Tribute 890.

🌟 Tribute to Modern Theatres, Salem – Celebrating Nine Glorious Decades 🌟890 The Indian film industry is globally renowned for its creativity, vibrant storytelling, and rich cultural narratives. Among its many celebrated contributors, the South Indian film studios have carved a special place with their grandeur, innovation, and technical brilliance. One such iconic name that stands tall in the annals of Indian cinema is Modern Theatres, Salem. Established nearly nine decades ago, this legendary studio has made a remarkable contribution to Indian cinema, especially during its formative years. Founded by the visionary T. R. Sundaram, Modern Theatres became synonymous with ambitious productions, innovative techniques, and memorable storytelling. With films like Alibaba and the Forty Thieves and numerous other classics, the studio captured the imagination of audiences across generations. Later, his son R. Sundaram continued this rich legacy, leaving an indelible impact on the South Indian film industry. Modern Theatres wasn’t just a production house – it was a cradle of creativity. Many legendary actors, directors, and technicians of South Indian cinema had their beginnings or significant milestones here. Notably, the esteemed director Muktha Srinivasan also had early associations with this studio during his formative years, under the mentorship of T. R. Sundaram. Salem, already famed for its delicious mangoes and popular restaurants known for their traditional tiffin, proudly holds the legacy of being home to this pioneering studio. The presence of Modern Theatres added cinematic prestige to the cultural and economic vibrance of the region. I humbly offer my tribute to Modern Theatres and salute the visionaries behind it. Their contributions continue to inspire generations of filmmakers, artists, and audiences. Kudos to Modern Theatres, Salem – a cornerstone of South Indian cinema and a beacon of timeless creativity. K.Ragavan -

Small Story 355.

Small Story 355 The Blogger's Train Crush" Sugandhi sat in her seat on the train, her eyes eagerly scanning the platform. The train was about to depart. The seat beside her was still vacant. She was heading to Bengaluru to visit her brother for the first time since his wedding three years ago. His wife was from Bengaluru, and he'd been transferred there as a bank manager. Because he couldn’t travel back to Coimbatore often due to his work, their parents insisted Sugandhi visit him. As the train pulled out of the station, a young man approached her at the next stop. “Excuse me,” he said politely. “My seat is 14—the window seat.” Only then did Sugandhi realize that, in her excitement, she had sat by the window. Embarrassed, she moved aside. “Sorry,” she whispered. “No problem,” the young man replied with a smile. “I’m Bharath. I usually book the window seat—I love watching the scenery.” His gentle tone and confident presence instantly struck a chord with Sugandhi. “I’m Sugandhi,” she said shyly. “I just finished my Master’s degree in Management. Going to Bengaluru to visit my brother.” “Nice! I work for an IT company in Bengaluru,” Bharath said. “I’m from Mysore—came to attend a friend’s wedding, now heading back.” He offered her a piece of milk cake from the wedding. Sugandhi usually avoided eating anything from strangers, as her father had always warned her. But Bharath seemed decent and respectful, so she took a small piece and thanked him. During the journey, Bharath received three phone calls. Curious, Sugandhi asked, “You seem to get a lot of calls.” Bharath chuckled. “I’m a blogger. Writing is my passion, and this year Google selected my blog as the best in their category. Those were congratulatory calls from readers.” “That’s amazing,” Sugandhi said, impressed. “I'll be honored at a small event in Google’s Bengaluru office on the 25th of this month,” he added. “I just found out yesterday. My parents are thrilled.” “Congratulations,” she smiled. “I read a lot of blogs too.” “Thanks,” Bharath replied softly. “My mom, Reshma, is a writer. She pens stories in both Kannada and English. I’m her biggest fan. She’s the reason I started blogging five years ago.” Sugandhi felt a sudden warmth in her heart. There was something magnetic about Bharath—his passion, his humility. She sensed a quiet connection forming. Bharath, too, found himself drawn to her elegance and calm confidence. As the train pulled into Bengaluru station, Bharath handed her his number. “If you’re free on the 25th, come to the function.” “I’d love to,” Sugandhi said, giving him her number in return. After saying goodbye, she took a cab to her brother’s apartment in JP Nagar. Sugandhi waited eagerly for the 25th to arrive. That evening, her sister-in-law Radhika mentioned, “I’ve recently joined Google as an event manager. Tomorrow we’re hosting a function to honor selected bloggers and writers. Want to come with me?” Sugandhi's heart skipped a beat. She wore her favorite green saree the next day and accompanied Radhika to the event. Bharath’s eyes lit up when he saw her. He received a merit certificate and a prize of $100000. After the ceremony, Sugandhi introduced him to Radhika. She invited Bharath home for tea the next day. Later that evening, Radhika, noticing Sugandhi’s clear affection for Bharath, told her husband Ram everything about their train journey. Ram smiled and agreed to speak to Bharath. At tea the next day, Ram casually brought up marriage. Bharath, who had already seen Sugandhi’s photo on a matrimonial site (sent by his mother), immediately agreed. Two months later, Sugandhi and Bharath were married in Coimbatore. Bharath helped her get a job at his company, and they moved into a flat near Ram’s home. What started as a chance meeting on a train turned into a lifelong journey—two hearts united by fate, a window seat, and a shared love for stories. K.Ragavan 1-9-25

Small Story.354

Small Story 354. "Position Brings Greater Humility" Vasanthy stepped into her new cabin, her heart full of gratitude and purpose. The recent announcement from the management had confirmed her promotion to Editor-in-Chief, a well-deserved recognition after nearly two decades of dedicated service as a Feature Editor and team leader. The prestigious role in one of the leading journal companies based in the U.S. came with not only new responsibilities but also generous perks. Known for her soft-spoken nature and well-mannered professionalism, Vasanthy had long been admired by her colleagues. Her team members were genuinely delighted to see her step into this new role. The air was filled with warmth as they gathered around to congratulate her. Vasanthy thanked her team sincerely, acknowledging their continuous support and collaboration in producing many impactful articles and special features over the years. With a gentle smile, she announced, “I would like to invite all of you to a grand celebration this Sunday afternoon at the famous Lakeside Hotel. This party is my way of expressing gratitude—for being with me, believing in me, and helping me reach this position.” Her colleagues applauded the announcement and thanked her warmly for the invite. As the excitement settled, Vasanthy leaned in and whispered to the group: “This celebration is not just about me—it’s about us. Your support helped me rise to this position, and that’s something I will never forget. I promise to continue working with all of you to bring our best to the management. Team spirit is something no one can destroy—we’ve proven that before, and we will continue to prove it together.” Her words resonated deeply. Everyone looked at Vasanthy—not as someone who had changed with her new title, but as the same humble, dedicated leader they had always known. With admiration, they nodded and said in unison: “You are truly great.” K.Ragavan 31-8-25

Small Story 353.

Small Story 353 A Surveyor’s Advice Athmarao received a call from his close relative, Vaibhav, asking him to come home for an important discussion. Promptly at 5 PM, Athmarao reached Vaibhav’s apartment, where he was warmly greeted by Vaibhav and his wife, Sulochana. After a few minutes, Sulochana brought in tea and banana chips—both friends’ favorite snack. Once they settled, Vaibhav began the conversation. "Athma, you must be wondering why I called you so suddenly. You're not just a close relative but also a dear friend for decades. You know our son Keshav has been working in London for the past seven years. Whenever we brought up the topic of marriage, he always refused. But yesterday, he called and told us something unexpected—he wants to marry his office colleague, who is a British national. They like each other and are serious about it. I was shocked. We never thought he'd make such a decision on his own. Sulochana has been deeply upset since last night, wondering how we’ll face our relatives.” Vaibhav paused, looking visibly troubled. “I know you're a retired surveyor who has helped many people with their problems. That’s why I wanted to take you into confidence on this.” Athmarao leaned forward and whispered, “Vaibhav, thank you for trusting me with such a personal matter. As your friend, I’ll only suggest what I believe is good for your family. When Keshav wanted to study Electronics and Computer Science, you supported him without hesitation. You didn’t interfere then—why now? He has chosen his life partner thoughtfully, just as he chose his career. Today’s children are intelligent. They understand their lives and make their own decisions. If both Keshav and his partner respect each other's culture, values, and habits, and truly care for one another, I see no reason to object. After all, he’s your son—and his future happiness is what matters most. Don’t worry about what relatives will say.” Sulochana, hearing Athmarao’s thoughtful words, turned to him and said, “You’re right, Anna .You've made things much clearer.” After spending another half hour with them, Athmarao left. Vaibhav and Sulochana felt relieved and grateful to have such a wise and understanding friend. A big issue had been resolved, thanks to the perspective of a great surveyor—not just of land, but of life K.Ragavan 30-8-25.

Small Story 352.

Small Story 352. Grandpa's Blessings for a Bright Pharma Career Santhosh was eagerly waiting for his grandfather, Venkatesh, who was arriving from Tumkur. Venkatesh, a retired officer from the Agricultural Department, had settled in his hometown with his wife, Lakshmi. Santhosh was the only son of Venkatesh's daughter, Vasanthy. Having just completed his M.Sc. in Chemistry, Santhosh wanted to seek his grandfather’s blessings and advice before taking the next step in his career. He deeply respected his grandfather and had followed his suggestions throughout his education, which had helped him feel confident and grounded. Venkatesh and Lakshmi arrived carrying fresh mangoes and tamarind from their garden in Tumkur — a warm gesture for their daughter, Vasanthy. As soon as he saw his grandfather, Santhosh greeted him with a respectful nod. “Grandpa,” he began, “yesterday at a friend’s birthday party, I met your old friend Mr. Murthy. He asked about you and also inquired about my career plans.” “Oh, Murthy!” Venkatesh smiled. “He’s my good old friend. He retired as a Technical Director from a well-known pharmaceutical company.” “Yes, Grandpa,” Santhosh replied. “He suggested that I consider joining his former company as a Territory Manager. He said he’d recommend me personally since I’m your grandson.” Venkatesh beamed with pride. “So, are you thinking of accepting the offer?” he asked softly. Santhosh nodded. “Yes, Grandpa. I just wanted your blessing first.” Santhosh’s father, Narayan, also supported the idea. He had great respect for his father-in-law and his circle of trusted friends. With everyone's encouragement, Santhosh soon met Mr. Murthy again — this time along with his grandfather — and expressed his eagerness to join the pharmaceutical company. A new journey was about to begin, rooted in family values, mentorship, and the blessings of a wise grandfather. K.Ragavan 29-8-25

Letter.

Letter Published in New IndiaAbroad USA 27 August 25 RESPONSE TO ; How floundering India-US talks led to high tariffs The ongoing Indo-US conflict over tariffs has drawn global attention, especially in the context of India’s steadfast stance on its national interests. The recent article on floundering tariffs sheds light on how the United States is pressuring India with tariff-related actions, allegedly in response to India’s continued import of Russian oil. However, India has chosen not to yield to this pressure, emphasizing its sovereign right to pursue its energy security and economic agenda Global reactions have largely been in favor of India, with many countries recognizing that India is within its rights to make independent trade decisions. Despite the historically strong Indo-US relationship, this situation underscores growing friction as both nations seek to prioritize their domestic interests. India’s refusal to accept what it sees as unjust or politically motivated tariffs reflects its commitment to strategic autonomy and a multipolar world order K.Ragavan https://www.narendramodi.in/network/userpost-task/68b0795e3898363d0e5ad093 via MyNt

Tariff Threat

Tariff Threat As a proud senior citizen of our great nation, Bharat, I have my own observations and firm belief in our country’s resilience and strength. The recent tariff threat from the United States on Indian products has stirred discussions in the media and created concern among some. However, I believe there is no need to panic. India has faced and overcome numerous global challenges in the past—be it economic crises, trade disputes, or political pressures—and emerged stronger every time. Today, India is confidently stepping into its rightful place as the world’s third-largest economy. The current tariff issue, in my view, will pass like many others before it. It is not a threat to the India of today. Our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, with his deep commitment to national interest and his skilled diplomacy on the global stage, stands as a pillar of strength. His leadership has not only raised India's stature internationally but also ensured that our farmers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs are protected. Many countries around the world have welcomed and supported India’s principled stand. Global alliances are increasingly recognizing India's role as a stable, democratic, and growing power. I am confident that our partners will stand with us, and our domestic industries will find strength from within and beyond. There is no need to fear any so-called "unimaginable tariffs" from any country. India is prepared, resilient, and moving forward with confidence. Jai Hind! K.Ragavan