Last weekend we had a going away party for our friends..We had to organize the party for about 53 families..It was an eye opener for me because I have never done something like this on a large scale..Ofcourse, have helped organize the sales conference when our Madurai branch of THE HINDU hosted it in kodai. But our whole branch helped then. And yeah, have acted as MC for couple of programs while in University, but this was after so many years and that too with so many people involved who I dont know that well. So it was a challenge and yes, I bugged each and everyone, bombarded them with emails and updates..surely all of them were/are a patient lot. I was flabbergasted when they all came up with thanks and congrats after the party..Surely, they didnt realize what an important part they all played!!

The surprise worked out like this..Had told Gayatri-Sastry family that there's going to be a religious ceremony at the temple basement and had asked one of our elderly mamis to request them for a ride, so that we will know where they are at every point in time.. We had switched off the lights and were very quiet and when they came in shouted "Surprise" We had to do it twice as Gayatri came separately first and Sastry came later..But the look in their faces was priceless!! The look was a total disbelief and slowly a dawning of the truth and happiness on seeing the number of people gathered there for them. Have some of the pictures above which demonstrate that.

We welcomed them, had a dance program by our very own Michael Jacksons' , Sooraj and Anand.. Boy, they were fantastic..Then we had a sumptuous feast prepared by every family. How can I ever thank them for taking this so serious and preparing excellent and variety food..It was surely a feast fit for a prince complete with 2 mouthwatering sweets.. The menu was as follows.. Pulao, Puris, Channa, Coconut sevai, Morkulambu as the main course and Bhel puri, Paruppu vadai, bonda, sandwiches, wraps (all made with perfection) and ofcourse date sweet and a burfi , all complete with a curd rice..Isnt this great!!

This was followed by a sumptuous feast to the ears by Shruthilayam..the girls and boys of Shruthilayam were wonderful in their rendering of songs and they even invited Sastry to join them..It was wholesome entertainment..

This was followed by the vote of thanks by me. Although words cannot express how wonderful people were when they rendered their help, I managed to put some into words and by then, somebody came from outside and said that there was a blizzard outside..So we cancelled the rest of the program, games and cleaned up the place getting set to go.. All in all, it was a fabulous program made memorable by the numerous acts of help which everyone gave..Group Effort was fabulous..

A great surprise indeed!!Here are the links for the song and video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfq3zOG1D8I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QwjsZYbTug