When No One Smiled Back, Prasanna Still Did — Because Dignity Isn’t Borrowed

It hurts, but I don’t say anything," Prasanna says quietly, recalling the times he was called just a ‘watchman’. Because for him, smiling through the silence was never weakness — it was quiet strength.

What kind of man smiles at strangers for twelve hours a day — even when they don’t smile back? This is the story of Prasanna Kumar Nair, a 58 year self made man who has carved his own story from Kerala to Bombay, rising from ₹13 a day to a life built on respect, responsibility and courage with an unwavering smile.

Prasanna grew up in a town in Kerala, known for its highest literacy rate, but even reaching 12th grade was a financial stretch for his family. So, with little hope in his pocket, he boarded a train to Bombay, chasing survival more than dreams. In the initial days, he struggled to even ask for directions; he neither knew Marathi nor Hindi. Every day felt like a new challenge to overcome, yet he showed up, learning not just the language but how to belong there.

He started as a helper earning just ₹13 a month. The number sounds nothing now, but for him it was a start, a chance, a few meals on the table. With his family entirely depending on him, he worked dedicatedly to earn the smallest possible because he knew every rupee mattered. It was hard, it was frustrating but he believed in himself when no one else did. As the years passed he realized that it wasn’t about how much you earned, but about how much you could make with what you had.

Over time, Prasanna’s journey slowly led him to a steadier ground. A major turning point came in the late 90s when he joined as a security supervisor at ‘Golden Swan Country Club’. The beginning came with its own adjustments, but soon, he found himself surrounded by people who not only helped him settle in but also shared lessons he carries with him to this day. With steady improvement and quiet dedication, he was promoted to maintenance supervisor. His 23-year journey with Golden Swan, he says, has been more than just a job; it’s been a place of learning, growth, and constant support, a foundation that changed the course of his life.

The company gave him the opportunity to travel abroad for work, something he had never imagined for himself. His first flight was to Nigeria, a journey he took with more hope than fear. It was the people from his company who supported him throughout and helped ease his nerves. Everything felt new, but the pride of boarding a plane through his own hard work outweighed every other emotion. That moment opened new doors, and in the years that followed, he found himself travelling abroad several times, especially to Saudi Arabia.

When he started, he was unsure of the future he could offer his family, but he always made sure to provide his daughters with what they needed. Today, as he looks back, he feels proud of how far they’ve come, both his daughters are happily married and working at reputed companies like Mahindra. He has grandchildren who love spending time with him, and he is happy with all he has.

After he retired from Golden Swan, he started exploring different jobs because he believes that it's better to be active, meet different people, listen to others, share his opinions and keep working than sitting idle. Initially he thought working as a driver could be a great option and started his new journey.

In 2020, when the world came to a halt, Prasanna’s world shook too and his new journey got a pause. Both he and his wife tested positive for COVID-19, a time marked by fear, isolation, and uncertainty.

Quarantined for days, the experience was tough, but they got through it together. He reflects on that time and says,

“My life has always taught me to be patient and to be satisfied with what I have. That’s how you survive. And when you can smile back at your struggles, you’ve learned the secret to life.”

In 2020, he started working as a security guard, committing to 12-hour shifts each day. He has encountered many different people in his life, some made him feel he wasn’t worth it, and some made him feel like he deserved all the good things. But he believes that taking the good from everyone has helped him get where he is today. Even now, there are many who don’t smile back at him when he opens the gate or guides them to the right address.

He chooses to believe it’s their mindset, or maybe just a bad day - and he never lets it stop him from smiling. Still, there are moments that sting. “There are people who call me things like ‘ae watchman,’” he shares quietly. “It hurts, but I don’t say anything. I just tell myself it’s part of the job.”

Does dignity lose its worth when it wears a uniform some choose not to see?

Written by Khushi Choudhary

Khushi wrote this article as a participant of the Media-Makers Fellowship's May'25 cohort.