Coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Keerthi Jalli tied rakhi on the wrists of safai karmis (cleaners) at SM Dev Civil Hospital in Silchar, Assam as a gesture of honour towards the safai karmis engaged in the fight against the highly contagious disease. 

Expressing her heartfelt gratitude and indebtedness to the corona warriors, Jalli said, “Despite the social stigma attached and fear of being infected, the safai karmis have extended yeoman service to the corona patients, which is unparalleled and exemplary.”

Rongmai, one of the safai karmis, narrated how before joining the job he was very much scared, as some of them by then turned out to be corona positive. But, when they started working the fear evaporated as ‘we realised what we are doing is for the greater and noble cause of the suffering humanity.’

He went on to add, “When patients come for admission, they come befuddled and confused and in the grip of fear…we try to make them comfortable while they stay. When they get discharged they return with smiles on their faces. Seeing their happiness writ large on their faces gives us immense satisfaction.”

Joint Director of Health Services, Dr. SJ Das, i/c SM Dev Civil Hospital, Dr. Jiten Singh Hazari, Nodal Officer, Dr. Rajat Deb, DPM, Rahul Ghose,  DME, Suman Choudhury, Hospital Administrator, Hasina Ferdose and others were also present on the momentous occasion.