They waggle the controls of a four-wheel-drive remote-control car and manoeuvre it over obstacles on a dirt track; they shin up a steep wall; they pull a rope. And, they spend time with children for whom simple acts such as clapping and laughing take great effort.
An annual event with assorted team-building games for corporate groups, Sadya supports a cause. Besides enhancing these professionals' ability to bond with their peers, it helps raise funds for Vidya Sagar, a school for children with cerebral palsy. As it helps people reach out, and, at the same time, have a good time, Sadya is a popular event.
While the first edition had three teams, the ninth, conducted recently at Adventure Zone (a facility for adventure sports and rejuvenation in Maduranthagam run by Major Roy), had 10. The exciting, event-filled sojourn for young corporates at this sylvan setting was capped by a meeting with film director Gautam Menon, who was glad he took the road to Maduranthagam.
He was offered a bouquet by Nagamanjari, a special child. As Rs. 30 lakh was raised, Vidya Sagar can now look to bolster its ongoing projects or start new ones. The gains are not only monetary. Sadya sensitises its participants to the plight of children living in a constricting world.
Turning volunteers
“With an employee of Vidya Sagar included in each team, participants learn how different these children's lives are. After Sadya, many of them take up voluntary work for the school,” says Rohini Ramesh, coordinator, resources, Vidya Sagar.
It is difficult not to be drawn to these affectionate children. In a candid moment, Kalpana of ThinkSoft Global Solutions pecked at the cheek of a little girl in a wheel-chair. Kalpana won the ‘Spirit of Sadya' title for her take on the event — “Because we accommodated everybody, we made more points.”
The teams (Ashok Leyland, Datamark Prodapt, Hindustan Coca Cola, Grundfos Pumps, IVRCL Infrastructure, Odyssey, Royal Images, Scope, ThinkSoft Global Solutions and Vestas Wind Technology) fought tooth and nail, but the competitive spirit evaporated the moment a game ended. The bonhomie among the teams was best illustrated at the end of the tug-of-war event.
After celebrating their victory, members of Gundfos went on to hug members of the team they vanquished. When it lifted the Vidya Sagar Adventure Trophy, Datamark Prodapt had the satisfaction of winning a tournament that was played in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
The trophy for the overall winner, a metal work sculpted by Nandagopal, is the symbol of the volunteering zeal that has brought Sadya so far. Trophies for individual events were made by another Cholamandal artist, Raviram, who is hearing-impaired.
“Vidya Sagar has managed to run Sadya for nine years, because of the support of its volunteers,” says Sathyanarayanan, a corporate trainer.
The faith in the cause shown by the committee, which includes founder Poonam Natarajan, director Rajul Padmanabhan, chairperson Usha Ramakrishnan and treasurer Sankaran Nair, has been an impelling force for these volunteers.
