The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in Chandigarh has turned my neighborhood into a bustling hub of verification and documentation. Seeing the enumerators going about with their job reminds me of the heartwarming story of a remarkable government school teacher.
Though teachers are meant to be in classrooms teaching students, they are often deployed on tedious field assignments that have nothing to do with academics. I first met this young teacher a couple of summers ago, when she visited our sector to compile and update the voters’ list.
We crossed paths again just before the Lok Sabha elections. In the sweltering heat, she went door to door distributing election slips. While most people would understandably show signs of agitation and exhaustion under the scorching Sun, she carried out her assigned task with an enviable enthusiasm, without a trace of irritation. I was amazed by her vibrant spirit, the way she performed her non-teaching electoral duties with pride.
Our next encounter occurred on the polling day. She was stationed near the entrance corridor of the school-turned-polling station. The moment she spotted my husband and me, she rose from her chair, greeted us warmly, and personally escorted us to our designated polling booth. After we cast our votes, she even walked us to the exit gate.
Her official mandate was merely to guide the voters, but the courtesy she extended to us went far beyond the call of duty. I was touched. Intrigued by her persistent positivity, I tried to make small talk. “It’s a grueling duty,” I empathized. “It must be incredibly hard on you.”
With a breezy smile, she replied, “So what, Ma’am? It’s just a matter of a single day.” Her cheerful resilience left me momentarily speechless.
In an environment where many treat a routine official task as an irritant or a burden, her sincerity came as a breath of fresh air. I couldn’t help but muse how often we encounter people who habitually play truant, endlessly procrastinate, and relentlessly complain about their workloads. Yet, here she was: an epitome of dedication, countering the common perception that public servants are rude and inherently apathetic towards the citizens.
We left the polling station feeling good about fulfilling our civic duty as responsible citizens. We were happy with the management and arrangements, but the ultimate feel-good factor that lingered long after the day was over was undeniably that teacher’s attitude. She reaffirmed my belief that courtesy doesn’t just elevate the person who shows it, but uplifts everyone around, imbuing an ordinary day with unexpected joy.
(Published as Middle in The Tribune dated 10 July 2026)
