Occupational Hazard....is it worth ?

About six months ago a good friend of mine telephoned me to ask me to do some "National Service" by being an assessor under a National Scheme; the payment for this service would be much lower than what one would be getting otherwise, he said. Being a subject of importance to the country, he said, I should accept his invitation.  I agreed immediately as I have always been interested in such assignments that benefit  all.

I have also been carrying out Sustainability Assessments for one of the largest Industry Associations in India for the last five years.  For the last four years I did that free; this year, as I am a retired person, I have accepted their honorarium.

Ten days ago I had severe cough;  we had already fixed two assessments and I had to start on a tour of five days.  If I had postponed, two organizations would have suffered some business losses.  The assessment was already due for a longtime (due to procedural issues with the agency conducting these assessments) and I did not like the delay in assessing these units, both belonging to the Government of India.  I went ahead with the assessments.  But from the second day of my tour my cough was unbearable; I was away from home by at least 1500 KM and did not have the medicines required.  On the third day my voice choked and I could not speak (or even if I "spoke" no one could hear it).  My co-assessor came to my rescue in both the assessments and we did a fairly good professional job.  I had to visit my family doctor and was on a course of antibiotics for five days after reaching home; I had to skip many appointments as my throat was still bad (bad even now).

The day after tomorrow I have to go for another assessment; again an assessment of a Government of India organization.  This organization is located in the midst of an area infested by Maoists; today's  TV news is that Maoists have taken four police officers as hostages and may kill them anytime.  There were bombs and shoot outs in that area in the recent days.  Should I go or not ?  As a professional should I meet my commitments ?  What happens if I lose my life/limb/eye etc., in any accident/incident or am abducted?  I plan to be back home on 02 October, 2010: Mahatma Gandhi's birthday !!

On 10 October, 2010, I will be starting for another assessment, this time for the Industry Association, to a Thermal Power Plant in the State of Orissa; again this area is a troubled area.  Recently Moists blocked the access to this place for a few days.

In spite of my ill-health I have to complete quite a few assignments by the end of October, 2010.

I have decided to go ahead: "[I]Que sera sera[/I]" (Whatever will be, will be).  My hunch is that the probability of my getting killed or abducted is very remote.  If I am killed, it does not matter as I am not going to be there to suffer; if I am abducted, there will be a lot of stress.

Am I doing the right thing ? Am I foolish ? Do Professional Commitments make our lives miserable ?  After all, is it worth risking one's life for not so great work?...just an assessment !