A Noida woman has sparked a discussion online after highlighting the struggle of managing high living costs while earning a modest salary in the city. In a video shared on Instagram, she spoke about expensive accommodation, long working hours and jobs that allegedly offer no weekly days off, saying the situation was making her family consider returning to their village.
The woman, identified as Sarita Gupta, recorded the video while walking through Noida Sector 76. She questioned how people earning between ₹14,000 and ₹15,000 a month were expected to afford accommodation and other everyday expenses in the area.
‘How are we supposed to live here?’
"We are in Noida Sector 76. Tell me, the rooms here are so expensive. I just don’t understand how we are supposed to live here. If you look for a job, they offer only ₹14,000 to ₹15,000 for 12 hours of work, and that too without even a single day off," Gupta said in the video.
She went on to question the lack of weekly breaks for workers. "Doesn’t a person deserve at least a few days off from work? If they can’t give four days off in a month, they should at least give three, right?"
{{/usCountry}}She went on to question the lack of weekly breaks for workers. "Doesn’t a person deserve at least a few days off from work? If they can’t give four days off in a month, they should at least give three, right?"
{{/usCountry}}Gupta said the situation had become difficult enough for a family member to consider leaving Noida and returning to their village. However, she said she had been encouraging him to explore self-employment instead.
"That’s why he is thinking of going back to the village. I keep telling him, ‘Don’t go. Just set up your own cart or stall here.’ Tell me, what should we do? We are walking in Noida now. What can I say? It’s a very sad situation. Whoever hears this might laugh, but this is the reality," she added.
Watch the clip here:
Video draws reactions
The post has garnered several reactions from social media users, with many sympathising with the concerns raised over salaries, working hours and housing costs.
One user wrote, " ₹15,000 for 12 hours is too low."
Another person reacted to the alleged absence of weekly holidays, saying, "No weekly off is unacceptable."
A third user pointed towards the rising cost of accommodation in the city and commented, "Noida rent is getting unaffordable."
HT.com has reached out to the user for her comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)