A young man wearing a uniform that had "Beijing Drainage" printed on it stood beside an open manhole near Shilihe Bridge for more than three hours on Aug 26 while rainwater drained into it to warn people against the danger. But most of the people walking and driving past didn't even spare him a look. According to reports, about 1,570 such "human road indicators" were posted at such vulnerable spots in the city, says an article in China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

Two people were sucked into an open manhole as rainwater gushed into it during the torrential rain that lashed the city on June 23. But despite the intense public criticism, no official from any of the relevant departments tendered a public apology or regretted the loss of two young lives.

Just over two months later, when another downpour lashed the capital in the early hours of Aug 26, the city presented a totally different picture. Drainage department officials and workers checked almost every manhole in waterlogged areas of Beijing. The posting of "human road indicators" showed the amends that the department had made. But most of all, the "human road indicators" presented one of the most beautiful scenes in the city.

But these were only part of what happened in Beijing in the early hours of Aug 26. When most people were fast asleep, workers on the front line were already prepared to "fight" the heavy downpour and the dangers that came with it. It is worth remembering the name of every person who stood in pouring rain to warn people against the danger.

It's a pity, though, that few, if any, appreciated the selfless act of the anonymous heroes, who represent goodness in society.

(China Daily 08/31/2011 page9)