No Off In 16 Years, Hyderabad Sanitation Worker Gets A Pat On Back

For 16 years, T Venkataiah has worked virtually every single day to keep the streets of Hyderabad clean. The 49-year-old sanitary worker will come in even on festivals and on his off day to ensure the area entrusted to him is clean.

As recognition for his hard work, he was chosen the best sanitary worker in the country and was honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Saturday Aug 06,2016

Mr Venkataiah, who has been working with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, says he cannot think of rewards or awards. He must do what he needs to do.

“I am very interested in my work. Earning a good name is important,” he said. “Whoever inspects the place should say the street sparkles like a mirror, no garbage, no overflowing bins. It should all be neat.”

He lives with his wife and two sons, who would often mock him for not taking an off.

“They would mock me saying do you get an award for which you never take an off and I would laugh it off,” he said.