After 35 years of service, 58-year-old Paramasivam retired from his post as the Karur collector's driver on April 30. He had driven multiple cars for over eight collectors and several other bureaucrats over the last three decades. But on that day, the roles were set to be reversed.
Karur Collector T Anbazhagan, who had taken charge of the district in March, announced at the retirement ceremony of the driver that on his last day, the bureaucrat will be driving him home. The driver first protested but eventually gave in when the collector insisted. He stepped into the rear seat, even as the bureaucrat took the wheel.
"I was completely shocked when the collector announced this. I never thought something like this will happen to me," says Paramasivam. "To know that my role was acknowledged and appreciated is very gratifying," he adds.
The collector drove Paramasivam and his family to their residence in Gandhigramam which is 5km from the Collectorate. The collector then sat down to share tea with the driver and his family as they chatted about his service.
Speaking with TNM, Anbazhagan says the difficulties of being a driver for a bureaucrat are often unnoticed.
"Their service is really selfless. If a collector works 16 hours a day, they work 18 hours. They have to get ready before the bureaucrat and reach home much later. Plus, they need to be alert all the time. Our life is in their hands," says the collector. "I wanted to honour him for his service of 33 years. And after having driven so many bureaucrats around, it was our turn to drive him home," he adds.
Paramasivam describes the moment as highly emotional and one that he will never forget.
"I am proud of the fact that I have done my bit for my state," he says.