Of which religion and caste are you?
Islam.
Are you married? Do you have children?
Yes, of course I am. I have three children.
Where are you from and for how long have you been living in Delhi?
My hometown is Rampur, in Uttar Pradesh, and I have been living here for about 25 years.
With whom do you live in Delhi?
I live with my family and children.
Why did you come to Delhi 25 years ago?
I was just in a bad disposition, so I came here.
Why were you in a bad disposition?
I had a habit of taking off. I wanted to go somewhere, but there were things holding me back over there.
Before you came to Delhi, did you have any friends or family members staying here?
I had friends here and I also had relatives. My sister used to stay here in Delhi and also many of my friends. But I had come to my friends.
Did they help you in getting established?
No, I got myself established. They did not help. I used to stay with them as a paying guest.
What work do you do?
I am an all-rounder. I can do all kinds of things. I have also done driving. After I came to Delhi, I also became a supervisor at a company. I have served for thirteen years in Escorts India, Ltd. Then, after that, I started my own business. I already had a business in Rampur. It is still there. But that was something other than this. That was on a small scale, this one is bigger.
For how many years have you been doing this work?
I launched and started it in 2002.
The money that you get from this job, is it enough for you?
Yes, my needs are fulfilled. The proper desires are fulfilled. Bigger needs are not fulfilled.
Are you able to send some money to your family in Rampur?
No. My mother and father are no more. My brothers and sisters are already established, even more than me.
Had you ever done this kind of work before? Shops, etc.?
Yes, we had a shop since my childhood. This is our family business.
Can you tell me something about your work?
This job is about dealing with the public. And secondly, you invest and sit. Customers will come. You deal fairly, and you will have growth for sure.
While working, what do you think? What comes into your mind?
Nothing else. Only this – that I must earn. I think that my customers should not leave. My customers must be satisfied. Other than this, now I am habituated by the duty – coming in the morning and going back in the evening.
In your opinion, what would be a good job that you would like to do?
The work could have fewer hours on-duty. In this work, the duty hours are very long, coming early and going back at 11 pm. Now, [my] children have all grown up. We will give them some work. Otherwise, we shall wrap up this work a little. I want to work 4, 6, 8 hours so that I get some rest.
How do you like the Delhi life?
Delhi life is too much. It is alright for earning money. But it is not good for health.
If you ever get an opportunity to go back, will you return to your town or village, Rampur?
Yes, I can go. Do I have to become a king? Will I spend my old age there?
In your opinion, why do so many people come to Delhi?
To earn money and get a good education. To help their homes, those who are from the poorer backgrounds. That was not the case with me. I was already blessed by God. I just wanted to be here. But the majority of people come because here they get more money, and they can help their families as well. They can progress.