As housing society watchmen go, mine is a pretty handy fellow. He does more than guard the gates. He’s on duty 24/7. And the only watchman in society’s employ. Once a year, when he goes to his native place for a month, his agency sends us a substitute. So far they have all been Sad Sacks. Unable to put on the compound lights at the night without simultaneously switching off the house lights of the society chairman himself. Or fill the overhead tanks every evening with sufficient water so that the building does not go dry the next morning. We bear them as we count the days to our regular watchman’s return. And when he does, he’s all but given a hero’s welcome. The last time he went, he called me one night from his village to tell me that he was thinking of me!
His day begins at 5. When he washes all the cars and bikes in the building for a little extra money. Then feeds the neighborhood stray cats. He waters the plants, mans the gates for incoming and outgoing cars, stops the postman and courier boy from ringing the bell in the afternoon, runs errands for residents, and manages to get an electrician, plumber, carpenter, and car mechanic when needed. Late at night, when all the residents are in bed, he shyly illuminates his tiny watchman’s shelter with flickering fairy lights and a paper Diwali kandeel. And sits inside proudly listening to songs on the radio. It has no door or window but is his home with all his worldly possessions stacked inside. I asked him why he kept up the festivity after Diwali.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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