Why a Mumbaikar Who Runs a Successful Tempo Business Is Happiest While Sweeping the Streets

Street sweepers are the unsung heroes of civil society. They clean up litter, dispose of it safely, and maintain cleanliness in the cities. And yet, they hardly ever get thanked, much less recognised, for their selfless work.

On October 27, Humans of Bombay shared the story of a street sweeper who finds dignity in labour while cleaning roads because he understands that he’s a vital part of keeping Mumbai beautiful. He adds that despite running a successful tempo business, he continues to work as a sweeper because “I first serve my people.”

Read the full post here:

“I always wanted to become a police officer, but I failed in my first year and had to give up because I couldn’t afford to study anymore. Initially I got this job to pay the bills, but as time went by I began to understand that this is a kind of service in itself. I have my tempo business as well, but I’m proud that from 6am until 1pm I first serve my people. More than the money, it’s knowing that an entire neighbourhood is clean because of me that gives me happiness. I know I could easily leave this job and focus full time on my tempo service, but that doesn’t sit right with me. I’m attached to the service, and not a lot of people understand why, but there’s a different kind of happiness in this service…I’ll continue to do it for the rest of my life.”

To know more about Humans of Bombay, click here. 

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