'Homework aunties' to your child's rescue

A model of a monument in Delhi with a detailed report, a working model of the solar system and 100 maths sums - that's what Mayank Sharda (name changed), 10, got as holiday homework. What a waste of a summer break, right?

A model of a monument in Delhi with a detailed report, a working model of the solar system and 100 maths sums - that's what Mayank Sharda (name changed), 10, got as holiday homework. What a waste of a summer break, right?

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But before you start feeling bad for him, the Class 5 student says with a grin that it's all done, adding: "The homework aunty did it."

Gone are the days when moms and dads helped with the homework. Nowadays, kids have 'homework aunties' for the job.

They are mostly women who are science graduates. And there are so many of them, it's a virtual cottage industry.

They mushroom during the vacations, charging between Rs.250 and Rs. 1,000 a project. You'll find them not only in Delhi but in Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad too.

"I started making projects in my spare time six years ago. I started with 10 in a season but I now get 100 a month. I have hired two persons to help me," said a homework aunty from Gurgaon.

Then there are also stationary shops selling science models as well as dedicated 'project shops'.

Manoj Kr Magoo, who runs one such shop in Janakpuri, says, "Our main job is to help BTech students with projects. Making school projects is a side job."

He gets around 1,000 calls from parents each summer.

Parents say they have no choice, given the ridiculous amount of homework schools give out.