Shadows from Unsung Tribes

A large amount of our population toils day and night in various small jobs and their work goes unnoticed by most of us. This unsung tribe is so huge that to chronicle the details of all of its members is next to impossible. Herewith, I have attempted an effort to highlight the labors of some of these people whose work we take for granted in our everyday urban life. Our lack of appreciation and apathetic attitude towards them is distressing to say the least.

I

Hoardings have unwittingly become a part and parcel of urban life. How these are made is an issue we hardly concern ourselves with. Perhaps a stray glance may have shown us a man perched high on a thin shaky scaffold, but the eyes do not linger for long on such sights. The men who erect and paint those striking hoardings risk their life and limb every moment of their working life. How difficult it must be to conquer the fear of heights, to hoist oneself up onto a narrow plank-like scaffold, and to paint there with a steady firm hand! One tumble and it may result in broken bones or even the loss of life. Medical reimbursement is unheard of in their profession and so is the term "insurance." Day after day they overcome their fears, muster courage and climb dizzying heights to paint yet another visually stunning hoarding. Yet for all their efforts, there is no one to cheer them and appreciate their work.

II

It's evening and his duty begins. He sits in a rickety chair or if that is unavailable, he stands all night, at times leaning against a wall or a door. On cold wintry nights, when you are ensconced in a warm bed with rugs and blankets, he makes do with a small fire out of twigs and leafless branches. At times even that isn't available and all he can do to keep out the cold is to rub his hands feverishly and wait for daybreak. He is the night shift watchman of apartment buildings or office premises.

A number of these men originate from various parts of India. They leave their families behind and come to the cities to eke out a living as a security guard or watchman. Their incomes are not enough to sustain themselves, so bringing their families to the city is usually out of question for them. So they stay alone and visit their families once or twice a year. A measly income, loneliness and fighting to stay warm on long wintry nights is what they endure year after year.

These are but some instances. There are scores of such shadows in unsung tribes out there in the world.