All Time Soldiers

Over three decades that I have been in the services, my association with urban local bodies has been as long. Having led the Kurukshetra Development Board, Muncipal Council/ Corporation I have always felt awed by the kind of commitment that the lowest strata of work force, the safai karmis display in both peace and emergencies. For me, they are the people of my country with whom none would like to exchange the places or posts; for me they are the workforce that has proven its mettle beyond any shadow of doubt even in testing circumstances and challenging environs; for me they are the pivot around whom the whole system revolves and but for them everything would go haywire; yes, they are the corner stone of our social fabric whose value and worth is known only when the catastrophe befalls and they bear the brunt of putting things back to gear so that all our countrymen living in mohallas and localities, sectors and streets, slums and god forsaken places, roads and pathways can move with pride and safety.

There have been so many instances when I felt mesmerised by their consistency, zeal and enthusiasm to deliver and thus rising upto every occasion. Be it the social gatherings, political rallies, general cleaning and sweeping, garbage collection upto the dumping grounds amidst hazardous conditions or toiling to put flags or sprinkling roads and streets or stadias, they are silent horses at work who perform and none knows their names even. I have seen them work at unearthky hours of night or hot summers, or during downpours to save the areas from flooding and cleaning intensively in the aftermath of stagnant waters of rainy season; I have seen them ensure meticulous arrangements for the Republic Day or Independence day when all the participating children and elders go scot free after littering things, popcorn packs, chips empty packs and polythenes or papers, these soldiers clear them from all nooks and corners and the next day the places look as clean as if no irreponsible act had been done by the educated strata of our society. They are unsung heroes who remain hidden while the work they do is visible to all and sundry.

In this hour of crisis these all time soldiers of Nagar Nigam are contributing their mite everywhere- lifting garbage from the households, sweeping and cleaning roads and streets, sanitising all the areas and ensuring hygenic environs in public quarantine places, shelter homes for the migrant labour and doing their bit still more diligently in the containment areas. The peril to their life and health is immense. The personal protection equipments are there but their task is arduous, unenviable, risky and indeed challenging. They are the soldiers whose spirits are indomitable and high and their commitment to their employer institution indefatigable and sincere. I salute these warriors who are fighting the most gruesome war that our generation had not seen before. In shifts of night, wee hours of morning, late evenings and during the scorching heat of the day time, they work relentlessly to keep intact the whole health and hygiene system. My heart goes out to them because I see them working from close quarters day and night. A small thanks, a word of appreciation and motivation , a bit of recognition is suffice to keep the flame of enthusiasm burning for them.

But are we really sensitive to the truth of onerous task they are shouldering? Are we aware that their number is limited but the task they are doing is gigantic and huge? I feel pained when I receive complaints in tones intimidating and threatening from some irresponsible citizens and I pray: May we learn to boost the morale, to keep these soldiers spirits high, appreciate their ability to work in testing times and work conditions. 

I salute my Nigam force especially the safai karmis, the sanitising team, the spray and sweeping teams, their ASIs, Supervisors, the Chief Sanitary Inspector, the Spray team officers incharge, the garbage collector teams and persons on wheels for the purpose. The officers of all ranks have come together to join hands and help administration without caring for their rank or field. They have stood the test of time and with their sheer grit and guts, diligence and hard work, sincerity and commitment to deliver and perform makes me feel proud as part of the Nagar Nigam, Panchkula team. Our task is marching on and we shall overcome, we sincerely hope and trust.