Babu Ram, a reminder of an era bygone of people for whom the meaning of their existence was their work. Incharge of the engineering depot of the workshop of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking, Babu Ram was honoured on Republic Day by the UT Administration for his contribution to the city.And what a contribution! The person has worked tirelessly over a span of 11 years in the CTU and never availed his due share of casual leave, earned leaves, compensatory and others only to go back to his first love; work. "My regular absences from home made my wife Krishna suspicious", he laughs. "She used to say that nobody takes so much pain for a job, so why don't I settle down with the way things are, but I never agreed. I told her that my sincere work would nurture the future of our children". 48 year old Babu Ram's day begins at nine in the morning which lasts till the work assigned for the day is finished, even if it means working till late hours.But doesn't he enjoy going home and spending time with his family? "Family is important but my work comes first and I never compromise on that," he says. Babu Ram has two children; he has tried his best to inculcate the same values in them. So what was the reaction of his children on the meritorious achievement for which he had to sacrifice the time meant for them? "They were elated. My 15 year old daughter understands that hard work always pays and she also wants to set an example of sincerity towards work." Speaking about his wife who earlier used to crib for his over attention to work, he says, "She understands it now. In fact, she was was more jubilant than me on the Republic Day function and took pride in the honour bestowed upon me."Babu Ram, a matriculate only, has no memory of his parents and was brought up by his two elder brothers. It was Babu Ram's brother who brought him from Shahbad Markanda, their native place, to Chandigarh after he finished his studies. "It was here that I picked my first job with the CTU and never looked back. I bore in mind from the very first day to be loyal to my organisation and put in my best." An avid cricket lover, he aspired to be a cricketer at one point in his life and despite his busy schedule, manages to catch up with the sport on television. His job involves ensuring that all the engine troubles of the CTU buses brought to the workshop are fixed, but till he personally ensures that things are in working order, he does not rest.So did he earn the respect of his colleagues for his work? "No. On the contrary, I was called a sycophant by my colleagues who thought it was some personal motive of mine which I wanted to fulfill, but this honour has proved things for me".
