Beyond Borders: A First Flight That Expanded a Worldview
The sun was just beginning to rise when Chandramouleeswaran boarded his first international flight. He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Singapore, his destination, was unlike anything he had ever seen before. As he stepped onto its spotless streets, he was struck by the sheer cleanliness and organization of the city. Everything functioned with remarkable efficiency a contrast to the liveliness and chaos of India. He found himself fascinated by the structured way of life, the diverse cuisine, and the discipline that seemed woven into the culture.
This trip was more than just a journey abroad; it was an awakening. It planted in him a deep sense of curiosity, an eagerness to learn and adapt. He returned to India with an expanded worldview, carrying with him a silent promise to always seek growth, to embrace change, and to keep pushing his boundaries.
A Philosophy of Freedom: Nurturing Independence at Home and in the Workplace
But life had its own plans. Personal loss came knocking early when his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their two sons alone. Overnight, he became both a father and mother. The grief was immense, but he knew he had no choice but to keep moving forward. He decided early on that he would not impose rigid rules on his children. "I let them make their own choices," he says, believing that independence was the greatest gift he could give them.
His approach to leadership at work mirrored his parenting philosophy. Fairness, ethics, and responsibility were his guiding principles. Every project he took on, he ensured that it was handled with integrity. Leadership, he believed, wasn’t about exercising authority but about guiding people in the right direction. He valued his colleagues and employees, recognizing that true success came not from
But life had its own plans. Personal loss came knocking early when his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their two sons alone. Overnight, he became both a father and mother. The grief was immense, but he knew he had no choice but to keep moving forward. He decided early on that he would not impose rigid rules on his children. "I let them make their own choices," he says, believing that independence was the greatest gift he could give them.
His approach to leadership at work mirrored his parenting philosophy. Fairness, ethics, and responsibility were his guiding principles. Every project he took on, he ensured that it was handled with integrity. Leadership, he believed, wasn’t about exercising authority but about guiding people in the right direction. He valued his colleagues and employees, recognizing that true success came not from
individual brilliance but from collective effort.
Empathy Through Experience: Learning to Understand and Guide People
Through the years, Chandramouleeswaran gathered invaluable lessons, shaped by both triumphs and hardships. The most profound of them all? The ability to navigate success and failure with grace. "Humility at the time of success and hope at the time of failure is very required, very difficult to get. One must try to master that," he says.
Another lesson that defined his journey was understanding people. "A team will always have strong and weak individuals, and true leadership means recognizing people for their strengths rather than focusing on their weaknesses." He learned that trying to change people was futile. Instead, the real skill was in recognizing their strengths and guiding them towards roles where they could excel. This understanding not only helped him become a better leader but also made him more empathetic in his personal life.
A Mentor for Life: The Enduring Impact of a Four-Decade Bond
Among the many people he met on his journey, one left an indelible mark his boss, Mr. Shukla. Their association spanned more than four decades, a rare professional relationship built on mutual respect and trust. Even after Chandramouleeswaran retired, he found himself working for him again. "Even today, after retirement, I'm doing a consultancy assignment in Gujarat for a company he has bought for his grandson. I'm here to train his grandson on management," he shares.
For Chandramouleeswaran, Mr. Shukla was more than just a boss he was a guiding force. His words often echoed in difficult times: "Chandru, you are a fighter. Remember, you are basically a good soldier and a fighter. So keep that fighting spirit alive in you." And he did. Whenever life tested him, he held onto those words and moved forward, never allowing himself to be defeated.
A Journey of Recovery and Renewal: Continuing to Dream and Contribute
Retirement wasn’t something he had planned for it was forced upon him. At 63, a sudden kidney failure meant he had to step away from his career. The transition was abrupt and unsettling. One day, he was leading teams and making decisions, and the next, he was facing a health crisis that threatened to confine him to a hospital bed.
But Chandramouleeswaran had never been one to surrender. After two years of rigorous treatment, he defied the odds and recovered from dialysis. "Very, very, very, very rare," he says, knowing fully well how fortunate he was. By 2021, he was not only back on his feet but was once again contributing to the workforce. He took on a consultancy role, refusing to let retirement slow him down.
Still, the transition from a structured, work-filled life to one of open-ended time was challenging. "I did find it difficult what to do with 24 hours of time?" he admits. He tried filling his days with movies, Sudoku, and even spirituality, but something was missing. When a consultancy opportunity came his way, he seized it without hesitation. It gave him a renewed sense of purpose, and today, he continues to stay engaged.
His ambitions haven’t faded with time he still dreams of visiting Switzerland and the Himalayas, longing to immerse himself in the tranquility of nature.
The Power of Connection: Finding Strength in Community and Support
Chandramouleeswaran’s story is a testament to resilience, continuous learning, and the unwavering power of a strong support system. Through the darkest moments of his life, he found strength in the love of his family and friends. It is this sense of belonging that communities like Sukoon Unlimited foster a space where senior citizens can connect, share experiences, and inspire one another.
Sukoon Unlimited is a reminder that age is not a barrier to growth, purpose, or adventure. Just like Chandramouleeswaran, the members of this community refuse to let circumstances define them. They prove that retirement is not an end but a new beginning one filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to the world in meaningful ways.
His journey teaches us that setbacks are not the end of the road they are just another chance to rise stronger, wiser, and more determined than before.
Retirement wasn’t something he had planned for it was forced upon him. At 63, a sudden kidney failure meant he had to step away from his career. The transition was abrupt and unsettling. One day, he was leading teams and making decisions, and the next, he was facing a health crisis that threatened to confine him to a hospital bed.
But Chandramouleeswaran had never been one to surrender. After two years of rigorous treatment, he defied the odds and recovered from dialysis. "Very, very, very, very rare," he says, knowing fully well how fortunate he was. By 2021, he was not only back on his feet but was once again contributing to the workforce. He took on a consultancy role, refusing to let retirement slow him down.
Still, the transition from a structured, work-filled life to one of open-ended time was challenging. "I did find it difficult what to do with 24 hours of time?" he admits. He tried filling his days with movies, Sudoku, and even spirituality, but something was missing. When a consultancy opportunity came his way, he seized it without hesitation. It gave him a renewed sense of purpose, and today, he continues to stay engaged.
His ambitions haven’t faded with time he still dreams of visiting Switzerland and the Himalayas, longing to immerse himself in the tranquility of nature.
The Power of Connection: Finding Strength in Community and Support
Chandramouleeswaran’s story is a testament to resilience, continuous learning, and the unwavering power of a strong support system. Through the darkest moments of his life, he found strength in the love of his family and friends. It is this sense of belonging that communities like Sukoon Unlimited foster a space where senior citizens can connect, share experiences, and inspire one another.
Sukoon Unlimited is a reminder that age is not a barrier to growth, purpose, or adventure. Just like Chandramouleeswaran, the members of this community refuse to let circumstances define them. They prove that retirement is not an end but a new beginning one filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to the world in meaningful ways.
His journey teaches us that setbacks are not the end of the road they are just another chance to rise stronger, wiser, and more determined than before.
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