Small Story 642.

 Small Story 642

Amazing Engineer Chinnaswamy of Mandya

Chinnaswamy Sir was traveling in his car to Bangalore. The driver came from the hotel and started the journey. Chinnaswamy had come to his native place, Mandya, the previous day to meet his old friend Mahadev. Unfortunately, he could not meet him because Mahadev had left for the United States a few days earlier to stay with his son.

Even so, Chinnaswamy met several other friends and spent a wonderful time with them. He also visited his farmhouse and collected more than one hundred mangoes to distribute among his friends in his apartment in Bangalore.

Chinnaswamy had retired from the Irrigation Department of the State Government as an engineer. He had earned an excellent reputation for his dedication and the success of his irrigation projects, many of which continued to benefit farmers and communities.

While traveling, Chinnaswamy received a phone call.

"Hello, Chinnaswamy Sir. I am Chinthia, Nandhini's friend. We met during your last visit to Florida at your daughter's house. I came to Bangalore last week for my husband's relative's wedding. I visited your apartment today, and Aunty told me you would be returning from Mandya this afternoon. How is your health? I will come tomorrow. Bye for now."

After the call ended, Chinnaswamy remembered the smart and intelligent journalist. Chinthia was a close friend of his daughter Nandhini and worked for the Wall Street Journal. She loved India because of her husband's family connections here.

The next day, Chinthia arrived at 11 a.m. carrying a box full of chocolates, a beautiful wristwatch for Chinnaswamy, and a small wallet for his wife, Mallika.

Chinthia greatly admired Chinnaswamy because of his distinguished career as an engineer. Her own father had also been an engineer, and she respected the profession deeply.

After a delicious lunch that included fresh farmhouse mangoes and sweet halwa, Chinthia showed Chinnaswamy an article she had written about engineers and their contributions to society. In the article, she had highlighted Chinnaswamy's irrigation projects and explained how they had greatly benefited farmers and surrounding regions.

Chinnaswamy was overwhelmed. He gently hugged her and said, "Thank you, Chinthia."

Smiling, she replied, "I had to write about a profession that changes lives. I chose engineering because my father was an engineer, and your work is a wonderful example of service to society."

Mallika carefully read the article and was equally touched. Her husband's achievements had been beautifully portrayed, and she felt proud of his lifelong dedication.

After spending another hour together, Chinthia prepared to leave. Mallika packed some fresh farmhouse mangoes for her, and Chinnaswamy presented her with a beautiful photograph of the KRS Dam as a keepsake.

The following day, Chinthia flew back to the United States carrying wonderful memories of her visit. As she looked out of the airplane window, she whispered to herself,

"Amazing Engineer Chinnaswamy — the proud man of Mandya."

K.Ragavan

15-6-26