac) and spends another 30 minutes tying them on a string to make a nice ‘maala’ for her hair or for use in the Puja room the next day.

Like all women who are crazy about gardening, when we visited friends and if she found a garden around the host's house, she would go on an inspection tour of the garden before she even said ‘hello’ to the host! But when she tried to pluck saplings from plants in public gardens, where plucking of flowers and saplings was prohibited, I would feel embarrassed.

A week before she passed away, on her request, I took her around her favourite plants in the compound.  She was in a wheelchair. Suddenly, she looked up and asked, “If I die, who will look after all my children?”I was confused. Why was she asking me this question when our children were all married, and we had four grandchildren? She clarified, ​"I am talking about all these plants which I have looked after for the last thirty years like my own children​" I was moved to tears. I assured her that I would look after them as long as I am alive.

PS:

Sorry, Prabha. I was looking after your plants with help from Mythili ( my brother's wife) until both of us moved out of our houses to make way for the redevelopment of our homes. Soon, not only your plants but the whole house would be going under the bulldozer.

My daughter is now the President of a Rotary Club

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

At 6.30pm sharp, 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 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  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!

 

A DIAMOND BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

 My elder son-in-law, Ranganathan Uppili Srinivas, popularly known as `RU` among friends and `Cheenu` among the family, is turning 60 today, 25thJuly,`26. While welcoming him to the world of senior citizens, nay, Seenagers, my mind travels back in time to when he became a part of my family. He is the only son in his family after four sisters. After completing his CA in India, he went to do his MBA at Oklahoma State University in Boston, USA. He worked in Boston for a couple of years before he returned to India to look after his old parents.

In 1994, I was looking for an alliance for my elder daughter Kavitha, who had turned 21. After getting a gold medal in Fine Arts from Madras University, she was working in my advertising agency as an artist. I came to know about RU through a friend. After all the formalities were over, the wedding took place in `Santha Sundara Mahal` on LB Road in Adyar, where the Eros Cinema was located. It turned out to be a grand society wedding with a large gathering of friends and relatives from both sides attending the wedding. I remember many guests commenting that RU and Kavitha looked like a `Made for Each Other` couple, which they continue to be. Immediately after becoming my son-in-law, RU asked me if he should address me as `Mama' or ' Appa '. He was more comfortable calling me `Appa`. Much to the annoyance of my late wife, my relationship with RU has been more like a friend than a father-in-law.

RU, very intelligent, articulate, caring and tech-savvy, is a people person with a huge network of connections, spread across the country. He is always keen to learn new things and puts his heart and soul into whatever he takes up. Like his entrepreneurial effort in starting `Idli factory`, making ready-to-eat oblong-shaped Idlis coated with gunpowder ( Idli podi), sold in a carton with six Idlis, with tissue paper. It was indeed a very innovative idea as a travel companion.

A man with a golden voice, popular as a singer in social get-togethers, he decided a few years ago to learn Carnatic music while simultaneously honing his skills as a `Karaoke` singer. An early riser, I have found him practising singing (`Sadhakam) every morning, sitting next to the window in his drawing room. He would take a break to give me a hot cup of filter coffee as soon as I came out of my room after my morning ablutions, whenever I was staying at his house.

RU is a typical Corporate Honcho who loves partying. A great conversationalist, he is a person who loves to argue. Sometimes, I feel that he does it for the sake of arguing, but all the same, he is delightful company. He has done well in life and is a much-respected professional in his field, and is very popular among friends.

I am also happy that he has given full freedom to my talented daughter Kavitha to indulge in her passions and supports her in every way. They blessed me with Arul, my first grandchild and later Nila, both very intelligent and talented, like their parents. Both kids are very mature and have their heads on their shoulders, and are doing well. God bless them

On this day when he celebrates his landmark birthday, I pray god to bestow good health and happiness on RU and help him realise all his unfulfilled dreams in life

 

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!

Article on me in Kalaimagal

 English version of my answers in Tamil to 10 questions from the editor of Kalaimagal monthly, which has appeared in the June 2026 issue of the magazine.

A glimpse into my life story

A few words about your parents?

My father was the eighth child and fifth son in a family of 9. Due to family circumstances, he did not complete his college education. ,He was a 100% domesticated man concerned only about his office and family. Though he may not have achieved great heights professionally, as a family man, he excelled himself. He had a tough exterior, but had a kind heart and a great soul, ever helpful to people in need. He ensured that all his children were well settled in life.

My mother was the eldest of a family of seven siblings and was 4 years younger to my father. Though she had studied only up to 4th standard, she made up for it with her common sense and charming personality. She was very popular both among our family members and the Community in the one-room tenement in a chawl in Matunga, Bombay, where our family of six was staying. She was also a fantastic host who would not allow any guest to leave our home without partaking of a simple meal she cooked with love. I was my mother`s favourite because not only did I extend whatever physical help I could, but also because she knew that I was a very ambitious and would do well in life. While my father was against many of my bold decisions ( though he never stopped me from taking them), my mother would support me, saying that her favourite God would help me to succeed in whatever risks I took in life. I owe a lot to my mother.

I learnt the following values from my parents;

Being honest & straightforward: Unshakeable faith in God; Constantly seeking the Divine Grace (Kadvaul Anugraham) and Elders’ Blessings (Periava Aashirvadam); Being helpful to others in need; Valuing relationships.

Interesting incidents in your marriage

My marriage was held on 26th January 1972, Republic Day, at the Sivakami Kalyana Mandapam, on Radhakrishna Salai (where the Saravana

Bhavan Restaurant used to function for some years). I had some trouble getting leave as I was in the midst of getting ready for the launch campaign of ‘Ricory’ instant coffee. My boss reluctantly agreed to give me a week’s leave on the condition that I should supervise the recording of the Ricory Radio Spot scheduled at a studio in Chennai the day before the wedding! I agreed! But that decision was the cause of a lot of tension in the wedding hall, as I was held up in the recording. Everyone was asking about the missing b,ridegroom. With great difficulty I managed to extricate myself from the recording and landed at the wedding hall at 6.30 pm, much to the relief of everyone!

A few words about your wife

Though a reluctant starter, Prabha was a fast learner. Once she got onto something, she would put her heart and soul into the job. Whether cooking meals for a small family of 5 or a party of 40 people, maintaining her garden with hundreds of plants with love and care, attending music classes, or handling any assignment given to her by the neighbourhood Ladies Club or the Inner Wheel Club, she proved to be a very dependable and dedicated worker. Her soft nature and her passion for doing things perfectly earned her a lot of admirers.

Her multiple talents were hidden from me for the first sixteen years of our marriage when she was bringing up our children while I was very busy building a successful career and very active in social organisations. While I thought everything was going well with Prabha and me, an explosive letter she wrote to me in Tamil, opened up my eyes to the reality. What I did with the letter and how it became a turning point in her life and our relationship is a story well documented in my autobiography.

Post that event, Prabha became an accomplished writer in Tamil. Prabha`s transformation, from an introvert with low self-esteem to a person who became self-assured and confident, was complete. I was truly proud of her progress in life

When she passed away in 2013 of cancer at the age of 61, instead of mourning her death, I decided to celebrate her memory by starting Prabha Rajan Talent Foundation (PRTF), which has been helping talented female writers to come to the limelight for the last 13 years through various activities. I am happy to say that the very first short story contest sponsored by PRTF in 2013 was held in association with Kalaimagal magazine.

An unforgettable experience during your life in Bombay?

There are many unforgettable experiences I have of my life in Bombay. Though I have won many awards and recognitions over the years for my involvement with professional and voluntary bodies, the one that stands out is the very first award in my life- ` Best Student Award` from R.A Podar College of Commerce in 1961

when I was studying in the Junior B.Com ( 3rd Year), I was neither a brilliant student nor a successful sportsman but very actively supported many professors in their projects. Even then, I had the reputation as a good organiser of programmes. I was equally delighted when the news of the award appeared with my photograph in the Free Press Bulletin belonging to the Free Press group of Papers.

How did you become a pioneer in the advertising world?

Though I was in the advertising business for 45 years, I earned the reputation as a Rural Marketing Specialist only after my shift to Chennai in 1974 at the age of 32. Since there were not many consumer product clients, I used my knowledge of rural marketing acquired in handling Madras Fertilizers ( MFL) account, to get other agri input clients like Shaw Wallace, EID Parry etc. The tie up of my agency with Madison Communication of Bombay to start Anugrah Madison as a rural division helped us get a variety of clients because of our ability to think of rural campaigns in specific languages. My reputation as a pioneer in the field of rural communication got me the `Lifetime Achievement Award` from Rural Marketing Association of India ( RMAI), of which I was the Founder President for the first four years.

Did you have any Guru who helped you in your career?

My choice of advertising as a career was a planned one, and I made the decision on my own. Right from my student days, I was creatively inclined. Besides writing short stories in Tamil, I would also write plays in Tamil, in which I would also act. In addition, I was also attending special drawing classes. So when I scored the highest mark in the subject `Salesmanship and Publicity` in the first year of my B.Com course, the seed for considering advertising as a career choice was sown in my mind. Immediately after getting a B.Com `( Hons.) degree. I did a PG DiplomaAdvertisingcourse in Advertising and Public Relations and landed a dream job in Clarion McCann Advertising as a Management Trainee. As they say, rest is history. Though I was shaped by good bosses in the initial years, I can`t say that I had any single Guru in my life.

Have you ever regretted missing something in your life?

Yes, one of the biggest regrets in my life is that I did not get a PhD in the subject of my specialisation- Rural marketing. I always wanted to be known as Dr R.V.Rajan. Though some friends suggested that I could easily get a doctorate from some American universities by paying a fee, my conscience did not allow me to take that route..

What made you take up writing in English and Tamil post-retirement?

I was a writer in Tamil during my student days. Once I joined the demanding advertising profession, I had no time to indulge in any hobbies, including writing. However, I wrote for English business magazines on my profession. My new Avatar as a writer/ author in English, started at 65, when I retired as the CMD of Anugrah Madison Advertising and wrote my autobiography.

The success of my autobiography titled ` Courage My Companion` in English, published in 2009, made me take up writing seriously. I started writing on various topics. Many of my articles were also published in both local and national media. I am happy to say that in the last 16 years, since the publication of my autobiography, I have published 14 books covering eight genres of writing. I revived my interest in writing stories in Tamil only 2 years ago, when I learned to key my stories in Tamil on my laptop. However, I write my stories in English first and then do the Tamil versions myself instead of getting someone else to do it.

How did you get involved in the audiovisual medium?

I was around 13 years old when I received `Gevabox` camera as a gift. That was the beginning of my love for photography, and later as a person with an abiding interest in the audiovisual medium. I kept shooting pictures initially in black & white and later in colour. When the use of slide and tape presentations became a popular audiovisual medium, I took to it like a duck to water. I not only used the A/V medium for client presentations but also to produce short 10 to 15 minute presentations to promote the service projects of several voluntary organisations I was associated with. I am proud to say the scores of my project promotional presentations have helped the institutions to get several crores, as donations., I thoroughly enjoy sitting in a studio and producing short video films paying tributes to people. After the video film on my good friend, (late) `Charukesi` that I had produced seven years ago, I had the privilege of producing a six-minute video on Rtn Ramakrishna Raja on his death Anniversary two years ago.

How is life in Nana Nani, Coimbatore?

Nana Nani, where I live now, has not only got the best infrastructure and services but also a vibrant community. A lot of talented people here keep displaying their talents in different fields through programmes organised regularly. My reputation as a writer/ author, who helps other writers and talented people to come to the limelight, got me an award as an `Inspiring writer of Phase 4`. Besides, my policy of `detached attachment` towards my near and dear ones helps me in not missing anyone. At 84, I am leading a stress-free and very happy life, waiting impatiently for the final departure call from my maker, constantly praying that the Lord above takes me with my shoes on.