Small Story 100 Duo's Century

Small Story 100. Duo's Century Ram was watching TV. After his retirement fifteen years ago, he mostly watched important news, some useful debates, and occasionally films. At 75, he remained active, socializing with friends of all ages and genders. His only daughter, Vasanthi, worked in Hyderabad with her husband, Sanjay, who was the CEO of a corporate company. Their son, Gaurav, was studying for his final year of BSc in Bengaluru, living with his grandparents, Ram and Ambujam, for the past ten years. Gaurav, passionate about cricket, preferred staying with his grandfather, Ram. Ambujam, 68, was a graceful woman who spent her time engaged in religious activities. She had retired as a bank manager from a leading bank. Ram, a retired marketing manager in pharmaceutical companies, had worked in Singapore and the UAE before retiring ten years ago and settling in Bengaluru. Gaurav, eagerly waiting for his final exam results, was also hoping for selection by the Cricket Board for the Under-20 team. His love for cricket, along with his passion for walking and marathons, kept him active. After his selection and playing his first match, Gaurav planned to pursue further studies in the US. One day, the doorbell rang, and Ram opened the door to find a letter from the cricket selection committee. He opened it eagerly and saw that Gaurav had been selected for the Under-20 team, with the first match scheduled against Sri Lanka in fifteen days in Bengaluru. Ram was thrilled. Ambujam, who had been waiting for him to return, shared the news with Gaurav, who was at a friend's place. She then called Vasanthi to share the happy news. In the evening, all three went to the Rama Anjaneya temple near their home to offer prayers. The next day, Gaurav began intense practice, preparing for the upcoming match. Meanwhile, Ram was given the responsibility of Secretary for their apartment association. The apartment complex had 175 units, but only 80 residents were enrolled in the association. Ram accepted the challenge and aimed to reach 100 members before his tenure ended. Gaurav, a talented batsman, prayed to his favorite deity, Anjaneya, for a successful match, hoping for a century. As the days passed, Ram's friendly nature helped him enroll 95 members in the association, with just five more to go. On match day, Gaurav went to the stadium early, and Ram, Ambujam, and their apartment friend Keshav followed. Keshav mentioned to Ram that he expected five more members to join the association by the end of the day. The match began, with Sri Lanka winning the toss and choosing to bat. They scored 195 runs in 20 overs. India’s openers, Gaurav and Nikil, played well. Gaurav scored a century, while Nikil made 70 before being out. Gaurav went on to score 29 more runs, helping India win the match. After the match, Gaurav’s unbeaten 100 made both Ram and Ambujam immensely proud. At that very moment, Ram’s mobile buzzed with a message: five new members had joined the apartment association, marking the milestone of 100 members. Ram was elated. Both grandfather and grandson had achieved their centuries. There was a grand celebration in Ram’s apartment to honor their success. Vasanthi and Sanjay were equally thrilled with their achievements. K.Ragavan 7-12-24

Small Story 99 Corporate Scare

Small Story 99 Corporate 99 Scare a large pharmaceutical company, has gained significant recognition over the past ten years. Specializing in pain relievers, vitamins, and other essential health products, the company has earned an annual turnover of 600 crores. It exports its products to various countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. Kumaravel, the Chief Executive, previously worked in a leading pharmaceutical company before founding Corporate 99. His wife, Sathyavathy, a gold medalist in MPHARM, plays a crucial role in the company’s success by handling the technical aspects of their formulations. The company’s name was unique, and with a total staff of 99 members, Corporate 99 rapidly gained a good reputation in the Indian market. The factory, located in the Jayanagar area, was home to state-of-the-art machinery. The field force was highly professional, driving demand for their products. One day, Kumaravel received an alarming call. A bomb had reportedly been planted in the factory. Concerned, he immediately instructed the security team to conduct a thorough search, but no suspicious items were found. Unsettled, he contacted his friend Paramanand, an internationally acclaimed investigation chief, who assured him that he would send his best team member, Ranjitha. Ranjitha arrived at 3 P.M. and was warmly greeted by Sathyavathy. Impressed by the factory’s advanced equipment, she began her investigation, starting with the quality department. After a detailed search, she found no evidence of a bomb. She turned to Kumaravel and asked, "Do you have any professional enemies?" Kumaravel replied, "No, we don't have any enemies. Why do you ask?" Ranjitha explained, "This kind of threat to the pharmaceutical industry is unusual, and based on my experience, I suspect it's just a prank. However, for your peace of mind, we can call in the bomb squad." Kumaravel was confused, "A prank? But why would anyone do such a thing?" Ranjitha smiled calmly, "Yes, I believe it's just for fun. But I'll call the squad to confirm, just to be safe." Within minutes, the bomb squad arrived and conducted their checks. After thorough investigation, they confirmed that there was no bomb. Relieved, Ranjitha turned to Kumaravel and said, "See? No bomb. Now, let me tell you why I'm confident." Kumaravel looked at her, still uncertain. Ranjitha pointed to the calendar on the wall. "Today is April 1st, Mr. Kumaravel. April Fool's Day." Kumaravel froze in realization, his anxiety dissolving into laughter. He had been the victim of an April Fool's prank. Both he and Sathyavathy were relieved that no harm was done, and they thanked Ranjitha for her expertise. With the mystery solved, Corporate 99’s staff members continued their work, safe and secure, as Ranjitha’s intelligence and keen observation were applauded. She was truly an asset to OO1, and the prank had become just another story to share in the company’s long history of success K.Ragavan 6-12-24

Small Story 98.The Stable Ship.

Small Story 98. The Stable Ship Rajamani and Pichumani were good friends who studied together and later joined the Railway Accounts Department. Both were from Dindigul, which was another coincidence. Rajamani's nephew was a film editor, and Pichumani's cousin was a cinematographer. Both had worked on many films and received awards for their exceptional contributions. Rajamani had only one son, and Pichumani had only one daughter. Despite being friends for over three decades, neither was willing to see their children marry each other. Many of their mutual friends were curious as to why they didn’t want to bring their children together as life partners. Rajamani's son eventually married the daughter of a leading doctor, while Pichumani's daughter married the son of a wealthy businessman. After a few years, both families moved to a senior living community, a new concept with houses that were well-maintained and had all necessary facilities. The families no longer had to cook or worry about daily chores. Initially, their children were skeptical about the idea, but eventually, they agreed. Years passed, and Rajamani’s son had two children, while Pichumani’s daughter had two children, a boy and a girl. On their 80th birthday, both friends celebrated together with their families. After the function and rituals, Rajamani and Pichumani made a special announcement to the gathering: "We did not want to become Sammandhis and spoil our friendship. For us, friendship is the only ship that is stable and not shaky." The entire crowd was stunned and applauded their deep bond of friendship. K.Ragavan 5-12-24

Small Story 97 Good Encounter

Small Story 97: Good Encounter Shalini was walking through the train compartments one by one, looking for the D Coach. There were only a few coaches left to check before she reached her destination and occupied her seat. With the train set to depart in ten minutes, she pulled out her phone. As she read through the morning messages from her office, she saw the news alert from her Chief, Vasanthi, outlining which stories she needed to follow immediately. Shalini worked as a reporter for a leading US-based online magazine. Since childhood, she had been fascinated by reading and drawn to the bold, authentic reporting of journalists on TV. Inspired by them, she pursued her Master's degree in Communication and Journalism, graduating with the highest honors. Her hard work led her to land a position at a reputable company. Now, she was heading to Chennai to cover the latest cyclone and rains. After a four-hour train journey, Shalini arrived in Chennai feeling surprisingly fresh and not too tired. At the station, her colleague, Vishnu, greeted her. "Hi, how are you? The rain just stopped. Take it slow," he said. Shalini, with only a small handbag for her one-day stay, got off the train and followed Vishnu to his car. On the way to their office, she noticed the water stagnation in many areas, as the city was still reeling from the crisis. After spending two hours at the office, Shalini understood the situation on the ground. She was relieved that the cyclone had crossed, though the damage was evident. She snapped a few photos of the worst-hit areas and then headed to her old friend Radhika’s house in Anna Nagar. Radhika, who worked as a Sub Editor for a popular English newspaper, shared her experiences of the cyclone and the rains over dinner at a well-known restaurant. As they finished their meal, Shalini realized she had left her phone behind. Sitting in the car with Radhika, she suddenly remembered. "My phone!" she exclaimed. She rushed back to the restaurant to check. But when she looked, the phone was nowhere to be found. Worry set in — the photos and reports she had uploaded were critical for her office back in Bengaluru. Just then, Vishnu entered the restaurant. "Hey, you missed your phone," he said. "I was following you here to see if you were still around. I couldn’t find parking, so I arrived a little late. I noticed your phone and grabbed it. I was about to call your office in Bengaluru." Shalini took a deep breath, relieved that her work had been saved. Radhika, too, exhaled, glad that everything was okay. Shalini turned to Vishnu, curious. "Why did you follow me?" she asked. Vishnu hesitated, clearly nervous. Before he could respond, Radhika spoke up with a smile. "Shalini, it’s clear — this is a crush. I could tell, even as an investigative journalist. I've seen the signs." Vishnu lowered his head, embarrassed, but with a shy smile. Shalini was touched by Vishnu’s gesture. While she didn't yet have romantic feelings for him, she appreciated his kindness and the way he had saved her from a major issue. It made her think, Maybe I should consider him as a partner in life. K.Ragavan 4-12-24

Small Story 96. Good Initiative.

Small Story 96 Good Initiative Rakesh was waiting at the school gate to receive his daughter. At 4 PM, his daughter Nanditha arrived and waved at him. Rakesh took her to the car and started driving them home. Today, Rakesh was on leave and had come to the school to pick up his daughter. Nanditha was in 9th grade and always ranked first in her class, excelling not only in academics but also in sports. At home, his wife Malathy welcomed them with a smile and brought out some sweets. It was Rakesh’s birthday, so he had taken the day off. Nanditha took a bite of the Badham cake and said, “Mummy, amazing taste!” After half an hour, all three of them set off to visit a senior citizens' home with fruits and sweets. The ashram, run by a philanthropist lady named Ambujam, cared for more than fifty elderly residents. Her husband, Swamy, was a lawyer, and they had no children. Apart from the fruits and sweets, Rakesh gave ten thousand rupees in cash to Ambujam for the residents' lunch. He had been doing this every year on his birthday for the past ten years. Malathy often asked why he was so particular about donating to this place, but Rakesh never shared the reason until today. That evening, while having dinner, Nanditha raised the topic. “Dad, Mum and I don’t understand why you are so particular about donating to this place every year on your birthday.” Rakesh looked at her and replied, “Now I am 46 years old. When I was studying, my parents died in an accident. I was left alone, and no one came forward to help me. One day, I went to Ambujam Madam’s house for a job, just to earn something. She offered to support me until I finished my MBA and helped me reach where I am today. She always asks me to call her 'Mummy.' From that day, I decided to reciprocate her kindness and support her philanthropic deeds.” Malathy was moved to hear the background of Rakesh’s dedication. He loved Ambujam like his own mother and Swamy like his father. Malathy hugged Nanditha, proud of Rakesh for his generosity and selflessness. K.Ragavan 3-12-24

Small Story 95.Suspense Cleared

Small Story 95: Suspense Cleared Ram was once again rejected by the Selection Committee for the National Carom Championship. He had been practicing for over a decade, playing in many tournaments and winning, yet this highly influential committee did not select him. Ram worked as a manager at a small private firm. His father, Desikan, worked at a bank, and his mother, Ambujam, was a high school teacher. Ram’s dream was to play at the national level, but he also had a secret passion for writing. Under the pen name Avittam, his comic and romantic stories were very popular among young readers. No one else knew about his writing. One day, while traveling to work on a bus (his car was in for service), Ram sat by the window, enjoying the view of the tall buildings outside. A young woman boarded the bus and sat next to him. As the bus moved along, she received a phone call from a friend. "Hey, I was so disappointed today... the story had such a twist! Avittam really knows how to keep the suspense going! I don’t know how he does it every week." Ram smiled to himself. He knew exactly who she was talking about. Avittam, that was his pen name. The bus conductor came around to collect fare, and the lady showed him a 500-rupee note. The conductor refused, as he didn’t have change. "Excuse me, if you don't mind, I can pay for your ticket," Ram offered gently. The lady, Ranjitha, was grateful. "Thanks, today’s been such a bad day for me... I forgot my wallet, and I was hoping for some good news from my favorite author. At least Avittam keeps the suspense alive every week." Ram smiled. "I see, which author are you talking about?" "Sorry, I should’ve introduced myself. I’m Ranjitha, I work at a bank. Avittam is his pen name, a very versatile writer. His language is so captivating... have you read his stories?" "No," Ram responded softly. "You should! His stories are published in Stories World magazine every week." "Alright, I will." Ram’s stop came, and as he stood up to leave, Ranjitha handed him her business card. "This is my card," she said. "If I miss you tomorrow, I’ll message you to repay the three rupees." Ram took the card with a smile, and got off the bus. Later that day, while having lunch at the office, Ram couldn’t stop thinking about the pleasant encounter with Ranjitha. Her smile, her kind words, and her introduction made him feel a strong connection to her. For the next couple of days, Ram didn’t take the bus. Meanwhile, Ranjitha, not knowing his phone number, waited patiently. Then, one evening, Ram’s father, Desikan, came home with Ranjitha. Ambujam, his mother, was surprised to see her. "She’s our front-line manager at the office, recently joined. Ranjitha is also a friend of my colleague, Raghunathan’s daughter explained her recent experience of three rupeesticket money to return waiting in her hands. I invited her over today because Raghunathan was busy," Desikan explained. Ranjitha was stunned when she saw Ram walk in. Ambujam, noticing the look on Ranjitha’s face, smiled knowingly. "Ranjitha, thank you for the three rupees you’ve been holding onto for the last few days. Here, Ram, take it." Ram took the money, but before he could speak, he handed her a book. "You’ll love this week’s story," he said. Ranjitha’s face lit up with joy as she looked at the book in her hands. Ambujam, now feeling more comfortable, spoke openly. "Ranjitha, you’re a modern girl, and our friend’s daughter. You like our son, Ram, don’t you?" Ranjitha was taken aback by the unexpected question, feeling shy. "Mummy," Ram began, "I’ve been keeping a suspense from you and Dad. I am the writer Avittam." Everyone was delighted by this revelation. Desikan and Ambujam were overjoyed, and Ranjitha was thrilled to discover that the man she admired for his writing was right in front of her. Ram, too, was happy that his mother had opened the door for a discussion about his relationship with Ranjitha. With two suspenses cleared, everything seemed to be falling into place. K.Ragavan 2-12-24

Tribute to Lyricist, Director Gulzar.846.

Gulzar began his illustrious career as a lyricist, working on numerous Hindi films as well as Punjabi movies. His poetic and soulful lyrics became an integral part of many memorable songs. His association with music legends like R.D. Burman, Salil Chowdhury, A.R. Rahman, and Vishal Bhardwaj is worth mentioning, as he created timeless pieces with them. As a director, Gulzar’s film Mausam stands out as a masterpiece. His work has transcended generations, and his ability to touch hearts with both his lyrics and direction is unparalleled. He has also written lyrics for classic music directors like Madan Mohan and the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Over the years, Gulzar has received numerous accolades, including National Awards for his screenplays and lyrics. He has also been honored with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award. His creative genius is not limited to films alone; many of today's top actors have had the privilege of working with him on dialogue writing. Gulzar’s personal life is also a fascinating aspect. He was married to actress Raakhee, and their daughter, Meghna Gulzar, is a successful director in her own right. Known for his patriotic songs, Gulzar penned the iconic "Jai Ho" for the film Slumdog Millionaire, composed by A.R. Rahman, which went on to win international acclaim. Gulzar is a man of grace—smiling, simple, and soft-spoken. He is loved and respected by everyone in the film industry. Today, I am delighted to pay my tribute to this extraordinary director, lyricist, and writer. It captures Gulzar’s journey and immense contributions to cinema and music beautifully. K.Ragavan 2-12-24 Until We Meet Again Next Week,