A watchful life at Hussainsagar: Tank Bund Shiva’s two decades of saving lives

Like Batman, a man shaped by loss who turned his past into purpose, Gudipalli Shiva, has built a life out of watching over others. Once a child who grew up without support, much like the orphaned Bruce Wayne, Shiva today stands as a vigilant, almost constant presence at Hyderabad’s Hussainsagar lake, acting quickly when lives are at risk. Known locally as ‘Tank Bund Shiva’, he has rescued more than 141 people and assisted police in recovery operations.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced ₹5 lakh financial assistance, a 2BHK house, and a Home Guard job for his son, along with the promise of a swimming pool at Sanjeevaiah Park on PV Narasimha Rao Marg where Shiva hopes to train people in life-saving skills.

I spent part of my childhood in an orphanage after I got separated from my family during a religious procession. I somehow reached Chaderghat and from that point, I grew up on the streets. Survival became my daily routine. I collected plastic and scrap to earn a few rupees. During that time, I met Mahendra, whom I considered a brother. I called his mother amma, and she treated me like her own son. Those years taught me resilience and responsibility. When you grow up without support, you learn to depend on your instincts and your will to survive. That mindset has stayed with me even today.

The turning point were two tragedies. One day, Mahendra accidentally slipped and fell inside the Hasmatpet lake and died. Then a year later, a child slipped into Hussainsagar lake. Pavan, a footpath dweller with me, knew how to swim and immediately jumped in to help. But things did not go as we hoped and both of them drowned. From that day, I decided I would never be in a position where I could not help someone in the water. I started training myself seriously. Over the past 25 years, this lake has been my workplace and my responsibility. I have rescued more than 141 people and also helped the police in retrieving bodies. 

Being a lifeguard is not just about swimming. It is about observation and understanding people. Many who come close to the edge are dealing with problems that are not visible. Over time, I have learnt to notice behaviour, gait, mannerisms and hesitation. Sometimes, just speaking to a person at the right moment can prevent something serious. There are also situations where quick decisions are needed. Jumping into the water is not enough. You need technique to approach a person safely and bring them back without putting yourself at risk. I have seen cases where people hesitate, or stand and record videos instead of helping. It takes both courage and skill to act in those moments. I learned how to swim in difficult conditions in Saroornagar and nearby areas, but today I want people to have better training and facilities so they are prepared.

I am grateful for the support announced by the Chief Minister. I was told that it was his wife who requested him to offer me and my family some assistance. Though the cheque, the house, and the job for my son are important for my family, what matters most to me is the promise of a swimming pool. That is something I have always wanted. My goal is not to commercialise it. I want to create a space where anyone can come and learn swimming and rescue techniques. If more people are trained, more lives can be saved.

Living close to the lake and within the city changes how you see life. Every day, I stand there knowing that anything can happen at any moment. That keeps me alert and grounded. I hope the house given by the government is within the city because I want to stay connected. I have also tried to pass on what I have learnt to my son, Venu Madhav. From a boy who struggled on the streets to someone who now guards this lake, my life has been shaped by responsibility. As long as I am here, I will continue to watch the water, because every life matters.