A Praise That Truly Mattered
It’s easy to feel seen when someone praises your success. But sometimes, the most meaningful recognition comes from those who’ve quietly watched your journey unfold.
Recently, my wife shared a message from my sister: “She said she’s proud of me.” The reason? My wife’s frequent work trips to Oslo, Norway. In India, traveling abroad carries a certain social prestige. It’s often celebrated without much attention to the actual work being done. This kind of praise has become common—but it reminded me of a very different moment of appreciation, one that stayed with me for years.
It came from a couple who’ve been close to our family for decades: Shri Pradeep Kumar Reddy Garu and his wife. Their friendship with my parents dates back to 1985–86, and over the years, we’ve shared many warm memories.
Fast forward to 2011–12. My son, then a first-year law student, needed an internship in Bengaluru. My wife found a paying guest accommodation near Ulsoor, Indiranagar. We traveled from Mysore to Bengaluru the day before his internship began to check it out.
The place was a disaster—completely unsuitable.
I remembered that Reddy Garu used to live near Ulsoor—his adda. Hoping he could help, we went to his old house, only to find he had moved. No one knew his new address. But I knew he was well-known in the area, so I walked to the main road and began asking around. As I’d hoped, the second shopkeeper knew him well and gave us the new address.
We took an auto and reached the house. I was nervous—it had been years since we’d met. Would he remember us? Would he be distant? I was prepared for anything. I just didn’t want my son to stay in that PG.
What happened next was beyond our expectations. Reddy Garu and his wife welcomed us with warmth and affection. My wife and son, who had only heard stories of my father Sreerama Chandra Murthy’s influence, witnessed it firsthand.
They invited us to stay for lunch, insisted my son stay with them temporarily, and promised to arrange a better guest house. During that short visit, I received a praise I’ll never forget—from Mrs. Reddy Garu, a kind soul and dear friend of my late mother.
She said, “Krishna, if you hadn’t stayed back and been with your father, he would’ve been long gone.”
I was stunned. I didn’t know what to say. After nearly two decades, I felt truly seen and acknowledged.
Was there a connection between my choice to stay with my father and the way they responded to us? I believe so.
We returned to Mysore that evening, reassured and grateful. Reddy Garu arranged for my son to stay at a PG run by a woman we fondly came to call “PG Madam.” She treated my son like family.
That moment of praise—from someone who knew my journey, my choices, and my family—meant more than any social validation. It reminded me that sometimes, the most meaningful recognition comes quietly, from those who truly understand.
✍️ Author’s Note: This post is a tribute to the quiet bonds that shape our lives. To the mentors, friends, and elders who see us not just for what we do, but for who we are. Thank you, Reddy Garu and family—for reminding me that some praises carry the weight of a lifetime.
