Guarding house and the master

On his recent trip to Delhi to meet his ageing parents, Rajan Dhawan talked to one of the leading security agency of Delhi to provide him two guards for his huge house. Even though he was living in United States for the last couple of years, he was very much concerned about the recent incidents where domestic help or some other person killed the senior citizens. AS his parents were living all alone in Gagan Vihar area of East Delhi, he thought that it is high time when he take the services of some security agency which can provide those guards. In fact, the number of people taking the service of trained guards is really on the rise during last few years. CMD of one of the better known security agencies, SIS India Ltd, R.K. Sinha says that as recently as a few yeas ago they supply their trained guards to only diplomats, top level executives of Indian and multi national companies. Now, apart from famous people, those who deal in huge cash also engage private security guards at their residence. “When I talk about those who deal in cash, I am referring to jewelers, builders and grains merchants,’’ says Sinha. Those who are providing security guards for houses and offices say that earlier joint families used to live in a house. There were no issues of security. Those were the quiet years. Later, as families started disintegrating and whole society become very money minded, the incidents of robbery and killings taking place very often. The worst hits are the old people. Due to all these factors, rich and famous people started engaging trained guards. Dr. Devinder Gupta of real estate advisory, Century 21 India, says that as independent houses in posh areas are dwindling very fast and builders are making floors there, you can not live without guards. They are the people who deal with all those from your courier boy to salesman. They also park your car when you return from your work in night and do not find even an inch to park your costly car.
If visit posh South Delhi colonies like Greater Kailash, Safderung Enclave, Uday Park, Maharani Bagh, you would find security guards are also dealing with courier boy to plumber and other such people, apart from guarding their bosses. Echoing with this view, ace photographer Chandru Mirchadani says that they have engaged the security guards so that we can live hassle free life. After he shifted to a house in Mayfair garden, where four other families too live, all of us were very much harassed by the likes of salesman, sabziwallah, courier boy and others. Our door bells keep on ringing by these people all the time. Even though it was mentioned that which bell one should use in order to visit the particular house, the outsiders do not care about that. It became a hell. Some times, the local urchins too ring the bell and flew. Later we decided to take the services of trained security guards. Once we engaged them, now we live peacefully. They deal with all the people who visit our house. It is said that the many NRIs are taking the services of these guards to guard their old and weary parents from shady characters. Kajol Makhijani of South Delhi based Mak Associates says that generally these guards work on shift basis of 12 hours each. They also help their masters in other jobs too. They bring stuff from markets. For a normal guard, one has to pay around Rs 5 thousand to the security agency. If you are looking for educated guard, then you need to shell out more money. As RK Sinha says that they are also providing even those guards who can work like a companion to his master. He can play chess with him and walk with him. Moreover, he can also drive and give an insulin injection as and when it is required. ‘But, we told clients in no uncertain terms that they should not send these guards for their any bank related work like checking the balance position or bringing cash from the there,’ concludes Sinha.
It is learnt that many people have also install CC TV camers in their houses and some other equipments to face any untoward incident. Devinder Gupta says that he has seen cc TV cameras installed in many houses in both Delhi and Mumbai. “ I feel that it would become big hit when people realize and aware as to how helpful it can be for them,’