Man who watches over our society

The Man Who Watches Over Our Society Every day, I pass by the security guard at the entrance of my society. He greets residents with a smile, opens the gate, and is always present, whether it’s early morning or late at night. Although I saw him every day, I had never really spoken to him. As part of my assignment, I interviewed him for about 30 minutes, and it helped me understand the hard work behind his job. The security guard I interviewed is Mr. Ramesh , a 45-year-old man who has been working in our society for the last five years. He comes from a village in Uttar Pradesh and lives in Delhi for work while his wife, two children, and elderly parents stay in his hometown. He visits them only a few times a year. His shift usually lasts 12 hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., though sometimes he is assigned night duty. His main responsibility is to keep an eye on the society entrance and ensure everything is normal. He opens the gate for residents’ vehicles, helps delivery personnel find the correct block, watches for anything unusual, patrols the society every few hours, and immediately informs the supervisor or residents if he notices any problem. He also helps elderly residents by carrying heavy bags or assisting them when needed. When I asked what the hardest part of his job was, he said, “Standing for long hours is tiring, but staying alert throughout the shift is even harder.” Even during hot summers, heavy rain, or cold winter nights, he has to remain at his post. Financially, life is challenging. His salary is enough for basic expenses, but after sending money home for his children’s education, household expenses, and his parents’ medicines, he is left with very little. He said he often has to postpone buying things for himself so that his family has everything they need. The physical demands of the job are significant. Standing for most of the day, walking around the society during patrols, and working long shifts often leave him with pain in his legs and back. Night shifts also disturb his sleep schedule and make him feel tired the next day. Emotionally, he shared that the job can sometimes feel lonely. While many residents greet him politely, others pass by without acknowledging him. He said that a simple “Good morning” or “Thank you”