Aasaan Nahi Hai | A snapshot of entry-level workers in India

From the blue collared job seeker

A collection of perspectives

www.aasaanjobs.com#AasaanNahiHai

Aasaan Nahi Hai

aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

“I come from a farming background. We own a piece of land in Shiposhi where we cultivate rice, which is the most commonly grown crop in our village. I am pursuing BMS in a college far away from where I live, where our classes are held from eleven in the morning to three in the afternoon. Some of my classmates have to commute up to four hours both ways, so there isn’t really much time to hang out or organise extra curricular activities in the college, but we try our best. Even though my convocation is in April, I came right now for your assessment process since I wanted to have a job offer in hand before I received my degree.”

“Quite enthusiastic, aren’t you? So now that you are in Mumbai, what sort of jobs will you be targeting?”

“I like talking to people. I think I will be an awesome receptionist!”


The Receptionist from Ratnagiri

Mar 25 aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

“A friend, who attended the same college I did in Shiposhi, once had a telephonic interview with a bank based in Navi Mumbai for a client servicing job profile. He was told that although he fulfilled all the requirements as far as the qualification and skills were concerned, they would be going for a candidate who had done the same BMS course in Mumbai.”

“Do you think that was a biased decision?”

“I dunno. Maybe they thought that the guy from Mumbai would be more promising in terms of influencing local clients. Who knows? But I certainly think there is nothing that candidates from a rural background can’t do that an urban candidate can, if given an opportunity. I just hope I don’t face the same situation now that I am here!”

(Sagar got two job offers within four days of having this conversation with us. We at Aasaanjobs wish him all the best in all his future endeavours.)


The Rural Urban Bias

Apr 1 aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

“I currently work with a leading newspaper, where I go door to door and collect cheques for subscription. We are given a target for a month, and we can get upto 2000 bucks extra over the salary of Rs. 10,000 if we achieve it.”

“What kind of jobs did you apply for right now?”

“Telecalling and Data Collection. I have experience in both of them. I think I will go for any job in either of the two even if it offers me somewhere between Rs. 8500 - 10000.”

“But why change your job from a higher-paying one to another that wouldn’t pay as much?”

“I had gotten married around 9 months ago. I will need to spend more time at home now.”


Being responsible


“I was pushing 27 and my family kept harping on about getting me hitched, most of all my kid brother who wanted to marry his girlfriend as soon as possible. I didn’t want to think in that direction until I was well settled, which is why I came here from Malda. I have been working since as a construction supervisor at a site in Andheri.

I have started to feel of late that I will be more comfortable working in an office space. However ever since I have started to look for a new job I am discovering that one needs to have sufficient knowledge of computers to be able to work in an office setting with a good salary.”“And you don’t?"“No.”“So what are your plans now?”“Certainly don’t want to go back. There is this friend of mine who works in a cyber cafe. He has agreed to sit with me a couple of times in a week to teach me the basics. So...let’s see!”


Between computersand celibacy


“I barely remember my mother. She passed away when I was very young. It is since then that our family became work-oriented, where we contributed to either the household chores or income. My father works in a factory and my elder brother is a field sales executive. I myself worked at a clinic for 2 years where I took care of patients. I have applied for data collection and data entry jobs right now. I hope I get a call soon. ”

“What do you aspire to become, maybe 3-4 years down the line?”

“I find accounting interesting. I will try getting a degree in the next few years.”

“You mean you don’t have one now?”

“No. I just gave my 10th board exams a month ago.”


Mommy dearest


“I was born disabled. The doctors said I would forever be in a vegetative state. However, my mum devoted herself wholly towards taking care of me. It is because of her that I was able to complete my schooling, get a diploma in computer science and complete a Tally course. She also started an NGO to support other physically handicapped children in Shrirampur.

My condition doesn’t allow me to work very quickly or to talk very fluently, but I can be very perseverant. I will finish the job no matter how long it takes. I suppose I get that from my mother.”


Mommy dearest


“I have always been fond of movies. When I was little, I would sit staring at the screen and imagine myself acting on the silver screen. I would try to emulate the action sequences, but would get tired very easily. A check up revealed that I had a hole in my heart.

It took some time for my father, a newspaper vendor in Shrirampur, to arrange for the expenses of a surgery, and I was successfully operated upon at the age of 19. I went to Pune soon after, working as a counter sales executive in a mall for almost a year before coming to Mumbai.”

“Was there any special reason for coming here?”

“Yes. I will definitely give a shot at becoming an actor some day. But not now. Now I need to see and experience how Mumbai feels like, for which I have taken up a job as a field sales executive. I am joining the company tomorrow.”


The Bollywood aspirant

May 13 aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

“My mother was given my custody when she and my father separated. My father passed away when I was barely 3, and my mum a couple of years later. My life since then has been one of impermanence, flitting from the house of one friend to the other, with their families’ kindness sustaining me for several years. I however, always kept getting this pang to shape the direction of my life, and therefore after passing higher secondary exams I decided to come to Mumbai from Shrirampur.

I am now working as a document collector which involves going to various offices and getting a survey form filled. I am turned away from the gates of the office complex itself most of the times by the watchmen, and there are some days when I travel throughout the day without getting a single form filled.

Sometimes when I reach home late at night, I am struck by the irony of how that impermanence has again taken hold of me, but then the realization that I am now one step ahead towards being able to take control of my own life comforts me.”


Impermanence


“Our family consists of 5 people. Both my parents work to take care of us. When I passed my higher secondary examination, I did an MS-CIT course as well as a DTP course one after the other, following which I took up a job as a telecaller. My parents were adamant that I concentrate only on getting a law degree, which is why I enrolled at a college near Churchgate. I am now however trying to work out a schedule where I can work as well as study during the day, for which I am trying to take up a job as a DTP operator.”

“Is there any specific reason for you to want to work, even after your parents’ insistence to finish your studies? ”

“Yes. I am quite interested in this field. And with both my siblings in school I felt that I too must contribute to the family income, particularly when my parents are spending so much on my education. So I thought, why not contribute on my own terms?”


Own terms


“My parents passed away a couple of years ago. I was all set to complete my graduation and start hunting for a job when this took place. The shock was absolute, and their absence affected me quite strongly. I and my brother moved in with my grandmother, and have been living with her ever since. My brother was always concerned about the ever dwindling reserve of money left behind by my parents. After a gruelling preparation period, he passed the naval examination and is now working in Colaba. It was he who helped me cope with the loss and inspired me to get up and start working. I admit I couldn’t quite sustain it, since I left a job after just six months due to stress, which comes in the way of landing a new job since I am still considered a fresher.

But now I feel I am completely prepared to work, even if it takes me months from today just to find a job.”


A sibling’s support

June 3 aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

“I have applied for data entry and back office jobs. Most of the others require more qualifications.”

“What is the highest level of qualification you have achieved?”

“I passed my matriculation exams in 2006.”

“Did you not try to study more?”

“Nope. Didn’t really see the point of studying more if you had to work at the end of it all. However, I soon realised that degrees matter in the real world, after which I wanted to at least pass my 12th boards. But with all the work and little time to study, I was finding it impossible to strike a balance. Taking a break from work didn’t work out as well as I thought since I had lost touch completely. So now I am back to looking for a job.

My only aim in life is now to dissuade my rebellious younger brother from following in my footsteps.”


A lost opportunity


“I got a degree in travel and tourism management. Since I did not have enough working capital to start a travel agency of my own, I worked as a sales executive for 2 years with an automobile company in Guwahati. I was getting around Rs. 10,000 per month, which could go up to Rs. 15,000 if you brought in leads above the fixed target. The job allowed me to save a decent amount. Right now I have applied for cashier and counter-sales jobs.”

“But Mumbai is an expensive city. Savings would be difficult with the salary you would be getting as a cashier. Do you think you will be able to manage?”

“Absolutely. I have some friends in Mumbai with whom I plan to stay, and I find people here interesting and enterprising. I have, since childhood, always wanted to experience the culture of this city, and now I will do exactly that before I go back and set up my own travel agency in Guwahati for good.”


Change of scene


"On this rainy day I saw this person busy making calls and reading newspaper. Had a small chat with him and it turned out that he is jobless and is desperately looking for an opening. Told him what he is doing is wasting time and energy and that he should doing his job hunting online. All he had to say is at present he don't have a computer at home. I wished him all the best in his hunt for a job."

- Picture and caption by Rosario Fernandes, who was the second runner up in the contest.


Not so tech savvy

July 1 aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

"In my teenage days I had no clue where I was and what life was giving me. My dad had met with an accident and unfortunately he was in coma for almost two years.Those were the days where I was the only backbone of my family. I had almost sold out our ancestor's property with a heavy heart because that was the only source of income. Somehow I managed to complete my higher studies. As years were passing there was an improvement in my dad’s health. In those days I was completely shattered, but my mom was the only person to motivate me and her speaking eyes would always strengthen me towards my goals. Today I am very proud to say that I am working in a very well known IT industry. Not only this but with help of my mom’s courage, we are also into freelancing business which is now looked by my dad."

Picture and Caption by Narayan Marathe, who was the First runner up in the contest


Against all odds


"I come here daily; this here is my spot. I am usually here from 10 AM till 9 PM and as there are other sellers in this area, competition is stiff. There are days when there are no sales at all and days when food is really scarce in the household. I am 10th pass but it’s very difficult to get a job. Once I applied through an agency, he took some money and later I came to know agency was fraud. I am still looking out for a job."

- Picture and Caption by Dilip Shah, the winner of the first prize in the #AasaanNahiHai photography contest.


Standing out


"Amidst the hustle - bustle of Delhi's Connaught place, in reeling summer (over 40 degrees) I found this dedicated and smartly dressed door keeper (Mr. Atwal) at a garment showroom. I requested him for a pic and he very gracefully obliged! Salute to his dedication and professionalism for the fact that when people find ways to skip their duties in peak summer, he is serving his employers in full attire and with a bright smile. Notwithstanding his telephone moustaches just add to the grace! No wonder he has three stars on his uniform and looks great especially for his age."

Picture and caption by Dr. Siddharth Verma, one among the many submissions for the #AasaanNahiHai photography contest.


Moustache Magnificence


"I was 9 when my mother died due to cancer. My father got married to another woman and she used to beat me. I bear her torture for 3 yrs and one day I decided to ran from my village and came here. I really miss my mom and younger brother. Right now I am working in a hotel so that I can earn something and fulfill my stomach. I want to study to get a good job but left with no option other than working here."

Photo and caption by Rupam Jain. This submission was among the many entires for the #AasaanNahiHai photography competition.


Man proposes, God disposes.


"My mother is the one who has kept the family afloat by working as a maid in several houses in Bhandup, where we live. My father is asthmatic, and both my sisters have received very limited education, due to which they too have now started working as a maid nearby. I wanted to contribute to the family income as soon as possible, but at the same time had this desire to travel and see the different hues of Mumbai, for which I took up a job in JW Marriot Hotel as a housekeeper."

"Why did you leave then?"

"At Rs.10,000 a month, it was getting difficult for me to pay for the commute to Juhu everyday, let alone pay for the expenses of the family. I have since resigned to look for a job as a packer near my locality."


Cutting the commute

Aug 5 aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

"I was born in a small village. During my school days, I used to walk 9 kilometres to school barefoot. The villagers laughed at me. For them it was insane to walk so far to study. I worked hard and managed to complete my studies.

Economic condition of the family was not good. In my life, the most challenging moment came when my mother died suddenly one day, a few days after which my father lost his job. Right now I am the only earning member in my family. I had recently completed my graduation and got a job as a telecaller soon after, on a temporary basis. I keep wondering when this job will become permanent."

Picture and caption by Aniket, one among the many entries in the #AasaanNahiHai photography contest.


Prolonged struggle

Aug 19 aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.


aasaan jobsBetter Jobs. Better Life.

“Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success"

- APJ Abdul Kalam

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Aasaan Nahi Hai | A snapshot of entry-level workers in India

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