Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ News / Business Of Life/  Photo essay: The watchmen
BackBack

Photo essay: The watchmen

Long hours, low salary the life of a security guard can be lonely and tiring

Dilip Bharti works as a security guard in a housing colony in Ghaziabad. Photographs by Pradeep Gaur/MintPremium
Dilip Bharti works as a security guard in a housing colony in Ghaziabad. Photographs by Pradeep Gaur/Mint

NEW DELHI :

Dilip Bharti, 28, hasn’t missed a day at work in the past two years.

“Even if I have fever, I don’t take off from work. I don’t get holidays. I come for work at night and get off early in the morning; I know the houses by their numbers, not their residents," says Bharti, who works as a security guard at a housing colony in Ghaziabad. His work timings: 8pm-6am.

A security guard at Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb.
View Full Image
A security guard at Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb.

Taking an off would mean less salary at the end of the month. “How can one survive in a city like Delhi on a salary of 7,000. Had I not been poor, I would not have worked here," says Bharti, who has studied till class VIII and has a one-year-old daughter. Originally from Bihar’s Samastipur zila, he came to Delhi about 12 years ago in search of work. Before starting this job, he was a daily wager.

Vasudev guarding a supermarket store in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad.
View Full Image
Vasudev guarding a supermarket store in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad.

Almost a kilometre away, Vasudev, 50, has a similar story to narrate—he works as a security guard in a supermarket store. “Four years of drought (in Bundelkhand) left me with no money, so I came here. I now somehow manage with 13,000 each month," says the father of three, who works 12 hours a day—his shift starts at 8pm. But he does enjoy the power and authority that come with the job.

Yadav from Ara, Bihar, outside a designer store in Mehrauli.
View Full Image
Yadav from Ara, Bihar, outside a designer store in Mehrauli.

“Once a bus driver ran towards me while a group of robbers chased him. I showed them my gun, and they took a U-turn instantly," he says with a proud, gleeful smile.

The “power" aspect aside, the work of a security guard can be tiring and lonely. With a stick and a chair to keep company, these people spend 8-12 hours a day on the job, and take home a meagre salary.

Narender Kevat is a guard at Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh. This is his first job.
View Full Image
Narender Kevat is a guard at Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh. This is his first job.

We met six guards in and around Delhi, and in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, to get a glimpse into their lives. All of them had this to say—a “powerful" thankless job, with little money and lot of work.

Daya Shankar Singh Yadav, an employee of security company G4S India, helps the Gurgaon traffic police in managing vehicles.
View Full Image
Daya Shankar Singh Yadav, an employee of security company G4S India, helps the Gurgaon traffic police in managing vehicles.

So, may be the next time you are out on your morning walk and happen to notice the security guard, a simple “hello" won’t hamper your schedule. As Bharti says, “Even a mere acknowledgement is sometimes enough."

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pooja Singh
A journalist with over 15 years of experience. A Chevening fellow and graduate of Columbia University, New York
Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 09 Sep 2016, 07:05 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App