*From & To Sathish* - Thread 4 - Page 27

Thank you for the above post (it made me think a lot!!) and for the rest of your chapters too.
Nice work. Really nice work. 👏

I can recollect my teens in the 90s...where every village girl wanted to marry someone like Arvind Swamy's character in "Roja" and every metro girl wanted to marry someone like Raj/ Rahul (Shahrukh's trademark names in his romantic films). The hopelessly romantic ones wanted to marry someone like Karthik's character in "Mouna Ragam".
I saw them...I was amused and bemused by their thoughts and hopes...and I took my books in a corner and continued studying.
Then in medical college I met girls in hostel who wanted to marry someone like Anbuselvan (Surya in "Kaakha Kaakha") or better yet, Sanjay Ramasamy (Surya again in "Ghajini").
I know girls who wanted to throw Jyothika off a cliff for marrying Surya too. 😆
And then there were the Shalini-type girls who couldn't wait to find their match in someone like Madhavan (in "Alaipayuthey")

Now, as a grown-up woman, doctor and mother...I see not just love, but even life very differently.

The girl who wanted to marry someone like Arvind Swamy as a teenager...is now married to someone who looks like Raghava Lawrence.
But I have to emphasise the key element here - she is happy. Truly happy. Blessed with kids. And is all praises for her hubby. Good for her.

The girl who was waiting to marry someone like Shahrukh Khan...waited and waited...no one showed up/ or he tried to take her for a fun ride...so she went along with her parents choice and had an arranged marriage. The last I heard is that there is some dowry harassment issues going on in their household.

The girl who was a romantic fanatic and memorised all of Karthik-Revathi's dialogues by heart from "Mouna Ragam" was actually the saddest one of the lot.
She was truly wooed by a man as charming as Karthik's character in the film, but little did she know that it was to trap her into a marriage of domestic violence.

The one who was madly in love with Surya's steely eyes married a man with such an intense look too...but sadly, nothing else in their marriage was as intense. Sure, they held hands in parties, she wore her best neck jewellery and they looked like a match made in heaven...but on returning home and closing the door, he removed his expensive shoes, she removed her jewellery, they removed their hands from each other and went into their separate bedrooms.

All of these women are real. All of their stories are real.
Some have actively taken steps to find their way to happiness.
Some resolve it as their fate and say they will try for better luck in their next life.

I try to make people understand there is no one out there who will rescue you from your problems.
No one. There is NO prince charming out there.
YOU rescue yourself!!

The sooner you understand this bitter truth...
the better are your chances of finding true meaning in life and in love.
Because only then, do your eyes remain wide open instead of being wide shut!

For such people, their dreams really do become a reality at some point.
But for those in strong denial - they remain in disillusionment till the end.
I know these people, because I see them walking past me in a lost daze everyday.

R.I.P Vaidyanathan and Venkatakrishnan




"Those we love never truly leave us, Harry. There are things that death cannot touch. Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two


And yet death comes calling and so often knocks on the doors of houses where your loved ones dwell and soon you begin to pass the same house and look up at the house and reminisce of the person who lived there,once,a few weeks ago which soon turns a few years ago.

Two incredible souls passed on through that sliding door that revolves like a game of musical chair and some who dare venture into that game never return and many return for a second innings and another shot at the game of musical chairs.

Both were dear to me and i was rather fond of them and both in their own ways were quiet,calm souls and just smiled when others talked,spoke and spewed vocals.

Both souls were blessed in that,their smiles reached their eyes and shone like stars and that energy transferred on to the people who knew them and spent time with them.

I took time and i always make time for special people who make an impact without even knowing that they are doing so and thus i spent many a moment,long ones besides them and interacting with them.

One was Venkatakrishnan mama and the other soul was Vaidyanathan.Both leave behind an extended family of lovely souls and both leave behind in their wake,their very own energy and light that shines so brightly in all the members of their families.

My wife often wonders aloud in pride and with great affection about this particular facet of my character,when i go out of my way and make friends with strangers and soon i become a frequent visitor in their houses.

Hold that thought,only when i am invited and this often results in me coming home laden with pickles,poriyals,kootu packed in all sizes of containers but the person who packed them were all large and kind souls.

My pondatti opens the door and she will stare at the stuff i am carrying and i sheepishly smirk ' When it comes to food,i am absolutely shameless and will ask for something to take home and so here i am.'

But she does know that,she is the one who hogs most of the stuff that i bring home without partaking even a morsel of it and so me and my friendship making facet are welcome in a so,so manner.

Lalitha vaidyanathan is in plain and simple terms a fantastic cook and always plonks something or the other into my arms when i am leaving.


The passing of these beautiful souls is a bit of an uphill climb and yet i am thankful that i spent a part of my life interacting with them.

I have no clue as to who or what lies on the other side and so in cliched terms,i wish them eternal peace and wish them the best where ever they are.

In the end,all one can do is wish,keep fingers crossed and pin one's hopes on prayers and trust in an invisible mute God.This applies to both the dead and the living.


"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.


https://thinksathya.blogspot.com/2017/10/vijayadasami-at-mamas-place.html

This is a link about the late Venkatakrishnan mama who died at the age of 95

Jannal oram-218

"Because, if you could love someone, and keep loving them, without being loved back . . . then that love had to be real. It hurt too much to be anything else. ? Sarah Cross, Kill Me Softly

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Durai Pandi Arumugam looked at his daughter Kavita across the table,both with the eyes of a loving mother and also with the eyes of a strict but worrying father.Not that he had to worry about his children,especially Kavita for like him and her mother,she was not only strong and bold in character but totally fearless.

Not knowing how to ask her what was preying on her mind,he gently cleared his throat and the sound of it which among them meant ' excuse me' and Kavita looked at him and smiled ' ennappa,do you want some water?'

Durai pandi smiled ' illemma,i want something even more precious than water?' and seeing her questioning eyes ' i want you to be happy.At peace and content.All i am and all that i have earned is for both of you and if you are not happy then it means nothing my child.'

Vijay Bhaskar looked at his father ' appa,nothing you say or i say will help her feel better.Believe me i have tried talking sense to her,but to no avail.'

Durai pandi looked at his son ' sorry vijay,i am totally lost and have absolutely no clue as to what you are alluding to.Please be more clearer and also include this old man into your young thoughts once in a while for how else will a father know what is going on in his children's minds.'

Vijay bhaskar looked at his dead ' Minister sir,please save all these melodramatic lines for your stage time and not while talking to your kids.'

Kavita began to laugh ' vijay,stop bullying appa.'

Durai Pandi Arumugam ' poda,kindal panreero.Summava sonnanga.Petha manam pithu,pillai manam kallu.'

Vijay bhaskar pounced on his dad's words ' dad,can you please explain what the bloody hell those words and that proverb means.For,according to me Pithu in tamil means mad.That is why in the film Thiruvarutselvar,Sundarar sings Pitha,pirai soodi.So obviously,if the father is mad,then the children have to steel their hearts and turn to stone.Right kavita?'


Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Durai Pandi Arumugam looked at his son in awe and with a voice tinged with sarcasm ' All this twisted intelligence is surely not from me or your mum and must be from your grandfather who was really a madcap.Such a beautiful proverb whose real meaning is in fact "A parent is mad when his or her children's welfare is involved, whereas the children on whom he or she showers his or her love are stone hearted when his or her needs are concerned" and you have managed to twist it and also corner me.'

Vijay reached out with his left hand and patted his dads arms ' Aiya,minister avargale.I was just pulling your leg and just playing with you and you are going all serious on us.

Kavita seemed lost in her thoughts and did not pay notice to the two men in her life as they pulled their chairs close to her and realising their close proximity suddenly looked down and stared at her plate that was still full of the food that she had not touched.

Durai pandi gently stroked her head ' Ennama,what is going on with you? if you talk to us maybe we will be able to help you with what is troubling you?'

Kavita looked up and durai pandi could see the tears and the sadness that had been tormenting her and made her beautiful face look like a wilted rose under the glare of the blazing sun.

She slowly collapsed into his arms and began to sob uncontrollably ' you cannot help me appa.Nobody can help me with this problem and it is my burden to carry forever and alone.'

Durai pandi arumugam ' appadi enamma unakku problem.Try telling me so that i can make sense of this immense burden that you are carrying all alone.'

Vijay shook his head ' dad,all your power,clout and money cannot solve this problem for this is a problem that is too complicated and for which there is no answer.At least not in this life of my sisters and your daughter's.'

Father looked at his son ' appa vijay.Please,i beg of you,what is going on with kavita?'

Kavita looked up at her dad and whispered ' Raman.My problem is Raman and that i love him and he is married to Jeeva.'

Durai pandi arumugam felt his heart slowing and then he kept looking at his daughter and realised how much in love she was with Raman and asked ' how,eppo?' and Kavita ' from the day he saved me and anna.From that moment when he shielded me with his body and stood like a wall between me and sure death.'

Durai pandi ' ammadi,why didn't you tell him da? He met Jeeva just now,some months ago.But why did you wait nearly 8 years and not do anything about it?'

Kavita looked at him pathetically ' eppadipa.How could i have approached him with my love and what if he had turned me down?'

Vijay sadly ' kavita kutty,if he had turned you down,then you could have gone on with your life after shedding a few tears.But now,you have doomed yourself for a life long suffering and all alone in it.'

Kavita looked at both of them ' i am not sure if you will understand what i am going to tell or explain.But i will try my best to make feel what i feel in my soul.'

Her eyes pouring tears ' what i felt and feel for raman is not something that can be forgotten for neither is he that kind of man nor is my love just a temporary state of lust or passion.If he had turned me down then that would have been the end of it and nothing could have been done about it and it would have left us all in a very embarrassing and delicate situation.But him not knowing at least allows me to continue my friendship with him even though it breaks my heart to know that his heart belongs to someone else.At least i know that he is well and doing great and we are in touch constantly.'

She looked at her dad ' appa.I don't deny it hurts.Yes,it hurts terribly but it is a life giving pain and it keeps me alive knowing that i am breathing the same air that he breathes and that is enough.They say,you need to hands to clap and make a noise.But in love,real love,all it takes is one soul and with that love in my soul i will live out my life with him as my husband,my lover and my everything.I have given myself to him and his thought and no man can replace that,ever and i mean that.'

Wiping her tears ' but apart from Raman,there is our party and the legacy that Puratchi thalaivi amma has left behind and that is my life and my journey in this lifetime.'

Durai pandi arumugam was lost for words and then he kissed her cheeks and forehead ' ammadi,i see the same strength of namma thalaivi in you and maybe one day you will make a great leader and lead this state to greater glory and fame.I hope i am around to see all that.I really hope i am around.'

Vijay Bhaskar smiled and thought to himself ' is it possible.could it be so that my sweet sister can be made the leader of this party?'

Anything is possible but one thing is sure and that is there is now present in the state of tamil nadu and India a great vacuum for a great leader and for a great revolution to take place and Modi failed that test for rather than work and lead India as a single entity,he has under his rule led innocent muslims to be lynched and terrorised in the name of GOraksha or saving cows.

What about chickens,dogs,pigs,goats and sheep? How does it matter what people eat and now in the name of beef,the country has been torn to pieces with govt sponsored terrorism.

When so many rapes are happening,not one law has been brought that will put fear and end to these sickening crimes against women and minor girls.

Why not the death penalty against rapists? Why not public castration of rapists and child molesters? why not bring all the parties as one against evil and crimes such as rape and terrorism?

Oh Modi,you were given absolute majority and yet all you have done is tear the fabric of a single nation which now stands as hindus and everyone else as opposite.

I am sorry to say that though i was born as a Hindu,i am human being first and my loyalty lies first with life of this earth and regardless of it being a muslim or anything else.

My religion,my god shiva comes last and it push comes to shove,i will take the side of innocent muslims than stand by my hindu blood and bretheren,even if it means my wife and family.

I swear to this.

"I have to admit, an unrequited love is so much better than a real one. I mean, it's perfect... As long as something is never even started, you never have to worry about it ending. It has endless potential. Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

Jannal oram-219


Tamilnadu state Finance Minister Durai pandi did now know what to say for he knew like his children that it was a hopeless situation and his arms still holding his daughter,he tried his best to console his daughter 'Kavita,It is tragic and funny that you chose the one man you cannot get to fall in love with.Just like Raman,the name of an ancient god,this gentleman is also totally true to that entityand however you look at this triangle,it is just hopeless and just like Raman,the lady jeeva too is equal to him in character and virtue.'

Kavita slowly moved back and using both her hands,wiped her tears away and smiling brightly ' I know appa and let it never be forgotten that we owe our lives to this great man.Sohe and his family deserve all our protection and loyalty.More than anything,i want to see Raman live happily for a long time with jeeva and have a great career and life.'

Vijay did not even know that he was speaking out his thoughts aloud and they came out of his mouth,loud and clear and before he could stop them ' imagine raman and kavita together as one.For that would have been a great and unbeatable combination and nothing and no one could have stopped that combo.'

Kavita looked at her elder brother,older by just two years ' vijay,that is still possible for we are friends and two great friends can do wonders in life and in our state.'

Durai pandi looked at his watch ' both of you are right but all three of us know that Raman has absolutely no interest in politics although he will go out of his way to be of help,should anyone ask him of it.'

Getting up,he looked at his children ' there is a cabinet meeting in the chief ministers office and there is a chance that i might be flying out to delhi in a couple of days with some of the ministers and it will be headed by O.P.S,the deputy chief minister himself.'

Vijay looked at his dad ' ennappa,why this sudden trip and that too now?'

Kavita smiled ' anna,2019 is just around the corner and that means General elections for this country.That is the reason dad is off to delhi,rightpa.'

Durai pandi gently pinched her cheek ' just can't get anything past you.But you are right although i have no idea about the rest of the details.'

Kavita looked at him in surprise ' hello minister.Stop acting and lying to us for it is so obvious why this trip is being made now and so early?'

Both father and son looked at the most important woman in their house and in the party ' obvious ma'am,please can you elaborate on that obvious word.'

Placing her hands on her hips ' Nobody expected the Modi led Bjp party to gain absolute majority in the 2014 lok sabha elections and they won handsomely with 272 seats while the congress won just 48 seats,a mere 11 seats more than our AIADMK party that won 37 seats.A regional state party coming in 3rd to the giant congress was a shock to the system and also emphasised and established AMMA'S supremacy and total domination in Tamil Nadu.But that was 2014 and now it is 2018.Amma is gone and there is now a doubt that Modi and BJP might just lose or at the most not gain absolute majority and this means,our party can make gains in the national scene by allying ourselves with it in the coming elections.And should it work that again makes for a good point for our party when we face assembly elections in 2021 and without Amma around.So,it becomes vital for us to have modi on our side and vice versa bjp to have us on their side.'

She took a sip of water and looked at them ' But then there is a big twist and that is if O.P.S who is being investigated by the CBI on corruption charges gets sentenced and that means our party will be totally weakened and also Sasikala will be out of jail and along with TTV Dinakaran will form a impressive opposistion.'

Vijay ' ellam okay,but you are forgetting DMK and Congress' and Kavita ' that is the question mark and suspense factor for who knows if Kalignar will be around for the 2021 elections which he will surely be not and also the question mark about stalin's health for rumors have been flying around that he is seriously sick and that means another question mark.

And in the end we come to both kamal and rajinikanth.Kamal has already started his party and is making great strides into the state politics and vote base and then you have superstar rajinikanth who people are speculating will not contest national elections and will wait for the state assembly elections to come around before starting his own party and diving into active politics.'

Minister Durai pandi arumugam brought his hands and clapped loudly ' Fantastic' and gently spread both his arms and took both his children into them ' My children,please promise me that you will serve the this state and it people loyally and honestly.I think the next few years are going to be very confusing and maybe in a way it will lead to new blood and new leaders like you to rise and take power.

Stalin,rajini,eps,ops and most of us are in our 60's and many will not live long and even then will not have great health.Who knows,even if DMK comes to power,there is a chance that stalin might not live out his entire term.So this means that doors will be opened for both of you to rise up through the party and lead all of us to greater glory.I hope and pray that i will be around to see all this happen.'

Musings about Redemption

"Once upon a time for that is how all stories should begin there was a boy who lost his mother.
John Connolly, The Book of Lost Things

But then what stories do you write about a boy who lost his mother,father,brother and his home and all that he knew and was transported to another world with totally different people.

Starting with Redemption,i just want to recap and also share between us where Rudran and Renuka are and how much they have traveled together.

Rudran and Bhairav were twins,identical twins and while in their mothers womb,Bhairav felt his younger brother Rudran fighting for his life and shared some of his DNA,genetic material that helped rudran to stay alive and be born in a safe delivery.But the DNA that Bhairav shared with Rudy took root deep inside the folds of his brain and continued to develop into another bhairav but in thought and conscience only.

Then Bhairav stumbled upon a crime scene near his house and was killed and buried somewhere by Murky aka Marakandeyan who works for Raja durai from Madurai.

They thought that bhairav was dead and yet bhairav lived on in his brothers brain and thoughts and even rudran had no idea about it or that he harbored his brothers self in himself.

But Rudran slowly realised that something was wrong in a good way for he often seemed to lose track of time and importantly when his life was threatened.This loss of time was no loss but his brother Bhairav taking over his body to protect and defend his younger brother and combined nothing man or man-made could stop this twin combo of Power.

This power comes from their alien bloodlines of Azhagan and Avini and has flowed down the centuries.

In the story of " the boy who went into the dark and came back with light,Dhanashekara pandyan,former chief minister explains who these aliens were and who he was and how all warriors carrying this blood and power are marked by strange symbols.

Azhagan's lion Buddha had the markings.The dog Buddha who was with Dhana and accompanied the late Sadashivam had those markings and so it is.

The story of Redemption started with Rudran rescuing Renuka from a gang of rapists and murderers and has progressed from then to now with them married and expecting their son Nikhil to be born soon.

In between,Rudran went to Thailand in search of Murky and i touched upon Azhagan's lover Thenmozhi and gave an end to her story.

I realise now that 272 chapters is really a voyage and that it is pretty difficult for you readers to keep up and at the same time remember all that has transpired in this story.

Now,here is the dilemma that i am faced with and i ask of you ' should i stop writing such long stories and importantly should i soon conclude both the stories of Redemption and Jannal oram and also try to start and finish Manasellam neeya and The return-2.'

I would be happy if i got an answer to these questions of mine and i have no doubt that they will be replied.

I am leaving early to drive down to Pondicherry to shoot for a Veshti ad with the dancing genius Prabhu deva and if i get a chance to shoot some pics with him i will try to share them with you folk.

By the way,i heard that a teaser of the film MGR might be released this coming week.I will keep you all posted about it.

http://english.tupaki.com/movienews/article/MGR-Biopic-Teaser-Release-Soon/74197



I wish you and your families a great Saturday and a lovely weekend too.Lots of love and best wishes from Satish.Be well.

An eventful weekend

Last week,Thilaga,costume designer stylist and husband of an ad film director called me on Tuesday evening and asked me if i was free the coming saturday which was the 28th of July.I said yes,i am free and she told me that an ad for Minister white veshti was happening and i said okay.But then she dropped the bomb and informed me the ad was going to be in Pondicherry and i went " Okay boy,looks like it is going to be a rough but adventurous day.

Adventurous and eventful for Saturday night also happened to be the night on which many of our old gang members were hooking up at Babu and Neera's place,although only babu's mum now resides there for both of them are now currently working in America and have just come down for a holiday.Old friends,dinner,Morning shoot in pondy and then add to that the next day,sunday,me and my beach pals were hooking up at Jp's house for lunch.JP aka Jayaprakash a long term resident of Besant nagar who had shifted to Iyappanthangal is one of the most sweetest and kindest person,a thorough gentleman and there was just no backing out of that so here i was faced with these daunting two days of work,dinner and lunch and i would be operating on low battery levels

I used the word daunting because,pondy is about 150 kms from my house in chennai and so that makes it nearly 300 kms up and down.Now,i was requested to be present at the location by 6.30 am for it was 9 to 6 shoot and more importantly because the main person in the shoot happened to be the genuine dancing superstar,the lord and god of moves,the one and only Prabhu deva.

I thought okay.6.30 am,that is doable for anyway i wake up early,although the thought of driving in the dark was going to be a bit of a nervous affair.The production manager to his credit had asked if i wanted to be picked up and i said no and there is a very good reason for that.

If you happen to use the company vehicle for your transportation,there is just no guarantee what time you will reach home for each model will have a destination and usually the seniors and female models will be dropped first and i have learnt my lesson through many a bitter experiences.And then there is an important question of how good or safe the driver himself will be on the way back from Pondy.

And on top of that,i had to drop in to babu and neera's place for dinner and that mean i would have to call a cab or auto at that late hour and which meant fleecing.

So wisely and even though i was filled with tension,i said no and that i would make my way back home and that was that.

The ad for Minister white veshti and shirts was going to be shot in a very famous temple of my personal god lord shiva,Kokilamba - Kameeswarar temple.

Friday was the day of the lunar eclipse,the rare blood moon show and all that did not matter to me and so i hit the sack after reading for a few minutes and when i opened my eyes it was about 1.30 am the next morning.

Not bad i thought for i had gotten four hours of sleep and while the coffee simmered and beckoned me with its fragrance,i quickly packed and left the house at 3.30 am under the watchful eye of a bright,round,yellow white moon who seemed to have as usual survived the large snake that had swallowed it.

Imagine that,for i grew up hearing these stories about the moon being swallowed whole by a giant snake when it was just the earth casting its shadow on it.

As i headed towards Pondy on ECR,my thoughts were only about my return trip back the same way and that meant night time driving and that too on a saturday night.

This beautiful temple is about seven kms away from the main pondy area and i reached the place at about 6.10 am and parking my car opposite the temple went in to pay my respects to the god there.

No prizes for guessing what i would have prayed for,apart from the usual prayers and it was for a safe trip back home later in the night.

The shoot was a big budget affair and the whole temple premises were crawling with junior artistes and dancers of all shapes,sizes and ages.

But the best and sweetest surprise was meeting Delhi kumar sir whom i had last met in that flop serial called " Kalyanam" that satya jothi produced after their hit serial " Aanandham" and i had played his son-in-law in both the serials.

No more of that for now i was playing one of his two sons and the other was prabhu deva himself.

I touched his feet and took his blessings and after having breakfast together,it was off to work dressed in white and white and the time was about 9.45 am.

It was unbelievably hot and humid and the shooting crawled on and by 10.30 or so the dancing superstar himself landed on the spot and began to dance and enthrall everybody who were gathered there.

The general public has seen prabhu deva dance and entertain only in films and that goes for me too.I have seen him a few times in studios and airports,but have never seen him at work and that means dancing work.

Shreedhar master was the choreographer and he also happens to be prabhu devas student,old student and so the day progressed slowly,humidly and with a lot of sweating.

As it always happens when a big actor is around,i like the rest of the models did not have much work but just a few close up shots of expression,smiles and so on and on.

But then came a few shots where i had to be next to prabhu deva while he was dancing and that meant my feet and body joined him and the dancers wholeheartedly and the moment i began to groove,my fellow models, a few kutty girls joined in too and we all had great fun.

It was 6.45 pm by the time the shooting got over and the director yelled " Pack up" and i looked at the tower of the temple as the setting sun shone on it with its dying light and i whispered a prayer ' Father,be with me while i drive back home for it is going to be a bit of an ordeal and i don't think i can do it on my own."

It was 7.15 pm and i was just packing my things into my kutty suitcase and thilaga came near me and i looked at her and asked ' how did it go?' and she replied " both the director and cameraman were talking about you and how enthusiastic you were while performing.Thank you very much sir.'

By the time,i got onto the ECR and exited the pondy bypass it was 8.30 pm and it was nearly 11.00 pm when i reached Baburaj's house,tired,sleepy and with eyes burning in pain with the strain of night driving.

Hearing my whisper of a prayer,the god of the Kameeswarar temple did travel along with me to chennai and kept me company all along and those few moments when my eyes felt heavy and dipped close to falling asleep at the wheel and kept me awake.

There is power in prayer for there is an eternal truth in faith and belief,regardless of the god or deity you worship.For in the end,when family,friends and others fall behind,let you down,hurt you,betray your trust,only your faith,belief and prayers will stand by you.Only you for in the end it all comes down to you and yourself for the rest is an illusion and will fade like the mirage in a desert.

Jannal oram-220


.Lobbying is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy-of government by pressure groups. Its methods range from mere social courtesies and cocktail-party or luncheon "friendships" to favors, threats, bribes, blackmail.

Though lexicologists trace the term lobby to the British Parliament, the iconic Willard Inter Continental Hotel that is located at a stone's throw from the presidential mansion in Washington DC has been fanning the myth related to its foyer. Most likely, the hotel's saga helped reinforce and push the word into gaining acceptance worldwide. So, how is the Willard's lobby related to the term lobbying?

The story originated during the presidency of Ulysses S Grant (1869-1877). President Grant enjoyed his drink and cigar while relaxing in the hotel lobby. And not-so fortuitously, folks fancying favours, flocked the foyer for a favourable influence on his decision-making. Thus, it came to be said and was even reported in newspapers that President Grant had coined the term by referring to the petitioners as "those damn lobbyists.

In India, a public relations firm came for flak and ultimately winded up following the leak of its notorious Nira Radia tapes'. But it is Dhirubhai Ambani who is synonymous with mastering the knack of corporate lobbying. His dealings in the corridors of powerful authorities during the rise of the Reliance group reveal wheels within wheels (hidden or unknown things that influence a particular situation, making it more complicated than it seems at first).

It seems that Ambani's journey from a schoolteacher's son to a giant tycoon is cemented by lobbying, along with competence, hard work, management skills and foresight.A peep into Ambani's fascinating and at times, dark style of functioning is made clear on his unauthorised biography The Polyester Prince: The Rise of Dhirubhai Ambani' by Hamish McDonald. The book is banned in India. The book sums up human interactions thus: "Nobody is a permanent friend, nobody is a permanent enemy. Everybody has his own self-interest. Once you recognise that, everybody will be better off. And, lobbying is justified by quoting Ambani himself thus: "You should not do anything illegal. First of all, the law should be changed. So, he did exactly what he preached with prowess: by establishing connections with lawmakers.


Lobbyist or Broker or Pimp

Tamil Nadu Cabinet minister Vaidyanathan picked up the phone and got a connection with O.P.S,the deputy chief minister and requested that he be included in the group that was making a trip to delhi in a few days.

O.P.S politely ' Brother,it will be my pleasure and it will be really helpful to have you there with us as we talk elections and seat sharing with Amit shah and his group.Frankly speaking,he makes me very nervous for there is nothing he does not seem to be aware of.He has at his finger tips,every movement that every party in India makes and that combination along with Modi is just too formidable.It is generally thought that BJP will come back to power but with a lesser majority.'

Vaidyanathan thought for a second ' Thambi,i am only too glad to be of any help to you and the party although i confess that i wanted to tag along for i needed a break from chennai and its politics.And to top all that,my right hand man Periya karuppan has gotten himself killed along with many others whom i knew very well and the tv channels and news papers are not letting me be in peace and mourn.So,i thought i would come along with you and travel a bit around Delhi and also visit Agra.But only if that is okay with you.'

O.P.S Deputy chief minister gently ' Anne,just come along and don't worry about anything and let me take care of everything.I will ask my PA to get in touch with you and keep you informed as to when we will be leaving.Take care anne.'

O. Panneerselvam stared at the phone for a few minutes and then stood up and walked towards the chief ministers room and EPS looked up from the table ' enna panneer,what is the problem?'

OPS not sure what or how to reply ' just got a call from vaidyanathan anna and he requested that he to be included in the group that i am leading to delhi to meet Amit shah and Modi in private,although it will be announced as if it is just a friendly trip to the capital.'

Chief minister EPS dropped his pen on the file and leaned back ' that doesn't sound very good for we know that the master mind Vaidyanathan does not make any moves without some ulterior motive or gain.'

Both the cheif and his deputy looked at each other and both knew that there was no way that they could refuse a request from such a senior party member and so EPS told OPS ' take him along but keep close tabs on him for god knows that devious plan he is whipping up now.I am particularly wary that he might try to split the party just because he can do it and right now with the loss of his men,he is definitely on a war path and at times like this he can lash out and hurt us and the party.'

OPS nodded and getting up looked at EPS ' any idea who killed periya karuppan and the others?' and the chief minister shook his head ' nearly a week gone and not a single clue pointing to any particular person or party.But DGP Rajendran is a good man and am sure he will crack this murder case soon.I have given him complete leeway in this case and have told him to arrest anyone suspicious regardless of their stature or party power.'


The trip to Delhi that Vaidyanathan was planning had only one purpose and to achieve that purpose he was going to use many channels of power and also his political clout that he had gathered over the years.He was well versed with Delhi and its functioning and had many avenues through which he was going to attain what he needed the most at the moment.

His train of thoughts were interrupted and his secretary softly announced that his wife was calling and Vaidyanathan picked up the phone and greeted his wife as if nothing had happened and as if he was not in the least bit angry with her for walking out of the house and into their son-in-law Bharats house ' Hello malli,eppadi irukke?'

Mallika vaidyanathan began to cry in real sorrow and also in fear for it had been the first time in her married life that she had done something against her husbands wishes and yet here he was talking to her softly and his voice reflected no anger at all.

' I am okay.I am just so worried about you and am feeling so guilty that i walked out on you.But,i couldn't bear being in that house knowing that my grand daughter jeeva was in town.Why? why didn't you tell me about their arrival and that too a few months ago? why did you have your people attack our own son-in-law Bharat and also placing our jeeva in danger?'

Vaidyanathan without hesitation ' for you and for me.I very politely asked Bharat to come and live with us so that we could spend our final years in the company of our grand daughter.But he refused and you know how i react to people when they go against my wishes.'

Breathing deeply,he continued in the same soft voice ' i agree that hurting him was a great mistake and i apologise for that but my only thoughts were about sudha and how her child is the exact spitting image of her.You know malli,that when it comes to the matters and affairs concerning Sudha,nothing will stop me or nobody can reason with me.'

Mallika vaidyanathan still sobbing ' my dear,dear husband.You are a minister,an old man in his mid 60's and yet here you are talking to me like some bully in school picking on his juniors.Life is not just about you or our family and i have told you this many a time and yet don't or refuse to realise that truth.Please tell me,how does it matter where our grand daughter jeeva lives,here in chennai or canada.She is Bharat's kid and we have no say in it and by hurting him you are going against our daughter's memory for she loved him very much,much more than she loved us both.'

Not getting a response from her husband,Mallika wiped her tears ' well,you know where i am and how to get here.Please come when you are ready to forgive,forget and embrace us all and until you come and take me back home,i will live here in a self imposed exile.'

Vaidyanathan spoke in a gruff voice ' did you forget the oath you took before the fire when i tied that thali around your neck? Have you forgotten your duties as a wife to me your husband?'

Mallika vaidyanathan spat fire but even that she did it gently ' Mr.Husband or is that Minister Vaidyanathan,what about your duties as husband to me? What about your oath to protect me and love me until my last breath? Do the rules of marriage apply and favor only the man and not the woman? In the end is that all i am to you and is that all you are to me? I thought that you had changed after sudha's death and that life had mellowed your angry instincts but i see that nothing can change you.Come when you have changed and are ready to accept all of us and more importantly come when you are ready to let others live the way they want to.Bye.And i love you very much and i am still your wife.'

Vaidyanathan stared at the phone and began to laugh loudly and whispered ' adi paavi malli,i had no clue as to all of this bravado that lay hidden all these years.'

Sighing deeply ' yes,i will come when i am ready and when i have finished with my problems.'

He reached into his personal bag and taking out an old mobile handset made a call and it rang in delhi and a very familiar voice answered ' Bhaiya,long time.Kaise hai aap.'

Vaidyanathan replied ' Santosh bhai,i am fine and i am will be in delhi very soon.I am planning to go visit taj and i want you to come and see me there for i am facing a bit of a problem here in chennai.'

Santosh bhanwari lal ' what you facing a problem? Why didn't you call me earlier than this for i would have rushed to chennai to help you out.'

Both men spoke and it was decided that they would meet once he landed in Delhi and then they spoke of other vital interests concerning highways and govt tenders and also about the coming general elections in 2019.

Hi Satish,

My sincere apologies for not following up on the stories (Jannal Oram, Redemption) for the next few months...
due to my work and other pressurising commitments.
I will return to read your stories when I am ready!!!!
I promise.

I just wanted to say it's really, really nice and a proud moment to hear that you did well and impressed everyone, including Prabhu Deva, on the sets of the Veshti ad.
Sounds like a tiring day...but wow, well done!
Take care.

Hi spain,
Thank you for taking time to write and post your thoughts here.I wish you the very best and hope everything goes well in all your endeavors.Please accept my humble thanks and gratitude for being a faithful reader over all these years.Be well.