Stories, Screens, and a Dream

Chapter 22: Stories, Screens, and a Dream

The courtyard glowed softly under the yellow lantern light. The neem tree rustled gently, casting moving shadows on the stone floor. Inside, dishes had been cleared, but outside, the conversations continued. It had become a habit now—night after night, each family member offering a dream, a frustration, a hope for how technology could change lives.

Ajay sat beside Vandana, both of them enjoying the quiet pause after a long day. The stars blinked overhead, and the air carried the faint scent of jasmine and warm chai.

Vandana's Words and Hidden Dreams

Vandana placed her hand gently on Ajay's wrist. "Ajay," she began, her tone calm but weighted, "Kavita and Nirmala shared something with me. Something they've held close, but haven't had a chance to speak aloud."

Ajay turned to her, eyebrows raised.

"They care about the future of music, of film, of fashion—not just as art, but as power. Cultural power. Influence."

Ajay nodded slowly. "Tell me what they said."

She told him. About Kavita's passion for sound and voice, for her brother's failed dream to make films. About Nirmala's quiet anger at how Indian clothing is mocked and discarded for foreign cuts. How Western media portrays India as old, backward, uncultured.

Vandana's voice was steady but firm: "They're right, Ajay. We invest in machines. In tools. But these women—these ideas—they speak of soul. If we don't build platforms for our stories, someone else will define us. Misrepresent us."

Ajay took a deep breath. "Then we change that. Starting now."

Ajay's Question and Vandana's Dream

Ajay turned fully toward her. "Everyone has spoken about their dreams. But you haven't. Vandana—what do you want from technology?"

Vandana looked up, her eyes reflecting the stars. "I want learning to be creative. I want students to learn from inspiration, not fear. I want education to be more than memorizing textbooks."

She added, "Why can't a child who missed school learn the lesson again at home? Why can't students learn music, art, science, or even history in a way that makes them love it?"

Ajay smiled. "Recorded lessons. Creative modules. Shared knowledge—accessible to all."

She nodded. "Exactly. Not everyone learns the same way. But every child deserves the chance to learn with joy."

Bharat's Thoughts: Ramayan, and the Billion-Dollar Myth

While the adults talked softly, Bharat sat silently on the swing beside the pillar, a notebook in his lap. The voices became faint to him—he was drifting, imagining.

He closed his eyes and pictured:

A story broadcast every Sunday.

Families gathered, eyes fixed on the glowing screen.

Lakshman's fury. Hanuman's strength. Sita's courage.

Children imitating bows and arrows. Grandfathers quoting shlokas.

Doordarshan transmitting Dharma across the nation.

He imagined it all.

"It wouldn't just be a show," he thought.

"It would be a revolution. A cultural pulse. Mythology reaching every home in India."

And then he saw further—years ahead:

Posters. Audio cassettes. Books. Children's comics. Toys. School plays.

Future remakes in color. In 3D.

New generations rediscovering age-old stories—with emotion, honor, and pride.

A global audience. A billion-dollar industry.

Bharat's eyes sparkled.

"I must speak to Pitaji," he whispered to himself, glancing toward Ajay.

"We could invest in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan. Help with production tech. Cameras. Editing systems. Even early visual effects. Not just for nostalgia—but to be part of history."

He quickly scribbled the thought in his notebook:

"Mythology isn't just the past. It's the future. Americans have Superman… we have Lord Ram."

"And stories of Dharma are far older—and far more powerful."

"We can build this. Shape this. Sell this. And make it timeless."

He looked again at his family.

"We talk about machines. Tools. Farming. But stories… stories shape the soul."

And in that moment, he made a vow:

"If we can build a game, we can build a series. If we can shape minds, we must protect our roots. And if one TV serial can unite a country—then it's time we take that seriously."

Ajay's Resolve

Back on the stone bench, Ajay stood slowly, eyes distant but sharp.

"Vandana," he said softly. "We need to build not just companies—but culture."

Vandana looked up.

"We'll support sound studios. Film editing labs. Textile design machines. Creative teaching tools. And we'll fund stories that make us proud again."

Vandana smiled, her eyes misting.

"Then let's start tomorrow," she whispered.

Above them, the stars shone a little brighter.

.