The Tracking Indian Youth Workers Media Fellowship presents the next in a series of stories capturing the lives of young workers across India.
Rajesh Das, a 27-year-old from a village near Silchar, Assam, grew up as the eldest of five siblings. His education was cut short when his father asked him to leave school after 8th grade to help on the family farm. Eventually Rajesh moved to Banglore and started working as night security guard at a hostel. Despite the challenges, Rajesh remains motivated by his mother’s encouragement and the knowledge that his work helps make life a little easier for his family.
“I remind myself that I have to work to make a living, and knowing that my family looks up to me keeps me going. I also know that I am the only one who can at least make their lives a little easier.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Vaishnavi Bhat.
Vaishnavi: Tell me about yourself?
Rajesh: I am 27 years old and come from a village near Silchar in Assam. I am the eldest of five siblings. My father owns a farm where he works, and my mother is a housewife.
I studied at the village school until the 8th grade, but I had to leave as my family needed extra hands on the farm. Although we could afford school, my growing family required additional income, and I was expected to assist my father with farming instead.
One day my father came to me and said “You’ll have to leave school. I need someone to help me with the farm. The others are still too young, and we’re relying on you now.”
Vaishnavi: How did you feel about this situation?
Rajesh: I guess I was too young to fully understand the mistake I was about to make. At that age, I simply trusted my parents' decisions and did as they asked. I didn’t feel like I had a choice—I was stuck in a situation beyond my control. You should be lucky that you can afford to study and read. Make good use of it.
Vaishnavi: What is your current job?
Rajesh: I work as a night security guard at a college hostel in Bangalore. During the day, I take on cleaning duties at Bangalore Palace.
Vaishnavi: What led you to move from your village to Bangalore?
Rajesh: I came in search of better work opportunities, without a clear plan on where I would work. The city, people, language were all alien to me. Back in Silchar, everyone knows everyone, but here, it felt completely different.
But I did make few Bengali friends here, , and one of them told me about a security guard position in Vasanth Nagar that would open up the following month as he was leaving the job.
It's a big city with people from every state in India. It’s crowded because there are opportunities here. Sometimes, I think—if only we had understood the importance of education back then, I wouldn’t be here today.
Vaishnavi: What does a typical day at work look like for you?
Rajesh: My day starts early as I head to the palace for cleaning duty, which lasts about eight hours. I reach there around 9 AM and work until 6 PM. After that, I barely get time to cook or rest before my night shift begins at the hostel.
By 7 PM, I have to be at the hostel for security duty. On weekends and holidays, we’re sometimes required to stay even longer.
Vaishnavi: What aspects of your job do you enjoy?
Rajesh: I am just grateful that I have a job. And that I can send some amount of money for my family in Assam. I earn around ₹14,000 from my hostel job, and I receive an additional amount from my work at Bangalore Palace. Till I get a better salaried job, I will continue to work here.
I know how difficult it is to live in a poor household and to look for a job. When you go through so much in life, some problems start seeming trivial.
Vaishnavi: How do you spend your salary?
Rajesh: Saving is difficult for me. Most of my earnings go toward supporting my family, while the rest is spent on rent and food. I try to save whenever I can, but it’s not always possible.
Vaishnavi: What keeps you motivated?
Rajesh: My parents, especially my mother. She always encourages me to do my best. I remind myself that I have to work to make a living, and knowing that my family looks up to me keeps me going. I also know that I am the only one who can at least make their lives a little easier.
Vaishnavi: What is your perspective on youth employment in India? Do you feel there are sufficient opportunities for young workers like you?
Rajesh: In big cities, one can find jobs but most are either low-paying or risky. In other places the opportunities are few and far between unless you are from a privileged background. But in the end if you are determined and keep searching, you will eventually find work.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from young workers across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.
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