“I’ve been a lifeguard at Hussain Sagar for five years now, and I’m following in my dad’s footsteps. He’s known around here as ‘Tank Bund Shiva’ and has been saving lives for over 20 years. While it comes with some pressure being his son, I’m proud to carry on what he started.

Growing up near the Hussain Sagar lake, I saw firsthand the kind of work my father does. It’s not just about pulling people out of the water—it’s about stopping them from jumping in the first place.

He’s always telling me how important it is to talk to people before things go too far. I remember once, there was a middle aged man about to jump. My dad didn’t just grab him—he talked to him, calmed him down, and convinced him that things could get better. That moment stuck with me because I saw how much impact just listening to someone can have.

But it’s not always that simple. Sometimes they jump, and then it’s a race against time.  Diving in to save someone, you never know what you’re going to face—rough water, weather, and sometimes, they’re panicking and pulling you down with them. But in that moment, you don’t think about yourself. You just go all in to try and save them.

Then, there are the hard days. The days when it’s too late, and we have to pull out bodies that have been in the water for a while. It’s something you don’t forget, the sight. Even after all these years, my dad says it never gets easier. But we do it for the families. They need closure, and as tough as it is, we’re here to help them through that.

One thing I’ve realized over time is that the people who come to the lake aren’t just looking for an end—they’re looking for an escape from the pain they’re feeling. My dad always says, ‘No problem is big enough to end your life over.’ That’s something I try to remind people when I’m out there, doing what I can to help them see that things can change. Sometimes, just showing someone that someone cares is all it takes.
Even on the toughest days, when we couldn’t save someone, I know the work we do matters. And that’s what keeps me going.”

— Venu Madhav, Lifeguard at Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad

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