From Retirement to Riches: How a 79-Year-Old Model Maker Is Redefining Aging

In a world where many grapple with questions about pursuing their true passions, there are a rare few who manage to align their life’s work with their heart’s calling. One such remarkable individual is Ramji Swaminathan, a Mysuru-based model maker who turned his lifelong love for engineering and craftsmanship into a flourishing business at the age of 74. Through his venture, Craftizan Engineering Models, Ramji creates exquisite rocket and satellite replicas for none other than the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). His story is a testament to the fact that dreams don’t come with an expiry date.

From Village Boy to Visionary: The Birth of a Passion
To understand the roots of Ramji’s passion, we must journey back to the 1950s, to the village of Pazhamaneri in Tamil Nadu. Born into a family of engineers, young Ramji spent his formative years at his grandparents’ home. Life in the tranquil village offered little to occupy a curious mind until one day in 1952 when his father, an engineer working in Pune, gifted him a Meccano set. This model construction kit, imported from the UK and bought for Rs 40 (a significant portion of his father’s Rs 300 salary), was the spark that ignited Ramji’s lifelong love for engineering.

“That Meccano set was the best thing that happened to me. I would spend hours building different models,” recalls Ramji. Seeing this enthusiasm, his grandfather soon added wooden kits and blocks to his collection. By age nine, Ramji was designing miniature houses, and a few years later, his father’s gift of four engineering books sealed his destiny. “Those books were my Bible, and I still treasure them,” he shares.

Crafting Dreams: A Career Built on Perseverance
Ramji’s passion led him to pursue mechanical engineering in Pune. But when the time came to choose a career, his father encouraged him to take up a secure government job. Instead, Ramji followed his heart and ventured into woodworking, setting up a successful business in Pune in 1968. He later moved to Bengaluru, where his company flourished, employing 150 people and creating bespoke furniture and interiors.

However, financial setbacks forced him to close shop. Undeterred, Ramji pivoted to interior design consulting in 2002. Despite these challenges, his passion for model making remained alive. In his downtime, he would craft miniature trains and rockets in his home workshop in Mysuru. Little did he know that this hobby would eventually turn into his life’s greatest achievement.

From Hobbyist to ISRO’s Trusted Model Maker
The year 2018 marked a pivotal moment for Ramji when he crafted a brass model of an ISRO rocket. Impressed by his work, ISRO’s Capacity Building and Public Outreach (CBPO) team reached out, requesting more models. Thus began the journey of Craftizan Engineering Models, a venture that would redefine Ramji’s life.

Today, Craftizan Engineering creates scaled-down replicas of rockets and satellites for ISRO and other institutions. These models, ranging from tabletop pieces to 75-foot-tall structures, celebrate India’s space missions, including Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan. “We designed models for ‘ISRO on Wheels,’ six buses showcasing the organisation’s achievements. This has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream,” says Ramji.

Building a Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation
From a one-man hobby to a 50-member team, Craftizan Engineering now manages orders worth Rs 50 lakhs per month. The venture has expanded its portfolio to include wall museums tracing ISRO’s history and collaborations with institutions like Science City in Ahmedabad and Savitha University in Chennai.

Despite his incredible achievements, Ramji remains humble and driven. “I’ve only scratched the surface. There’s so much more to do,” he says. His next mission? To inspire the next generation of engineers by designing kits like the Meccano set that once ignited his imagination. “Children have a natural curiosity, and I want to create tools that teach them fundamental engineering skills,” he explains.

Energized by Passion: A Day in Ramji’s Life
At 79, Ramji’s energy is unmatched. His day begins at 9 am and often extends well into the evening, with Carnatic music providing a soothing backdrop as he works. “Age is just a number. Every day is an opportunity to create something new,” he declares.

Ramji’s journey from a young boy tinkering with models in a Tamil Nadu village to a celebrated craftsman collaborating with ISRO is a beacon of inspiration. It reminds us that it is never too late to pursue our dreams, and with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.

So the next time you question whether you’re truly doing what you love, think of Ramji Swaminathan the man who proved that passion and profession can indeed go hand in hand, no matter the age. Dreams, after all, are timeless.

 
A Timeless Reminder to Chase Your Dreams
Ramji’s journey from a young boy tinkering with models in a Tamil Nadu village to a celebrated craftsman collaborating with ISRO is a beacon of inspiration. It reminds us that it is never too late to pursue our dreams, and with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.

So the next time you question whether you’re truly doing what you love, think of Ramji Swaminathan the man who proved that passion and profession can indeed go hand in hand, no matter the age. Dreams, after all, are timeless.

Celebrating Seniors with Sukoon Unlimited
Ramji’s story also echoes the ethos of Sukoon Unlimited, a platform dedicated to bringing joy and meaningful connections into the lives of seniors. By fostering a supportive digital community, Sukoon Unlimited helps seniors connect, share experiences, and find companionship. Just as Ramji’s journey shows the boundless potential of pursuing one’s passion, Sukoon Unlimited reminds us of the importance of enhancing the well-being of seniors by enabling them to stay engaged and connected.