Mumbai: Once Covid-19 positive, this BEST bus inspector wants to work till the last working day on May 31

MUMBAI: For this BEST bus inspector, its just few days before he retires on May 31 and since he was Covid-19 positive, his superiors wanted him to take rest after being discharged from hospital on May 22.
But the employee refuses to budge, and wants to serve the undertaking and fulfil his responsibility as a Covid warrior till the last day of his duty.
"I am resuming duties at 2pm on Thursday at Marol depot and doctors have declared me totally fit and I don't need to be put under quarantine anymore.So why should I rest in the house when I can serve for four full days and perform my duties,'' said the 58-year-old.
He further said that he has been serving BEST for the past 32 years and was proud to be part of the institution which has worked daily for ferrying essential staff during the battle against Covid-19.
"I will be assigned duties at the depot and if necessary, I will go to the bus chowkies or bus stops for checking of tickets, etc," he told TOI.
His wife too was infected with Covid-19 earlier this month and the two have recovered and are back home.
"After May 31, I will be completely at home and can spend time with family. This is the time to go out and do your bit for Mumbai and for its citizens. So many Covid workers are busy in their respective duties. Even I was working till May 5 when I felt a bit restless and subsequently I was tested positive on May 8. But now I have the energy to perform an eight-hour shift from Thursday," he said.
BEST additional general manager Rajendra Madne had called up the employee to inquire about his health and was surprised when the latter kept insisting that he should be allowed to work during the last four days of his career in BEST.
"We have allowed him to continue his duties and work till May 31. In fact, there are staffers who have six months to retire and are reluctant to work during Covid pandemic. But the inspector has just four days and he wants to work with full sincerity,'' said Madne.
Another senior officer said that the bus inspector, who was once a conductor and was later promoted, has become an inspiration for all conductors, drivers and inspectors of the department to work relentlessly during this battle against Covid-19.
"We have similar inspirational stories of people who have fought the virus and keen on joining back duties,'' said BEST spokesperson Manoj Varade.