THANE: Lack of jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic has forced some 20-odd young men with college degrees to work as nullah (drain) cleaners in the Mumbra, Thane.
But they are not ashamed.
No work is inferior and they have to support their families, said one of them.
A group of around 20 persons from Diva in the district has been hired by a private contractor for nullah cleaning, which is undertaken every year to prevent flooding during the monsoon.
To save on transport costs, they walk from Diva to Mumbra, a distance of over 10km, everyday for work.
Among them are some well-educated young men.
Sameer (full name not disclosed), who said he is a “double graduate”, is working with the contractor for the last three months.
“There are no jobs outside.
Companies have closed due to the pandemic.
One needs a job for earning livelihood and to take care of the family,” he told a local news channel.
Anil, another worker, said he is an “IT engineer”.
Some of them had white collar jobs, which they lost during the pandemic.
As they needed income, one of them approached an agent of the civic contractor who undertakes pre-monsoon works a few weeks ago, and expressed willingness to join his team of labourers.
The corporator of the ward in Mumbra where the work is underway said she felt sympathy for them as they had lost their regular jobs.
“I salute them for their work,” she added.
“One should not look down upon any work.
After all we have to survive and support the family.
What if we are post graduates or double graduates? Our degrees are not going to help us at present,” said another man.
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Thane: Armed with college degrees, youths clean drains for a living
