#652
Hey there, Karthik here, sharing some recent personal updates that have me reflecting on family, connections, and life’s little surprises. It’s been a whirlwind of events, from family gatherings to rediscovering the power of AI and picking up new perspectives on life. Let’s dive in!
A Small World at a Marriage Engagement
Last week, I attended a marriage engagement of a relative, representing the girl’s side. I arrived at the venue, @Banshankari Bangalore, ready to play my part, only to discover a twist: I’m actually closer to the boy’s side by lineage, with family ties stretching back 80 years! Talk about a small world. It was a humbling reminder of how interconnected we all are, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony. Moments like these make you realize life has a way of weaving unexpected connections.
Honoring Uncle TM Swaminathan
On Monday, I was in Madurai for the first annual rituals for my uncle, TM Swaminathan, my father’s elder brother. He was a towering figure in our family, instrumental in turning Gayathri Niwas in Karaikudi from a dream into reality with brick and mortar in 1971. When I was five, and my dad went to Benares for his master’s, Uncle Swaminathan opened his home to me, my mom, and my brother Anand. His support was a lifeline. He also sparked my love for reading English books in my teens, a habit that’s now led me to nearly 1,000 books. His legacy lives on, and being there for the rituals felt like a way to honor his impact on my life and show my gratitude.
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Mahesh with Sudha.. Madurai 22/4/25.@60.
Mahesh’s 60th Birthday Celebration
Tuesday brought another special moment—my cousin Mahesh’s 60th birthday celebration in Madurai. The event was simple (As his children couldn't make it to India) yet profound, filled with Vedic rituals and a Homam for world welfare. Mahesh, now settled in Oregon, is a year younger than me and closer to my brother Anand, who’s just a few months younger than him. Lately, Mahesh and I have been connecting more, exchanging ideas and thoughts. Unlike me, he’s a total people person. Case in point: last evening,he met my in-laws in Trichy for a courtesy call and, in just 35 minutes, bonded with them more than I have in 35 years! Lalitha, still teases me about my “in-laws are all outlaws for me” joke, but Mahesh’s warmth and ease with people is something I admire. It’s a reminder to step out of my comfort zone sometimes. The event also gave me a chance to catch up with few friends/ relatives whom I have not met for few years. Oh yes, the Madurai heat skittled my plans to visit few places which influenced my life in 1980s......
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AI to the Rescue
In a completely different vein, AI recently saved the day for me. I accidentally (or so I thought) lost 3 GB of data on Google Drive. Panic set in, but thanks to some clever AI-suggested methods, I managed to recover every single bit of it when Google stepped in to restore the files. It’s wild to think how intertwined AI has become in our lives. Without its guidance, that data would’ve been gone forever. It’s a small but powerful example of how technology is reshaping our day-to-day, and I’m grateful for it.
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Financial Wisdom and Life Reflections
On my Vande Bharat journey to Madurai, I dove into Let’s Talk Money by Monika Halan, and wow, what a read. Her practical tips on financial discipline hit home, especially the reminder that there’s no overnight path to wealth. I would rate myself 8/10 on her thoughts and ideas as I feel discipline in one walk of life, naturally extends to other aspects of life, effortlessly. One big takeaway? I wish I’d picked up a third or fourth skill in college times or so, to carry me into my 70s and 80s—something beyond soft skills to keep life dynamic. Hindsight is 20/20, right? Would I have acted on it back then? Probably not. That’s just life. Still, it’s got me thinking about what skills I can cultivate now, to keep growing.
Wrapping Up
These past few days have been a mix of nostalgia, connection, and learning. From discovering family ties at an engagement to honoring my uncle’s legacy, reconnecting with Mahesh, dodging a data disaster with AI’s help, and gleaning financial wisdom, I’m reminded that life is ever evolving scenes of small moments and big lessons. Here’s to embracing the journey, staying open to surprises, and maybe even picking up that extra skill or two.
What’s been going on with you? Drop a comment and let me know!
Karthik
25/4/25 1030am.
PS: Apple watch prompted me at 3am for 3 people to be thankful/ grateful in life, (Few days back). I worked a list of 101 folks to whom I am indebted forever!)!!!
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