I used to think Kolkata is not a place of work ethics. It felt like the only time when one can see an overflowing of dedicated work is during the Durga Puja, or in the beautiful artistic show-off world of the Kolkata Marwaris.
Recently I am came across an example of dedicated dependable yet understated service that is so inspiring.
He works for a pathology clinic. If you ring him up, he will come to your home to collect blood samples for the blood test that your doctor has prescribed. His name is Tapan. The charges for this at-home blood-collection service depends on which part of the city you are in. Where we stay, in Hastings at the banks of the river, it costs Rs. 250/- or so (in addition to the blood test charges itself). For Salt Lake, the rate is something like Rs. 500/- if I remember what Tapan Da told me right.
Tapan Da’s dependability is exemplary. My family has experienced it again and again. Say you ring him up on a Tuesday evening, his Wednesday schedule is full and he says he will come on Thursday morning at 9. Since he said so, he will be there on Thursday morning. You do not need to call him again.
This might seem like but-obvious for someone who lives in cultures where such dependable service is the norm. For a Kolkata service provider, this admirable. If I have come across one such person, I am sure there are other such examples in Kolkata too. Thanks to him, Kolkata is not a place of shoddy service in my eyes anymore. It is simply that some provide good service, some do not. It is possible to provide service at the level you want wherever you are.
If you call Tapan Da on a Saturday evening, requesting him to come on Sunday morning, often that works too. Four other people are also employed by this clinic for similar at-home service, but it seems Tapan is very popular. Once he starts going to a house, people prefer him to come, rather than any of the others. The routine act of drawing blood from a person’s vein is also a skill to mastered, else it is possible to rupture the vein and cause a blue arm that lasts for up to a month. At our place, he is the but-obvious go-to point for all blood test requirements. Seeing him come so often, my 7 year old niece was also able to overcome her fears and give her blood for testing. Yes, her brother had to sit beside her for moral support. ЁЯЩВ
His ability to show up as promised is despite the fact that his day is often full with many visits scheduled across the city, which he fulfills zipping around on his motor bike. Unlike many at-home service providers who seem grimy, he presents himself in professional clean garb that feels respectable. Of course the sweat and grime of the city is not selective towards him. Nevertheless.
His service is a thing to be experienced. There is nothing flashy about it but I was impressed enough to write to you about it. For it quietly grows on you.
Vani, nice to read something nice about Kolkata. In fact in my opinion not only the city but its residents are lovely and nice people who have been maligned for misdeeds of a few. Thanks!