RESURRECTION OF A LIFELESS CHEQUE

All of us are aware that the validity of a cheque is only 3 months whereafter it becomes lifeless, unless revalidated by the drawer. And, the drawer would be reluctant to revalidate a cheque if it is too old. On the maturity of the National Savings Certificate, the Postal Department issued me a cheque August, 1999. That was supposed to have been presented in the bank by end October, 1999. Some how, it was not. And, the cheque was located with some old papers in my almirah as late as January, 2022, on the day of Lohri (comparable to our Bhoghi festival on the eve of Sankaranti) when certain old items are burnt. When I got the cheque on that day, I asked my friend who jokingly said, put it in the Bhoghi fire so that you celebrate a comparatively luxurious Bhogie. I thought of destroying the cheque which has no value by then. I thought that it may be presented to the Post Office with a request for revalidation and if the cheque is revalidated, the amount it carries would be used to get an ornament to our Adhikesavar and offered. I did make a representation to the Chief Post Master General accordingly, annexing a photocopy of the old cheque. This was sometimes in February, 2022. I have a cater cousin who retired as the Postal Board Member and had taken over as a Member( Administrative) in the Central Administrative Tribunal, and I had sent the representation to the Chief Postmaster General on his advice only. Waited for a month or so, and was enquiring intermittently the position when I was informed that the matter has been taken up with the Reserve Bank as the denomination of the Government Cheques on encashment is debited to the Reserve Bank only. Believe, it is a cheque of 22 years old and obviously to verify its encashment the Reserve Bank would take substantial time. One day, a letter was received by me asking for the original cheque and an affidavit that in respect of that cheque no money has been received by me. Immediately I sent the original cheque with an affidavit and in addition undertook that I would indemnify the Government for any loss to it due to this revalidation of the cheque. One fine day in April, I got a phone call from the Post Office that the revalidated cheque for the amount of Rs 21,640/- is being sent through an officer of the Postal Department. My joy knew no bound and with the said amount I asked Sriman Sampath (brother of Bharati) to identify an ornament for the said amount. My wife committed to the temple a “Neela megam” and I informed Sampath and it was ordered with Priyanka Jewellers at Srirangam. Some advance amount was paid and when the item was ready it was handed over to my nephew and the balance amount was paid to the jewellers and the total amount cost was Rs 22,000/- which is comparable to Rs 21,640/-.
Revalidation after 22 years of the cheque of 1999 vintage is nothing but a miracle and is by the Grace of Adhikesava Perumal.
K B S Rajan

Thayar's unfathomable Grace.
Dear Kesavan Tamargal,

After Tiruvilakku Poojai, Returned from Kazhiyur to Kanchipuram yesterday night. Today on our way to Kazhiyur.

Yesterday, after function both Balaji and myself started in his car. Came upto the tank when the car, all of a sudden, underwent a breakdown. Tried to restart. It had petrol but petrol flow was not there it seems. 15 minutes wasted. Time was 9.15 pm. We were carrying evening Prasadam also to give to Durai and company. No other vehicle, no auto. Wondering what to do. I told Balaji that Ethirajavalli Thayar will show some way.

In front of the place where the car underwent breakdown, some houses are there. Some came and went tried to start car by pushing. It was not to start. In one house, just opposite where our car stopped, there was an Alto car parked. The owner came out and asked what was the issue. None of us knows him. We told him the situation. We also told him that we are to be back tomorrow morning.

He went inside and again came out and this time with the car key. Took out the car and brought it on the road and told Balaji, sir, you take the car and bring it tomorrow..
In this century can we find any one giving his car to a stranger that too in night?

I have no explanation except to say Thayar Anugraham?

KBS Rajan

I would not gave offered if the situation happened to any unknown person nor Balaji.

We parked the car in front of that house and came in the new Alto car.

Ethirajavall Thayar's presence was patently visible in this episode.

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