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Parameshwaran Pillai my maternal grandfather

Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you

When I think of a single positive thing a family member did for me, my mind travels back decades to my grandfather on my mother’s side. His life was the epitome of a rags-to-riches tale. Born into extreme poverty, he rose to become one of the wealthiest businessmen in our region. But what made him truly remarkable wasn’t just his wealthit was his heart. After building his fortune, my grandfather dedicated himself to uplifting others. He gave deserving individuals the chance to start their own businesses, creating a ripple effect of opportunity. Even now, six decades after his passing, people in our community speak his name with reverence, a testament to his enduring impact. Among his many generous acts, one stands out for me personally. While building his empire, my grandfather ensured his family was cared for. He built homes for his children, each with a small plot of land.… Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you

My home in Kerala front view

Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received

One of the most meaningful gifts I have ever received was a piece of land in my home state of Kerala. It was my grandfather’s foresight and generosity that made this possiblehis will included a clause gifting a plot of land equally to my parents and “the children born of them.” This land, situated right in the heart of my hometown, is incredibly valuable. If I had tried to buy it on my own and then build a house, it would have been financially out of reach. But with this inheritance, all I needed to do was focus on constructing a homesomething I was able to accomplish, and I take great pride in the achievement. The photo accompanying this post is of the house I built on that very land. Every brick and wall stands as a testament to the legacy passed down to me, and I am deeply grateful… Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received

a group of palm trees with a foggy sky in the background

Light over the landscape

It was eleven at night, and the world lay cloaked in darkness. The moon, shy yet persistent, played hide-and-seek with the clouds, casting fleeting silvery light over the landscape. Around me, the tall coconut trees swayed gently in the breeze, their silhouettes a rhythmic dance against the endless expanse of paddy fields that stretched beyond my makeshift bed. This was my world for the nighta fold-able cot, with me draped in a sleeping bag and enclosed by a mosquito net. For the first time in my life, I was sleeping out in the open, nothing but thin mesh separating me from the stars. In the spaces where clouds hadn’t staked their claim, the sky revealed its glittering secrets, a cosmic reminder of how small and fleeting we are. But I wasn’t here for the stars. I was here for the land. This village was my birthplace, though I hadn’t seen… Light over the landscape