The Last Bell of an Era
A video circulating online recently caught my attention. It showed a school peon, Ambubhai Patel, ringing the school bell for the very last time at Shri Vidyaniketan School in Gujarat after 38 years of dedicated service. What followed was a touching scene: students and staff lined up, creating a human corridor, applauding and cheering for him as he walked through, his face a mixture of humility and profound emotion.
It was a simple, powerful moment. For nearly four decades, the sound of the bell rung by Ambubhai Patel was the rhythm of the school day. It marked the beginning of classes, the freedom of recess, and the finality of dismissal. His role, seemingly modest, was an integral part of the institution's lifeblood, a constant presence in the lives of thousands of students who passed through those halls.
The Human Element in an Automated World
Watching this, I was reminded of a piece I wrote back in 2016, titled "Revenge of AI". In that blog, I reflected on a partnership between major tech giants and predicted a future where AI would replace a vast array of human jobs, from journalists to receptionists.
The core idea I wanted to convey then is strikingly relevant now. I had foreseen the relentless march of automation, and I had even proposed we consider what we might lose in this transition. Now, seeing the farewell for Ambubhai Patel, it's clear what that is. An app can now send a notification to every phone to signal the end of a class. An automated system can manage schedules with far greater efficiency. But can it ever earn a standing ovation after 38 years?
The students weren't cheering for the function of the bell; they were honouring the man who rang it. They were celebrating the quiet dignity of a long-held duty, the familiar face they saw every day, and the human connection that no algorithm can replicate. This is the essence of what is lost when we prioritise efficiency over humanity.
We are rapidly building a world where tasks are automated away, but we must pause and ask what happens to the roles that, while simple, provide a human touchstone in our communities. Mr. Patel’s farewell is a beautiful, poignant reminder that some roles are more than just the tasks they entail. They are about presence, consistency, and the silent contribution to a community's soul.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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