Retirement party

Retirement: No one tells you ..... You have to learn it as you go.
by: Durgesh Kumar Srivastava, JiBhaiya@gmail.com

Dear Katina,

Retirement is once in a lifetime event.

Ideally it should be in or near the work place in the late afternoon of the last working day so that the new retiree may go home straight away.

Among the government school teachers in New Delhi there is a tradition of escorting the new retiree home in a flower decked vehicle laden with gifts and cheering colleagues.

In the college where I taught a retiring peon was presented with a new bi-cycle and he rode back home after the party.

In some places there is also the tradition of hosting the new retiree on to the shoulders of his cheering colleagues. It is all very good so long as it is not overdone. It should be natural and spontaneous.

I am particular not about when the party should be held but about how it should be organized. I have seen a party in which less than a dozen people turned up from a staff of about 200. I have also seen a party in which there was not a single person who was willing to say a word or two in praise of the retiree.

In one party the retiree, who disliked all her colleagues, did not turn up at her own retirement party.

All this must be avoided by proper planning. There should be one or two pre-prepared speeches and the rest can be spontaneous. No negative comments should be made. If you had hated the retiree, please do keep quiet.

If one or two colleagues could sing a song the atmosphere will become lively.

I always used to recite a self-written poem based upon some comic situation and unrelated to the retiree.

Some senior retirees from the same organisation should be invited. They should share their experiences about post retirement life.

Key subject such as work, pastime, managing your funds etc. should be touched upon. Emotional issues of retirement should be addressed.

The party should end with selected goodies to eat. alcohol should be avoided. The retiree should also consider giving a return gift to his office. I presented my large collection of books to the college library. It did not cost me a thing.

Durgesh, JiBhaiya@gmail.com 26th Aug,10

Retirement party

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Retirement party