The Tracking Indian Youth Workers Media Fellowship presents the next in a series of stories capturing the lives of young workers across India.
Rishek Sinha, a 22-year old from Bihar, has had to face the harsh realities of career compromises. Once aspiring to become an automobile engineer, financial constraints forced him to take a different path. Now, he works as an accountant at a school and manages a PG accommodation to supplement his income. Though his circumstances led him down a different road, he still hopes to one day achieve his goal of becoming an engineer.
“Life often presents challenges that can feel overwhelming, but it’s essential to stay focused on the bigger picture and the goals that initially inspired us. I’ve also realized that adaptability is the key to living a decent life. Sometimes, unexpected opportunities lead us to new paths that may or may not align with our passions.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Paridhi Jain.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this story are those of the individual and do not reflect the perspective of our platform. At The Future of India, we believe that the real issue is the scarcity of opportunities, which can create conflicts between various sections of the society. The solution lies in expanding these opportunities, rather framing the issue as a conflict between communities. We are sharing this profile because young people - whether from marginalised communities or those with caste privilege- are facing an uphill battle in their pursuit of a decent life. Our goal is to highlight diverse voices and lived realities, fostering dialogue on employment, education, and opportunities for Young India.
Paridhi: Can you tell me about yourself?
Rishek: I am 22 years old. I am originally from Bihar, but my family has been living in Ghaziabad for over a decade now. Currently, I work as an accountant at a local school and to supplement my income, I also manage a paying guest (PG) accommodation near my home.
I come from a middle-class family. There are four members in my family: my mother, father, younger brother, and myself. My father works a small job in transportation, while my mother is a housewife. My younger brother is still in school. Right now, my father and I are the primary earners in the family.
Paridhi: What did you want to become while growing up?
Rishek: When I was younger, I wanted to become an automobile engineer, but due to my family's financial constraints, I could not pursue that path. I had to enter a completely different field. It is difficult to start from scratch, but I still hope to eventually pursue automobile engineering when I'm in a better financial position.
Paridhi: What aspects of your job do you enjoy, and what do you dislike?
Rishek: I really enjoy interacting with people, whether it's working with my colleagues, negotiating for school supplies, or managing PG operations. However, I dislike idleness. I prefer staying engaged in productive work rather than scrolling aimlessly through social media.
Paridhi: What life lessons have you learned through your journey so far?
Rishek: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my journey is the value of hard work and perseverance. Life often presents challenges that can feel overwhelming, but it’s essential to stay focused on the bigger picture and the goals that initially inspired us.
I’ve also realized that adaptability is the key to living a decent life. Sometimes, unexpected opportunities lead us to new paths that may or may not align with our passions.
Paridhi: What is your perspective on youth employment in India? Do you feel there are sufficient opportunities for young workers like you?
Rishek: Personally, I believe there are not enough opportunities for young people in India. While many companies are hiring, they often require qualifications that many lack. This leaves people with two options: to find a job that fits them, which is increasingly unlikely, or to settle for whatever jobs are available. Even if certain individuals are skilled, they are often underpaid for their talents.
The only solution I see is for young job seekers to continuously enhance their skills. It is vital to remain competitive in today’s job market.
Paridhi: According to you, what is going wrong?
Rishek: In today's world, salaries are often determined by market dynamics rather than individual skill. For many in India, it is hard to find a decent job, and even when they do, the pay often does not suffice to lead a fulfilling life. As people become disillusioned with their jobs, they often lose interest because they desire more than mere survival. Today’s job market seems focused on meeting societal expectations rather than personal fulfillment.
Paridhi: Who do you think is responsible for this situation?
Rishek: I think young people should take some of the blame for their situation. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Successful figures like Mukesh Ambani or Mark Zuckerberg have made the most of their time, but many young people today feel hopeless and don’t even try. This lack of effort makes it hard for them to earn a decent living.
While it's not entirely their fault, governments must recognize that the problem of unemployment is a significant issue. For instance, in competitive exams, one seat can attract over 50,000 applicants. Many students, particularly those from the general category, miss out on opportunities even if they are exceptionally talented. If I had received financial support, I would have been an automobile engineer today instead of an accountant and a PG caretaker.
Paridhi: Any particular incident you want to share?
Rishek: One of the biggest setbacks I faced was when I tried to apply for a scholarship to pursue automobile engineering. The admissions office rejected my application because I lacked certain documents, including my father’s income certificate. At that time, my father earned so little that he didn’t even qualify for such a certificate.
There is a widespread assumption that general category individuals are financially stable, but that is far from the truth. I had to give up my dream simply due to a lack of financial support. When we spoke to the admissions office, they questioned why I needed financial support, implying that my caste shouldn’t require assistance.
Unfortunately, youth employment and education have also become highly politicised. During elections, Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) receive significant attention because they form a large vote bank. Meanwhile, general category students are largely ignored in terms of job creation, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.
Many young people like me are forced into careers they never wanted—not due to a lack of talent, but because the system ignores our financial need.
Paridhi: Any message you want to share with the world?
Rishek: My only message is to break the prevalent stereotype that individuals from the general category are financially stable and do not require scholarships or financial support. The government should recognize that poverty does not discriminate based on caste, and many people in the general category are also struggling. There is a significant lack of policies that address the needs of the general category youth workers. We need to question why this is the case.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India.
P.S.: If you read “From the Dhaba to the Ring: A Kickboxer’s Journey”, you know Uvais Khan has been working hard to make a name for himself in the ring. He’s just won a state-level boxing championship, taking another big step forward in his journey. If you missed his story, you can read it here.
Stay tuned for more stories from young workers across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.
