Life of Sunil Kumar Pandey: From Postman to Security Guard

Since 2020, Sunil Kumar Pandey, a renter, has been employed as a security guard in Lucknow. He began working as a contract postman with India Post in 2000, but his employment was not verified, therefore he was forced to quit in 2019. His daughter and son are his "only asset."

Sunil Kumar Pandey, age sixty-two

Education and occupation: security guard, 1982 University of Allahabad first-year dropout with a BCom

Location & Family: Son Nilesh (22) and daughter Niharika (23), spouse Sarita Pandey (60)

Do you make more money than you did in 2019?

Up till 2019, I received ₹14,500 a month as a contract postman. I now receive ₹10,000 per month.

Do you save any less than you did in 2019?

I used to deposit ₹1,000 monthly into a post office recurring account till 2022, but now that living expenses have increased, I am unable to save any money.

What features does your home have now that it lacked in 2019?

Nothing save the bare needs

What improvements have been made to your neighborhood since 2019?

Where I reside is a new colony. In front of it is a road, but it is not entirely intact. An estimated 22 hours a day are spent with electricity supplies.

Have any state or federal government programs changed your life? How?

Every year, the survey crew comes to my house, but when they learn that I used to work at the post office, they don't put me on any lists for government benefits. The first requirement to receive such benefits is to obtain a ration card, however they won't consider my application since I had a temporary position with the government.

Do your kids attend school?

With a BSc in mathematics, my daughter earns ₹7,000 a month as a teacher in a private school. Having earned his BCom, my son earns ₹14,000 a month working in a garments showroom. Both have been employed since 2023 and have attended private schools and universities. They assist me in managing the family, but despite inflation, the standard of living has not improved in the past ten years.

In your daily life, how much corruption do you encounter? Could you provide instances from your own life when corruption has a direct impact on you?

I don't have to visit any government facilities. Two years prior, I had attempted to obtain a ration card, but they had declined my request. I didn't attempt to buy them off.

On May 20, Lucknow will cast its vote.