When freelancing becomes an option

Abhinov Raina 26, is a freelance wedding photographer who completed his Mass Communication from a reputed Government institute, three years ago. He says his days in college were wonderful and he cherishes them. But as soon as his final exams approached, he started getting the shivers. These shivers were not because he was not prepared. Rather, they happened when he found out that there would be ‘no
job placements provided by the institute’.

“The college now has a placement cell. As soon as we left, there was racket created by the students, for the same. I had to run around a lot looking for jobs in film production houses. They paid so poorly, that instead, I decided to freelance. I am not starving, but I don’t make enough to call myself financially independent,” says Raina.

The young man aspires to be a musician and ‘jams’ regularly with his friends. Some of his videos are also uploaded on YouTube.

“The job market is completely privatised and disorganised. All that I have studied has gone waste. I am like a wage labourer. There are numerous institutes opening up for all kinds of skill development. But those jobs are not available. I have worked for Rs 3,000 per day. And as a freelancer I get only two-three such assignments,” says Aamir Hasan Khan 26, who intends to be a recognised artist someday.

Monica Tiwari left her job as a photographer in a company because, “I wanted to be my own boss. I never wanted to work under anybody. I took up the job just to show experience on paper, so that I could have my own start-up. Money is not everything for me. My dreams also matter.” Today, Tiwari is an independent photographer and she travels all over the country and is published in some of the most reputed journals in India.
There are many like
Tiwari who have been successful in starting out on their own. Metrolife spoke to a number of freelancers, inquiring why they have opted for this ‘disorganised sector’.
Anurag Chaubey, came from Patna to Delhi in the hope for more and better job opportunities. But despite many attempts and interviews later he continues to remain jobless. “Today, I will take up any job. I don’t think it is wise for people to wait for the ideal job to come to them. And expecting some astronomical figure in their bank account is futile. Only MBAs, engineers and doctors can expect all that,” says Chaubey.

Chaubey adds, “I was certain that my education will not change my life. It will just prove that I come from a certain field.” He wanted to be a writer but worked very briefly as a content writer. He left his job in five months and now expects to join again in any company that provides him the same opportunity and some much-needed stability.