After a successful 2010 , it will be no mean task to maintain the momentum in the next year. So, how was the beginning? How can one better one’s own performance?
Answer – get the basics right!

Time – Something that none of us seem to have now a days. We were scheduled to meet at 0830 at our meeting point and there we were. Everybody seemed very eager to make most of the Sunday. Headcount was taken – we left 15 minutes later for our next checkpoint. We were pleasantly surprised to find that we were late! A few “Hellos” and “good mornings” later we were back on the road. Kolkata traffic notwithstanding , we reached Jessop’s Club at 1010.On time.

Since officers are on leave, time may not be the most important thing on their mind. There are other far more important things – food. Menu was selected by the senior members of Anavi and therefore their husbands would never complain. But they didn’t have to either. Biryani was wonderful and the meat well cooked. Fish fry with mustard has always been a favourite. Pakoras went nicely with the Tuborgs and Fosters. Mishti for dessert and pan to finish it off.

For any picnic the venue or the spot is rather important. Jessop Social Club on the northern fringes of Kolkata is almost perfect for a group of 40-60 people. Can’t really call it much of a club but it’s a nice, big place managed well by a very cooperative staff.

“What am I going to do there? I have never been to a company picnic before?” It is another important question. Kids played and played. When they got tired, they took a break then started playing again. In the meanwhile elders were busy gossiping, catching up on old times, discussing new business ideas, mourning the fall of stock market and in between trying to match correct pieces of jewelry. The big draw was the dart competition by C/E Mukherjee.

One of the more memorable experiences was the visit to the rail coach factory. A well guided tour was given to us by one of the officials of the factory and the whole process of building of a rail coach was nicely explained. This was something which many of us would not be able to see otherwise. Thank You!

Food, place, activities are important. But it is more important how these things get done. The members of Anavi, with guidance from Mr. Pradhan ,have developed a knack of planning things from scratch and executing it to perfection. From selecting the spot and finalizing the date to making sure that everything was in place to make this year’s picnic a grand success took time, effort and initiative.

It is a fantastic beginning to 2011.