K Nandakumar, 50, joined the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as a security guard in Puducherry when he was 25. After serving for 25 years, it is only now that he is set to become a permanent employee of India's largest exploration and production company and be entitled to all the perks, allowances and benefits that come along with his job.
The quarter-of-a-century-old legal battle that ensued between the security guards and ONGC has been worth it, says Nandakumar. "Trips to the court and the struggle of 25 years have paid off. I am not sure how much I will get in terms of compensation from ONGC but whatever I get, I will invest for my future or probably buy a property," he said. Nearly 240 security guards had united to fight ONGC in 1988 when despite their 240 days in regular service, the company refused to consider them permanent, thus denying them the benefits.