Letter.

Letter Published in The NationalUAE on 17 Jan 25, Challenges for Trump I write in reference to Jihan Abdalla's article Biden warns of American 'oligarchy' as he makes farewell address from White House (January 15): Biden's reflections on his accomplishments in office are worth noting, particularly on the domestic front. He made some huge mistakes in the foreign policy domain, but so have many American presidents before him. But just as one analyses the past four years, it is important to focus on the next four. There are high expectations in the country for Mr Trump, particularly in taming inflation and improving job opportunities. Additionally, there are growing calls for reform on gun ownership, reflecting ongoing debates around public safety. Whether Mr Trump can tackle this and other social and cultural issues remains to be seen. K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Small Story 128 The Magic of Govinda's Name

Small Story 128. The Magic of Govinda’s Name* Govind arrived at his office and sat in his cabin. He worked as the Chief Executive of a leading US-based investment bank in Bengaluru. Suddenly, his phone rang. "Hey Govind, I’m Madhavan speaking. How are you?" Govind didn’t recognize the voice immediately. He knew three Madhavans—two from his US office and one from his college days—but he hadn’t been in touch with any of them for more than six years. "I’m your college mate, Govind. I got your address and number through my aunt." Govind was surprised. "Wait, who’s your aunt?" Madhavan replied, "My aunt is Pankajam, your mother-in-law Ranjitham’s elder sister. I recently visited her and, during a casual conversation, she told me you were her sister’s son-in-law. So, I took the number." Govind was taken aback. "Oh, fine! You can come over. You know the location, right? We’re in the new building near Jayanagar BDA Complex." "I’ll be there in 15 minutes," Madhavan responded. Exactly 15 minutes later, Madhavan arrived. Upon seeing Govind, he was thrilled. After a cup of coffee, they reminisced about their old college days—movies they’d watched, T20 cricket matches they’d enjoyed, even meeting Virat Kohli, and the crash Madhavan had faced. Then Madhavan said, "Govind, I want to start a restaurant here, and I need your help with the financing. I can offer the security of my house in Udupi and two crore rupees worth of LIC policies. I just came back from Dubai, and I want to venture into our traditional business." Govind, knowing that they typically didn’t take houses from native places as collateral, agreed. "How much do you expect for the loan?" "Fifty lakhs," Madhavan replied. Govind nodded, "Okay. I’ll take care of it. You can pledge your policies only, and I’ll take personal responsibility." Both were good friends, and Madhavan’s father had helped Govind many times in the past. Govind took Madhavan home, and Nandhini, Govind’s wife, was delighted to see her cousin. Even more so, she was thrilled to learn that he was Govind’s college mate. A month later, Madhavan started a beautiful vegetarian restaurant, named *Govinda’s*, located in a prime area with three-star facilities. After six months, *Govinda’s* became very popular, attracting even film celebrities. One day, Govind asked Madhavan about his old affair with Vasanthi, and why it hadn’t materialized. Madhavan explained, "Vasanthi, a doctor at that time, wanted to further her studies, so she went to the UK. After that, there was no communication, and I lost touch with her." Govind reassured him, "Don’t worry, you’ll certainly find her." A week later, at around 6:30 PM, a group of ladies visited *Govinda’s* restaurant. After their dinner, one lady wanted to meet the owner to express her satisfaction with the quality of the food. The waiter took her to Madhavan’s cabin, and when he saw her, he was shocked. "Hey, you?" She, too, was surprised. It was Vasanthi, the same woman who had left for the UK six years ago. She had returned to India and started a large hospital. She had lost his address and had been trying to find him ever since. The two were reunited, and both families soon arranged their marriage. Govind was overjoyed at the news. Madhavan thanked him for his timely help. As a gesture of gratitude, he repaid 60% of the loan. On the wedding day, Govind shared the miracle with everyone, explaining that the name of "Govinda" had worked wonders. It had helped Madhavan start his restaurant and reunite with his old friend. Madhavan nodded, adding, "I was given a loan by Govind too." K.Ragavan 17-1-25

Small Story 127. The Hasty Decision and New Bonding.

Small Story 127. The Hasty Decision and New Bonding Ramnath checked his seat on the reservation chart of the Vandhe Bharat Express to Chennai. Suddenly, someone called his name. "Hey, how are you?" He turned around, surprised to see his uncle, Pattabi, standing there. "Going to Chennai for Sathish's wedding?" Pattabi asked. "No, I have some work," Ramnath replied curtly. "Why are you angry with me, Ramnath? I haven’t done anything wrong. I told the buyer to reject your site, but—" Pattabi started. "Sorry, Uncle," Ramnath interrupted. "I made up my mind after that bitter experience not to talk to you ever again." With that, Ramnath occupied his seat, and Pattabi sat next to him. The train started, but Pattabi kept trying to engage in conversation while Ramnath remained silent. Five years ago, Ramnath had wanted to sell his site in JPNagar to fund his daughter's marriage. Pattabi, who had retired from the CBI lived with his wife Mallika and daughter He had agreed to help Ramnath find a buyer for the property. After a deal was struck with a buyer, Pattabi visited the site to talk to the interested party. However, the very next day, the buyer called Ramnath to say he was no longer interested as he was leaving for another country. This incident left Ramnath with a bad impression of Pattabi, and from that day onward, he had cut off all contact with his uncle. Ramnath struggled to sell the site and eventually managed to arrange his daughter Nandhini’s wedding. Now, he was on his way to visit her in Chennai. His wife, Mallika, had gone two days earlier. Despite Pattabi's attempts to talk, Ramnath refused to listen. When the train reached Chennai, they parted ways without much interaction. After spending three days with Nandhini and her husband in Chennai, Ramnath was shocked when the television news showed a report on a notorious smuggler who had been caught by the Bengaluru CBI, thanks to the help of a CBI officer—none other than Pattabi! The smuggler was the same person who had been involved in the site negotiations with Ramnath years ago. The realization hit Ramnath hard—Pattabi had been an undercover CBI officer, and it was his quick thinking that had stopped Ramnath from making a deal with a criminal. Feeling guilty for his misunderstanding, Ramnath wondered how he could contact Pattabi and apologize. The next day, Ramnath and Mallika boarded the Vandhe Bharat Express back to Bengaluru. After passing Tiruvallur, the train picked up speed when Ramnath heard a familiar voice behind him. "Hey, I’m happy to see you again!" Ramnath turned around and saw Uncle Pattabi. They greeted each other warmly. Pattabi had been attending a friend's wedding, and after sharing some snacks, Ramnath finally spoke up. "I’m sorry for my behavior a few days ago on our way to Chennai." Pattabi smiled and replied, "I completely forgot about it. When Naresh smelled my presence, he left for Dubai the next day. We’ve been chasing him for nearly five years." Ramnath thanked Pattabi for not going through with the deal, realizing that it had saved him from a potentially dangerous situation. Pattabi smiled again, glad to have protected his nephew. Both Mallika and Ramnath were relieved and happy that their bond had been restored after the misunderstanding. Ramnath now understood the true intelligence and integrity of his uncle, and their new bond was stronger than ever after this difficult but enlightening experience. K.Ragavan 16-1-25

Small Story 126. Dad's Timeless Advice

Small Story 126. "Dad's Timeless Advice"** After his retirement from C.B.I, Ram dedicated his life to helping deserving people, especially senior citizens, for over seven years. He earned great respect in his community, particularly in his apartment complex. His wife, Ambujam, supported him by assisting underprivileged school children with their fees, books, and uniforms. Their daughter, Sunitha, who lived in Singapore, constantly supported her parents in every way possible. Ram's morning walks were also filled with friends who admired his nature. Ram had always followed the advice given by his father, who emphasized the importance of helping others within one’s means. This principle guided Ram throughout his career, which saw him rise to the rank of Chief for his brilliant investigative work at the C.B.I. Sunitha, now an ophthalmologist, and her husband, an engineer, often made their parents proud. Their only daughter, Vasanthy, was studying management in her final year of M.B.A. One morning, after his walk, Ram returned home for breakfast. Ambujam had prepared his favorite – idly with coconut chutney. As he enjoyed his meal, his phone rang. It was Seshan, one of his walking friends. “Are you at home? Can I come over?” Seshan asked. “Sure, come on over,” Ram replied. Ambujam, always the gracious host, brought an extra plate for Seshan. Seshan, who lived on the sixth floor, apologized for disturbing them. “How are you, Anna? Is everything well at home?” he asked. “Yes, all well. Have some idly,” Ambujam insisted. Seshan declined. “No, I had some at home. But the reason I came here… my aunt, who is 75, has gone to her daughter’s place in Singapore and is suffering from a severe eye infection. Do you know anyone there who could help?” Ram thought for a moment and then smiled. “Since you’ve come here for the past three months, my daughter is in Singapore. I will give you her number. She’s an eye doctor, and she’ll be able to help.” Seshan was delighted. “I can’t believe that even overseas, you’re helping people. You’ve always been so kind, Ram. It makes me happy to know you.” The next day, Ram received a call from Sunitha. “Dad, I saw your friend’s aunt. She needed eye drops, and I’ve given her the treatment. She’ll be fine in two days. I just wanted to let you know. Love to Mum. Bye.” Ram was happy. His daughter, too, followed his principles of helping others. The following morning, during their walk, Seshan thanked Ram for the help. He had been to a wedding reception the evening before and had not had the chance to express his gratitude. Ram smiled, feeling content. “I’m just helping where I can,” he replied. As he walked on, Ram whispered to himself, “Dad, I always admire your advice, which I cherish.” K.Ragavan 15-1-25

Small Story 125 Vedantham ATale of character and dedication.

Small Story 125. "Vedantham: A Tale of Character and Dedication"** Lakshman, a retired headmaster, led an active life in Bengaluru, surrounded by a circle of friends who shared his passion for deep conversations. Alongside his wife, Lakshmi, and their only son, Bharath, a gifted writer, Lakshman enjoyed the tranquility of his post-retirement life. Bharath, an M.A. Lit. gold medalist, had a natural flair for writing and had already published 124 books by the time he was 26. His stories, especially adored by women, focused on real-life struggles and family dynamics. As Bharath worked on his 125th book, his soon-to-be wife, Malathy, a doctor studying in Mysore, encouraged him to finish it on the eve of their wedding. She had a special reason for this: she wanted him to complete the book titled *Vedantham*, inspired by her admiration for the late actor Sivaji Ganesan’s *Uyarnthamanithan* (his 125th film), which had deeply touched her. Malathy believed the completion of this book on their wedding day would symbolize the strength and moral integrity that they both valued. On the day of their wedding, as the celebrations unfolded with relatives, friends, and well-wishers in attendance, Malathy took a moment during the reception to express her gratitude. With warmth and love, she addressed the guests, thanking them for their blessings and sharing the significance of the day. She revealed her hidden motive: "I have always admired the character and greatness of the late Sivaji Ganesan, especially his 125th film, *Uyarnthamanithan*. Just as that film carried an important message of character and moral integrity, I wanted my husband, Bharath, to complete his 125th book with the same values. He has truly become my *Uyarnthamanithan*—a tall man of character and achievement. I thank him for his dedication, even though I never told him about my wishes." With their marriage celebrated and the book *Vedantham* completed, the couple left for a honeymoon in Switzerland, ready to begin a new chapter in their lives—both personal and professional. K.Ragavan 14-1-25

Small Story 124. Shyamala'a Shock

Small Story 124. *Shyamala's Shock** Ram was reading the newspaper when his wife, Ambujam, called from the kitchen, "You take the phone and find out who is calling me." Ram picked up the phone and found it was Shyamala on the other end. "Hey, why no calls from you?" Shyamala asked. Ram replied, "I’m Ram speaking. I’ll pass the phone to her." "Ambujam When are you returning from the UK? It’s been over three years since we met. Shyamala replied How’s Desikan, my favorite boy? Sandhya always asks about him. Is he with you?" "Why don’t you visit us for dinner?" Ambujam suggested. Shyamala responded, "No, I’ll come over for tea at 5 PM with your favorite Mysorepak." At 5 PM, Shyamala arrived and was greeted warmly by Ram and Ambujam. "You've gone down, Ambujam! Here, I bought this shirt for Desikan. Where is he?" Shyamala asked. Ambujam fell silent for a few seconds. Then, with a heavy heart, she said, "I lost my dear son last year." Shyamala was shocked. "How? What happened?" Ambujam explained, "He went with his colleague’s parents to a wedding in Udupi. On the way back, their car was hit by a heavy vehicle, and all three of them were killed. His colleague, Vasanthy, who was a good friend, promised over the phone that she would take care of us, as she too lost her parents. We moved from Chennai to Bengaluru last year to live with her. This house was built by her father. Even though we received a sizable compensation for Desikan’s death, it’s nothing compared to losing him." Shyamala was devastated. "My God, I never knew. I haven’t communicated with you in over 18 months, so I wasn’t aware. I’m so sorry, my dear friend," she said, hugging Ambujam. Shyamala Continued, "Sandhya wanted Desikan as her life partner once she settled down, and my husband Murali too. Ambujam whisphered ,But Desikan was firm in his decision not to marry. He loved me deeply, and since he was the only son, he chose to stay with me. Then, this tragic incident happened." Shyamala spoke softly, "When you came to Bengaluru, Last year.I immediately sent our address. I thought you were calling from Chennai." "I came yesterday from London to attend a wedding. I was planning to leave for Chennai tomorrow but never thought i will meet you here," Shyamala explained. Ambujam smiled. "You can stay here until you leave for London. It’ll be good to have you with us." "I was planning to come only for you, to see you and Ram. But I’m missing my charming boy," Shyamala whispered. Ambujam reassured her, "Now, relax. Tonight, we’ll go out for dinner. We can reminisce about our school days in Madurai, and later, our time in Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. Go ahead and bring your luggage from the hotel. I’ll join you soon." Both women left to bring the luggage. K.Ragavan 13-1-25

Tribute to Versatile Editor Suresh Urs 852.

Tribute to Versatile Editor Suresh Urs 852. Today, I recall with admiration a truly remarkable figure in the Indian film industry – Editor Suresh Urs. Over the course of his career, Suresh Urs has edited more than 750 films across six languages: Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam,Telugu. and Konkani. His contributions to the world of cinema are immense, and his name deserves a special mention for the brilliance he has brought to the editing table. Suresh Urs worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in the Indian film industry, including Mani Ratnam, Girish Karnad, T.S. Nagabharana, P. Vasu, Bala, and Charan. Through his skillful editing, he contributed to the success of many memorable films that remain etched in our hearts. His editing style and precision added a unique touch to the storytelling, making each film a visual and emotional experience. Notably, Suresh Urs was recognized for his exceptional work with the Best Editor award for his editing of *Bombay*National Award 96 and the recent National Award for Non Feature film Madhyantara 24 is worth to be mention here. These films stand as a testament to his mastery in editing, creating moments that continue to captivate audiences to this day. Some of the most remarkable films edited by Suresh Urs include *Thalapathy*, *Roja*, *Bombay*, *Thiruda Thiruda*, *Kalki*, *Aahaa*, *Minsara Kanavu*, *Iruvar*, *Dil Se* (Hindi), *Mugavaree*, *Amarkalam*, *Nandha*, *Minnale*, and several others that I may have forgotten to mention. Each of these films carries his signature style, and his work undoubtedly helped in shaping the cinematic experiences that we cherish. Indian film editors, like Suresh Urs, are celebrated across different languages for their incredible contributions, and he stands among the most talented editors we have in the industry today. I feel immensely proud to pay tribute to this brilliant editor who has enriched Indian cinema with his creative vision and expertise. I am writing this column with my limited knowledge, and I humbly request readers to overlook any inaccuracies in this tribute. Suresh Urs' legacy is one that will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and editors, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to write about him today. K. Ragavan Until We Meet Again Next week,, 13-1-25