The first two photos of the wall under construction in our farm and the third of the condition of the remnant of the existing wall, which too would need rebuilding, tell me a story of thirty years. This part of the standing wall was built thirty years ago; but the wall under rebuilding was built only five years ago. During the first monsoon one portion caved in (fourth photo) and during the subsequent two monsoons two more portions caved in, forcing us to rebuild. The life of a wall can go upto fifty years.
Having watched the rebuilding process, I discovered, that three things are important-foundation, the way the stones are piled one on top of the other guided by the science of equal weight distribution and the larger stones on the bottom to bear the weight of the wall.
I noticed the art of building is that the spaces between stones are obliterated by packing them with small stones to give support for the big stones.
It was this which was not well done in the wall that was built five years ago.
The small stones support the big stones in a wall.
It is while watching this process, it made me even more aware of the importance of all those who work in the supporting roles in our places of work.
At 8.30 am in the morning and at 5 pm I watch the supporting staff near the punching station, arriving for work and leaving the hospital after the day's work. They are critical people who keep the health work service efficient and effective.
A maintenance staff told me that he comes to check the generator five times during his shift, which provides electricity when the main power supply trips. Even on a demanding day, he does it three times during a shift. I have noticed that the supply of power is restored in few seconds when the main power source trips.
He is 'smaller' in stature and profile than the the front line workers in a hospital team. But he maintains the power supply. A 'smaller' person in a significant role!
I asked myself, 'how much I show kindness and express appreciation towards the supporting staff' who keep the rest of the work fully functional by their strategic roles, which are often subsumed by the more impressive tasks others do !
The smaller stones keep the bigger stones in place in a wall!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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