It is said that not all angels have a halo shining over their heads and that not every superheroes wear capes. After the prime minister announced the demonetisation drive, ATM guards were a few of those who worked more than they are required to.

When first timers were panicking they did their best to help them despite being not properly trained. We came across many people who shared their experiences with ATM guards after the demonetisation drive was announced. From helping strangers to calming them down, they did it all.

Check out the special ATM GUARD PERSON OF THE YEAR page.

Here's why people think the ATM guard was the "my person of the year" in 2016:

"Seeing my mother, exhausted standing in a queue for over two hours in front of an ATM in Sarojini market, the security guard walked up to me and said, "There's an ATM inside the bank as well. Access is restricted there right now but I see your mother is tired. Please don't tell anyone else.""

-Ratika Arora, Defence Colony

"After a rickety ATM in the outskirts of Kanpur refused to push out Rs 2,000 I wanted, I thought transcation failed. I hadn't received a message from the bank either. As I was walking towards my car, annoyed and tensed, the ATM guard called out saying, "Madam ji, aapka cash reh gaya.""

-Priyanka Dubey, NRI city

"My father wasn't familiar with using an ATM. When he was baffled inside an ATM booth, and with people waiting in the queue asking him to get out, the ATM guard stepped inside, swiftly helped him to get the cash. He said, "These people will keep shouting, I'll teach you how to use the ATM, it's very easy.""

-Mohit Chadha, Kamla Nagar

"I was waiting in a queue when a man created ruckus for someone cutting the queue. The ATM guard came and said to that man, "Sir, would you have tea?" to which the man replied, "Is this the time to have tea?" Guard said, "It's not the time to fight either, Sir!""

-Priyanshu Kapoor, Janakpuri

I had to catch a train to Delhi from Patna but it was running indefinitely late. After waiting for almost 5 hours at the platform I decided to try my luck at withdrawing some money from one of the ATMs outside Patna Junction. "Cash Nahi Hai" - the ATM greeted me with the message. The ATM guard sitting inside was trying hard to keep himself awake on an unusually cold night. "Kab se nahi hai cash?" I asked the guard - Shiv Pujan Mishra. "Badi din ho gaya...naya note sab fit nahi hota ATM mein...machine banega tab hoga...bola hai bank wala," he said. "Band kyun nahi kar dete ATM ko...aaplog bhi ghar pe thoda rest kariye," I said. "Din ke hisab se salary milta hai sir...nahi ayengey to humra hi na nuksan hai (My salary is calculated on per day basis...if they shut the ATM even for a couple of days...I will lose my two-day salary)" Shiv Pujan said tightening the muffler around his face. "Chai pijiega Mishraji?" I asked him. He said nothing. I walked off but returned after some time to give him a kulhad of tea and then walked off again to wait for my train. What prompted me to offer him tea? I am yet to comprehend.

-Rajeev Ranjan, Patna

"Standing in a queue at 3 AM, my dad and I were discussing Modi's decision to demonetise the currency with the ATM guard. He told us that he's been working 24 x 7 since last three days since the other guard was unwell." "The kind ATM guard in my office gives me, and a few others in the office, a call whenever the cash van arrives. It helps us beat the queue."

-Steve R, East of Kailash

"I barely noticed a guard's presence inside the ATM before demonetisation, but now they have become such life saviours. I remember I was standing in the line for nearly 1.5 hours and there were many senior citizens ahead of me. Many of them were rarely used ATMs or were using it for the first time. Obviously it was taking too long for them to operate and get the cash. But then, an ATM guard intervened and decided to help them. He would insert the card for them, guide them and got things done quickly. Within minutes the queue started decreasing which was a relief and I could not thank him enough."

-Karan Bali, Pitampura

When I was standing in the ladies line outside a bank to deposit money, few women were trying to break the line and they succeeded. Many of us opposed and it led to a verbal fight. Before things could heat up further, a guard of a nearby ATM intervened and sorted the matter.

-Vandana Sharma, Mayur Vihar

I stood in a long queue outside an ATM for hours. Just when I received an alert on my phone informing me of a 2000 rupee cash withdrawal from my account, I saw that the note got half stuck on its way out of the machine. I was scared to pull it out, fearing that I would tear it. The ATM guard standing nearby asked me not to panic, and gently took it out for me. I was so relieved as I had managed to withdraw cash first time in 3 days after standing for almost 6 hours.

-T Rangarajan, Chennai

While standing in the queue at 3 in the morning, my dad and I were discussing Modi's decision to demontise the currency with the ATM guard. He told us that he worked on a double shift because the other guard was unwell. After taking out the money, we got him chai and he jokingly asked "Paytm kar dun paise?, modiji ki wajah se yeh toh seekh liya". That is when I realised that there's something good about it too.

-Yogesh Rajan, Rani Bagh

I have the number of the ATM guard at my office and whenever the cash van arrives, he informs me and many others. It helps me beat the queue.

-S.K Sharma, South Extension II

I come from a remote village around 100 kilometres away from the city. Having searched for over 2 hours for an operational ATM, I found a small queue outside one in Mahavir Market. I was glad hoping I won't have to wait long to withdraw cash as there were just 3 people ahead of me. But just when my turn came to enter, the person before me walked out disappointed. "Cash over", he said. I felt terrible and walked up to the security guard sitting on a chair. I explained to him how badly I was in need of cash. The guard said the cash van comes at 6 in the evening, which people line up for 2 hours in advance. But there's another ATM for senior citizens that has a separate entrance and operates for an hour only. Come at 2 pm tomorrow and I will show you in. The other day, I stepped inside this other ATM and walked out with cash. I had no words to thank the security guard.

-Gaurav Patel, Ahmedabad