Handsome stipends excite youth at IITF

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Working part-time as host and hostess at the ongoing International Trade Fair (IITF) every year gives youngsters an ideal way to gain on-hand experience and earn attractive salary. With higher stipends this year, different brands and state pavilions are paying young volunteers anything from `1,000 to `2,500 per day.
Sheetal Juneja, appointed as an interpreter with the Venezuela pavilion, is paid `2,500 daily. She plans to make a career in tourism department and so loves her job. “I have an MA in Tourism and have also pursued advanced diploma in Spanish from Jamia Millia Islamia. I want to be an interpreter in Spanish and wouldn’t mind working in a Spain television channel as an anchor. This job is giving me an opportunity to excel in the field along with a handsome stipend. I plan to save the money to buy a new car for myself.”
Besides the stipend, youngsters also get free food coupons, uniforms and a pick up and drop facility as perks. For Web designer Riya Chatterjee, working as a receptionist for Tata Steel, this is all about earning extra bucks. “The job is not at all hectic. We just have to build more clients. Besides earning `1,400 a day, I’ve made new friends here.”
Sonal Pandey, an MBA student, is happy to work at the Afghanistan pavilion as a receptionist, as she has got an opportunity to know about the country and its languages. “I’m a Hindi consultant to people who don’t understand Persian. I’ve learnt a bit of their official languages also including Pashto and Dari. Although I’m just being paid `600 a day, it’s fun to learn about a new culture.”
Though their job looks rosy from a distance, it also comes with a few grey tones. Girls who are required to dress in skirts or one-piece dresses as their uniform, at times find it tough to handle the lecherous crowd.
Anu Singh, a student from IMT Ghaziabad, working for Usha Appliances says, “I want to make a career in HR and this job has helped me enhance my communication skills. But it is uncomfortable at times, as we wear a skirt and often hear lewd comments and people staring at us is a regular feature. We ignore it.”
Seconds Sona, who is with Samsung and has to wear a black dress everyday, “The other day, one of our fellowmates was pushed and pinched by somebody. People look at our legs and click pictures with their cellphones. We have bouncers for security, but it still leaves a bad taste in the mouth,” she adds.
After IITF, youngsters await the Auto-Expo in January which has a better stipend ranging from `2,000 to `5,000. Reena Sharma, employee at IITF, says, “I am looking forward to Auto-Expo, as the crowd and the paycheques are better there. I want to make a career in modelling and it will provide the right platform.”