A real life experience of excellence at work...

1. My Hero
Date : 14 Aug 2009
Place : AP Chest Hospital
For this writeup the place is a matter of significance. If this experience of mine would happened in
any of the expected places(do i say private hospitals), this writeup would not be necessary. Coming
to the background of this discussion, i was advised by my doctor to visit this Government hospital to
go for a Swine flu test . As this test is being conducted only at the govt. Hospitals and this being the
nearest, i had no choice but to go to the dreaded govt. Hospital.
Like many, my expectations from a govt. Hospital were very little. I arrived at the place and as
expected found a flock of people trying to get their concerns heard by the one or two who were
manning the entrance. I felt disappointed and foresaw little chance for me being heard to. The
placard pasted also mentioned an advise that suspected symptoms should be attended by normal
medicare for 3 days and then if no improvement happens, then to come down.
Thanks to my wife, when i informed her about this placard, she insisted that i present the doctors
advise and seek an appointment. I chose to give it another try. Luckily, i got my hands on the
admission pass with ease. A mention of the doctors advise was sufficient. No further questions were
asked. As the door boy who was monitoring the distribution of the admission passes mentioned that
it would take 2 hrs for just issued passes, i decided to go out and get some masks(these were very
important to ensure one does not catch/spread the virus).
As the masks were out of stock in the medical shop within the hospital premises i chose to give it a
try outside. The visit to outside lasted almost a hr as they were out of stock in most places. Now, i
am back at the waiting hall. Surpise, the place seems to be very well organised, the initial chaos gave
way to patients being seated in the order of consultation. As i do not know the name of the door boy
let’s refer to him as Mr. X. He’s important from now. He was getting all of them seated in sequence. I
mentioned to him that i went out to get masks. He promptly told he called my name a while ago and
advised to sit next to the person he just called.
I started observing the way in which he was going about having the place in his control and i am sure
there was no set process how to go about doing it. I started feeling more safer. This because the
virus spreads more quickly in crowded places. The moment when i first saw people flocking the
entrance, my first fear was that i could catch the virus even if i did not yet. The place has all
suspected virus infected people. So, the chances are the highest.
He was swift in identifying the seriously ill patients and letting them in immediately and advising the
regulars to the standard line. He was swift in handling the usually troublesome few who always love
to beat the system and get things done their way.
I felt it would be mean of me to not acknowledge his good job. He started a process where there was
none. He excelled where no one expects it. He chose to be different from the system to which he
belonged to. He probably was the sign of change. Traits demonstrated by him need to be celebrated.

2. Probably that was the reason i did not take that much interest in his name. It’s the attributes that
are more important.
Finally i took courage (I am not one with stage fear, but am also not at ease when on stage) and
went up to him, called him to the centre of the hall and started “Dear friends, i would like to take 2
minutes of yours. When i came here, there was chaos. By the time i returned in an hour, this man
took on himself the responsibility to bring calm and order. We all know that the virus spreads faster
in a crowded place. He ensure that we all are seated in a order bringing comfort to all of us. I believe
he has done a tremendous job. Can we have round of applause for him”. A big round or applause
followed. I was happy to see many shared my thoughts about him.
There are so many heroes around us. He probably was one of the latest. I might find the next in
another in the coming days. My acknowledging the “Hero” in him was with a wish. To bring out
more heroes from those who applauded the “Hero” in him. I wish to see more and more of such
individuals more often.