Sivaram Govindaraj

“WRONG DECISION” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #79

Rai was an old time politician. He was known for his probity in politics but had retired. His first and second sons were in paying government jobs and shunned politics. The third known as Pete was a high school dropout. Early on he had joined the political party which had the elephant as its symbol. As elections were now due, Pete got busy since the political bigwig Bala-G was standing for election on symbol elephant. Bala-G called for a meeting with his party members. When they met he said “We’ve to work against 3 candidates. One of them is...

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“THE RECONCILIATION” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #79

I am the vice president of a food product company and I am also the chief of sales. I travel extensively and was on my way back when the plane landed at an airport en route for attention. It was already 7 in the evening and we were scheduled to take off again at 9 in the night. By that time the covid lockdown was imposed and I was stuck at the airport. I called my wife Rita and told her of my predicament. The next morning carrying my small handbag, I found my way with great difficulty from the airport to the city. Hotels were shut. I was won...

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“JUPONIUM” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #78

I start with a story: ‘I am on Gaia2 – earth’s twin – which is about 800 years behind earth in evolution and live in a village with my wife. Since we lived in a tropical village we didn’t need much climatic protection. That is why we natives covered ourselves only from waist down. Mine was a big farm and I had chicken and ducks on our land. We had a pool at the end of our land in which fish were stocked. Grains were supplied to us from fields of others. We had cows too, and we produced honey ourselves. We produced oil working the manual extr...

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“A REAL HOBBY-HORSE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #78

It was a Sunday morning. The doorbell rang and Shobha answered. There was a middle-aged lady with greying hair standing outside. The lady said “I’m Dr.Rita. You must be Shobha.” Shobha said “Yes. Please come in doctor. I’ve also heard of you – the doyen of social workers. We’re honoured to receive such an important visitor in our house.” Rita entered and seated herself on a sofa. Shobha said “My parents have just gone out to buy some essentials for the household. They don’t step outside these days due to the covid. They should be back short...

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“FAILING HOBBIES” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #78

My wife said “You’re sitting watching TV all the time. That’s because you’ve no hobby. You had told me you had started by taking a course on homeopathy as a hobby so that you could treat the poor. That was before we were married. You had acquired a big box full of those medicines which remains unused. You said that system of medicine ran in the family as your grandfather in the village had practised it in ancient times. You received a diploma but your treatment was wrong from the start. The then gardener’s son had pain in the neck and took y...

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“THE GLORIOUS POOL” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #78

The Society for Interplanetary Travel held its first annual convention in Kochi in India. Its president Mr.Forsstrom of Iceland spoke after a few formalities. He began by saying “This is the first meeting of our Society and begins with the theme of perils of interplanetary travel. The usual dangers of travel in rockets in space are known. However there are even more dangers of travelling in planets new to us. Many of us who have the hobby of interplanetary travel will know we can face many hazards while exposed to unknown environments. We’ve...

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“THE BIRD LULU” by Sivaram Govindaraj

In a bygone age in India in the village of Brinj, there dwelt Magician, an aged man who wanted to go on pilgrimage. He called his aide and said “Suri, I’ll be off from this place for about 80 days. You should manage till I’m back. I’m leaving Lulu the bird with you. She is capable of taking two for a ride, short distances. Look after her well. Not that she needs feeding as she can do it herself. Be kind to her. You must know the story of the hen which could speak 3 languages.” Suri said “Master I don’t know the story.” Magician said “There ...

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“THE SUCCUBUS” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #77

(SUCCUBUS: Is a supernatural entity in female form that appears in dreams to seduce men usually through sexual activity.)The clubhouse for skiing was on top of a hill in the Himalayas. I’m the skiing expert and needing to be here, I sent Arnold and Bernard who were my lieutenants to town downhill to get supplies. I was alone in the club house. From the chair where I was seated I could see a long way and it was all full of snow. I had muted the TV as I didn’t like the program and I could see the pictures of hospitals with Covid patients being...

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“WHEN WORDS FAIL” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #76

Shortening his name resulted in his being commonly known as Nero. He was about 45, was dark, but had a smiling face. He was a businessman and was quite prosperous. He had set apart a portion of his profits to be given to charity. Unlike others of his ilk, he did not live a cloistered life. He was available to all. He was concerned about welfare of people. Take for instance the case of his milk delivery man. He had met with an accident while on his way doing his job and was injured. Hearing about it Nero visited his home and helped his wife a...

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“THE PRIEST AND THE COBBLER'S DAUGHTER” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #76

“Saleem, how long have you been running this shop selling coconuts and fruit?” “It’s over twenty years I think. You say you’re a cop newly transferred to this place.” “Yes. I want to hear about this place and people. You’re an old timer and I’m sure you could tell me a lot.” “Ahead is the very steep mountain road with many twists and turns to the mountain resort. People who come in buses, cars and so on halt here to worship at that temple opposite praying for a safe journey.” “How is business here?” “It isn’t booming but I earn enough to mak...

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“THE DISAVOWAL” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #75

I am a businessman aged 34. I had received a message from club STROMBOLI asking me to join. I discussed with my wife and she said “They call it the weight watchers paradise. It seems to be quite popular. The New Year is soon. Let us make weight watching our resolution.” I said “STROMBOLI in only for the rich. See the amount they charge. 50 thousand rupees as donation at the outset. There’re only 100 members and if I register and am accepted I would have to pay what they call late fees. I’m 166 on the list. I don’t know how much more I would‘...

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“TOWARDS A NEW LIFE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #75

Karen had a doctorate in psychology and was part of a team of citizens who helped people to overcome problems. She was a professor in the university and had a clinic at home to attend to those in need of psychological counselling. Karen was nearing 45 and she had remained a spinster. She lived in an exclusive suburb in the house left to her by her parents who were no more. She was tall, fair, with a pleasant smiling face and always had her greying hair in a bun. That Sunday morning,  she was in her house coat seated in a chair facing th...

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“RESOLVE AND OUTCOME” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #75

As the New Year approached I was seated with my wife discussing the resolution to be made for 2021. She said “Before we go to that let us review how you did in 2020. You had resolved that you would cut down on swearing. You remember we kept the swear jar with coins near it in case you breached the resolution in the year 2019, but the swear jar was soon filled as you hadn’t kept up your word not to swear. You again decided to keep that resolution for 2020.” “Don’t you think I had largely overcome swearing?” She laughed and said “Let’s review ...

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“SCRAMBLING TO FINISH” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #74

Working on the laptop I looked at the clock. It was past 11 in the night. I felt sleepy and retired after closing down my computer. However I kept thinking of the novel I was writing and the date 4th January 2021 by which the editor said it had to be completed. I had revised the draft keeping in view the editor’s suggestions. My novel starts in America and moves to Bangalore in India. My hero Pablo, with his fiancée Carmen arrive from America in search of buried treasure. I had written much about their doings and adventures in the novel. Now...

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“THOSE TEN DAYS” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #74

In politics there are always ups and downs everywhere including in my India. Individual States of India have their own legislatures with a ruling party and an opposition. The present ruling party of a State was on the decline and the leader of the opposition referred to as ‘pilot’ was expected to upset the prevailing situation. Pilot was expected to become the Chief Minister after forthcoming polls. Pilot was quite popular in his city and State. He was referred to by that name as he had trained early to fly but he had abandoned that career a...

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