Doctor, engineer, banker, chartered accountant there was a time when Indian parents had a list ready of the careers their kids should choose. But times have been changing
Doctor, engineer, banker, chartered accountant… there was a time when Indian parents had a list ready of the careers their kids should choose. But times have been changing. Today, somewhere in Delhi, a young professional's job description can read: "Will carry your shopping bags while you browse kurtas, or assist you at the airport."
Employment today has transcended and transformed into categories which would have been unimaginable before. Here are some innovative revenue streams today in the market:
Take Lajpat Nagar in Delhi, where a startup called CarryMen turned shopping fatigue into business. For as little as ₹149 an hour, people can hire assistants to carry bags, stand in queues, and navigate their way. Now, they even include senior citizen outings, doctor visit companionship, airport assistance, and more.
If closet organisation sounds like a futuristic profession, wait till you hear about homemakers being paid to do what they treat as normal. An AI data company has begun to pay homemakers ₹250 for one hour of video, them simply recording how they go about their daily chores such as cooking and cleaning. The footage is then used to train AI systems and humanoid robots to perform those same tasks. The irony is delicious. For decades, homemakers were told they "don't work." Now their daily routines have become valuable training material for machines.
The broader shift is hard to miss. Traditional careers are no longer the sole markers of success. What do you think?
Rishabh Suri writes for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement HT City. From Bollywood to Hollywood, from Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam films, to OTT and television- he covers it all.