A recent Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has turned a neighbourhood into a bustling hub of voter verification, reminding one resident of a government schoolteacher whose courtesy far exceeded her official duties.
A Teacher's Unexpected Role
Though teachers are meant to be in classrooms, they are often deployed for field assignments unrelated to academics. The writer first met this young teacher two summers ago when she visited the locality to compile and update the voter list.
They crossed paths again just before the Lok Sabha elections. Amid sweltering heat, she went door to door distributing election slips. While most people would show agitation and exhaustion, she carried out her task with enviable enthusiasm, without a trace of irritation.
Polling Day Gestures
On polling day, she was stationed near the entrance of the school-turned-polling station. The moment she spotted the writer and her husband, she rose from her chair, greeted them warmly, and escorted them to their designated booth. After they cast their votes, she walked them to the exit gate.
Her official mandate was merely to guide voters, but the courtesy she extended went far beyond the call of duty. Intrigued by her persistent positivity, the writer made small talk, remarking, "It's a gruelling duty. 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."
A Breath of Fresh Air
Her cheerful resilience left the writer speechless. In an environment where many treat routine tasks as irritants or burdens, her sincerity came as a breath of fresh air. The writer noted how often people play truant, procrastinate, and complain about their workload, yet here was an epitome of dedication countering the perception that public servants are rude or apathetic.
The writer left the polling station feeling good about fulfilling civic duty. The ultimate feel-good factor that lingered was undeniably that teacher's attitude. She reaffirmed the belief that courtesy doesn't just elevate the person who shows it, but uplifts everyone around, imbuing an ordinary day with unexpected joy.
