Close Encounters

Beginning this month, Ashok Shah brings to our readers a series of conversations giving a 360 degree look into ways of living and understanding of the diverse aspects of life, and much ore, with five security guards at Garden City College representing the big family of such ordinary people doing unusual service to our society.

T here is one person in common. All throughout the day, and during the night, while we dream or strive to make our dreams come true. Outside our hostel, our college, our library or ATM. Often we look at them, but mostly we ignore. Sometimes we greet them, but not always bid goodbye. Seldom we appraise them, but rarely extend thanks. They too are just living like us, living with emotions, aspirations and dreams. But they choose to sacrifice theirs so that we can achieve ours peacefully. They too like to roam about with their friends, or spend good time with their colleagues or children, but do not, so that we can enjoy and roam about safely. Though strangers they pray for us everyday but we hardly notice it.

Abraham Lincoln or Amitabh Bachhan, all have them by their side. Much of their time and life goes standing, greeting, saluting and ensuring our peace and safety. But like all hidden theories of livelihood, we consider them ‘lower’, often disregard their very presence, or ake them and their efforts for granted. No, they do not resent, they rather smile at you every time you pass by. Any amount of praise in words would fail to even weigh equal to what they serve for the society and humankind. They are the security guards.

Amar Nath Pathak, 23, single, from Rohtas village in Bihar holds a certificate of Intermediate of Arts, has a brother and a sister, both younger to him. Little did Amar know that his days of youth and fun would fade as soon as he would complete his I.A. and have to stand alone outside an ATM booth for almost everyday. Something he is been doing since one year. “I miss my childhood, my village and the days I played football with my friends. I did my schooling from my village school then went to a town n e a r b y f o r h i g h e r studies,” reminisces Amar, a security guard at the ATM outside the GCC campus.

“I was very fond of music, and played the harmonium and the tabla. I have sung Bhojpuri and Hindi songs at various stage shows in Sasaram and Ayodhya, with artists who are now well recognized by the entire Bhojpuri speaking community. I wanted to become a singer,” he adds.

“My parents’ growing age and poor economy did not let me pursue my studies beyond. We badly needed money and so I had to come to Bangalore. After a shortterm training by a security recruitment company, I was posted here. I had to do all this to sustain my family and more to help my sister get married,” says Amar.

“I had always dreamt of becoming a good singer and travel to different places, but here I cannot even move for 12 hours everyday. I just stand, sit, or walk around listening to the FM. This is my only friend and support during the times I miss my family and village.”

Excerpts from the chat

Your aim in life: To start a small business to sustain my family, and become a singer.

Your idol in life: My parents, and guruji Sital Das, I owe a lot to him. In singing I idolize Manoj Tiwari. He too began a career like us, worked hard, and today he comes on the TV... I have sung with him in Ayodhya and have his number. [Giggles]

Most unforgettable moment in life: The day I sung at the Ayodhya Temple on the occasion of Ram Navami

What makes you happy: My happiness is singing and playing the harmonium.

What makes you angry: Telling lies and hurting others.

:Biggest dilemmas in life: I lost 4 sisters, all of them below 8 years of age, due to some disease. This affected my family a lot, especially my mother. I miss them very much. They all died before my eyesNow, improving the economic position of my family’s my biggest concern.
What do you value the most in life: The feeling to help others and make others smile in difficulty. As such, I value hard work and determination the most. One can achieve anything in life with these two weapons.

Any regrets in life: I was very notorious during childhood. I think I have hurt my arents a lot. I regret for the same everyday.

Anything you would like to change about yourself – nothing as such, though I wish I was a good singer.

What do you like or dislike the most about your job – I get to know a lot of people everyday, interact with them. But it’s very boring and tiring as I have to stand at the same place for the whole day, sometimes the whole night.

How often do you get frustrated, how do you deal with it – often. I then walk around and tune in to the radio, and sing songs for myself.

Is your kind of work suited for women: Yes but would be very difficult if not abl e to adjus t to the responsibilities at job and at home.

Any special moment while on duty: (Laughs) I was o n c e p o s t e d a t t h e Chinna swamy St adium, Bangalore during this IPL season. I saw all the big cricket players including Tendulkar and Dhoni. I enjoyed that day very much.

Ever been in love: Yes, there was this girl in my village who used to like my songs very much. My friends used to tease me by her name. I too liked her but knew my limitations. So I never expressed my feelings.

Your motto of life: Hard work and honesty is the key to success. What do think about today’s youth, what you like and dislike about them? -
I see many of them from places very far, working hard to make their parents proud. But there are a few who I see seem to deviate and spend a lot of money and time for other things. Hope they realize their priorities soon.
- Youth is the future of the country; they must foster their abilities and knowledge for the greater good of their family and society.

[Knowing Amar was a great experience. It took me ten minutes to take a few good photos of him…. he is too shy… then the hidden singer in him released…. Chaal chaleli matwaali, bagalwaali jaan maareli hooo... bagalwaali jaan maareli... a melodious Bhojpuri song… exclusively for me…. hope we can have him on stage some day to sing a song for all of us]

Ashok Shah
BA (Journalism, Psychology & English)