I miss the greenery of my village: Raketh Tiwari, watchman

When did you come to Delhi and why?
I came to Delhi five years ago from Katni, MP, when my brother-in-law offered to give me a job. It provided more than what I was earning as a farmer in my village. I left my family behind because I don’t have enough money to keep them here with me.

What were your expectations of the city?
I was awestruck when I first saw the huge buildings and the concrete infrastructure of the city. I thought it would be difficult to make friends because I spoke Marathi, my mother tongue, and wasn’t educated. But I soon got a hang of Delhi and its people because of my brother-in-law and the friends I made here. Even though I haven’t seen most of the city, I enjoy the variety of food the city offers. My favourite is chole bhature and paanipuri.

What do you miss about home?
I miss my wife and two daughters, 18 and 15 years old. I also miss the clean air and greenery of my village. Sleeping here was difficult at first because I was used to sleeping in the open back home; here, I sleep in a small room I share with my friends.

Are you happy with your decision of moving to a big city?
I earn better now, my family can afford more food and my children are able to go to school. I want to earn enough to bring them here so that they can see this city and I can see them grow up.

City Seekers: A series on migrants in urban India