Mr. Sunder and Ms. Mangala Subramaniam (Broadening Narratives)

Description

Mr. Sunder Subramaniam, 81, and Ms. Mangala Sunder Subramaniam, 72, are a retired couple living with their daughter and her family in Chicago and are active members of the Senior Center in Naperville. Both are originally from Kerala, though Mr. Subramanian moved frequently throughout north India in his early childhood and Mrs. Subramaniam was raised in Mumbai. The Subramaniam's speak about their respective families and the early hardships they faced due to the loss of their parents. Mr. Subramaniam recalls losing his father at a young age and the responsibility he assumed in caring for his siblings and mother, prompting him to join the pharmaceutical industry to provide for them immediately. They describe their arranged marriage, facilitated by family members, and Mrs. Subramaniam reflects on the adjustments she made after moving to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, following their marriage. Mr. Subramaniam shares his experiences working in India’s pharmaceutical industry and traces his career trajectory over several decades. The couple also discuss their early financial struggles as newlyweds, supporting their joint family and raising two daughters with limited savings. After their daughters married and relocated to the United States, Mrs. Subramaniam developed COPD and other respiratory conditions, requiring ongoing medical care and family support. These circumstances led the couple to immigrate to the United States in 2016. They speak about the cultural adjustments involved in settling in the U.S. and express deep pride in their daughters, whom they describe as caring and supportive. Their involvement with the Senior Center in Naperville proved life-changing, providing community and connection. They conclude with a profound sense of gratitude for the services and opportunities available to them in the United States, which enabled them to build a meaningful and supportive community in later life.