Mumbaikars are increasingly opting for personal bodyguards for protection
Raj Thackeray may be living under a self-imposed state of house arrest, in part due to a lack of personal security, but Mumbai has recently seen a spurt in private security providers.
Bullet-proof vehicles, camera surveillance, security guards and personal bodyguards are available round the clock to ensure Mumbaikars remain safe. Topsgrup, a leading professional security agency provides total security solutions including male and female bodyguards. Deepak Monga, DGM (marketing and communication), Topsgrup, says, “Our bodyguards are provided in-house training at the Tops International Security Academy. An important pre-requisite for all our guards is that they have martial arts training.”
The company’s clients include celebrities, CEOs and their wives and children, MNC employees etc. The female bodyguard unit, Tops Angels, takes care of the women and children, and are always unarmed.
Martial arts and combat training prepare the bodyguards for any unforeseen incident. Pankaj Mishra, 36, a bouncer-cum-bodyguard with the Globe Group narrates why it is necessary to be on guard at all times: “There was an incident in which a suitor kept harassing my female client. When he tried to get physical, that’s when I overpowered him.” Pankaj has accompanied Amitabh Bachchan to Kala Ghoda, and is on Sania Mirza’s security detail when she came to Mumbai.
Recently there has been a rise in the number of people seeking professional security. Rahul Rai, director and head of the security division of Globe has observed a 50-60 per cent increase in business. “I feel there is an increase in awareness among people about security agencies and the security options available,” he says.
“People have seemingly realised the value of their own lives,” says Monga, whose company has observed an increase in business of more than 70 per cent.
The cost of hiring a bodyguard may vary from Rs15,000 to Rs25,000 for an unarmed male bodyguard, to Rs30,000 onwards for an armed guard. The cost of hiring a female guard ranges from Rs20,000 to 35,000.
From being a nanny to masquerading as a chauffeur, personal bodyguards have a lot on their plate. They however, are armed and ready to face the future, protecting their clients.
l_joanna@dnaindia.net
