In the small town of Ralegaon, India, the stories of underemployment and unfulfilled dreams unfold every day. Shivanand Sawale, a well-educated teacher, earns a meagre salary of 7,500 rupees a month, much less than what uneducated labourers make in the village. Despite battling poverty and personal loss, Sawale is mocked by friends for his low income.
Similarly, Sidhant Mende, an engineer, works at a construction site for a paltry sum that does not reflect his qualifications. He laments that his degree seems to hold no value in the job market. Aarti Kunkunwar, a science graduate, struggles to find stable employment in her town, resorting to teaching students for a meagre income.
Chandrakant Khobragade, with impressive degrees in science and education, faces the harsh reality of job hunting in private schools that demand exorbitant bribes for employment. The lack of government recruitment opportunities further exacerbates the situation, leaving qualified individuals like Khobragade with little hope.
As India grapples with rising unemployment rates and underemployment among its educated youth, stories like those of Sawale, Mende, Kunkunwar, and Khobragade serve as poignant reminders of the challenges faced by many in the country. Despite their education and aspirations, they find themselves in jobs that do not match their qualifications, prompting questions about the value of education in a system that fails to provide adequate opportunities for its youth.