In a heartwarming gesture, Dr. SG Suryah, the BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary, hosted an extravagant dinner for hygiene workers of Velachery and surrounding regions, as a mark of respect for their relentless service particularly commending their remarkable contributions in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.
This noble initiative was organized by the NaMo Foundation, under the leadership of SG Suryah, in collaboration with the non-profit organization “Aram Seya Virumbu” on 30 December 2023 at the Kabali marriage hall in Velachery, Chennai.
Apart from a grand dinner, over 150 of the hygiene workers who had come were felicitated and given food kits comprising of essentials like rice, pulses, oil, sugar, etc.
The highlight of the evening was the way in which the delectable feast organized and the royal treatment extended to the hygiene workers. Over 70 throne-like seats were elegantly arranged, with the hygiene workers seated like kings and queens. Food was served in a nice embollished plate resting on a holder shaped like a peacock, adding an extra touch of grandeur to the occasion.
The dinner comprised of an array of dishes – Dry Gulab Jamun, Paruppu Payasam, Chappathi, Cauliflower 65, Paneer Butter Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Onion-Curd Raita, and a variety of traditional South Indian delicacies like Sambar, Rasam, Vathakozhambu, Bean-Carrot Poriyal, Potato-Peas Sabji, pickle and Appalam with buttermilk to wash it all down and a delightful serving of ice cream for dessert.
The hygiene workers were overwhelmed with gratitude for this extraordinary gesture. Ranganayaki, a hygiene worker residing in Kannagi Nagar, expressed her emotions, saying, “Either we are looked at with sympathy or we’re just ignored. For the first time, we’ve had someone treat us so royally with so much dignity and respect.”
#WATCH | Chennai: Tamil Nadu BJP organised VIP dinner for sanitation workers. (30.12) pic.twitter.com/lJcSx3mfYK
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2023
Speaking to The Commune, Dr. Suryah emphasized the invaluable contribution of hygiene workers, who often go unrecognized. He highlighted their pivotal role in restoring normalcy to Chennai in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.
“Providing relief materials through cash and kind is one thing. Many of them struggle to make ends meet, yet they were out on the streets serving us so that we could get on with our lives. That sacrifice cannot be compensated by providing cash or relief materials. The least one can do is be thankful to them, and what better way than to treat them like emperors with sumptuous food.”, Suryah said.
The spirit of the occasion can be encapsulated in a Tamil saying: “Vayirara Saptu, Manadhaara Vazhthinar,” which translates to “They ate to their full bellies and blessed heartily”. This sentiment was unmistakably visible in the eyes of the hygiene workers as they relished the food.
A great initiative by the NaMo Foundation, led by Dr. SG Suryah! In Velachery, @NaMo4TN organized an Annabojan event, generously serving our silent heroes, the sanitary workers, who played a crucial role in restoring Chennai post-floods. A heartfelt salute to these unsung… pic.twitter.com/9HJfaNSznI
— Team SG Suryah (@TeamSGSuryah) December 30, 2023
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