The first time we met Rakesh was last Saturday in Shimla. He was the face of the hotel for us when we checked in. Rakesh is tall, good looking, very helpful by nature and always willing to go the extra mile. He ensured that we got the best place to park our car, lifted all our luggage and placed it carefully in our room, got us the first set of items that we required as we settled into our room after a long and tiring drive from Kalpa to Shimla. He left a very good first impression on us on the very first day.  

Two days later, as the time for us to check out got closer, I approached Rakesh with a set of to do items, one of which was to find a person to clean our car thoroughly. Without any hesitation, he offered to clean the car himself, and promised to do a good job of it. When Rakesh started cleaning the car, I stood next to him to offer some suggestions and also to chat with him. It was then that Rakesh shared the challenges of his life – he has studied only up to his plus two (12th standard), works in the hotel from 7.30 am till almost mid night most days, and gets paid just ₹ 4200 p.m.  Rakesh is one of the several millions in India who slog almost every day but still find it difficult to make ends meet. He is on the (infamous) contract labour system and is unsure of becoming part of the hotel company as a full time employee in the next ten years. His parents are in the village and cannot support him in his education. He is already 25 years old, and pays a rent of ₹ 4000 for his place of stay in Shimla. Very difficult to sustain himself, leave alone supporting his family in any way.   

I asked Rakesh if he ever thought of the options that he has in front of him. Shifting to a different location, going in for higher education in hotel management, setting up an enterprise with a bunch of friends,  pursuing a degree program even as he is working to support himself, were some options that came to my mind instantly. While some of these options did cross his mind, he appeared to have been burdened and occupied with the present scheme of things. He certainly was very keen to get out of the existing cycle of subsistence.    

Bindu and I took sometime out and spoke to Rakesh about the possibilities including an option to pursue a program in hotel management from private institutions such as the Heritage Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism  in Shimla or some other institution, as he is over age now to do the course from the IHMs. We have offered him support through ShikshaDaan to complete his education and move forward in his career.    

Right through our ShikshaDaan Yatra, one common point that we have come across in most of the youngsters that we have met in Himachal Pradesh is the lack of exposure to the various career options available to them. Uniformly, they all are hardworking, honest and genuine people but with very limited exposure.  They need to have a much broader exposure to this world, and much earlier than when they get it now. One of the activities that ShikshaDaan plans to do is partner with organizations like Junior Achievement and forums like Nasscom and other industry bodies to bring that exposure at the school leaving stage. 

Would appreciate ideas and suggestions from everyone on how we could do this for Himachal. As we tour other states, we can replicate the model wherever the same problem crops up.  

Let’s work together to make the Himachal Youth luckier by creating awareness and opportunities.