1 November is a special day on Naandi’s annual calendar. It marks Naandi’s anniversary (or birthday!) – a day that sparks a sense of accomplishment, unity, and celebration amongst all employees across India. This year’s Naandi Day called for celebrating 26 years of the organisation’s impact, and amidst the joys of decorating offices, dressing up and cutting cakes, there was much anticipation for the annual gift.
This year’s gift bag was indeed a special one – carefully curated to reflect a particular aspect of Naandi’s work in the agriculture and sustainability space. On the morning of Naandi Day, each of us found on our desks a gift bag with the following contents (see video here):
- A tote bag from Araku Coffee
- A box of delectable chocolates from Manam
- A stainless steel tiffin box set
Beyond loving the practicality of these items, especially the tote bag and tiffin set, we all appreciated the symbolism they carried. The tote bag – our commitment to regenerative agriculture practices and reducing waste. The stainless steel tiffin set – our vision to promote home-cooked, healthy meals. And the box of chocolates – not only a decadent, shareable treat for home or the workplace, but an ode to high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients from artisanal farmers.
As the buzz of the day progressed and excitement about the annual gift spread, another realisation seemed to dawn over us—each of Naandi’s 1980 employees across 21 states had received the same thoughtful gift at the same time! As a logistical feat, this year’s gifting is yet another testament to Naandi’s ability to organise and execute with precision. This brings to mind the scale and care with which Naandi has previously handled initiatives like the Midday Meal scheme and Nanhi Kali kit bags, both of which required meticulous planning to dispatch hot cooked meals and school-going kits across the country to reach countless children.
We want to thank our leadership team for this thoughtful gift, which bridges the gap between the work we do and the lives we lead, offering us a chance to participate personally in the values of good health and sustainability that we champion.
Here’s to another year of milestones, shared values, and impactful work. And here’s to the next Naandi Day—what surprises will it bring?
