“I am 57 years old and for the last 14 years, I have been a security guard. I am a native of Assam and I have done farming till I was 40 years of age. For over two years I was doing errand jobs in the hill station before I moved to Hyderabad to do a better job with a regular income. I joined a security firm in 2001 and till now I have worked in all kinds of companies including banks and atms.

My job here is to guard this park premises and also collecting parcels at the gate and administering first aid in case of any emergency. As a guard, I try my best to keep everyone around happy. I greet the visitors every day and they, in turn, address me as Raju chacha which makes me feel good.

I take home a monthly salary of Rs. 12,000. It is not enough to meet my requirements which includes the rent for the house in my village where my wife and mother stays. However, I have no complaints. The Hyderabad city has allowed me to lead a better lifestyle and I am forever grateful to the city and its people.”