Inflation whips up lethal cocktail for youngsters

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Drinking, going out on a date, ordering pizzas and pastas or planning get togethers with friends every weekend — activities that till recently were a regular part of a youngster’s life. But all this has changed. Reason? Price rise.
Living in the capital would have never been so tough for many youngsters who are striving hard to earn a living or even those who are studying. In the last five months with the prices of most commodities rising, youngsters, especially outstation students, have been the worst hit. Most of them have cut down on indulging in things that they enjoyed the most. Many also prefer to work for some extra bucks.
Some of those, who came to Delhi from small towns to enjoy a life free from restrictions of returning home on time or even to experience life in a metro, are regretting their decision.
“Six years ago, when my parents were thinking about my higher education, I insisted that I want to study in Delhi (though they wanted me to stay in Patna) so that I learn to live on my own. Till the time I was studying, I struggled with limited pocket money, but was hopeful of a good life once I started earning. I never thought even after getting a job, life will be so tough,” says Jyotsna Singh, an associate executive with an MNC.
Jyotsna says that the price rise has hit her hard making her cut down on even the basic needs. “My earning is limited, so I have to follow a budget. After paying house rent and other bills (grocery), I’m left with an amount that is too meager for the entire month,” she says.
And it is worse for boys, who, in order to save, have to cut down on going out on dates. “Being a guy, it is always courteous to pay when you are out with a girl. But these days I plan only a few dates in a month,” says Divij, who is working with a PR firm.
Akshay Tomar, a hospitality manager says that regular nights which he spent with colleagues enjoying drinks are over. “Now we all keep away from drinks. From thrice or four times a week, the frequency has reduced to twice a month,” he says.
Many have even started slogging it out to earn extra bucks. On her off days, Jyotsna has started writing for her company’s in-house magazine. “Utilising my writing skills, this was a good part-time option to take up,” she says.
Shilpika Sinha, a young architecture working in a firm, designs houses of close relatives and friends for some extra bucks.
She says, “Interior designing was a part of my course. But it is rarely used while planning the architectural layout so I thought I would use it this way in return for some extra money that I will earn,” she says.