Tea Kadai conversations – Episode 15

 

May 1st being Labour Day, the housekeeping staff and horticulture team in our Ashiana community had a holiday. However, for the security personnel and the kitchen/dining staff, it was business as usual since their roles fall under essential services for running a senior living community. I assume they would be given a compensatory off or overtime, though I’m not entirely sure.

Early this morning, we were lucky to have a slight drizzle accompanied by cool winds. It made my regular morning walk especially pleasant, and I noticed many residents enjoying the weather just as much as I did. At the tea kadai yesterday evening, an interesting (and slightly scary) story came up. Apparently, a snake had entered Senthil’s scooter, and he rode around for quite some time without realizing it. Only when the snake peeked out near the handlebar did he become aware of it! He tried to get it out, but each time he attempted, the snake slithered back inside. Eventually, he drove back into the community and made another attempt, this time successfully removing it. I’m not sure whether it was poisonous or not, but the thought of a snake so close to your hands while driving is quite unsettling.

Another topic that everyone is talking about is a reported robbery in one of the flats. An elderly lady is said to have lost her gold chain and diamond earrings, and a police complaint has been filed. The culprit has not yet been identified. Interestingly, a similar incident happened about a year ago, which later turned out to be a case of misplaced jewellery rather than theft. Given that the lady is around 80 years old, it is possible that this could be a similar situation, as age-related forgetfulness cannot be ruled out. However, it’s best to wait for the police investigation to conclude before forming any opinions.

Today, the tea shop remained closed, which meant no tea or snacks for the regular evening crowd. Yet that did not stop us from gathering in front of the shuttered shop, spending time together and chatting away as usual. Sometimes, it is not the tea that matters most, but the companionship that brings people together.

This was the third consecutive day that the tea kadai had not opened. The reason given by the owner was that two workers from his flourishing main shop at Maraimalainagar had taken leave, and the staff from our little tea shop had been sent there to manage operations. We were told that hopefully by tomorrow or the day after, our tea kadai would once again spring back to life. The residents of Ashiana are eagerly waiting for that moment.

We also had a new face joining our informal gathering today — Mr. Shankaran, an ex-banker from Canara Bank, who moved into the community on the 1st of May. As always, it did not take long for him to become part of the lively discussions that naturally flow within our group.

And then came the fourth consecutive day without the tea shop opening. But once again, the absence of tea did not prevent the regulars from assembling and spending time discussing happenings within the community and around the world. The main topic of conversation today was the counting of votes for the recently concluded Tamil Nadu elections.

The discussions grew animated as results showed actor Vijay’s party, TVK, performing strongly and eventually securing 107 seats. Both the DMK and AIADMK did not fare particularly well, and many felt that the people of Tamil Nadu were looking for a change from decades of Dravidian politics. Though TVK still requires around 12 more seats to achieve a majority in the Assembly, there was widespread speculation that support from others could help the party form the government.

For many of us seniors, the political developments brought back memories of another actor-turned-politician MGR. Comparisons between Vijay and MGR became the highlight of the evening discussions, with people pointing out several similarities between their journeys from cinema into politics. Social media too has been flooded with memes and comparisons.

Naturally, the conversations then wandered further, with some jokingly speculating that actress Trisha might one day enter politics and perhaps even become the future Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, drawing parallels with the late Dr. Jayalalithaa and her association with MGR.

Well, we seniors may not have much else to do in the evenings, but these conversations, speculations, debates, and laughter keep our days lively and interesting. After all, life does go on.

 

Tea Kadai conversations Episode 13

 

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has, perhaps unexpectedly, begun to ripple into the daily lives of seniors within our community. One of the most widely discussed concerns across various WhatsApp groups is the reduced menu at the community dining halls. With a shortage of cooking gas, meals are now being prepared using firewood—an arrangement that is both limiting and physically demanding for the kitchen staff.

Naturally, comparisons have emerged. Residents frequently share menus from other senior living communities around Chennai, often questioning why we cannot offer similar options. However, it is worth pausing to consider that these published menus may not always reflect the ground reality—especially in times when gas supply constraints affect many communities alike.

 

 

 

There is an old saying: “The grass is always greener on the other side.” It is easy to assume that others are better off, until one steps across and discovers that challenges exist everywhere. Many long-term residents here have never experienced such shortages before, and few could have anticipated that a distant geopolitical conflict would impact something as fundamental as our daily meals.

 

 

 In a separate incident that became the subject of much discussion at the local tea kadai, concerns were raised about emergency response systems within the community. A senior resident reportedly fell in her bedroom at around 3 a.m. and was unable to alert her husband, who was sleeping in another room. It was only around 5:30 a.m. that he discovered her, by which time she had been lying unattended for hours. In distress, he contacted the help desk requesting cleaning assistance rather than medical support. Unfortunately, the urgency of the situation was not fully communicated, and the response was delayed.

It later emerged that the couple, being relatively new tenants, were unaware of the emergency alarm systems installed in their home. While this was a deeply unfortunate situation, it also highlights the importance of awareness and orientation for all residents—especially those new to the community. Misunderstandings, coupled with incomplete information, led to strong reactions and criticism circulating in resident groups, much of it based on second- or third-hand accounts.

More broadly, this episode reflects a deeper issue within the community. Despite shared challenges, there appears to be limited unity among residents when engaging with the service provider. Concerns regarding rising maintenance costs, reduced food quality, and inconsistent communication have been raised repeatedly by the residents’ association, often without satisfactory responses. This lack of transparency has led to growing frustration and a sense that decisions are being made unilaterally.

In many ways, residents feel they are left to cope with circumstances beyond their control—whether it is global supply disruptions or local administrative shortcomings. Yet, as always, life continues. Conversations ebb and flow, concerns are aired and debated, and by evening, discussions return once again to the familiar setting of the tea kadai, where life, in all its complexity, carries on.

 

 

 

 

Tea Kadai conversations Episode 12

 

 As the war in the Middle East continues unabated, its effects are being felt even within our community, gradually disrupting everyday life. The rising strain on the money market and the shortage of cooking gas have significantly impacted the functioning of the community kitchen. In response, firewood is now being used as an alternative fuel, with stoves set up outside the kitchen. This, however, exposes the cooks to intense heat, making working conditions extremely challenging.

Yesterday, on April 2nd, eight members of the kitchen staff collected their salaries and left without prior notice, unable to cope with the harsh conditions of cooking over open firewood. Their sudden departure has placed immense pressure on both the management and the remaining canteen staff. Despite this unexpected loss of manpower, the team displayed remarkable resilience by ensuring that breakfast and lunch were prepared and served on time.

Amidst these challenges, we had the opportunity to spend some meaningful time at our tea kadai with a Danish couple of Indian/Sri Lankan origin. The wife, a Malayali/Tamil from Mumbai, and the husband, originally from Jaffna, have been settled in Denmark for over four decades. They are currently here to oversee interior work for a one-bedroom flat in Phase 5 of the community, where the wife’s mother will soon relocate. Conversations with them brought a refreshing human connection amidst the ongoing tensions.

Another issue that stirred discussion was the suspension of shuttle services for residents who have not paid their maintenance charges. An acquaintance of ours reportedly created a scene with the management over this matter, which escalated to the point of a police complaint being filed. Incidents like these reflect the heightened stress and friction within the community.

On a lighter, more thought-provoking note, there was an interesting discussion about a coconut tree climber from Kerala/Karnataka. He reportedly charges ₹100 plus five coconuts per tree for his services and climbs up to 100 trees a day. While the calculations of his earnings—running into lacs of rupees per month—may be somewhat idealized, the story underscores an important lesson. Even seemingly modest professions, when carried out skillfully and consistently, can provide substantial income. The broader takeaway is clear: no work is insignificant. With dedication, discipline, and the absence of ego, any profession can be both dignified and rewarding. Ultimately, working for oneself, with purpose and integrity, can often be more fulfilling than conventional career paths.