SUN Fire 2009

D-day has finally arrived and all the dear and near ones in office are packing their bags.

SUN Fire e4900 Server

I didn't know the D-day was today as I happily came to office after a 3 day break. People here were already prepared and had brought their cameras.



Morning session passed away with taking photos at cubicles and group photos in conference rooms. The lunch gang had decided to go to UB city for lunch and the rest of the team members went to Hyderabad Biriyani for the last time together.

All of this started to change suddenly at around 3:30 when I was seriously thinking about leaving home. Ms.Suppu from my old team came to me and said she was leaving. Then one by one went in to the conference room to receive the pink slip.

The most difficult part during the layoff is when you stay back and have to face your friends and acquaintances leaving. Every time you meet some acquaintance, you utter the same "keep in touch and send me your resume". But when it comes to friends, I don't know what to say.

When the news of more and more people fired started to arrive, my face turned bloodless and a sense of grief took over me. I couldn't imagine being in office without those people.

My old team lead Mr.G who recruited me and who then went on to become my good friend got laid off. In fact, whole of his team got wiped off and the work taken back to US. He still hasn't got a job and I'm trying to get him one using my contacts. The saddening part is that his marriage is about to take place in another 10 days.

My lunch gang of 9 people has already lost 3 in the layoffs. Mr.S was a perfect gentleman and has always helped others in spite of being busy. I don't know I'll find anyone like him. Ms.C was D's cousin and was only 2 months old in the company when she got laid off. Mr.D was my manager, lunch gang member and bike trip member. We had traveled to various places together and he has also sponsored many lunches. Pushpa and I met him in a conference room and tears peeked from my eyes while sending him off.

It is 6:30 in the evening now and by this time most of the people have packed everything, cleared their desks and started to leave.I could see few people take their name boards with them, a reminder of good old days. Before leaving we all stood for one final group photo near Srini's cubicle. I've always liked the team for its sense of humor and it prevailed in this final moment as well - Everyone who got fired stood for a group photo and called it "SUN Fire 2009".


-----
Sun Fire is a range of servers from SUN - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Fire