JOIN USIt was indeed a unique farewell party. Sunil, a junior engineer in my organisation, had resigned his post after managing to get another job near his hometown, Patna. Though he was not a popular colleague in the department, this party was unusually well-attended in an atmosphere charged more with a feeling of tacit relief than that of sweet sorrow that usually pervades such occasions of separation.
Began the Master of Ceremonies (who had had several tiffs with him on innumerable occasions over the past few years), “It is really unfortunate that our dear and popular colleague Sunil has decided to leave us, which means we are losing an efficient engineer and a friendly human being. As it often happens, our loss is someone else’s gain.”
In the spate of speeches that ensued thereafter, each one of the speakers surpassed the other in the use of choicest adjectives to extol the ‘super qualities’ of Sunil.
Added his immediate boss (who had relegated him to ‘C’ grade for poor performance), “The department gratefully acknowledges the outstanding achievements of Sunil that have substantially contributed towards the overall technical and organisational development of the department.”
After prolonged applause, it was now the turn of the department head (who had warned Sunil on several occasions for the latter’s intemperate language and blatant acts of misconduct), who reeled off in a seemingly choked voice, “From tomorrow we will miss the presence of an exemplary gentleman who had been an epitome of modesty and charming demeanor. He was indeed a tower of strength to me personally. He is an excellent role model worthy of emulation for the youngsters assembled here. I am sure that his exit will leave a huge void in our organisation that cannot be easily filled!”
After customary garlanding and presenting parting gifts, Sunil, who was all through listening with an enigmatic twinkle in his eyes to these marvelous embellishments so lavishly showered on his newly-sculpted personality, was asked to say a few words about how he felt at this solemn occasion.
Sunil stood up slowly wearing a thoughtful countenance, and with a seemingly heavy voice said, “I don’t have suitable words to express my grateful thanks to all those who have been kind enough to open their hearts and express their true feelings towards me today. I really didn’t realise that this esteemed organisation valued my contribution so much and rated my performance and calibre so high! Sometimes it happens that we don’t know our own potential and need occasions like this one to help us rediscover ourselves. I don’t think I should be ungrateful enough to desert this unit where my services are so badly required. I am, therefore, withdrawing my resignation here and now.”
Sunil had played his trump card with a flourish this time, before the stunned gathering could realise that he had come to know that his newly-found job was not as lucrative as he had thought it to be.