How Is IT - 2

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!!