Diwali Gifts - Gesture & Response

Yesterday afternoon PP3 residents gathered at the temple premises to felicitate PP3 staff for their excellent services throughout the year. Sweet packets with solid envelopes, of varying weights, were distributed. Every resident present there got an opportunity to give the gift - with a select few biding their time to give it to the person of their choice. I spoke randomly to a cross section of people on this. Here is an account.

Ram Charan, a cafateria staff. He speaks fluent Tamil and Malayalam. His father is Tamil and mother Malayalee. When on a visit to Kerala, they call him Kuttappa. He had this to say:  ‘Pramadam sir.’ This was the first time he was receiving it, and was overwhelmed. ‘Residents are so loving and caring’. 

Mrs A Rajeena, of the team entrusted with the responsibility to keep the complex and residential units spick and span was showering praise on the residents and their goodwill towards them. She was extremely happy.

Shri Venkatachalam, at the corner Villa in front of Block B, worked in Ordnance factories in several stations. For the uninitiated, he is always to be found hosting Navagraha pujas every weekend.  He says: “I am fully for this. It shows we are all one. It should be continued. This is the only way we can express our gratitude to those who take care of us.”

Shri Thyagarajan, Rental Block. He and his wife are comfortably settled here. He worked as the Head of Mechanical Egg in PSG College of Technology, and, for a few years as Principal of another college. His observations: “This is a good gesture and should continue annually. That is the only way we recognize the services they render. Nonetheless, obtaining a consensus on the contribution-amount may be a good idea.”

Mrs Lakshmi Nimbalkar, of Extension A. They moved couple of months ago. Their base is Hyderabad, and are still retaining the home there. She says this is a good initiative and should continue. As of now she has only reasons to feel happy at stay in PP3. But it will take a while to firm up their opinion,

Mr Radhakrishnan of Extension B has been in PP3 for over 8 months. Does he like the ambience? Of course. Precisely why he has booked an apartment in Phase 5. He endorses many others’ views that this is the only way residents can express their gratitude to them for the relentless services they render. It should be made a compulsory annual activity. .

Mr Sivaramakrishnan of Block 1, retired engineer from BHEL, says that in the olden days we used to give new clothes and sweets. Clothes have become outmoded. So, rightly we are giving cash to  permit them to make the best use of it. And that is our way of expressing our gratitude to them.

Mrs Chitra Desikan of Block 2, affirms that this is a team effort, no individual can do all by himself. And they have done an excellent job, and should continue to do so. It is given that in a community there will be different views and opinions. Majority opinion should prevail. The Desikans are here since two years and they like the place immensely.

“Uncle, what is your own take on this?” some readers may ask, as two of the persons I ‘interviewed’  asked. “Well, anything that is good, should continue. And so this activity.”

A laudable effort indeed. Three cheers to the organizers.

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