It did happen

I was selected as the computer co-ordinator in the " Population Project ”, sponsored by the World Bank . We were allotted 6 months period to do the Baseline registers, classification of data and final printouts. I was assigned H-West ward, which covers Santacruz (West) to Mahim (West).

I always strive to be the best in whichever activity I participate. I promised Murthy Madam (Chief Project Co-ordinator), that I will finish the project before due date with 100% accuracy

The Population Project , being a Pilot project, was implemented only in 8 wards of Mumbai. Each ward has 5 to 6 Health-posts and each health-Post is divided into 5 to 6 localities. Consequently there are 25 to 36 localities in each ward, which are surveyed by that many MPWs. Each MPW has 10 to 12 registers covering his locality. In all there were 250 to 432 registers to be fed, classified, printed and distributed among the respective MPWs, within 6 months.

My first task was to get the baseline registers in my office. I sent the memos to all 6 health-posts in H-West ward. Many of the MPWs (Data collectors) were reluctant to submit their registers as they were incomplete. I chatted with them over cutting-chai, motivated them to complete their baseline registers so that, our ward will achieve 1^st position in the prestigious pilot project. Next, I sweet-talked, literally with chocolate-coated Orange-candies, whenever they brought the registers in my office. Still there were few others, who did not oblige, so I informed their superiors about the emergency of the project. They understood the importance of the deadline of the World Bank project and gave express orders to their staff for sending the registers immediately to my office.  Finally I finished the lengthy, tiring and conflict-ridden process of register feeding, quite easily ? ? ? and efficiently.

The register-feeding process followed by classification of input-data and the final printing. Printing such a large quantity of data continuously put tremendous pressure on the printer, resulting in numerous break-downs, refilling of printer-cartridge, stationery wastage etc. We did not have the in-house computer-engineers in BMC, so my classmates from Computer-maintenance workshop helped me out in emergencies. Passing through all these Hard(ware) and Soft(ware) hurdles, I finished the final project, 2 weeks before the deadline with 100% accuracy. I neatly wrapped all 36 bundles in news-papers, ready to be distributed among the MPWs.

That day I went home and slept like a baby, without any tension or anxiety. I didn’t even notice the untimely, thunderous rains that down-poured at the night. Next morning, I got up feeling dewy-fresh. I reached the office as if floating in the air, ignoring the water-filled potholes. I wished the peon cheerily as he gave me, my cabin-key. I opened the door, switched on the light, computer and air-conditioner.

…. Tears streaming down my cheeks, I stared at the big cardboard box, oozing water, which stored my precious hard-work of 5 and ½ months. Yesterday’s downpour had seeped through the air-conditioner into my printouts, reducing them to pulp. I scrutinised the box thoroughly to see if anything could be salvaged, but zilch.

I sat heavily in the chair, gulped down some water and then called up my office-friend to tell her the tragedy. Like an angel she comforted me, ordered ginger-tea and said “Just Do It “… “Do it again “. I cried “Again? It’s no joke, printing that much data again with the printer breaking down often and from where will I get the new stationery?”

I was a fresher in that office, while my friend was working there for 2 years. She told me about the BMC-administration. Firstly, I went to the Maintenance–Department, submitted a letter for repairing the air-conditioner leakage. Secondly, I reported the leakage and printout damage to the Office Superintendent. Thirdly, I went to the Ward-officer and narrated the whole episode of the World-bank project and how I finished it before the deadline, after solving various problems. The Ward officer was greatly impressed by my talent, skill and hard work. He checked the muster and was highly surprised that, there was not a single red cross ( for late coming ) against my name ,in those 5 and ½ months. He immediately sanctioned the computer-stationery, which inspired me to do the tedious job of reprinting.

And, yes, I did it, finished my reprinting before the deadline, by going to the office, 2 hours earlier, for 10 days. On the D-Day, while distributing the computer-sheets, the Ward-officer praised me for being the 1^st to complete the pilot-project, even after passing so many hurdles. Everyone can do it, with strong will-power and sincere hard-work.