Many idolize Reel Heroes—those larger-than-life figures on the silver screen. They are bold, powerful, invincible, and effortlessly smart. They excel in every field—first in class, champions in sports, masters of debate, and generous philanthropists. They can single-handedly defeat a dozen villains, leap off moving trains, climb Mount Everest without oxygen, and swim across the English Channel in half an hour. Their achievements could fill libraries, and their charm melts hearts instantly.
But while the world adores them, my heroes are different. They don’t have capes, stardom, or invincibility. My heroes are real people, ordinary yet extraordinary, struggling every day to make ends meet, sacrificing their comforts so their families can have a better future.
The Lady Security Guard – A Warrior in Disguise
I once met a lady security guard at our society gate. In India, it’s rare to see women working as security guards, as most women manage households or take up jobs in corporate offices, banks, or defense services. Curious, I asked her about her story.
She told me that she had been working as a security guard for the past 15 years. Her husband, an alcoholic, refused to work, so she took on the responsibility of running the household. Every morning, she woke up early to cook breakfast and pack lunch for her two children before heading to work. After her shift, she rushed home to prepare dinner and continued working late at night, planning the next day’s tasks.
Despite all this, her husband did nothing—just drank, slept, and occasionally mistreated her. But she never gave up. She wanted her children—a boy and a girl—to study well and get respectable jobs. She worked tirelessly, day in and day out, to ensure their future was secure.
She is my real hero—not because she fights villains or performs stunts, but because she battles life’s hardships with silent courage.
The Male Security Guard – A Father’s Unbreakable Will
Another hero I met was a male security guard whose son had cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Services (IAS) examination.
Working one job wasn’t enough to support his children’s education, so after completing his security duty, he worked an extra four hours in a factory to earn more. He didn’t spend on luxuries for himself—every rupee went toward books, coaching classes, and exam fees.
He had no degrees, no fame, no power—but his determination transformed his child’s destiny. His son, now a high-ranking officer, serves the nation.
The world applauds his son’s success, but behind that success is a father who worked double shifts, ate less, slept less, and sacrificed everything to make it possible.
My Heroes – The Backbone of Society
My heroes don’t have dazzling looks, designer suits, or fancy cars. They don’t star in action-packed blockbusters, yet they fight the real battles—battles of poverty, struggle, and sacrifice.
They are the farmers who work under the burning sun to feed the nation.
They are the teachers who shape young minds despite low salaries.
They are the soldiers standing guard in freezing mountains, away from their families.
They are the single mothers working multiple jobs to educate their children.
They are the doctors who choose to serve in remote villages instead of big hospitals.
They are the cleaning staff who wake up before dawn to keep our streets clean.
They are the small shopkeepers who struggle daily but still donate to the needy.
They are the construction workers who build homes they will never live in.
The Real Hero vs. The Reel Hero
Unlike the Reel Hero, my heroes don’t punch ten people at once, but they endure ten hardships a day.
They don’t fly planes, but they walk miles to work to save bus fare for their kids’ school fees.
They don’t win Olympics, but they raise the children who do.
They don’t climb Everest, but they climb out of poverty, inch by inch.
They don’t get standing ovations, but their struggles deserve the loudest applause.
Conclusion
My heroes don’t wear masks or costumes. They don’t have a scriptwriter making life easier for them. They don’t get retakes when they fall, but they rise again, every single time.
They don’t ask for recognition. They don’t expect awards. But if the world is a better place today, it’s because of them.
And that’s why, for me, they will always be the greatest heroes.
Guchi.
Improve Your Life 