They serve with a smile

Mona

Diwali is all about meeting and greeting dear ones, decorating the house, sharing love and sweets with the family. But do you realise there are many who give up this joy of togetherness to make your Diwali a smooth affair? Meet some of those who will toil on the Diwali night for your safety.

On call

Mandeep Singh Mallhi would be on call 24 hours on Diwali and with his family back in Barnala, he has no qualms about skipping special time with loved ones. “My family takes as much pride as I do that I am serving the nation,” opens up this constable posted in Mohali. “My priority is to make sure everyone gets to have a good time and stays safe.” This year, the onus of ensuring a green Diwali falls on the shoulders of cops too! But if you think that’s going to dampen the spirits, you are wrong. New clothes on Diwali are a must and Mandeep Singh’s new uniform is already in.

Watch out

Security supervisor Surinder Kumar has spent many a Diwali night on the job and has made peace with the fact. “The rest of the staff and hotel guests are family too,” says Surinder, who has to be extra-vigilant on special occasions. He will be handling a team of 30 men to ensure all goes well

Loyal affair

Many festivals have come and gone, but Kavita Malhotra has remained loyal to her job. A pharmacist in Government Multispeciality Hospital, Sector 16, she will be on duty till about 8 pm. “Sincerity towards one’s job is of utmost significance,” says this pharmacist, who is glad that over the years, considering the importance of her job, her family has been very supportive. “I live in a joint family. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law take care of the puja rituals, and I join in later. All this is not possible without family support. And after so many years (26 years to be precise), even the family understands the nature of work,” says Kavita, who spent the last Karwa Chauth night on duty!

Service first

Dr Atul Kumar will be on night duty this time. He has already conveyed the same to his mother in Mustafabad, Yamunanagar, who insists that he is home every year. “When I chose this profession, I had already put service before me,” says the young doctor, who finds a family away from home at JP Hospital and looks forward to their smiles.

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