Small Story 373.

Small Story 373 A New Bond – Shivaraj Joins the Circle Shivaraj made his entry into a new group he had been introduced to just the day before. The group consisted of thirty retired friends, all aged between 65 and 75, hailing from various professions. Despite their different backgrounds, one thing they all had in common was their love for conversation. Every evening from 5 PM to 6 PM, they gathered at a familiar junction for a cup of tea and an hour of lively discussion — covering everything from entertainment to politics, health to humor. On his first day, Shivaraj introduced himself as a retired marketing executive from the renowned Nandhini Dairy. He shared his deep passion for movies and mentioned that he was an ardent fan of the legendary actors Dr. Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan — a sentiment that resonated with many in the group. As the meeting wrapped up, Shivaraj took a moment to speak. In just two minutes, he shared a heartfelt observation: “This group is truly amazing — not only because of the variety of topics you all discuss with such interest and respect but also because of the way you honor each other’s beliefs and sentiments. What touched me most is how you help others, be it by guiding people to blood donation drives, health check-ups, or eye camps. Many think retirement is just about relaxing and enjoying life. That may be partly true. But what I see here is something deeper — a purpose, a bond, and the joy of staying involved. Life as a senior citizen is truly precious, especially when you choose to stay connected and make a difference.” K.Ragavan 19--9-25