Merit Prevails

this reporting process. If even one officer’s report is unfavourable, the person is not considered worthy of this national award. After the committee’s nomination, the file is sent for approval to about half a dozen government offices and ultimately reaches the President of India. How did an Indian Muslim earn this remarkable award? The answer is straightforward: outstanding performance and good manners. In this regard, Mr. Muhammad Hanif’s record is exceptionally impressive. As for his good manners, a specific incident can give us insight into his character. During the 1996 recruitment for sweepers, a high-caste Hindu boy came for an interview at Mr. Hanif’s office. Mr. Hanif told him that sweepers had to clean drains and sweep floors, and asked how he, being from a high caste, would handle such tasks. The boy replied that he was willing to do anything for his livelihood. Mr. Hanif hired him but, aware of the situation, assigned the boy to dusting work in the office instead of cleaning drains and sweeping. Some time later, Mr. Hanif was transferred from that office, and a Hindu officer replaced him. One day, the boy came to Mr. Hanif’s house and said that after Mr. Hanif left, he was reassigned to cleaning drains and sweeping, tasks from which Mr. Hanif had exempted him. Mr. Hanif felt sorry for him and called the new officer to discuss the boy’s situation. He expressed his wish that the boy continue with the dusting work instead of cleaning drains and sweeping. Following Mr. Hanif’s request, the new officer restored the boy to the dusting job.