Opinion In Noida techie death, the only hero was not from police or government. It was Moninder, the gig worker
It was a delivery partner — a gig worker with no uniform, no authority, and no obligation — who showed real courage. Moninder, at the cost of his next delivery fee and personal safety, tried to save Yuvraj
Our system and society so often treats gig workers as expendable. Yet in that moment, Moninder displayed more humanity, bravery, and civic sense than those entrusted with protecting life. The death of a young tech professional in a Noida swamp — right in front of policemen, his father, and several onlookers — is a chilling reminder of how casually we treat human life. For nearly two hours, 27-year-old Yuvraj Mehta cried out for help in one of the country’s largest and most prosperous urban centres.
The police were reportedly present, and could not arrange the necessary equipment to save him. Other civic authorities arrived to late. This raises an uncomfortable question: What exactly are those that represent the frontline of state and government trained for?
Yuvraj did not die in some remote corner of the Himalayas. This tragedy unfolded in upscale, supposedly well-administered Noida. His cries were loud, desperate, and sustained — yet not loud enough to stir the conscience of the officers on the scene, not enough to push them to go beyond the narrow boundaries of “procedure” to save a life.
Ironically, it was a delivery partner — a gig worker with no uniform, no authority, and no obligation — who showed real courage. Moninder, at the cost of his next delivery fee and personal safety, tried to save Yuvraj.
Our system and society so often treats gig workers as expendable. Yet in that moment, Moninder displayed more humanity, bravery, and civic sense than those entrusted with protecting life. Shouldn’t this bravery and decency — the willingness to act, to care, to risk inconvenience or danger for another human being — be the most basic requirement in police recruitment?
If courage, compassion, and presence of mind define a good officer, then Moninder was better equipped to wear the uniform that day. I believe he still is.
The writer is Associate Editor, The Indian Express. prince.dhanta@expressindia.com
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