Chandigarh’s real faces of humanity

As I set foot in Chandigarh, the city beautiful, I was mesmerised by its charm—the wide roads, well-planned sectors, majestic tree-lined avenues, and an unpolluted environment. I had always imagined that the people here would be equally warm and welcoming. Yet, reality seemed otherwise.

During my earlier postings to Chandigarh, I had lived in flats where neighbours shared a sense of camaraderie. At the time of need, doors were always open, and support flowed naturally. But in Chandigarh, the so-called kothi culture felt isolating. People preferred to remain behind their gates, and the warmth of neighbourly bonds was absent.

My perception hardened during the second Covid wave in 2022. My entire family was afflicted and forced into isolation. Not a single neighbour asked after our well-being or sent food. Fear ruled, and even our maid was asked not to visit us, lest she “carry the virus” to others. In contrast, I read of cities where people left meals outside sick neighbours’ homes or ran errands for them.

In this silence, unexpected compassion emerged, not from the higher echelons of society— but the frontline workers who came to collect our waste. A special van was assigned for Covid homes, and the workers performed their duty with diligence and kindness. They handed us special bags, offered reassuring words, and treated us with dignity. One driver, an educated man, told me he volunteered simply to serve society. His smile and blessing for my recovery remain etched in my heart. As someone once said, “Frontline workers are soldiers without uniforms, waging daily battles for humanity.”

That day, I realised that true humanity in Chandigarh resided not in gated houses, but in the selfless hearts of these angels in disguise.

Dr Preeti Talwar, Chandigarh