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

Discover how Tank Bund Shiva transforms his tragic past into a life-saving mission at Hyderabad's Hussainsagar lake.

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.

How did a childhood marked by survival on the streets shape your journey into becoming someone saving lives at Hussainsagar?

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.

What led you to dedicate your life to rescuing people at Hussainsagar?

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.