Rathna Kumar joined a software company in Chennai, India, on return from the USA after completing his M.S. Malini was selected for the campus interviews at her B.Tech college and worked at the same company for the last year.

Malini was considered a college beauty by her juniors and seniors. Despite the distractions of her beauty, she was academically brilliant in the top three of her class.

Her interactions with colleagues were strictly professional. She spoke to the point with the minimum of words with her boss and team manager, and her colleagues appreciated her professionalism.

Malini has a whitish, long face with smooth cheeks, bright eyes, a straight nose narrowed at the nostrils, small lips shaded with lipstick, and a small red dot bindi above the eyebrows centre. The bobbed-cut hair covering part of her ears and over her shoulders was an additional attraction. She was slim and a bit taller than the average Indian girl her age.

She tucked her white full-hands shirt folded below the elbow and above the wrist into a black cotton pant. She wore lightweight sneaker shoes with heels. Her spine and neck were straight when she walked or sat on the chair. She was like an angel descended on earth. When she walked in the office corridors, people could not move their eyes away from her.

With her beauty and intelligence, Malini won beauty contests in the state. She considered undergoing training for the international-level beauty contest, which requires spending full-time and relocation involving time and money.

 In addition to physical beauty and structure, beauty contestants need interpersonal skills, societal knowledge, an understanding of the cultural variations of people from different countries, and the latest dressing, makeup, and presenting techniques on stage.  

Despite her potential for international success, Malini made a selfless decision to take care of her older parents. As the sole breadwinner, she chose to put her family's needs first, a decision that many can empathise with.

 Her parents pressured her to marry and lead a family life at this stage. They said late marriages have problems in having children and bringing them up.

  Malini thought companionship in marriage was acceptable, but with the resulting motherhood, she feared losing her young womanhood.

Malini's mother, Susheela, said, "Marriage is a social security for your womanhood and motherhood. Unmarried women and women without children face social problems. "

  Delaying marriage will lead to infertility in men and women. Infertility cases are on the rise, and millions of couples in India are facing them.

God designed the human body to continue HIS universe through procreation. Men are smart and handsome at your age, and women are intelligent and beautiful. As one ages, changes occur in the physique and mind's thought process, with diet, societal problems, money matters, work-related issues, and environmental problems.

When you read literature like Maha Kavi Kalidasa' Abhijnana Shakuntalam' and Bammera  Pothana 'Bhagavatam', listen to classical music and songs, grace the Indian classical dances, or admire the stone sculptures of Hoyasalewara Temple Halebidu, your mind will be into delightful states. That mental stage defines "Beauty" and not the physical beauty of the body.

Dear Malini, "Beauty is not only for young women. It is in one's state of mind. At every stage of life, one can find beautiful people."

Hence, don't be afraid of losing your beauty. You can always be beautiful by helping your family, relations, co-workers, and society. People don't look at your physical beauty but only at your mental beauty. 

With these words, Susheela left the decision to Malini.

 Susheela's words made Malini think deeply. She thought they were out of her mother's experience and understanding of society and people.

 The following day, Malini told Susheela, "I leave the decision to you."

 Malini's parents were happy and started searching for a bridegroom. They approached Rathna Kumar's parents as they knew them.

Rathna Kumar learnt of Malini as a headstrong lady from his colleagues. Rathna Kumar was initially hesitant. Rathna Kumar, during his study in the USA, had acquittances of girls who were independent thinkers. He considered Malini's behaviour was the order of the day. Unless they are aggressive, they can't survive in this male-dominated society. Rathna Kumar thought Malini's headstrongness was a good sign and agreed to marry.

Malini and Rathna Kumar married on an auspicious day before all the elders from both sides, relations and friends.

Rathna Kumar and Malini stayed in Adayar, near their office. Chennai and its surrounding areas have excellent tourist attractions. They enjoyed their married life by staying in resorts on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, drenching themselves in the beaches of Mahabalipuram and their love, and spending the nights at the sea-view cottages of VGP Gardens.

 They visited the temples and rock-cut sculptures at Mahabalipuram. Their weekends were for their entertainment, either going to a picture or a beach or a temple. They took the blessings of Kanchi Kamakshi Devi and had Darshan and the blessings of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi Sri Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. Their trips were entertaining, enlightening and spiritual.

 They made it a point to take blessings by visiting Lord Shiva and Devi at the Mylapore Temple on weekends. They purchase their groceries in the nearby shops. On Sunday evenings, they enjoyed Marina Beach by walking long distances together. This way, they spent five years happily together.

Malini's parents came from Hyderabad for a brief stay. One day, all the family members went to Marina Beach. Susheela saw several children playing with sand and  Sea waves and their young parents guiding and controlling them. Children playing and drenching in the Sea waves with their parents holding them were pleasant sights. Older people were enjoying themselves on the beach sands.

 Susheela told Malini, "See the children playing. You both have been married for five years, and it is time you had children. Further delay will lead to problems in their education and marriage. You will be older and retired by that time. You  think of it."

  After her parents left, Malini discussed the matter with Rathna Kumar, and they both agreed to Susheela's suggestion.  

Malini became pregnant within three months. Rathna Kumar studied books on health care for pregnant women and caring for the child in the womb. He took her to the gynaecologist for frequent check-ups and followed the doctor's advice regarding her food, medicines, and short walks.   Malini's parents came to Chennai to care for their daughter in the seventh month of pregnancy. With these precautions, Malini delivered a cute and healthy baby girl. Rathna Kumar and Malini were happy.

Malini and Rathna Kumar celebrated the child's naming ceremony on the 21st day on a grand scale, inviting friends, colleagues and relations. The grandparents named the girl Abhiraami, meaning beautiful in Sanskrit. Malini was happy with this name, as Abhiraami indicated the descendant of her beauty. Malini breastfed to keep Abhiraami in good health. She took all precautions for the child's physical and mental growth. Malini consulted a children's specialist regularly to ensure Abhiraami's healthy growth.

Malini put her time and effort into raising Abhiraami. Malini was a source of confidence and support for Abhiraami.

Rathna Kumar cared for Abhiraami whenever Malini had work. Child Abhiraami recognised his support for her and was close to him.

Abhiraami grew and started to walk. Her walk faltered, and Malini constantly checked her steps. With Malini around her, Abhiraami was confident of walking. With every step forward, Abhiraami smiled, looking at her mother to appreciate her achievement.

 A national competition for 'The Best Mother Award of the Year' was announced.

Knowing Malini's earlier interest in beauty contests, Rathna Kumar encouraged her to participate.

On the day of the contest, there were about one hundred contestants. A three-member judge's committee of experts filtered the contestants.

The judges were unknown to the contestants and were among the visitors. The contestants were left free in a big hall with their children. Each contestant and the child were given badges with their names, age, child's/mother's name and age, and identification number. Whitish Abhiraami wore a pink gown with a cotton belt and white-flowered shoes that made a sound while walking; her neat hairdressing, bright, round, beaming eyes, lovely cheeks, always smiling face, and faltering steps attracted all the visitors. Everyone was enquiring about the girl's mother.

When a judge asked where your mother was, Abhiraami showed Malini and went near her. Malini lifted Abhiraami and hugged her, and they posed for cameras. That showed their love, affection and bond for each other.

All the mothers appreciated Malini for bringing up such a beautiful, intelligent girl, Abhiraami.

The judge's committee declared the 'BEST MOTHER OF THE YEAR AWARD TO MALINI'.

Malini and Rathna Kumar were happy that their child Abhiraami brought the award to her mother. Susheela was delighted that her daughter received the award.

************The End***********