What is your religion and caste?
I am a Pandit [Hindu].
Are you married?
Yes, I am.
Any kids?
I have 3 kids.
How long have you been living in Delhi?
I’ve been living in Delhi for the past 7-8 years now.
Where do you live in Delhi and with whom do you live?
I live in a rented space. I used to live alone but I later brought my children here, too.
Why did you come to Delhi?
I came here to get employed.
Before you came to Delhi, did you have any friends or family living here already?
No.
None at all?
No.
What work are you currently doing?
I am a gardener.
For how many years have you been doing this work?
I’ve been doing this for the past four years.
The money you earn from this job, is it enough?
No.
Do you manage to send some money to your family back home?
Whatever I earn gets spent here.
Had you ever done this kind of a job before?
No, I had never done it before. I used to work in a factory before this.
What kind of factory did you work in?
We to used make fans, AC unit parts. It was in the industrial area, Okhla.
What’s the difference between working at a factory and working here?
Factories have a pollution-filled environment. This work doesn’t have the pollution.
But the money was better there? Or is it better here?
The money isn’t as much there. It’s not more really. There was a recent increase because Mr. Kejriwal [Chief Minister of Delhi] made sure it increased. My salary was the same as before. The working hours are different. It was 12 hours there, and here it’s 8 hours.
Could you tell me something about the work that you’re currently doing? What kind of work is it? What exactly do you do?
I dig up the earth, plant saplings, water them regularly, take care of them. I make soil beds, plant flowers, maintain the garden, and put shades on them as needed.
And while you work, while you plant saplings and follow your routine, what is it that you think about?
I think that I don’t get enough wages according to the hard work that I do here.
In your opinion, what would be an interesting job that you’d like to take up?
There’s no job that’s good or bad. You need to work hard no matter what job you’re doing. But I think all work should be paid at a decent wage.
And how do you like life in Delhi?
If you really ask me, I’d say it’s like hell here.
If you ever get a chance to go back home, say, if you find some work in Ranikhet, would you like to go?
Yes, I’ll go back.
You’d go back. I mean, going back permanently, forever?
Yes, for sure.
In your opinion, why do so many people come to Delhi from all over India?
They come here for employment. There are no jobs where we live.