Humans of Purva

Today, we celebrate the incredible journey of Sreedevi P, a true inspiration for women. Sreedevi, Manager, Contracts at Puravankara, shares her story...

“My work is my passion, and it has always kept me content. Discipline, punctuality and balance have played a big role not only in my career but also in my personal life.”

Sreedevi gets her inspiration from her mother, who believes that one should spend time on their passion, which will fetch happiness.

Her husband and two daughters have been her strong support system.

About Sreedevi

Sreedevi is a civil engineer. She has been with Puravankara Ltd for 18 years.

Reaching for the stars

My great-grandfather migrated to Chennai from Andhra Pradesh, and we have called this city our home since. I was the youngest among my 5 siblings – two sisters and two brothers. And believe me, we were a handful.

I still remember how, one day after school, my brother took me to My Dear Kuttichaathan (the first 3-D movie in India). The characters on the screen came alive; it was magical. And the 11-year-old me, and the present me are grateful to my brother for an experience I will always cherish.

My father was a cloth merchant who started his business at 17, and my mother was a homemaker. They worked their fingers to the bones to protect us from challenges and gift us a happy childhood. Though they are no more, they still live through their wise words, words that have guided me all my life and words that I pass on to my children.

I was one of the first women in my family to have a job, and I take that responsibility very seriously. It’s been 20+ years since my career began, and I have never taken a day for granted. All I want is to keep working hard, make the world a little kinder and for my children to aim for the stars.

About Geetha G.

Geetha is a Senior Executive, Purchase at Puravankara Limited. Through 14 years of diligent service, she has inspired us all with her work ethic and commitment to getting the job done.

Life is an adventure

“I grew up in the quiet town of Kurnool, away from the bustling city landscapes.

I had built a world beyond my school by finding my passion for cricket. During all those months spent in NCC and cricket camps, life was one adventure after the other. My classmates would listen in rapt attention as I unpacked my stories; it was an incredible feeling.

The wise words of my teacher, my mentor, kept me grounded and helped me focus on what was important.

From very early on, I knew I would not limit myself, work hard and follow my heart. I was fortunate to have a family who supported me in my journey – through my wins and falls – big or small.

My father has preserved all the newspaper clips from when I was featured for winning college competitions. Even today, he shows off that scrapbook to everyone and beams with pride.

Every time I visit home, I see the happiness in my father’s eyes and the unwavering faith in me – that is enough for me to keep going in life and succeed.”

About Siva M Krishna

Siva is a General Manager of Sales in Puravankara Limited. Through his relentless pursuit to do better and be a strong anchor for his colleagues, Siva has been an asset to the company for almost 8 years.

Live in the moment!

“Live in the moment!” Thilaka exclaims with a sparkle in her eyes.

“I used to obsess about the future. But life is unpredictable, and if we don’t count on our blessings today, we might miss out on them.

My mother taught me that, like most things in life. She is my anchor– even today.

Growing up with two sisters, we didn’t have much as a family - a regressive belief that women don’t need higher education and a desperation to make ends meet. I loved to learn, and my mother knew this. She fought the toughest battle of her life to watch me earn my degree, the first in generations.

I don’t know where I would be without her. Everything good in me is her.Today, I never turn my back on someone struggling; I never go back on my word.

My mother didn’t have a formal education. She learnt to read from the creased books that my father brought home and picked up math from her tailoring shop.

On cloudy days when I don’t feel strong enough, I think of her, and I feel like I can take on anything.

At 76, she is a ray of sunshine for my daughters. She insists on doing her chores on her own. When I check in with her, she quips with a smile – “Kayi kaalu ulla varekyum naan pannaren.” (I will do it as long as my hands and legs let me)

Thilakavathi S. is the Dy. General Manager, Finance, Puravankara Limited. Every day, she brings the same infectious energy and strong ethic to Puravankara that she did 17 years ago.

Ask Samuel

“Some of the best memories from my childhood were created outside the classroom. I would spend hours playing with my friends and exploring the world around me. Back then, we felt invincible.

We were a family of nine. Our parents always tried to shield us from hardships and instilled this unshakable belief that – ‘Ellaam seriaidum (everything gets better).’

I stood by that- while juggling odd jobs in my early twenties and through the loss of my beloved parents.

In 1998, I came across a job for an administrative role in a real estate company. I promptly took it up and have not looked back since.

When I became a father, I vowed to build a better life for my children. The sky is the limit for their aspirations. While they don’t need my advice (as they often remind me), I always tell them – ellaroidum anbaga irukkanam (be kind to everyone).”

A misty-eyed Samuel concludes, “I am grateful for the life I have; my family has never gone to bed without a meal. And in a job that has given me so many things, I have made friends for life.”

Samuel D. is an administrative assistant at Puravankara Limited. Through 23 years of dedicated service, he has become an invaluable presence in the Purva family.

Ask Samuel if you need to get a job done well.

A world of kindness

“Chin up and keep moving forward,” says Sudhakar as he fondly thinks of his son and the future.

“My brother and I were raised in a home that brimmed with love and acceptance.

Amma was a gentle soul. Appa, a former IPS officer, was a man of principle and led by example. Anyone who approached him with hardship was immediately met with kindness.

There wasn’t a challenge that could wear down the smile of my old man.

He always encouraged us to be ready for an adventure. I carried that spirit with me, especially in college. Right from national-level tennis tournaments to NCC, it was an absolute thrill.

While it wasn’t a renowned institute, that place had a heart- genuinely kind peers and professors. It was life-changing. I still visit my alma mater every year on Republic Day.

It is a pleasant reminder that life becomes easier when you surround yourself with compassionate people. It has kept me going, and I hope the same for my son.”

About Sudhakar

Sudhakar M. D. is the Senior General Manager of Operations in Puravankara Limited. He often jovially remarks that he was destined to work here because he and the company were born in 1975. Throughout his 17 years of service, Sudhakar has been a constant smiling presence and our anchor.

Two Worlds

“My parents migrated from Lahore during the partition. They had to build everything from the ground up.

My father took charge of my uncle’s business in Kerala. Sikka Saheb – that’s what he was known as.

He was an honest man, dedicated to his wife and 6 children. All his life, he tried to give us a life that he could never dream of.

I often think of the time when my father took us all to Chalakudy dam in his shiny, white ambassador car. My mother had packed delicious biriyani.We would jump into the icy waters and come running back to mummy and her warm biriyani. Nothing comes close to the happiness that we felt then.

Our childhood wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, the inherent differences in culture made it difficult, especially back then, to get along or make friendships. But I am grateful that I had my siblings by my side, especially my didi. We were each other’s rock.

When I grew up, I promised myself that I would never let my past hold me back. And with faith as my anchor, I believe that I can overcome anything. I come from two worlds - one where an immigrant family had to rebuild themselves, and the other of a little girl who never gave up.”

About Sapna Sikka

Sapna Sikka is a Deputy Manager for Guest Relations and Administration at Puravankara Limited. Through 16+ years of service, Sapna has thrived in her role and is a trusted colleague and friend for many.

Sridhar's eyes light up as he fondly remembers his daughter.

"She is the centre of my universe."

"Ours was a quiet town in Kurnool, chipped away from the buzzing cityscapes.
I was not the brightest student in school or college. I was content in my little comfort bubble and rarely strayed away from it.
I often joke that 8-year-old Sridhar would not recognise whom I have become today – adventurous and a man who speaks his heart.
I invested in myself, worked hard, poured myself into my career and transformed myself for the better.

And in 2015 – a miracle happened.

My daughter was born.

Everything I have and everything I do is for my ray of sunshine. I always tell her, "Make your way in this world. Never change or depend on anyone for your happiness."

They say that having a child changes your world.”

He pauses and smiles, "They do, in the best way possible."

Sridharanand E. is the Dy. General Manager of Sales, Provident Housing Limited. Through 8 years of dedicated service, we have seen Sridhar nurture his skills and transform into an invaluable asset to the company. His journey has been an inspiration to us all.

“My greatest strength is my family.”

“From a young age, my father taught me that there was no substitute for hard work. My brothers and I would help him out in his garage.

The satisfaction at the end of an honest day’s labour – that’s something else entirely.

At 26, I joined Puravankara as a chauffeur for the Chairman. Honestly, I always saw myself working at a factory and did not think I would work as a driver or a personal aide.

That’s when a friend told me– “No job is big or small; I should take pride in what I do. This is an opportunity to grow.” His words stayed with me. Soon, I was entrusted with a different and bigger role.

Growing up, many people in our lives told us that our family won’t make it and that we would end up on the streets. Today, my siblings and I have carved a name for ourselves and secured our family’s future. We all live together - my brothers and I, our wives, children, grandchildren, and my mother, and we couldn’t be happier.

In the end, it all works out, as long as we have our loved ones by our side.”

About Denzil Fernandez

Denzil Fernandez is the Dy. General Manager of Facilities, Puravankara Limited. Denzil’s resolve to find happiness and success against all odds has made him invaluable to the company. Over the last 32 years, Denzil has gone out of his way to make the people around him feel supported because, in his own words – “that’s how you treat family.”