GRACE IS FREE... THANK YOU
“Grace
is free, undeserved goodness and favour
of
God to mankind.”
Mathew
Henry
Tragedies
have a strange tendency of uniting us. When they strike, we see in us a
mysterious surge of brotherhood… All of a sudden, extending a little helping-hand
seems natural to us…
Well, I agree if you
think, that I am generalizing this phenomenon… Forgive me for that, Sir.
Exactly a year ago, when
Corona Virus exploded into a Pandemic across the globe, almost all of us were
gripped by fear and uncertainty. Some of us, including myself, didn’t step out
of our doors for months. But, I remember during those initial total- lockdown
days, hundreds of young men and women going out of their way to reach out to
those who were panic-stricken… Some with supply of groceries, some with
medicines, some with a helping hand by coordinating things with hospitals or
graveyards. Here, I am talking about lay people like you and I… Doctors,
Nurses, Police and those on essential services… yes, they remain the true
frontline-warriors of Covid Pandemic…
Now, after a year, when
the much-awaited vaccine has come, it has, also, brought along the same surge
of brotherhood. Many doctors are going out of their way by issuing the mandatory
Morbidity certificates for the suggested age-group… Many young men and women
are seen helping the elderly by registering their names online, taking them to vaccination
centres and bringing them back… At the vaccination centres, the experience is extremely
cordial. My wife and I had chosen RCF Hospital in Chembur (Right behind our residence)
for our vaccination… Everything – entry to exit – was very smooth and, as I
said, extremely cordial. What was
endearing is this: We saw several retired RCF employees doing some volunteering
work. It started from greeting us to sending us off… I am miserably shy of
camera. But, my wife loves it. “Stand here,” she commanded as soon as we got
ourselves poked. In the backdrop, there was this banner which read, “I am
Vaccinated at RCF Hospital”. The moment she commanded, an elderly gentleman sprang
up on the scene, “May I click the picture?”
“How sweet!” I exclaimed,
“Thank you Sir.”
I saw the gentleman
tirelessly and gleefully encouraging shy-ducks like me to get clicked.
The vaccine was free.
During the 30-minutes post-vaccine waiting-period, some other retired RCF
employees were seen encouraging us to have a cup of hot tea and a small packet
of biscuits…
“How sweet!” I kept
telling in my mind…
India has the second-largest
population in the world… And, here we were, so fortunate to be vaccinated – and
treated with such pleasant hospitality – all for free!
Just before we left, the
security guard, who, too, wore an exceptional courtesy-kit, came to us with a book
and a pen… “Sir, aap ka comment ke liye.”
“Amazing experience… Extremely
courteous and caring. Thank you!”
“Thank You” feels too
familiar an expression for grace and mercy of a monumental proportion…
Maybe, we should say it
going down on our knees!
GERALD D’CUNHA
Pic.’s: 1. Unknown Source 2. Unknown Angel (A retired RCF employee)
Video: Carleen Sabin
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