When 58-year-old Raju retired from work on March 11, he had several years of experience and cherished recognitions.
He had been receiving awards from his employer – Elgi Equipments – for the last 16 years for not taking leave even for a single day in a year.
Mr. Raju joined Elgi in 1989 as a foundry worker, moved to heat treatment section and machine shop and retired as a CNC machine operator. “I have not studied much and I wanted to achieve something. Hence, I did not take leave even for a single day,” he says.
He has not used the two-hour monthly permission hours extended by the company and had been punctual to work every day. “We had two days a week as off days for the last few years. And, when I had to attend to personal work, I use to adjust my shift hours with other workers,” he adds.
Having lost his mother at the age of nine and joining work almost at the same age in a local eatery to take care of his brothers and sisters, it is several years of working for Raju. “God has given me good health and there was no necessity to take leave. I find it difficult not going to work now and hence, plan to look out for job again soon,” he adds.
He was an inspiration to the youngsters at work when they saw him get awards every year. “When foreigners used to come to the factory, I was introduced as one of the best workers and when I retired, the Managing Director of Elgi personally wished me,” he says with pride.