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6 November 2026
Every city has people whose work becomes visible only when it is not done. The sanitation worker who arrives before the streets become busy, the electrician who restores power during an unexpected interruption, the bus driver who patiently waits for a late passenger, and the security guard who remains alert while others sleep.
Their names may not appear in newspapers. Their contributions rarely become subjects of public celebration. Yet ordinary life depends considerably on their commitment.
We tend to admire achievements that are easily seen. A successful business, an award or a public recognition naturally attracts attention. But there is another kind of achievement in performing an essential task faithfully, day after day, without expecting applause.
Perhaps our understanding of success needs a wider definition. A society is not sustained by its celebrated individuals alone. It also depends on countless people who quietly fulfil responsibilities that others often take for granted.
The next time an ordinary day proceeds without interruption, it may be worth remembering those who helped make it possible.
Rajat Chandra Sarmah, Guwahati, Assam, India, Instagram @rajatchandrasarmah, YouTube: conversewithasmile, email rajatchandrasarmah@gmail.com
