The 30th India International Trade Fair ended with a big smile on the face of many youngsters. The 14-day mega event, which is an ideal place for college-goers to make quick bucks, this time, came with double paychecks for volunteers, working at various stalls. The usual amount, which used to be `300 per day till last year has gone upto `1,000 per day this year.
And many happily share their plans on how they will splurge the moolah. Dev Nasir, a third-year student from Rajdhani College and a volunteer for Reebok, says, “The hike came as a blessing as I want to pay for my house rent and bike maintenance. Besides the money, it’s a good place to socialise and make new friends.”
Besides the big bucks, many youngsters also get free food coupons, uniforms, and sometimes even a pick up and drop facility. Agrees Komal, a student from Kalandi College, who has been working in the trade fair for the past four years. “The job here comes with perks and makes us financially independent. As this time our salary was hiked, it’s double the fun. I’m planning to go on a shopping spree followed by a trip to Goa with friends,” she says.
But a few plan to fund their education with this salary. Vinita Tushir, 17, a receptionist at the Chhattisgarh pavilion shares, “As I don’t belong to an affluent family, I want to spend this amount on my studies. I love the job and enjoyed dressing up in a sari everyday as it’s usually the dress code for all the state stalls.”
Money is not an issue for some, who see it as an exciting career opportunity. Ketan Arora, an engineering student, who supervised for an NGO called Hriday, and earned just `500 per day said he was happy to be volunteering for a social cause. “I want to make a career in social work, so it was a great opportunity for me. I’m happy to spread awareness about heart problems. Now I am going to buy a cool pair of Puma shoes and I think I have earned enough for it,” he adds.
Although the going is not always easy as many young girls complain about eve-teasing, groping and harassment by lecherous men in the crowd.
Says Anjalee Suneja, a volunteer at a stall, “We have to attend to all kinds of people, which makes our job tough. Many pass weird comments and some shamelessly stare at us. As we have to be polite, very often some people take undue advantage and would just stand next to us for hours. However, I’ve learnt to ignore them.”
Another volunteer Renuka says that a few day ago, a fight broke out between a group of boys chasing a girl.
“Even I got involved with an argument with a guy, who was secretly taking my pictures. Although security is good here, I feel strict action should be taken against such offenders,” she adds.