Heroes on the frontlines

“Ashfaque is one of the most hardworking professionals I've witnessed on the frontlines of the pandemic,” says Mayank, sharing a visual of the former collecting nasal swab samples from a child. “He’s mostly found testing seven days a week at the remotest of corners in New Delhi.”

Ashfaque’s ability to remain kind despite being overworked is one of several reasons that prompt Mayank to pronounce him his 2020 hero. “He pays no heed to the physical and mental stress associated with his job, and still manages to greet you with a big smile.”

“Vinith anna is my 2020 hero,” says Deepika, referring to Mr. Vinith, a door-to-door COVID-19 surveyor from the Greater Chennai Corporation. Another health professional braving the threat of the virus at the forefront of the pandemic, Mr. Vinith surveyed the temperatures of about 150-300 houses around Deepika’s locality. 

“Of course, it's his duty as a surveyor to inspect us, but it’s his untiring warmth and care which inspires me,” adds Deepika, taking the opportunity to encourage and thank Mr. Vinith.

"My hero is my Chitti, who in these tough times goes to work to save lives,” says Krithika, celebrating her aunt’s work as a health professional. “She has worked at the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital for several years but says she has never seen anything like COVID-19.

Now, she works as a frontline worker in the COVID ward,” Krithika adds, shedding light on Mageshwari’s routine of working for 14 days, taking one week off to quarantine, continuing to work again.

“My respect for her grew even more after watching her working during the COVID period. She didn’t miss a single day of work. I can’t imagine the amount of courage and determination it must have taken for her to go to the hospital every day. She made our family very proud. She is my 2020 hero. I love you Chitti!"

"Workers from Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs), Aanganwadi and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) come for house-to-house health surveys. Their reports constitute the base on which the government's public health response is based,” says Tarun, wondering how they continue to maintain their energy despite receiving adequate income.

“These days, they’re also trying to convince the govt to support needy families in the containment zone with essential goods."

"Kong Sarita proudly tells me that our locality has worked hard to get quarantine provisions so that working-class quarantined homes don't feel the pinch and don't feel isolated."

Tarun proudly calls them his heroes for the selfless service they do.

"My 2020 hero is my dad,” says Rachana. “He’s a cardiologist and I’ve always admired his dedication to his profession, but my respect grew even more after watching him during the pandemic.”

Rachana’s dad is one of the numerous health professionals who undertook significant responsibilities by continuing to work during the pandemic. “Given the situation at the time, I can't begin to imagine the amount of courage and determination it would have taken for him to go out there every day.

Challenges did come his way, but he managed to overcome them. He inspired me to stay positive and strong during these testing times. He's my hero."

"மருத்துவர் அகிலன். அவர் அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் பணியாற்றி வந்தார். அவருக்கு 2 வயது குழந்தை ஒன்று உள்ளது" என்கிறார் ஜெயஸ்ரீ. "Dr. Akhilan works in a government hospital and he has a two-year old child," says Jayasree.

"அவர் இந்த ஊரடங்கு அறிவித்த மார்ச் 24 ஆம் நாள் முதல் மருத்துவமனையில் தங்கி பணியாற்றி வந்தார். அவர் தனது முழு நேரப் பணியாக நோயாளிகளை குணப்படுத்துவதில் தான் கவனம் செலுத்தினார். தன்னை நம்பி வந்த கொரோணா நோயாளிகளை முழுமையாக குணப்படுத்த வேண்டும் என்று எண்ணினார். அவர் தனது 2 வயது குழந்தை மற்றும் தனது குடும்பத்தினரைப் பற்றி யோசிக்ககூட அவருக்கு நேரம் இல்லை. இந்நிலையில் மூன்று மாதங்களுக்கு பிறகு அவர் தனது வீட்டிற்கு வந்தார்.

ஆனால் அவர் வந்ததோ இன்பச் செய்தியுடன் அல்ல. அவர் கொரோனாவால் அவதிப்பட்டு வீட்டிற்கு வந்தார். தொடர்ந்து அவர் தன்னைத் தானே தனிமைப்படுத்திக் கொண்டு மீண்டு எழுந்தார். பிறகு இரண்டு மாதங்களுக்கு பின் அவர் முழுமையாக குணமடைந்து மீண்டும் தனது சேவைக்குத் திரும்பினார்.

இவரை கண்டு நான் மனம் நெகிழ்ந்தேன். இவரே எனது கதாநாயகன்."

Ever since the lockdown came into effect, Dr. Akhilan began to stay back at the hospital to treat patients affected by COVID-19. Determined to completely cure his patients, he could barely spare time to spend with his 2-year-old child or his family.

Three months later, he was affected by the coronavirus. It was only then that he finally went home and isolated himself. It took him two months to make a full recovery, and as soon as he was medically fit, he was back to work.

Moved and inspired by the doctor, Jayasree names him her hero of 2020.