We are delighted to share the successful completion of the 175th week of Sangamam, held on 9th May at our Sivasailam Centre.

The highlight of this week’s Sangamam was a truly meaningful and heartwarming “Retirement Celebration” — a beautiful example of celebrating life with purpose, compassion, and community bonding.

We were honoured to host the event with the kind support of Shri Arumuga Nainar, Retired Senior Director, NIC Tirunelveli. His wife, Mrs. Muthulakshmi, serving in LIC Tirunelveli, will be retiring at the end of this month after years of dedicated service.
Initially, Madam Muthulakshmi had planned to host a farewell gathering for her colleagues either at a restaurant in Tirunelveli or at a resort in Kerala.

However, on the thoughtful suggestion of Shri Nainar, the celebration was planned at Vama Charitable Trust — transforming a routine retirement function into a memorable and socially meaningful experience.

One of Vama’s core missions is to value, preserve, and empower the talents and dignity of elders. Around 22 members from LIC branches at Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, and Tenkasi joined the celebration, along with our elders from V.K. Puram, Kalyanipuram, and nearby villages.

As part of Vama’s unique “Preserve the Talent” initiative, our elders proudly showcased and displayed traditional homemade products lovingly prepared at Vama, including lemon and narthanga pickles, vadam/vathal, and idly podi. The LIC team highly appreciated this initiative, which promotes the skills, self-worth, and livelihood opportunities of elders while preserving traditional food practices and indigenous knowledge. In a heartwarming gesture of encouragement and support, the LIC team purchased the entire stock of vadam prepared by the elders, along with several other products displayed during the event. This gesture brought immense joy, confidence, and motivation to our elders.

The day began with a warm and simple breakfast at Vama, followed by a visit to the sacred Sri Sivasailanathar Temple — a routine our elders deeply cherish. After returning to Vama around 11 AM, Shri Arumuga Nainar introduced the LIC team to the vision and activities of Vama. He also shared the innovative AI-based elder care initiatives developed by him and his team, including virtual engagement concepts aimed at reducing social isolation among elders. He highlighted how Vama’s initiatives such as Vama Café, short-stay support, intergenerational engagement, and spiritual tours can be further strengthened through technology-enabled care.

The atmosphere soon turned vibrant and energetic with interactive mind games conducted by Shri Nainar, including movie identification, songs, and LIC policy-related activities using visual prompts. Mrs. Vadivoo further elevated the excitement through fun-filled team games such as “Test Your Strength,” ball-and-basket activities, “Eatti Ki Potti,” and the ever-enjoyable “Paattu-ku-Paattu” (Antakshari).

At around 2 PM, everyone enjoyed a delicious homely lunch lovingly prepared by our Anantha Adikalai (Happy Kitchen) team, which received heartfelt appreciation from all participants.

The retirement celebration became even more special when the LIC team chose to celebrate with a traditional Mysore Pak cutting instead of the usual cake-cutting ceremony. Colleagues expressed their affection and gratitude through handwritten notes, greetings, and heartfelt messages appreciating Madam Muthulakshmi’s dedicated service and wishing her a peaceful, healthy, and purposeful retired life.

Many participants fondly recalled the warm hospitality extended by Mr. and Mrs. Arumuga Nainar during their recent Sashtiapthapoorthi celebration. Others shared touching personal experiences about the couple’s kindness, simplicity, and willingness to support people during times of need.

The celebration continued with music, dance, laughter, and nostalgia. LIC team members entertained everyone with songs such as Hum Bane Tum Bane, Mama Mama, Chithadai Katti Kittu, and several evergreen melodies that brought back cherished memories. The emotional rendition of “100 Aandu Kalam Vazhga, Noi Nodi Illamal Vazhga” touched Madam Muthulakshmi deeply and created an unforgettable moment for all present.
Several members also reminisced about Madam Muthulakshmi’s early years at the Ambasamudram LIC Branch, where her professional journey began.

As feedback, participants expressed their heartfelt appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Arumuga Nainar for organising such a meaningful celebration at Vama. They also appreciated Vama Trust for its noble mission of caring for and engaging elders with dignity, love, and purpose.

In a touching gesture, Mr. and Mrs. Nainar honoured the entire Vama team — including trustees, coordinators, kitchen staff, housekeeping staff, driver, security personnel, and volunteers — with salvai as a mark of respect and gratitude. We felt truly humbled and honoured that the people working silently behind our mission were recognised and appreciated.

The memorable day concluded around 5 PM with hot tea, peanut sundal, and crispy vazhakkai bajji. The LIC team departed with hearts full of memories, while both Madam Muthulakshmi and our elders bid farewell with emotion and affection.
Indeed, it was a different and meaningful way of celebrating retirement — by spreading joy, togetherness, dignity, and purpose among elders.

Thank you all for your continued support, encouragement, and blessings.