An Inside Look at an Unsung Profession

Chacha greets everyone with a smile. He asks about Chittappa’s day, and makes small talk that brightens his mood even after a hard day of work. He is invited to festivals and events in the building and he brings his family too to celebrate during these festive occasions. He is a part of the building’s culture. Chitti feels a sense of security and reassurance having *Chacha around. Especially in emergency situations, she believes she’d rather be stuck with chacha in the lift, rather than be stranded alone inside like in a horror movie. He creates a sense of community within the building. He is a familiar face now and he has developed a relationship with most lift users. Chacha is so popular with the kids in the building.

Yes, I am referring to the occupation of a lift-man, probably an occupation unique still only to modern India. For I have never seen liftmen operating lifts in any other parts of the world, except for historic or luxurious hotels where they employ lift-men to provide a personalised and unique experience to their guests as a value add to the overall ambience of the hotel. In India, even today you find lift-men in many societies or buildings of tier-1 and tier-2 cities, commercial and residential, where they do the manual job of pressing the buttons to the desired floor in an already automated elevator. And a small round seat is stationed, seldom cushioned and mostly black, for the lift-man to rest while the lift stands still for a few moments of the day. The lift-men are generally old retired men, who may be in need or want to stay active and engaged in their later years or it can truly be a legitimate job for many individuals.

I met one such liftman in Parel in Mumbai when I visited my aunt with my family. We call them chacha (chacha meaning uncle) with respect. When I reached the 7 storey building A of the 5 wings building society, I located the elevator to the left from the entrance. I pressed the call button of the lift and waited patiently till it descended from its original position in the building. When the lift arrived, the lift was opened by an old man in his seventies, wrinkled on his forehead and hands. He wore a grey cotton trouser and shirt with the name of the society printed in white on his short pocket. He completed the look with a grey Nehru cap and an old black Titan watch with white dial. His white stubble complemented his salt and pepper hair. He gave me a big friendly smile and namaste as a greeting and then came forward to open the iron grill placed outside the lift door. I stepped in and ushered him to press the button that read 6, denoting 6th floor. He promptly pressed the button and gave me a big smile as an assurance that the job has been done. I wondered through my journey up the building how many people did this man meet every day that he came to work? Do regular lift users have the courtesy to greet him and exchange pleasantries, leave alone make conversation? Was there a favourite lift person whom he really enjoyed talking to or looked forward to meeting? Does he have a problem with certain pets residing in the building? Most importantly, apart from the need to be the bread winner, what really motivated him to come in every single day and don the role of a lift-man? Surprising right that so many of us might have crossed paths with a lift man once in our lives but how many of us have given any thought to these dedicated people? The presence of a lift-man adds a personal touch to the otherwise mechanical and impersonal experience of using an elevator.

A lift-man is a superman in many ways. For instance Chacha assists the elderly and disabled people. He guides lost individuals and directs confused people, and ensures that everyone follows safety protocols. Most lift-men in India are trained to handle any technical glitches or malfunctions that may occur, providing immediate assistance and preventing potential accidents. Automation may make everything very doable and make it more efficient, but it lacks the human connection that chacha brings. It cannot replicate the warmth, empathy, and personal touch that he provides. His presence adds a unique and irreplaceable element to the elevator experience, making his job far from redundant. In a world increasingly driven by technology, it is important to remember the value of human interaction.

An Inside Look at an Unsung Profession.

A storyteller, an artist, a surgeon, a madari.

A profession is a profession. In India with over 1.4 billion people living the hustle life, every profession plays a vital role in the Indian society and contributes to the overall well being and functioning of our multi-cultural societies. No one is bigger or lesser than another. One's profession is sometimes based on one’s own circumstances. Circumstances that arise basis the life they lead. Many a times, dire economic conditions and social factors in India can create barriers for individuals to fully explore their interests and talents, let alone the linguistic variations that complicate matters. Having said that, many individuals do find ways to pursue their passion and turn it into a profession, although it may require long hours of arduous work, dedication, and sometimes taking risks. Personal interests like hobbies, talent, skills and opportunities also influence career choices. While some become successful in pursuing their passions as a professional, many others may have to confront the challenges of a cut-throat job market and work towards achieving their goals. In such a web of complexities, the simplest thing to do is to recognise and respect the contributions and efforts of individuals in all professions, regardless of societal perceptions or stereotypes. And we are proud, that it is in our rich cultural fabric to support and value all professions, regardless of whether they align with one's passion or not.

Thank you Chacha, for bringing hope to our everyday lives, for doing the job that you do diligently and relentlessly for years with a big smile on your face.

*In India, the term "chacha" typically refers to an affectionate way of addressing an uncle or an older male in society. It is a common way for the younger generation to show respect and familiarity towards an older man.