COVID Stories from India: Shutdown-Restart
About
In "Shutdown-Restart," the fifth short story of the “COVID Stories from India” series, Vikram, a visionary textile engineer, pours his effort into launching a factory in Kancheepuram,India. But the COVID-19 pandemic blindsides him—shattering orders, drowning him in debt, and driving him to a desperate act of self-destruction. His wife Gayathri, both his partner in business and in life, finds him unconscious on their kitchen floor. As doctors race to save him, Gayathri stands at the edge of ruin.
The treating doctor becomes an unexpected pillar of strength. As Vikram recovers, the couple face a new challenge: rebuilding the factory with meaning. Can an innovation in protective gear for healthcare workers become their salvation? Or will the pressures of cost, market politics, and betrayal collapse them again?
In a world where comfort is often sacrificed for profit, Shutdown–Restart is a heart-wrenching tale of ambition, where working towards a noble cause leads to an unbelievable rescue path.