To all my dear colleague-friends,

After being in employment for 45 years+ in different organisations, including more than seven years in ETC, I will be retiring on 30-April-2007 with a very great sense of satisfaction.

Having started my employment career in April 1962 (when I had not even completed seventeen), a serious thought that occurred to my mind while I was in my 40’s was that I should retire by 50 and relax. By the time I was 50, I had entered the young and vibrant entertainment industry, which rejuvenated me and my thinking. Now at 62, after spending 13 years in the entertainment industry, and having completed my extended tenure, I still feel I am agile and energetic and can continue to work for a few more years! That is the power of the entertainment industry.

On hearing about my retirement, many people expressed surprise saying that my physical appearance, behaviour or actions do not reflect my age of having attained superannuation two years back.  If this surprise is true, it is because of my close and personal association with the caring and young colleagues in ETC (most of whom are of the age of my daughters or even younger), who have showered me with abundant love, affection, care, concern, respect and regard, besides the dedicated functional support from my HR/ Administration/ Commercial team members - all of whom have immensely contributed to my well-being physically, mentally and emotionally.  The ETC Management took adequate care of my financial well-being by recognising and amply rewarding me for my contributions, while also giving me operational freedom in my areas of operations. It is my good fortune that the last seven years of my long career have been so happy and peaceful. I am indeed grateful to God for pushing me to ETC - yes it was He pushed me to ETC.

Having assumed the position of a father-figure and having been accepted so by others, I also took the liberty of advising, counselling, scolding and even threatening to punish many youngsters whenever I felt they were wrong. Today when I look back, I feel more than satisfied that all such utterances, whatever be the form, have been gracefully accepted and acted upon by all of them. I cannot expect any better reward than this. In filmi language, if I may say so, I consider this as a LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. 

While expressing my sincere thanks to the Management and each one of you for your co-operation, support, tolerance and acceptance, my heart pleads Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.