A
new day and a new week started for me with the ring of alarm clock at
6:00 AM on Monday morning. Though I was excited to go to office and
live my passion of being IT professional, sleep was dearer for me,
specially it being the month of December. So, as another part of
routine, I snoozed the alarm for 5 min and continued on the trail of
sleepy eyes. Finally the 5 min went by in less than a minute and I
pushed myself out of the bed.
Following
the daily routine I took bath and got ready with neatly ironed
clothes. In the mean time I got a call from cab driver that he was
reaching my house in next 5 min. Then swiftly I wore spectacles. Slid
the phones, wallet, handkerchief and keys in the pocket. Then wore
the ID card and started off for the day. I always prefer to climb
down 3 floors, especially in morning hours.This doesn't disturb the
peace of the morning time by loud noise of the lift and also gives a
good kick start for the day.
As
I gazed out of the window in the passage, I could see the cab waiting
in front of the gate of my apartment. I quickly reached ground floor
in a few seconds and got into the back seat of the car, while
greeting the driver with a “Good Morning” as per daily routine.
As I got into the cab, I casually gazed at the window of the passage
of my floor and I saw my mom in there looking at me with a smile on
her face. I waved my hand to her and the cab started moving.
Though
the cab caught up on the road my mind was still left behind at the
sight of my mom looking at me with her eyes filled with pride. The
daily routine of going to office by the company paid cab meant a lot
to my mom. Maybe it meant as a sign of my success for her.
In
fact it wasn't just my mom. My dad has one uncle, a man in 80's who
spent his whole life working very hard and barely saving enough for a
two room budget-flat in
outskirts of Pune. When I go to visit him, almost every time he asks
me if the cab comes and picks me up from the doorsteps. Each time he
feels good and proud to hear the “Yes”. For a man like him who is
going all over on a cycle or in the bus till date, its almost like a
dream that company sends a cab for pick up each day.
Many
thoughts were gushing through my mind. Is it really so distinguishing
to be going in a company-paid vehicle? Am I doing something really
worth of this luxury? Certainly there are people in other professions
who must be working much harder than me and are getting paid much
lesser. This disparity in society disturbs me. The huge, plush
offices of IT companies, the huge cafeterias, well dressed people
going here and there is like a different world for the people
outside. But this is the routine for people like us.
Many
people in IT, even many joining newly, seem to swell due to the way
other people look up at them. And that’s the point of caution. One
should never forget that the luxury and big monthly credits in bank
account that we get are based on the simple principle of demand and
supply. Otherwise there isn't any difference which distinguishes
people in IT. Being rooted to the ground while flying high is very
important.
“Sir,
please sign this paper” driver was handing over the trip sheet to
me for signature as cab was entering the premises of my office. I
signed it and gave it back to him. After thanking him, I went to lift lobby and waited for the list to come. Another hectic but still
enjoyable work day in IT was about to begin. That's how IT is!!
