By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 23: With the festive season under way, Shillong is aglow with lights and the winter aroma, and citizens are immersed in shopping and quality time with their families.
The celebration of Christmas varies among families, but for many, it entails being at home with loved ones. However, for certain professions, the holiday season does not equate to time off. This is particularly true for those in emergency services like hospitals, where festive occasions do not guarantee a break.
Wanlarsuk Syiemlieh, a nurse at NEIGRIHMS, shared that she’ll be working the afternoon shift from 1 to 7.
Stating that she has been used to this and knew that this profession demands her to do this, she added that they find little ways to celebrate with the colleagues even though she is away from family.
Similarly, another doctor working in a private hospital who spoke to The Shillong Times requested anonymity because he did not want to make the patients feel like he is doing a favour to anybody.
“I have been in this profession long enough to accept the fact that holidays for everybody else does not mean it is off for us too,” he said.
He added, “Time with family is great, but what is better than making another family happy? I deal with emergency services so we have to be there, and we cannot complain.”
Emergency services are not the only ones bustling during the festive season.
Traffic police in Shillong, such as one stationed at Khyndai Lad rotary, acknowledged the sacrifices made for the safety of citizens during Christmas and New Years.
“Can you imagine Christmas and New Years without traffic cops, and how many unfortunate incidents that would lead to?” said a traffic police man.
He went on and said that if the citizens are able to have a safe festive season for them, then it’s worth it.
Some professionals are duty-bound, while others work to sustain themselves. Kerme Massar, employed with a food delivery chain and a student away from his family, emphasized the necessity of working to support education and family.
“On Christmas, there ideally should be more orders so I would get an incentive accordingly,” he added.
Similarly, a cab driver recognized the increased demand for transportation during Christmas, allowing him to do a half-day of work and spend time with his family afterward.
He emphasised that while Christmas is about family, not everyone enjoys the same privileges.
