I am in Calicut (Kozhikode) for the last three days. Today, 19th May 2011, I had a new happy experience. I was invited for lunch in the Nalanda Hotel by a few officials in the BSNL who are going to retire by the end of this month. I have seen co-workers giving send off parties to the retiring employees; this was different – the retiring employees were giving lunch to those from whom they are departing.

It was a huge gathering. Almost all the employees came to participate in the lunch, batch after batch. I could meet a lot of retired as well as working employees with whom I had worked earlier. Everyone was in a hurry. After taking lunch and exchanging pleasantries they returned to their work quickly.

Of course the retiring employees will be getting a few lakhs of rupees on retirement due to the sustained struggles of the unions and they may like to share the joy with their co-workers. Anyhow, it is a very good gesture and an excellent opportunity to thank their co-workers for the camaraderie.