Small Story 66 .Together We Build

Small Story 66 Together We Build Sivam and Radhika had been married for five years, thriving in their careers at different banks and dreaming of their own home. While Sivam envisioned an independent house, Radhika preferred the safety and community of an apartment. Though they had no children of their own, they found joy in the company of their neighbor Savitha’s daughter, Ranjitham, who had been part of their lives since she was three. One fateful day, Ganesan, Ranjitham's father, suffered a severe scooter accident, leaving him with multiple injuries and requiring costly surgery. Savitha, working in Radhika’s bank, was determined to ensure her husband received the care he needed. She decided to take out a loan for the Surgery. ten- Days later, Ganesan’s friend came with unexpected news: after ten long years, his family had finally settled a legal dispute, taken money for legal matters from Ganeshan wanted to return and only Ranjitham knows this help.Not only that, but he also gifted Ganesan a vacant plot of land to help them build a new home. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Savitha immediately called Radhika. “Let’s build our homes together on this land,” she proposed, eyes glistening with tears. “Ranjitham is so attached to you.” Radhika, moved by the kindness surrounding them, whispered, “Your friend is amazing, but you are truly remarkable.” In that moment, they realized that together, with love and support, they could create a life that was more than just houses—it would be a home filled with hope, laughter, and a strong community. K.Ragavan 3-11-24

Small Story 65 Chiklavadi Dhuruv

Small Story 65.ChiklaVadi Dhuruv. In the small village of Chikalavadi, nestled far from the bustling city of Mumbai, life flourished under the watchful eye of Ramchand, a successful businessman and philanthropist. After decades of building his wealth in the cotton and textile industry, he and his wife, Amritha, decided to leave their city home in Dadar and settle permanently in their ancestral village. Their good friend, Srikanth, a retired postmaster, welcomed the couple’s decision. Ramchand’s only son, Adhitya, had moved to the UK for higher studies, marrying a woman Ramchand disapproved of. Years had passed without a word from Adhitya, leaving Ramchand with a heavy heart. One evening during a walk, Ramchand and Srikanth met a young boy named Dhuruv, who was searching for a medical shop. Upon learning that his mother, Vasanthi, was in the hospital, Ramchand’s compassionate nature shone through. He offered Dhuruv assistance, insisting he join the local school and stay in their outhouse until his mother recovered. Days turned into weeks, and soon Vasanthi was discharged from the hospital. Grateful for the kindness shown to her son, she shared her story with Amritha. Vasanthi had been a bank employee in Pune, but after losing her husband in an accident, she sought a new beginning in Chikalavadi. As the monsoon rains poured one day, Dhuruv accidentally spilled some cough syrup while trying to retrieve it from a shelf. In the chaos, Ramchand noticed a familiar face in a photograph—Adhitya’s. Vasanthi revealed that Dhuruv was indeed Ramchand’s grandson. Adhitya had married her against his father’s wishes, and after two happy years, tragedy struck. Tears welled in Ramchand’s eyes as he realized how misjudged his daughter-in-law had been.Also amazed to notice the reflection of his story Dhuruv inAdithya's child hoodto his son. The warmth of family flooded back into his heart, and Amritha beamed with joy, seeing traces of Adhitya in Dhuruv. Srikanth, witnessing the reunion, praised Ramchand’s decision to return to Chikalavadi. In this little village, the bonds of family and kindness forged a new chapter, connecting the past with the present, and breathing life into the future. K.Ragavan 2-11-24

Letter.

Letter Published in The National UAE on 1Nov 24 Delhi's toxic air on Diwali With reference to Taniya Dutta's report Delhi air: Toxic smog greets residents of India's capital day before Diwali (October 30): It's a grim reality facing residents of Delhi and some states in North India as toxic smog blankets several areas during Diwali. The increasing pollution levels, exacerbated by fireworks and farm smoke, present a troubling scenario. Despite experts’ warnings and repeated advice by the Pollution Control Board, concrete solutions remain elusive. It is crucial for authorities to take decisive action to address this persistent issue and restore Delhi's air quality. Will the government prioritise public health and environmental safety to ensure that Delhi can truly be the capital it aspires to be? Now is the time to act. K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Small Story 64 AMissed Show

Small Story 64 A Missed Show Rohan stood outside the famous theater, disappointment etched on his face. His favorite film had left the screens just a day before, and the current comedy didn't appeal to him at all. As he turned to leave, he heard a familiar voice. “Hey, Rohan! How are you?” It was Sunitha, his colleague. He brightened at the sight of her. “Not great, to be honest. My favorite film is gone,” he replied. Sunitha smiled. “You know, this romantic comedy is a big hit in Mumbai. Everyone's been raving about it!” Tempted by her enthusiasm, Rohan reconsidered. “Alright, I’ll go. Let me buy the ticket.” “No need!” she said. “My mom was supposed to come, but she had unexpected guests. You can use her ticket! It’s been ages since we had tea and snacks together in college.” Rohit raised an eyebrow. “It’s been three years! Where have you been?” “I was in Dubai working for an export company, but I recently transferred to our Indian branch in Bengaluru,” she replied. “I see. I’ve been working as a model for a leading advertising agency,” Rohan said, pride swelling in his chest. “My recent gigs include a Raymond suit ad and a Brooke Bond tea campaign.” “Wow, that’s impressive!” Sunitha exclaimed. “Why don’t we grab a coffee since the movie starts in twenty minutes?” “Great idea!” he replied. They entered a nearby coffee shop, laughing and sharing stories of their lives over steaming cups. But when they returned to the theater, the gatekeeper delivered the bad news. “The film has already started. You’re an hour late.” Rohan and Sunitha exchanged shocked glances. “Oh no! We missed a great romantic comedy,” he said, a hint of regret in his voice. Sunitha nodded. “But we had our own little romantic comedy, didn’t we?” Rohan chuckled. “True! I guess sometimes life is about the moments you don’t plan for.” They left the theater, their conversation flowing easily. Little did they know, this missed film would lead to an unexpected journey together, where their real romantic story would begin through laughter, shared experiences, and a second chance at love. K.Ragavan 1-11-24

Small Story 63 ADeepavali to Remember

Small Story 63.A Deepavail to Remember Trichy was bustling as Deepavali approached. The streets were alive with shoppers—young and old—eager to buy clothes and crackers. Pankajam, accompanied by her 12-year-old grandson, Gautam, took an auto from Srirangam to the Teppakulam area, excited for their outing. They visited several shops in search of the perfect crackers, but none seemed to satisfy Gautam. Finally, in a quaint shop, he spotted the old Lakshmi Crackers, drawn to its nostalgic sound. His eyes lit up with joy. Pankajam smiled, pleased to see him happy. After that, she picked up a new T-shirt for him, a saree for herself, and a dhoti and shirt for her husband, Aravumudhan. Their total came to ₹3,450, but Pankajam only had ₹3,000 from her husband. She decided to use her daily savings to cover the rest. On their way back, Gautam suggested taking the bus to Srirangam, a thoughtful choice to save money. Pankajam admired his maturity. After losing his parents in a fire accident during a wedding six years ago, Gautam had grown up quickly. Pankajam’s family were known cooks, skilled at preparing dishes for festivals, but that tragedy had left them with nothing in terms of compensation. Aravumudhan ran a small but successful tiffin room, and they managed to live a simple yet fulfilling life. His monthly income hovered between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000, but they cherished their values over material wealth. The next day, on Deepavali, their neighbor Komala came to pay her respects. Dressed in a stunning new Kancheepuram silk saree that cost ₹25,000, she brought a large bag filled with sweets and clothes. A “Pankajam mami, I’ve come to seek your blessings,” she said warmly. “Komala, ever since I became your neighbor, you’ve been so generous. I don’t have relatives here, but I consider you family. Your husband helped me in a time of need; I’ll never forget that,” Komala replied, her voice thick with emotion. Years ago, Pankajam's husband had found her fallen husband on the street, cash bag in hand, and brought him home safely. That act of kindness had led to a promotion for Komala’s husband, now a sales manager. Tears welled in her eyes as she recounted the story. Gautam listened intently, then piped up, “Patti, every year we celebrate Deepavali in a grand manner because of our Rangan!” Pankajam gazed at the tall tower of the Sri Ranganatha temple, filled with gratitude for the blessings in their lives. Despite their struggles, the love and support of their community and family made every celebration worthwhile. K.Ragavan 31-10-24

Happy Deepavali.

Those friends who are celebrating Deepavali Wishing them A very happy and healthy Deepavali. With Watm Regards, K.Ragavan

Small Story 62 The Great OO1 Assistant.

Small Story 62 The Great OO1 Assistant Ranjitha stepped into the grand hall of the palatial house, her confidence radiating as she introduced herself to the watchman. “I don’t need an appointment. I’m here to investigate the kidnapping of your boss, Ramaiah, from OO1 Academy.” The watchman’s demeanor shifted instantly. “Oh, you’re with OO1! Please, go right in.” The name carried weight, and Ranjitha reveled in the respect it commanded. Inside, she was greeted by Ramaiah's wife, Parvathy, a dignified woman in her seventies. “Welcome, Ranjitha. I’ve been informed you’re here about my husband.” “Yes,” Ranjitha replied, taking a seat. “Can you tell me what happened?” Parvathy’s voice trembled slightly. “This morning, he went for his walk at 7 AM. He was supposed to return by 8:15, but he never came back. He usually spends a bit of time with his friends at MLV Cafe after walking. By 9 AM, I was worried. It’s unlike him.” Ranjitha’s mind raced. “Did you try calling him?” “Yes, we called at 9:30, but his phone was switched off. It’s a new Apple phone our daughter bought for him last month,” Parvathy said, anxiety etched on her face. “Have you spoken to his friends?” Ranjitha pressed, determined to piece together the puzzle. Before Parvathy could respond, her phone rang. “Hello? Suseela! How are you?” Parvathy’s relief was palpable. “Did you see Ramaiah?” “Yes! He was at the cafe this morning. He refused to join us for a party—something about his health—but we had a lovely time. He’s on his way back, just dropped off by a friend,” Suseela explained. “Thank goodness!” Parvathy exclaimed, relief flooding her voice. “He must have lost charge on his phone.” Ranjitha smiled, her intuition guiding her. “It seems like the kidnapping was just a misunderstanding. Thank you for the information, Parvathy.” As Ranjitha left the palatial house, she felt a sense of fulfillment. The day had brought an unexpected twist, but with a little intuition and the right connections, she had unraveled the mystery. The Great OO1 Assistant had once again proven her mettle. K.Ragavan 30-10-24