Small Story 292

Small Story 292: A Noble Gesture Beyond Self Padmanaban had come to a firm decision, though his family members were not entirely happy about it. After serving 30 dedicated years in the banking sector and receiving retirement benefits—excluding his pension—he decided to contribute the entire sum of ₹30 lakhs for a noble cause. He chose to support the welfare of senior citizens who are neglected, either directly or indirectly, by their own children. The amount was deposited in a fixed deposit, and the monthly interest earnings would be donated to Sri Andavan’s Senior Citizens Home in Bengaluru, a well-respected and diligently managed institution known for its philanthropic efforts. His wife, Ambujam, fully supported his decision. However, their son and daughter were a little upset. Their concern was genuine—they feared that if both their parents were to fall seriously ill and required hospitalization, they wouldn't have access to any liquid funds, as the entire corpus was locked into a long-term deposit. Padmanaban reassured them, saying, "My pension is nearly one lakh rupees a month. Since our house is owned and we have no rent to pay, we’ll manage by God's grace." His words carried the calm conviction of a man who had lived a simple, honest life, grounded in faith and purpose. He added, “There are many senior citizens in this country surviving with barely ₹10,000 a month. Some are thriving, while others struggle. We have been blessed by God—a spacious home, good health, and more importantly, caring and mature children. I have lived my life with integrity. I know you will never leave us during tough times.” Though his children advised him to reconsider and keep some emergency funds aside, they ultimately respected his values and remained silent. They knew their father—an upright, selfless man—would never act without deep thought and compassion. In a world growing increasingly self-centered, Padmanaban’s act stands out as a quiet reminder: True legacy is not what we accumulate, but what we give back. K.Ragavan 30-6-25