2 servings of humiliation followed by a few dollops of snide remarks
It was that time of the year again. Though why this ritual should be held was beyond anyone’s wild guess. Whenever the General Managers and the site leaders contemplated on the unfathomable reasons as to why Employee ‘Appreciation’ day was held, they remembered the wise words of the Feudal Lords and tyrants of bygone era, who ensured that they allowed the plebeians a few days of drunken revelry so they would not think of questioning the revelries and orgies that happened all year long in the Royal quarters. With a sigh like one parting with all his life’s savings they released the funds for the appreciation week to commence. The ancient Romans entertained the peasantry by having gladiators fight lions in amphitheatres. Likewise thought the wise corporate leaders, we will entertain the peasantry by having them dance to Bollywood numbers. Save one or two most of the people’s dance moves seemed like 2 roosters fighting for the position of the alpha male.
And so in Sadashiv’s company it was time for this ancient ritual of drunken revelry. It was that time of the year when employees were fed the illusion that they are important and what they did mattered!
On this particular day Sadashiv babu was told that there would be special lunch at his office. As a rule, Sadashiv babu got lunch from home, but on this day Sadashiv babu came to office in the eager anticipation of eating the special lunch.
The day Sadashiv babu got busy with work and forgot all about the fact that lunch would be served by 12 PM. It was only when his neighbour Bikash babu called him for lunch that he realised that the time was already 12:15 and he was late. Joining Bikash babu and Ashamanja babu, Sadashiv babu headed to the cafeteria for lunch. The sight that met their eyes pleased them immensely. There were lot of empty seats in front of them where banana leaves were spread out for lunch to be served.
Taking in the different sights, sounds and smells Sadashiv Babu and the others took their seats. But what was this harsh sound that had pierced the hall. A speech from one of the higher management was being played in the hall. “What nuisance!” thought Sadashiv Babu! "One cannot eat lunch peacefully these days. Was this or was this not employee appreciation week?"
Then a rotund man came huffing and puffing to them and pointing to the back row said “There are some seats there. Would you gentlemen mind moving back there. You see the food is served in those banana leaves but no one sat there! The food would go waste!”
Sadashiv Babu reluctantly got up and looked to the back row. There were lot of people eating food and it appeared as though they were now at the end of their meal. There were a few empty seats scattered here and there. Sadashiv Babu did not feel comfortable at all about going there, however not one to allow food to go waste, Sadashiv Babu joined Bikash babu and Asamanja babu who were already heading towards the last row. There were 2 seats which was quickly occupied by Asamanja babu and Bikash babu. There was a single seat at the other end of the row. Looks like he has to be the martyr again, all in the name of saving food. So thinking, Sadashiv Babu headed for the lone seat. The neighbours were acquaintances of his and smiled at him. Making causal enquires about their work, health, the weather and politics Sadashiv Babu settled down to eat. The banana leaf in front of him already had a few vegetables, some chips, a papad, rice with some kind of sambar. Several types of pickles. There were 2 cups with kheer in them. The cup of buttermilk next to it looked inviting. Before he could dig in a doubt cropped up in the mind of Sadashiv Babu. Was everything here vegetarian. What if one of the pickles had meat in it? Had he not seen a shop in Coorg selling non vegetarian pickle? What about the side dishes? What if there was meat in it. So thinking he looked around for someone to enquire if the food was all vegetarian. Sadashiv Babu’s neighbour, a man with a kind countenance turned in his direction (His name Sadashiv Babu could not remember. Was it Bishnu or Basu?) . Sadashiv Babu’s neighbour seemed to notice his discomfort and asked him “what is the matter? Anything wrong with the food?” . “No, it’s just that I do not know if all the items here are vegetarian. I wanted to ask someone regarding the same” said Sadashiv Babu. “Oh do not worry babu. It is all vegetarian!” said his neighbour. Sadashiv Babu was still not convinced. His neighbour then said “Ok babu. It was nice talking to you. I am done. I will see you again”. Thus Sadashiv babu was left alone in his doubts. He then hailed a person serving food who came carrying a bucket full of rice. “Some more rice babu?” he asked.” No! No! I wanted to ask if the food is vegetarian?” said Sadashiv Babu. “It is all vegetarian sir!”. Thus assured Sadashiv babu started eating his food. He had not realised that he was ravenously hungry. As he went about eating the rice, he realised that there were several saree clad women standing behind him. In front of him the row was filled with the next batch of employees waiting to be served food. Sadashiv Babu realised to his horror, that he alone was sitting in his row, yet to eat the food. A plump jocular employee, Shankar babu, whom Sadashiv Babu knew was sitting opposite to him. Shankar Babu saw the women waiting for Sadashiv Babu to finish eating and teasingly said “oye Sadashiv Babu! Do not worry about the people standing behind you. Eat slowly and heartily!” . Sadashiv Babu merely laughed in response. Did Sankar Babu really mean it? Or was he being sarcastic? Sadashiv Babu now realised that he needed more rice. But there were people waiting in line behind him. Sadashiv Babu, one of a shy disposition felt very uncomfortable sitting there. Quickly he gobbled up what was left in the plate. Picking up a banana and the glass of buttermilk Sadashiv Babu got up from his seat.
In a quiet corner Sadashiv Babu finished the Banana and then had the glass of butter milk. He was still kind of hungry, when he thought he saw someone looking in his direction. It was Ramesh Babu and Raghav babu looking in his general direction and laughing. This made Sadashiv Babu even more conscious of himself. He washed his hands and started moving towards Ramesh and Raghav babu. Ramesh Babu shouted from afar “You are amazing Sadashiv Babu! Not minding all those women waiting for their lunch, you continued eating your lunch unperturbed! That is admirable!”. This was followed by a loud guffaw from Raghav Babu and his team mates. Sadashiv Babu had it! “But…But…I hardly ate anything. That plump pig head over there who is overseeing the lunch service sent me to the row where most people had already eaten. No one came to serve me food, and to top it all, before I could finish there were many people standing behind me! I am still feeling hungry!”. Ramesh Babu and the others felt bad and said “Arrey Sadashiv Babu, why worry. Join us for another round of lunch!” . Sadashiv Babu was red faced. He felt he should get out of here as soon as possible. He replied “You know Ramesh Babu, I came here hoping to assuage my hunger. All I got was 2 servings of humiliation and a few dollops of snide remarks for desert! This kind of ‘appreciation’ I can do without! So saying Sadashiv Babu walked away in a huff, disillusioned (or should we say enlightened) about this whole concept of employee 'appreciation'.
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