A Subba Rao, Western Railways' motorman, who drove first post-lockdown local, makes it to our list of 20 faces who defied fear and disease to follow their heart or duty and emerge 'the first'
A Subba Rao, who hails from Vishakapatnam, but made Mumbai his home two decades ago, says that returning to duty on June 15, 2020, to drive a morning local from Virar to Churchgate was an experience unlike any in his life. Pics/shadab Khan
Drove First Post-Lockdown Local
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A Subba Rao, 47, Mumbai
Motorman, Western Railways
It [driving the local train in Mumbai for the first time after the lockdown was announced] was a completely different feeling. The whole world was going through a change, as were we. I knew I had to do my job properly as that was my duty. If I got scared of contracting the virus, then the machine wouldn’t work.
In normal times, we believe that we can do everything, and that anything is possible. But, it is in the time of crisis that we realise that being a government official means that we have to keep the system going. This is an emergency, and I knew I had to step up. And though, the pandemic was still not under control, everyone at home encouraged me to go to work, as they know that work comes first.
Subba Rao
I was driving the train from Virar to Churchgate, and, even though it wasn’t as crowded as usual, it had a substantial number of people, all trying to get to work—all essential workers such as me. Everyone was wearing masks, as it was a peak time as well. The good thing was that we had been prepped well before operations started. We had been told what precautions to take at home and at work. We were also counselled via online meetings regularly by senior doctors. When I’d go home, I would keep a distance from my family and have a bath immediately. It’s only then that I mingled with them. I have been in locomotion for 15 years, and have been driving the local for 12 years. I have been practising yoga and meditation for 15 years. That helped with my emotional and mental state. If I’d get depressed, the system would collapse. And, that was not an option.
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