Spiced Nostalgia
2012, Reliving 25 Years of Excellence
To
meet and depart is the way of life. To depart and meet is the hope of life.
With meetings, memories are created, departure preserves the sweet memories,
and the hope to meet again takes our life ahead.
“Spiced
Nostalgia, 2012” has turned out to be a landmark that is to be written in the
annals of history of Spices Board and no other organization might have got this
opportunity, but with the success of the programme and the coming together of
all the previous Chairmen, retired employees and the experts of the industry
under one roof, it has turned out to be true.
Spices
Board, a nodal organization for the development and worldwide promotion of
spices, celebrated 25 years of successful existence in a gala event organized
by Spices Board Staff Club on 29th May 2012, at Gokulam Park,
Kaloor, Cochin.
A matter of great pride, the Board is not just a commodity organization that
promotes Indian spices all over the world; it is a family, a shelter, a second
home… At the silver chest of activities, the sailing was not as smooth as
people think it is. Efforts of many go behind unnoticed for the Board to attain
the status it enjoys at present. Spiced Nostalgia laid a platform for the
members of the spice family to come together, meet the old comrades and relive
many years of nostalgic feelings. The reunion triggered up the pent up emotions
as the retired staff members sailed through the past 25 years. Energy reflected
in the profile of the members and it was evident in the way they conversed with
each other. Without any junior-senior distinction, they met, exchanged words,
and there was an air of love and affection that spread through the hall. It was
a moment of joy for everyone.
Sri KM Chandrasekhar IAS lighting the lamp to mark the inauguration of the Silver Jubilee celebrations |
Spices
Board was indeed privileged to have at the function all its previous chairmen
in one single platform -
founder father, Mr. KM Chandrasekhar IAS, Mr. T Nandakumar IAS, Mr. V
Jayashankar IAS, Mr. C J Jose IAS, Mr. V J Kurian IAS and the present Chairman,
Dr. A Jayathilak IAS. A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and
leads the way. It was the indeed a privilege of the staff club members to
honour the Chairmen with ‘ponnadas’ at this auspicious occasion.
Another
highlight of the programme was the screening of the film named “Spices
Board-Down the memory lane” which took people many years back, right from its
inception in 1987 to the present. Moments of joy and sorrow that featured in
the film reflected in the countenance of all those who have gathered in the
hall. The film pictured the priced moments of the Board and it captured
everyone’s attention. It was a special feeling for the Chairmen too. It felt
like the Chairmen were contemplating on a quote by Maxim Gorky which says “Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let
it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.” Yes, it was an
occasion to cherish the memories of yesteryears. The film took them many years
back and they did not fail to mention their feelings in the speech.
The
formal function started with Dr. A Jayathilak IAS, Chairman Spices Board,
welcoming the gathering. He handed over the flame to
the founder Chairman, Mr. K M Chandrasekhar to inaugurate Spiced Nostalgia,
2012. Each of the Chairmen talked at length about their feelings
and experiences in the Board. The first to make the speech was Mr. K M
Chandrasekhar. After retiring from the service
from the very prestigious coveted post of Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India, he
is now the Vice Chairman of the Kerala State Planning Board. He took the Board
from being just a commodity organization to a near corporate entity with brisk
and vibrant actions. Next to speak was Mr. T Nandakumar IAS who stressed on the
need to focus on the future course of growth while Mr. V Jayashankar IAS,
praised the accounting system in the Board that had become an example to other
commodity boards in the country. Mr. C J Jose IAS described how the Spices
Board had responded to a crisis-like situation over the Sudan red alarm
in the chilli exports market and Mr. V J Kurian IAS talked at length about the
infrastructure build-up of the Board. All of them were loquacious when it
came to describing their experiences in the Board. The chairmen were honoured
by retired staff members of the Board and the senior most retired staff member,
the then liaison officer, Mr. Koppar was honoured by the founder Chairman, Mr.
K M Chandrasekhar.
The Capable Captains of the Board |
Spiced
Nostalgia 2012 was also a wake up call for the younger generation of the Board.
It was a chance for them to take a glimpse through the past 25 years which
would prompt them to work with new vigour, strength and a purpose. The
future of the Board lies with the younger generation and it is essential that
they should be proud of their organization to take it to new heights. Safe in
the hands of the younger generation, the Saga of Spices Board will continue…
Revathy S Mohan
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