Venkataraman Iyer
had retired
as Chief Secretary
of the state.

A tough taskmaster
both in office and home,
his wife and two sons
obeyed him without demur.

A few months
before his retirement
his wife passed away
after a short illness.

Both their sons
came from the US
with their wives and children
to perform the last rites.

top executives with
multinational companies
that was the last time
they visited India.

Unable to manage his home
Venkataraman Iyer
shifted his residence
to a senior citizens' home.

He grew humble and loving
over the years
died of a heart attack
at the ripe age of nintyfour.

The young manager
of the senior citizens' home
phoned up both his sons
to inform them of his death.

The elder one had
important meetings scheduled
could not travel, asked to contact
the younger brother.

He too was preoccupied
with the demands of his job;
finally, the young manager
performed the rites and lit his pyre.

He collected to ashes
and wanted to safekeeping
in the locker for the sons
to immerse in the waters.

But the sons
were too generous
allowed him
to perform this right too.

River Siruvani
had no reservation
to accept the ashes
immersed by the youg man.

As directed by the sons
the funeral and the last rites
were fully videographed
and mailed to the sons.

In return
they remitted
a large amount of money
in his account.