Survival of the fittest! These words of Darwin have started taking a huge share of Armaan’s mind space these days. He knows that he neither earns any income, nor pays any taxes. So why must the Union Budget, 2010 worry this 20 year old Urban Youngster? Well, he realized he must, since his parents that provide him with pocket money (which stays for very little time in his pocket) do pay taxes! The Budget will affect him through his parents.
Suddenly, with the Rs. 2.70 hike in Petrol, his 3-month old Cruiser Bike seems to be so more of a liability than a style-statement, which he hoped for. His date next week seems to be a far fetched dream, now that food and beverages taxes have hiked up, and his hopes with the college hottie have proportionally seem to go the other way round.
Armaan’s troubles are puny but yet prominent. An unpaid internship and a meager Rs. 3000 per month pocket money from home, inclusive of the phone expenses don’t help too much. His parents wouldn’t lend him an advance or an extra amount for his expenses. This is a situation common to many urban youngsters in the country today. Like Armaan, they live a hand-to-mouth existence (in their terms, at least). What they all look for is not less expenditures, since they are in a growing stage in life, they know so will their expenditures. What they want is a balance between the inflow and outflow of ‘hard-asked for’ cash!
However, with the world becoming smaller (in short, global village for the bigwigs) and multi-national companies looking out for youngsters to do their low-end short-term jobs, earning a quick buck isn’t a very mysterious deal anymore. Youngsters, like Armaan, in need of money, and not in need of a career, but a short job, will happily do most jobs asked for by the corporate for a few thousand rupees. Event Management, Freelance Acting etc, is the leeway that Armaan and his counterparts will adopt till they obtain a substantial balance, to spend on their personal expenditures.
This situation is somewhat similar to what the Hyenas of the African Savannah do on a daily basis. They scavenge, if they can from the Big Cats, but hunt if the Big Cats won’t share any of their kill. The Urban Youngsters of India are very akin to Hyenas in ways of survival: Allowance from parents (Big Cats); or Odd-Jobs at MNCs. After all, it is all about Survival.
The Union Budget, 2010 has affected everyone in one way or the other. But, Armaan knows that, if he has to send some romantic messages and make some exceptionally passionate late night calls to score with the college hottie for next Saturday, all he has to do go is sell a few passes or manage a crowd or even go ahead, pick up a tray and serve some booze at a high profile party.
Article by: Mohnish Modi
