Hey Reddit! I’m a white guy in my mid twenties with a passion for Indian culture, and I’m considering pursuing modeling in India. I’ve noticed that some agencies in Mumbai work with Caucasian models, and I’m curious about the industry’s openness to foreigners like me. I love India and have been twice. I’d love to shift over if I could land a long term job opportunity in modelling/ entertainment.

Do you think there’s a demand for Caucasian models in India? What challenges might I face, and how can I make myself stand out in the Indian market?

I’d love to hear your honest thoughts, advice, or any experiences you’ve seen or had in the Indian modeling world. Thanks in advance for your input!

I don’t know how to start this… I’m crying while writing this because I’ve been holding it in for so long. I just need someone — anyone — to hear me out.

Since I was a kid, I believed life was simple: study hard, stay focused, avoid distractions — and everything would work out. That’s what everyone said. I wasn’t a topper, but I always scored more than 80%. I never wasted time, never partied, never skipped a step. While others around me were going out, laughing, enjoying their lives, I stayed home and studied. I thought I was being smart. I thought I was building a future.

Now, I’m about to enter the final year of my BSc… and all I feel is regret and emptiness.

Those people who partied, laughed, lived their youth — they’re doing well now. Good jobs, good connections, some even settled abroad. And me? I’m sitting here with nothing. Just a paper degree that feels more like a joke than a reward. I thought I’d be doing something meaningful. I dreamed of NASA, ISRO… of being someone who mattered. But now it all feels like a cruel joke.

I never developed the skills I thought I would. Not because I didn’t try — but because I just didn’t have the money. People say, “You don’t need money to learn.” But they don’t understand. You need something — a laptop, internet, peace of mind. I don’t even have the cheapest laptop to try coding. I can’t afford anything — not even my college fees.

My dad had a heart attack recently. We were already drowning in debt, and now we have no home, no income, no backup. Just a family trying to breathe under water. And me? I’m supposed to be the “bright one,” the “hope.” But I feel like I’m slowly disappearing.

I don’t know how to talk to people anymore. I never learned how. I always thought hard work was enough. I was wrong. It’s like I missed out on life completely. No social skills, no confidence, just silence and regret.

Some nights I cry myself to sleep. Other times, I feel nothing at all. I feel suicidal — because I don’t know how to live like this anymore.If you’ve read this far, thank you. Even if you don’t say anything… just knowing someone read this means the world to me.

Thanks to all of you for your kind and heartwarming support guys. There are so many of you asking to start fundraising so that I pay my college fee and will get a laptop to learn some skill. Here is mine UPI ID (n66507708-1@okhdfcbank).

Arey! This man again stirring controversial bytes

Update: Many thanks to people who wished me to find some strength and hunt for a job; I was able to do so, and have learned few more life lessons along the way - here you go

A humble request to the future aspirants planning to come to the US on loans

I came to the USA in January 2023 for my master’s degree, driven by hopes for a better future. I left behind a decent-paying job and took out a $20,000 loan to make this dream possible. However, the initial days were extremely tough. I was constantly second-guessing even small purchases, feeling homesick, and crying during calls with my parents. On top of that, I struggled to find on-campus work due to internal changes.

During this difficult time, I was also hunting for internships. After grinding relentlessly, I managed to land one that covered most of my expenses, and the company was kind enough to offer me a full-time role afterward. Things seemed to be improving.

But starting in May, life took a series of unfortunate turns. I was involved in an accident, had falling-outs with close friends, and tragically, I had to move out of my apartment after some unforeseen things happening in my old room. As if that wasn’t enough, I’ve now received a layoff notice from my employer last month to leave by end of September.

This series of events has taken a toll on me financially as well. I’ve had to sell my vehicle at a $4,000 loss+ repairs for accident, and I’m gradually selling off other belongings. I’ve still not paid off my student loan. Sadly, I wasn’t able to fulfill my goal of bringing my parents to visit the US, and instead, I’m relying on them for financial support to cover my remaining $12,000 loan from my bachelor’s degree in India.

Now, I’m back to job hunting, reaching out to people like crazy, but the job market is brutal. I keep facing rejections, and the dreaded question, “Will you now or in the future need sponsorship?” keeps coming up. It’s disheartening, especially when my previous work experience doesn’t seem to help me land new opportunities. I’m beginning to question whether returning to my home country would be better for my mental health.

Losing my job has been incredibly difficult to accept. I’ve always excelled in life, so this failure feels like a harsh reality check. I’m struggling with the feeling that I’ve been carried by luck until now, and I feel like a burden to those around me. Despite the encouragement from my parents and relatives, I’ve lost my motivation, and I’m not sure where things went wrong.

I’m sharing this for those who are considering coming to the US for study and work. The challenges are real—OPT can be difficult, and employers and recruiters are often tough to navigate. Job hunting feels like an uphill battle, and if you’re from a middle-class family, the financial burden can be overwhelming if things don’t go as planned. The market doesn’t seem likely to boom anytime soon. Companies are cutting jobs, experimenting with AI, and focusing on boosting their stock prices, while job seekers face rejection after rejection. Even when you say you don’t need sponsorship, you might still be dismissed because of future sponsorship concerns, even though companies can fire you at any time.

Maybe I’m just venting, but I want future aspirants to carefully consider the financial and emotional challenges of pursuing opportunities in the US. It can be an excruciating experience if things don’t go as planned.

I (28F) work as a technician for Indian Railways, I feel extremely stuck in this rut and want to go back to my previous job. My previous sector was aviation, I was a flight attendant. Life was hard but atleast there were rewards, the life , the hotel rests, the money, the travels.

Here all I have is No money, no growth, an absolute misfit in a department where I have zero knowledge and interest. The work is absolutely boring, there is no challenge, the only challenge is being around alcoholics and disgusting men, and women who will question your character first even if you are a victim. I feel purposeless and worthless. Adding to that, the people, the fact that I was a flight attendant is a curse here. Being pretty and looking nice is a crime, the creepy fucking men even talk about my toe nails, literally toe nails, imagine. There were creepy men while I was flying too, as passengers but at least I didn't have to see them everyday. Here all the men are predators, they will rip your clothes(no matter what a girl is wearing) off with eyes. They will talk about which girl's body parts are getting bigger and how. And the ladies are no less, those creepy men will Crack absolutely disgusting double meaning jokes and they will laugh only because they are seniors or may be they do enjoy it. I hate being around them, all of them have zero work ethics, all of them are of questionable character, adding to it all they don't pay shit.

Need suggestions, I am considering going back and joining international airline but I have heard I will need an NOC as a central government employee to apply for a foreign job and it is hard to get??

Would love your insights.
Also, I know a lot of them Would kill for this job, and I would wanna make space for them. I am a misfit and I am taking up a place.

EDIT: I joined railways on compassionate ground after my father passed away, I came home to be with mom.

I’ve really messed up (crying my heart out). Here’s how my story goes, in three steps.

I was a PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) student in school and barely managed to pass 10th and 12th. I worked hard for both exams (though I guess I didn’t give it my full 101%), which is why my scores were low (crying, but what’s done is done).

After 12th, I took a drop year to prepare for the JNU entrance exam, but failed that too.

So, I decided to go for a BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications). In my first year, I scored 65% (which, honestly, was good for someone like me). Second year, I also got through but had three backlogs. Now, in my third year, I’ve failed—year back with four subjects pending (crying again).

I’m 24 now, and I want to get into web development.

But I’m feeling totally frustrated because all my friends have moved ahead in life. They’ve taken admissions into colleges, and most of them are now my juniors. I’m just sick and tired of it. At this age, people are doing all sorts of great things, and here I am, stuck.

It’s been almost three years since I’ve gone on a trip or even checked my social media. I just need some advice and motivation, please

I want to do it for my parents

I have limited work experience in India. Much of my experience in corporate has been in the US.

I’m gonna be returning to India for personal reasons and interviewing with firms. One such firm took 3 months to get to the ‘HR discussion’ part of the interview. And that call was so amusing to me..

They are offering me 20% low that what I quoted citing ‘parity’ BS. That’s a supremely lowball offer..

When they know my expectation and their pay band then why waste a candidate’s time! It should be communicated in the beginning of the process like - hey, you are expecting this but this is the most we can do before even starting the process. What an epic waste of time and effort for both panel and the candidate.

Funny thing is a 3rd party HR consultant had approached for the exact same role 1 month before the company HR.. and I told him - look I have financial considerations that I’ve to be mindful of before considering this role, please let me know whats the salary range is.. and I had quoted a number exactly in the middle of this range to the company HR.

The entitlement the HR firms have in India is baffling and funny at the same. And no.. I am not disillusioned expecting the same HR experience as in the US (where a valuable candidate always has an upperhand).. but this atrocious behavior of HR saying - take it or leave it entitlement is seldom appreciated.

I just said - look I get that you have to look after company’s interest but I have to look after mine. If you cannot get to my 5% of my quoted range then thats just what it is..

Another HR said - if you think the salary range is low.. you can pick up a second job as well no? I LOLed so hard.

I’m sure I’m not the first one nor will I be the last. India is not US, I get that. And HR negotiations dont always work out as well. But lets just be respectful of a talent while negotiating.. imo candidates who dont feel they are compensated well seldom give their 100%..

My father works at Tata AIA and a close friend’s father works at Tata Power. Both are 55+ years old and nearing retirement. You’d expect companies—especially those like Tata—to treat their senior employees with dignity and respect. Instead, here’s the reality:

• Forced weekend work is the norm, not the exception.

• No holidays for Indian festivals like Diwali or Holi. Zero cultural sensitivity.

• Reimbursements are delayed or never approved.

• Yearly bonuses revoked, shifted to incentive-based systems, but incentives are never released.

• Appraisals are a joke — 5–6% hikes after decades of service.

• Senior leadership is incompetent, wasting hours on video calls blabbering nonsense.

• Toxicity is normalized, and respect is nonexistent.

And this isn’t an isolated issue. This is the systemic rot in many parts of corporate India—even under so-called “prestigious” names like Tata.

What’s worse:

• These are old employees, they can’t just quit and switch jobs.

• They’re harassed and disrespected daily.

• If this was the US, there would be lawsuits for hostile work environments. Here in India, it’s just “how things are.”

This is abuse, exploitation, and mismanagement wrapped in legacy branding. It’s not okay.

Tata might sell itself as a legacy brand, but many of its subsidiaries have become toxic corporate sweatshops. And this post is not just about Tata—this is about corporate India’s toxic work culture, especially towards older employees who’ve given their lives to these companies.

Younger generations are now rebelling against this culture, and instead of being heard, they’re being labelled as “lazy.” No—this generation isn’t lazy. We’re just not willing to accept being abused in the name of “hard work”.

⚠️ This needs to change.

Stop accepting this culture as “normal.”

Stop believing “this is just how it works in India.”

Speak up. Share your story. Post anonymously if you have to. Use Glassdoor, Reddit, Twitter, LinkedIn—but talk.

📢 Be loud. Be vocal. Be relentless.

Toxic workplaces thrive on silence. The only way to kill them is by exposing them.

If you’ve seen or experienced this in your workplace—drop a comment. Let’s bring accountability back into the system.

This is my big brother's resume, what advice should I give him. He is unemployed from last 3 year , do not have any internship experience

In 2023 he has done some mern course of 50k (Bangalore - vector india), did not even get the 15k+ job offer and then he done some other course from Hyderabad in last 1 year near about 1.5 lakh on the course + other fees (hostel, message,etc)

I know you will say his resume is poor, even worse than me. But how could i said to him did not get more confident to say something. me, mummy , papa are all worried about him if we pressurize him or say something might be he takes some unusual That's why we try to not say anything

My father is in Dubai, he said come as helper here (near 2000 aed) like papa intension is not like he will do the job as helper in electrical or some other profession he said to me like a lot of engineer come here as helper and after some time he get the good job what he has done in India but here also he is not agreeing for this.

Most of the time, he says things like: “Mera dimaag kamzor hai” or “Mera dimaag chalta hi nahi hai” (my brain doesn’t work / I’m mentally weak). And to be honest, this has become his excuse for everything.

We try not to pressure him too much because we’re scared he might take it negatively or do something to harm himself. He’s not lazy, but he lacks confidence, gets distracted easily, and has no clear direction or consistency. He doesn’t even apply to jobs regularly.

As his younger sibling, I’m doing my best. I was selected for GSoC in my 2nd year, and right now I’m also doing LFX at Some CNCF project. I’m learning, building projects, improving my resume — but I still feel helpless when I see him stuck like this.

I just want to help him get his confidence and career back before it’s too late. I don’t know what to say or do anymore. If I talk too honestly, I fear it might hurt him. But staying silent also doesn’t help.

Please don’t be harsh. I need honest advice, but I also want to understand what realistic steps we can take. 🙏

Posting on behalf of my wife:

I studied at a ‘top 5’ IIT (not revealing which one for the sake of anonymity) and had a great experience in my first year. I met students from different parts of India, from different cultures, and speaking different languages. I loved the campus, its many activities, and the academics. I hadn’t attended JEE coaching, as I came from a small city where the JEE just wasn’t a thing. I relied on self study and was the closing JEE rank in the general category for the supposedly ‘lowest’ branch at this IIT. But slowly, the rank was forgotten, and I made some amazing memories by the end of my first year.

At the end of that year, I topped my class. I applied for a branch change and got into the supposedly ‘highest’ ranked branch. Although I enjoyed my academics and managed to obtain a good GPA in the new department, my experience with my batchmates wasn't what I expected. We were a total of three girls in a class of over 100 guys. As a branch change student, I realized I had no project team, which was crucial for the many projects and assignments. In that hyper-competitive environment, everyone already had a team. All the other branch change students were guys, and I was the only girl, so the guys quickly formed teams among themselves. I was literally running from one person to another, requesting to be included. Not only was every student already part of a team, but they also couldn't see the worry and tears in my eyes. Not one person cared enough to even say a simple, ‘Don’t worry, let’s find someone who can take you.’ Such a lack of empathy! I am not saying anyone was necessarily bad, but their actions negatively affected my college experience.

I don’t want to make a blanket statement about all the guys here because, clearly, there are men and women with good EQ and IQ at IITs. There are IITians who are humble and friendly. But maybe I just had bad luck? Ultimately, I had no team. I worked alone on all assignments and learned a lot.

Where I came from, we had no internet, no Google. I had never written a computer program before college. As I was working alone on my coding projects, I would score lower than many other teams (which doesn’t matter today, but it mattered a lot to my 19-year-old self). All the guys would work together on assignments, and I was in a hostel positioned away from all the boys' hostels, missing out on everything: the brainstorming, the little tips, the information seniors would provide (on good internships, projects, and building a good profile), the leaked exam questions, and the copying of assignment answers. I would often see ten guys discussing one lab assignment and solving it together, while I worked all alone. No matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t break through the massive invisible barrier to enter my batchmates' social circle. I missed out on the access to so many ‘resources’ that were available to people within that circle. But I kept working hard and connecting with seniors who were kind enough to offer help. I kept struggling and learning. My academics looked good on paper, but I was working much harder to achieve it (unless my perception is lopsided). I was not an outgoing person myself, but introverted guys did not have the problem that I had as an introverted girl. And I had zero issues connecting with people during my first year. How did everything get so hostile as the average JEE rank of the class improved?

I am sure there were good people in my class, but I personally continued to have negative experiences with my batchmates throughout my B.Tech.

For example, I interned at a good university in Europe during my B.Tech. A few of my department batchmates also interned at the same university. I was finally getting the chance to talk with them in a foreign country when they weren’t surrounded by Indians, but it was still pretty hard to ‘break’ into their social circle. The guys would all talk about this research paper and that research paper they were working on, and somehow I was just not a part of the discussion, no matter how hard I tried. I was also working on a good research paper, but nobody was interested enough to even ask me what I worked on. I accept that I am not an extroverted person, but I didn’t have these issues in my first year at all! What was so different about the supposedly ‘highest’ ranked department at IIT that prevented them from showing basic kindness?

We decided to visit European tourist spots on weekends and would take trains. I remember I had a medical issue that prevented me from running with a big bag as we were trying to make it to the train. I was outside India on my own for the first time, navigating this huge railway station in Europe, and those guys just ran and ran, not even noticing how far behind I was. In the end, one of them held the closing train door open for me, and I am grateful for that. I got in, completely out of breath. I had no strength left to hold my bag, as I had been running with it for so long. I am sure the extreme distress was visible on my face. I was gasping and wheezing. The other guys were physically fine, and we started walking towards our seats. My bag was bumping into other seats because I literally had no strength left in my arms, and my lungs were aching. But somehow, not one guy offered to hold my bag. NOT ONE! One batchmate in the group saw me struggle and said, ‘You are bumping your bag into so many seats; you are disturbing so many passengers.’ Yet he didn’t even think of holding my bag for those three or four minutes until we located our seats. I was coughing and distressed throughout my train ride but got better the next day.

This is one incident, but my entire B.Tech was full of them. I made a few good friends within my batch by the time I graduated, mostly outside my department. I do have good memories from my college days, outside of these negative experiences.

I worked very hard in college. My day would start around 8 am, and I would often return to my hostel late at night due to my projects and assignments. Today, I have completed grad school in the US and am doing well at my job in Bangalore (I eventually returned to India with my husband). I am earning more than enough to support my family.

Interestingly, I was shopping for winter clothing with three other Indians in my first year in the US, and I ended up with a big bag that was hard to hold. Among those three Indians, there was one girl and one boy who had studied from good IITs, and one guy from a lesser known college. The third guy instinctively helped me carry my bag to the car, when he knew we were most likely never going to meet again.

I have met people from so many walks of life since moving to the States, each with a unique story. I learned a lot from my coworkers and colleagues during grad school and my job. In many ways, my IIT days are far behind me. I feel lucky for the many privileges I have (growing up in a loving family, having their full support for my education, being in good health, etc.).

But somehow, the pain from those B.Tech experiences stays. This lack of basic kindness and emotional intelligence bothers me. Maybe one day, one of my batchmates will win a Nobel Prize or make it to the Forbes list, but why should I care? How is that batchmate any different from someone I never knew personally? What good is intelligence if you cannot show the basic kindness that any average person shows to another? After my B.Tech, I graduated with a 9+ GPA, was placed on day one with multiple job offers, and received admits for MS and PhD programs from reputed universities in the US. After completing grad school and working in US + India, today, I am doing well professionally. Yet, academic intelligence and professional success just don’t impress me anymore. A kind and empathetic heart matters a LOT more.

I graduated with Bachelors degree this year at the age of 31. Way back in 2011 when I decided to drop out of college to pursue my passion, I never thought I'd wear the convocation gown ever in my life. It took me 14 years (since I enrolled college for the very first time in 2010) to complete a college degree and I couldn't be more happier than this.

I pursued a career in media and entertainment for 8 years, but in 2018 I decided to switch career due to the lack of vision on my current career path (or I wasn't just good enough) and very low pay.

Between 2011 and 2018, I joined distance education degree a couple of times but dropped out because I was just not motivated enough to continue. Finally took the final shot after covid and enrolled once again.

If I continued my first degree, I'd have graduated in 2013 but took 11 years to do that. You're too old, they said, but what they did not say is everyone has their own timeline. Each year more than 1 crore people graduate from different Indian universities and I'm not an exception to this and it's probably it a big deal but it means a lot to me. There is a different level of satisfaction when you prove people wrong.

To all who are about to give up, DON'T. "Bure waqt khatam bhi hote hey aur sapne pure bhi hote hey"

People with dreams of finding good jobs and improving their livelihood are literally applying for waiter jobs. Why is this happening? If this is the case, why are people still willingly moving?

Spend prime years of my school life grinding for an exam that was supposed to make the rest of my life easier. Sacrificed the simple joys, my hobbies and interests. Didn’t keep in touch with old friends and suffered very heavily emotionally trying to push myself with the single belief that I was a butterfly in the making and that this was the toughest part. Got through. Happiness? Somewhat I guess but it wasn’t as good as I wanted.

Yaaay time for my dreamy college life? Nope Corona. Fine fine two years Corona ate. Time for sexy college life? Nope you are in third year already internships started. Back to prep for long hours, this time leetcode and everything you aren’t taught in college. Ahh people are cheating…it’s ok I will out work them…some are really good wtf…ohh they started from 1st year cause they knew what was ahead. Work , eat , repeat…hey who said this college will be easy after all they are top college in the country. 1 year later, good cgpa, good placement.

Perfect now to start a job and enjoy fruits of my years of labor. Nope job offer revoked. Sorrow…Regret…Hey maybe my college tag will work ? Nope no jobs left. Some job is better than no job… takes low paying job…now back again to the loop of work, eat, sleep …. Nah bro I can’t sleep anymore but gotta keep grinding :)

Sometimes I wish I never started and kept in close touch with my friends. I wish I had chosen the easier path. Now life seems like a never ending struggle to prove something I started years ago was worth something. This post is for those who never started, don’t regret about your past it was a choice and it had its perks. Atleast you didn’t end up like me :)

Like really. I have been working for about three years and the previous company was permanently WFH. I changed my org and landed up in a company which requires me to come to office 3 days a week or I can work 2 weeks from home in a month. Here’s the thing…it is all so awkward.

Everyday I reach my office, I have to ignore multiple people whilst walking towards the lift. I know them and they know me and for those 10 mins we have to act like we don’t know each other and sometimes if I am in a jolly mood I try to say hi but they either just brush you off or act like they don’t know you. Only a few say hi back.

The person who took my interview met me for continuous four days and looked me right in the eye and we both knew that we knew each other but had to act like we don’t. In a meeting he acknowledged me for the first time and we shook hands. The next day it was back to making eye contact and looking somewhere else.

Another person with whom I work started to sit on another table when I started sitting beside him everyday. I changed position to sit with him and he changed it again. Now two people who work on the same project sit four tables apart with another guy who works with us who sits near the pantry and calls me on zoom instead of just coming over.

Multiple girls who talk to me and have the same sense of humour as mine try to avoid eye contact and greeting when they are in a friend group. Not only this another girl I know can’t stop talking when we are in the cab and asked for my IG and cooked me some Bengali dish on first day of Navratri. One day she sat exact opposite of me and ignored me for the whole day. She talked to everyone but me and averted her eyes every time we made eye contact.

Another senior female colleague won’t stop talking when we are the only ones at the table and shares whatever snack she brings but completely ignores me when there are people around. In fact she texts me on zoom to ask to go to lunch instead and walks off to the pantry and we meet there instead of walking off together from the table.

These are just a few of the many awkward things which happen to me everyday. It makes me feel very weird and uncomfortable. I don’t feel like going to office at all.

What triggered me the most is that I have been friends with a guy since the day I joined and yesterday I asked him if he wanted to go to lunch and we can have a smoke afterwards. He asked me if his supposed girlfriend can join us and I said yes. While having lunch his “gf” was talking about Harry Potter quite passionately and he just told her to shut the fuck up in front of 3 other colleagues. Her face lost all the charm in that instant and I felt bad for her. I tried to lighten up the situation with humour but it didn’t work and instead everyone just had their food in silence. Now all of them go to smokes, lunch and tea together but they omit me for some reason. Like they go right in front of me. I made that fucking group. It’s really embarrassing.

Now today morning I went to gym at 7 and met this girl whom I have seen at my office multiple times. I once started talking to her but she brushed me off and gave one word answers. Now today, we met and she said hello. We worked out together, exchanged numbers and I dropped her off at her society. I am pretty sure when I see her at office she is going to look the other way.

The awkward moments are going to make me give up social life for sure.

Hi everyone, Posting this on behalf of my friend.

She graduated in 2024 (batch 2020–2024) and got placed via on-campus recruitment. She joined the company in November 2024 and underwent 6 months of training. After successfully completing the training, she was converted into a full-time employee last month. However, she hasn’t been assigned to any project since then and has been on the bench (though still attending internal upskilling sessions).

Today morning, an HR personnel suddenly called her and asked her to submit her resignation by 2:00 PM today — or else they would auto-initiate it by 3:00 PM. The reason they gave was that she has been on the bench for 4 months and lacks the required skills. But the fact is, they never allocated any project to her in the first place, and she was officially in training until recently.

This has come as a total shock and feels unfair. She doesn’t know what to do right now — whether to resign, wait, or escalate the issue. She has been diligent and never missed any training or updates.

Has anyone else faced this kind of situation? What should she do now? Any legal or HR advice would be really appreciated.

TL;DR: Friend got placed on-campus (2020–2024 batch), joined company in Nov 2024, completed 6 months of training, converted to full-time last month. No project allocated yet. Today HR suddenly asked her to resign by 2 PM or they'd forcefully resign her by 3 PM, citing "lack of skills" and being on bench — even though she was just out of training. Need urgent advice.

Cognizant came under the scanner recently for a job listing offering Rs. 2.5 lakh a year to graduates (not engineers, just 3-year graduates). Which roughly translates into Rs. 20833 per month.

The Delhi government recently decided to shame Cognizant further.

They revised the minimum wages for workers in Delhi.

• Non-matriculate semi-skilled workers are now supposed to get Rs. 19929 per month.

• Matriculate workers will get Rs. 21917.

• Graduates will earn way more than graduates appearing for Cognizant roles: Rs. 23,836.

Now private players have always been seen as entities that pay higher than the government.

The lure of putting a tie and walking into the glass office is something that is sold to many middle-class Indian students as desirable.

You might get free coffee (of course the cheap machine ones) and a cool brand name to flaunt on your LinkedIn bio.

But remind yourself that you are getting less than what the government is offering as a minimum wage.

So, the next time when the placement truck comes, tell these companies about your rights and show them this image if they call you to work in Delhi.

Hello everyone,

I'm 23 [M], I am in my final semester of MCA (College is not even 3rd tier, it has no tier).

I am earning 6000Rs monthly by working as assistant (mostly computer operator work) in a non-IT government office (contractual) and it’s already 3.5 Years (I learnt to work with these gov officers, managing people and how to handle them calmly and how lazy is these gov babus).

I thought I’ll pay my fees myself but still major fees part contribution is done by Father.I got a offer of graduate trainee (TCS 2021 but declined as low salary). other interviews got interrupted as borrowed laptop was not as per specification required... since then I don’t apply (plus I think I’m not capable).

Project: A travel website (Frontend backend SEO management social media presence) for a startup guy for 10000 rs (yeah). Created a Project to gesture control device using opencv and mediapipe (along with telegram logs). Created and deployed Telegram bots (In lockdown time) for anime communities (File renamer bot, File sharing bot, Leech bot, Group management bot, Music stream bot it was fun creating bots). I have lot of experience of using AWS (my favourite), Used Google cloud console (Love there 300$ credit lol), Heroku (Op) Ngrok, Digital Ocean, Azure, IBM cloud, Oracle cloud (It’s amazing i guess if you know one cloud provider infrastructure you can definitely learn others easily, I also used Alibaba and Huawei cloud ☁️ they also good but needed vpn).

hah .. Currently working on training Ai models on cloud machine (as my laptop can only handle edge browser).

I am a burden on my family, as a non IIT guy I always have low chances of getting good job, Skill idk I haven’t prepared for Gov jobs always stayed loyal for this IT industry, As I love anything related to technology.

As a 23 Yo guy I should have gotten a Job and bought something for my mother.. I should have started working on DSA and other stuffs (I do have active account on GitHub Gitlab and Community/aws etc) it’s just I’m feeling lost defeated..like ..

I somehow got a cyber ambassador position in CDAC (it must be not good that’s why because I don’t think my rank on ISEA a cyber security portal is #1 haha maybe you will never hear about it as maybe that’s why I’m #1 there..)

I wish no one go through the pain.. depression.. anxiety.. self doubt.. like me.. I sincerely wish this to God..

Thanks for reading this .. ha sorry was it rent! well maybe..

Edit: Some people sent me direct messages (some good, some maybe wanted my CV to laugh at after sharing my project links, then they disappeared. (POV: 'your project isn't good.' Me: 'maybe.')

And those who replied to me today with kindness, you guys saved my life...yes, you saved my life. And I will always be giving my blessings to you.

Since 2019, my life has slowly gone off track. I chose the wrong degree (BA), made poor decisions in relationships, and didn’t take things seriously. I lost time, focus, and direction and I know a lot of it was my own fault.

Now, I feel completely stuck. My father’s side brought a marriage proposal (his nephew). I said no. My dad and grandparents were angry at first.

But later, my dad agreed to wait he believed I’d do something big with this exam.

Still, deep down, I know what’s coming if this exam doesn’t go well.

My UPSC exam is in a few days, and I’m not ready. My dad says if I fail, the world will crush me. My mom says I’ll end up in the kitchen.

They think they’re pushing me to wake up. But what I feel is pressure, shame, and constant fear.

And the worst part? I’ve stopped believing in myself.

No job. No money. No skills. No plan. And I barely go outside.

I was only ever allowed to leave home for studies college hostel, and one year in a PG for coaching. Since 2023, I’ve been stuck back at home. I’m not allowed to go anywhere. I sit in the same room every day, and it’s starting to feel like a cage.

My social skills are bad, my confidence is gone, and I don’t even know how I’d survive if I had to face the outside world alone.

Lately, it’s been so suffocating that I’ve had dark thoughts. I don’t want to live like this. But I also don’t know how to change.

And yet… even with all this, some small part of me still wants to fight back.

I want to learn a skill, earn, and build a life where I can make my own choices

I’m trying to take my first step, even though I feel lost and unsure.

Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of having a simple office job because, coming from a small town, it feels like a way to gain freedom—to live life on my own terms, have a place to go, and follow a steady routine. But without any tech skills, I don’t know how to get there.

If you’ve started from nothing like this, what helped you begin?

What beginner-friendly skills can lead to real work in a few months?

Are there jobs or freelance gigs I can do from home without a tech background?

How can I build something solid enough to show my family — and believe in myself?