The UnSung Heroes

As a little kid, i used to to admire civil servants. From postmen, to nurses, to garbage collectors and even firemen. And as a child, i used to think that when i grow up someday, i would want to be one of them. Before you judge me for my low asspiration in life, the fact of the matter is that every child goes through that phase. It's called innocence. Right after their parents, people who seem to be important to ensure that our daily lives remain functional are the heroes. It is not naive, nor is it childish. It makes perfect sense, and we as adults often forget to acknowledge it. 

As children grow older, we always insinuate ambitions like being a doctor, engineer, lawyer, architect or a leader. No parents would encourage their children to choose a path to be of service to mankind. Simply because it is a humbling occupation, not to mention the peanuts these people get paid. We never thank the nurses or the "amahs" (bed-pan collectors) in hospitals, we never look up to the cleaners who keep our nostrils unblocked by pungent odor. We don't think about the people who labor at the factory to sew us clothes and weave the cloth, but we rave over the brilliance of designers. We don't look up to the grease sodden contractors who work 16 hours a day building our homes and cities. But we look up to the engineers and architects who overlook the technical and artsy fartsy parts of the process. 

No doubt all these professionals are needed to build a nation. They labored hard and long in colleges and universities to be capable to bring us technologies. But so are the ones who trade in their labor and sweat. Without blue collared workers, technology and development cannot be materialised. It would just be another idealogy, theory or invention. They are often overshadowed by the ones bearing the glamorous titles and salutations. And we do not see it..

These are the unsung heroes, because if there wasn't them to do the "dirty job" there would be no glamour in our lives after all. Maybe it's time we learn to take an effort to show our gratitude and be nicer to the next person who serves us.