Bodyguard Who Served 23 Mayors Retires

BENGALURU: K B Swamy, who served as bodyguard to 23 mayors of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), including incumbent Shanthakumari, retired on Saturday.

Hailing from Ravandur village of Periyapatna taluk in Mysuru district, Swamy joined BBMP in 1978 as a Group D employee at a salary of `250 per month.

“In 1988, when Sheshadri was the mayor, I started working as temporary angarakashaka (bodyguard) and was appointed full-time in 1991-92 during the term of Narayanaswamy,” he said.

Swamy said he would report for duty at the mayor’s house at 6 am every day. “I used to go with them to any event, inspection or meeting. Sometimes, I used return home at midnight. I did not have weekly offs and have worked on many Sundays. But my job was never boring. I feel privileged to have worked with 23 first citizens of Bengaluru,” he said.

When asked if he would agree for an extension, Swamy said he does not want to work anymore. “I just want to go back to my village and take care of the family temple,” he added.

On Friday, Swamy was felicitated during the Council meeting where he was given a standing ovation. A few former mayors including B S Sathyanarayana from BJP and K Chandrashekar from Congress, came up to the dais to wish him. “I cannot forget this. I cannot expect more than this and shall cherish this forever,” Swamy said.