Portrait of a citizen.

[Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi]

It is five in the morning. This being December, it is still dark, very cold. Tinku is sitting by the deserted roadside, beside a huge sack. He’d spent the last few hours walking along the city, picking up discarded bottles from the streets, piling them in the sack. Later in the morning, he will sell the bottles to a recycler. This is the daily routine of his profession, he says. He graciously agrees to become a part of our Proust Questionnaire series, in which citizens are nudged to make “Parisian parlour confessions”, all to explore our distinct experiences.

The principal aspect of your personality.
I’m helpful and caring. I take care of many cats, such as Rani, and dogs, such as Jackie, Tiger.

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
To dress my wounds when I’m injured. I’m fortunate in having many friends, from New Delhi railway station to Lakshmi Nagar. A good friend has to be like a brother. I actually have four brothers. Chhote Lal makes his living from a battery rickshaw. Ravi makes tandoori rotis in an eatery. Lakshman is a dish washer in another eatery. Raja, like me, is a kabadi wala.

Your main fault.
I’ve no fault. My mann (mind) is saaf (clean).

Your favourite occupation.
I don’t do sinful things.

Your idea of happiness.
Seeing other people happy.

What would be your greatest misfortune?
It has already happened. Too private to share.

Where would you like to live?
In people’s heart. Although in reality, I sleep at night in Ahmad Bhai’s shop, near New Delhi railway station. Everyday, I go to sleep early than many other people, and get up soon after midnight to make my rounds… I live alone, though my brothers and sisters live in this same city. Our native home is in Bihar, in a village in Begusarai. But I haven’t gone there for years. My parents died a long time ago. I have lived most of my life in Delhi…

Your favourite colour and flower
Asmani (sky blue), rose.

Your favourite bird.
Any colourful bird… like a parrot.

Your favourite food and drink
Bhindi subzi with paratha, daru (liquor).

Your favourite names.
Gudiya, Lali, Beena, Pooja, Durga. These are my sisters’ names.

What is your present state of mind?
I’m thinking of the weight of the bottles that I have collected this morning. The recycler’s rate to buy the bottles is 25 rupees per kg.

How do you wish to die?
While laughing.