It was a usual business day at Regional Cancer Center, Thiruvananthapuram. Around 2000 patients and 4000 bystanders are spread over in eight floors and even if we take an equal spread, it will be more than 750 people per floor! In this crowd, just like in a festival ground, people keep moving up and down swiftly as if they are in search of some lost article! If you detach yourself and look at this crowd as a third person, it will be an amazing experience.

Busy_Bee_logoIn the meanwhile, I happened to notice a man who was always busy shuttling up and down in the aisle of the OP wards in consistent intervals. Every time he passes, there would be at least 3-4 people along with him discussing their issues and the man keeps giving directions and guidance, of course without stopping  or reducing the speed of his walk. He was in a khaki uniform and had a carelessly worn ID card. Not matching to his short framework, he had a bulging pot belly to show off. However, his dedication to explain details to many hapless people who approached him for help touched you, each time he passed by. Once, for a change, he was alone and I was looking at him from one of the OP entrances. He suddenly noticed me and came near and asked in his typical Trivandrum slang, ‘Do you require some help’? I nodded ‘No’ though failed to cover up my surprise! He passed me without slowing down or wasting his time on me.

My enquiries about him revealed that he hails from the border region and has joined there since long. His positive attitude, simplicity and neighbourhood looks made him accessible to most of the ordinary people even from the lowest strata of the society. Though he looked serious and busy always, he had a sincere ear to listen to the requests and pleads of the people around, who approached him. Common people would not have any inhibitions to reach him to clear their doubts as they always felt that they were interacting with a neighbor. I don’t think the same people would be able to communicate or discuss anything with doctors or other officials as they are afraid of them, thanks to the costume and the aura they all carried with themselves!

He kept himself busy by taking up extra loads of work other than his routine jobs and kept moving up & down in the aisle without any fuss or frustration! To my astonishment, despite his help to all those came near him, he never laughed, smiled at anyone as he was always on the move. He spoke to people looking at either side with his mouth open always while carefully listening and analyzing the issues told to him!

I would never forget this man in my whole of life, who works like a busy bee with a pot belly by keeping on pouring solutions to the perplexed minds!